You may have heard that moving out of state can be stressful, but figuring out what is the best way to transport your car to a new state can be even more complicated if you don’t have a plan. Lucky for you, after reading our expert tips, you will have a plan and be educated on all of your car shipping options. Whether you choose to drive the car yourself, enlist the help of a family member or hire a professional auto transport company, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know to ship a car across state lines successfully.
- Intelligent Ways to Ship a Car to Another State
- Hire an auto transport company
- Transport your car with a moving company
- Hitch your car to a moving truck
- Hire a professional driver
- Drive it yourself
- Ship your car by train
- Ship your car by boat
- Hire an auto transport company.
The most stress-free route to ship a car to another state is to find a reputable car shipping company and let them handle all the heavy lifting. Get at least three car shipping quotes to compare shipping prices and offers from different service providers to ensure you find the best car shipping companies for your needs and budget.
There are a lot of great auto shippers in the auto transport industry. Always be sure that the company you choose to work with can check off the following boxes:
Must be licensed and insured for interstate moves. To verify licensure, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website and check a company’s U.S. DOT number. (Note that any company listed on our directory has already been screened for license and insurance.)
- They have an excellent rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- Good online reviews.
- Get started with a visit to our car shipping quotes feature.
- Transport your car with a moving company.
Are you using a full-service moving company for your interstate move? They may be able to move your car(s) too. When you get a quote for your interstate move, ask if they offer vehicle transportation services. Even if they don’t provide the service themselves, they may be able to connect you with an auto transport service.
Hitch your car to a moving truck.
When driving a moving truck to your destination, you can hitch your vehicle to the back with a tow dolly or trailer. You should check with your truck rental company if they allow it (if they do, they will probably also rent you the equipment you need). Please note that this will add a lot of difficulty to your drive regarding mobility, so if you’re already uncomfortable driving a big moving truck, a car trailer may not be a good idea.
Hire a professional driver.
Concierge transportation companies (professional driving companies) allow you to hire a driver to make the trek for you in your car. Many of them will even take your pet along and will stop for potty breaks along the way. This is a pricey option, which will put miles on your car, but it may be an excellent way to go. Of course, if you hire a professional driver, always go through a driving company. Concierge transportation companies pre-vet their drivers and have the move covered by insurance.
Drive it yourself.
While certainly the most time-consuming, this option lets you control your car’s movement. You will find this to be the cheapest and easiest option if you are moving a short distance. The process of moving from one state to another across the country isn’t easy – but it can be accomplished. If you’ve been planning a road trip, you may want to consider this inexpensive alternative to hiring a transportation company.
Consider asking friends or family members to drive the car. This will end up being more affordable than hiring a professional driver, but you want to ensure your insurance will cover this person and that they are reliable. We don’t recommend this option, but it is an option if you’re in a pinch.
Car transport by train
Whether you want to transport a sedan or a van or even a motorcycle, Amtrak’s trains can accommodate any kind of vehicle. To travel between Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Florida, drivers can load their cars onto the Amtrak Auto Train.
Car transport by boat
While this is mainly reserved for international car shipping, you can still ship your car by boat domestically, too. Just like moving your car by train, this isn’t the most common method to drive your car, but it could be right under certain circumstances. (For example, if you’re moving to Hawaii or Alaska.)
