For better or worse, your options are rather limited: you can either drive it to the new address or have it shipped using professional auto transport services. Or you can try to sell your car and buy a new one when you reach your destination town or city, often in another state altogether.

Should you happen to choose the option of shipping your car across the country with an auto shipping company, then you’re going to need to know the required steps you’ll have to take to ensure the car shipping process goes smoothly from the very beginning.

So, follow these 7 steps for shipping a car across country and you shouldn’t have any problems when transporting your vehicle from Point A to Point B regardless of where that Point B is located in the country.

Step 1: Car shipping decision

Should you drive to your new home or should you hire a car shipping company?

The real question is whether you driving your car to the new home instead of having it shipped will be the better option for you, your family members, and the vehicle itself. So, how can you know for sure? Just take a look at the distance between the two homes

When moving only a short distance away – neighboring town or city, or another one within the same state, then driving your car to get where you’re going is usually the most logical and natural choice. Driving your automobile to a neighboring state is also a good opportunity to avoid having to hire professional car shipping services.

However, when your new home is located far away – several or many states away from where you are now, then spending days behind the wheel is not really something you should get excited about. Driving a car from coast to coast, for example, takes approximately 4 days and is way too risky and dangerous to pull off.

Also, don’t forget to factor in the season you’re moving in (fancy driving a car hundreds of miles in snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures?) and the time constraints you’ve got to complete the house move.

Step 2: Car shipping companies

Using a car transport service to move your car across the country is often the more advantageous choice, and believe it or not, it can easily prove to be the more affordable option from you as well. Basically, it’s a matter of adding up the risks of driving your car across the country and calculating the DIY costs and expenses along the road.

The top-rated car shipping company you pick will make sure your vehicle stays safe throughout the haul.

Choosing to go with one of the best car shipping companies in the country will give you the peace of mind that your precious vehicle will be in good hands during the entire haul. The years of experience and high level of professionalism from the auto shipper you pick will also ease your worries and stress, as will the fact that those top-rated auto shippers will be adequately insured in case something bad should happen during the car haul.

Of course, the thing you’ll most likely be genuinely concerned about is the car shipping cost. Below we’ll give you some rough estimates of the cost to transport a car across the country, but it’s critical that you know the major factors that affect that price so that you can try to lower it, if that’s possible.

The great news for you is that once you get in touch with reliable vehicle transport companies, they will give you accurate car shipping quotes that will include the final price you’ll need to pay for the car transportation service. And when you have those quotes in your hands, you’ll be able to easily pick the car shipper that has made the best offer in terms of price and conditions.

Also, don’t forget to compare the car transport companies by reading car shippers reviews – performance ratings left by former clients of those auto shippers. Those auto shippers reviews also contain short narratives written by those customers of what the companies did right and what they did wrong.

Step 3: Car shipping cost

There are several crucial factors that will determine the final car moving cost – see the next step. But first, you should get a rough idea of what to expect price-wise so that you don’t get unpleasantly surprised when you receive car shipping estimates from the auto transport companies that you get in touch with.

The price to move a car across country can vary greatly – from $400-$500 for a short car hauls to $1,500 for long cross-country moves. Roughly speaking, shipping your car from:

• West Coast to East Coast, or vice versa, should cost about $1,200 for a sedan and $1,400 for a pick-up truck or an SUV.
• West Coast to Midwest, or vice versa, should cost approximately $800 for a sedan and $900 for a pick-up truck or an SUV.
• East Coast to Midwest, or vice versa, should cost roughly $1,000 for a sedan and $1,200 for a pick-up truck or an SUV.
• South to North, or vice versa, should cost about $800 for a sedan and $1,000 for a pick-up truck or an SUV.

Use the above average costs to ship a car cross country only as a reference. The only way you can know how much you’ll pay for the service is to get those precise car shipping estimates from the best vehicle transportation companies in your area. Based on your car moving details, they will supply you with car shipping quotes that will reflect accurately the final price.

How much does it cost to transport a car?

Step 4: Shipping cost factors

The better you understand which major factors influence the cost to ship a car across country, the easier it will be for you to try to bring down that price – a high-priority task that’s particularly relevant when you’re moving on a tight budget.

• Auto shipping company. Note that different car shipping companies have different car shipping rates and that’s exactly why you’re strongly recommended to get in touch with several reputable auto shippers and ask them for vehicle shipping quotes.
• Distance. Of course, the distance between the pick-up and drop-off locations will affect greatly the price to ship a car across the country. As you can imagine, there’s a huge difference between shipping a vehicle at a distance of 300 miles and moving it 3,000 miles across the entire North American continent.
• 

  The size and weight of your car will influence the final car shipping cost.

  Size & Weight. The bigger and heavier a car is, the more expensive it will be to ship it. Roughly speaking, an SUV, a van or a pick-up truck will cost approximately $200 more to be transported than sedans.

• Car model. Super-expensive sports cars and luxury cars cost more to transport safely across the country.
• Fuel. The current price of fuel will also influence the car moving cost.
• Insurance. The price of the auto insurance may or may not be included in the car shipping estimates you receive. If unclear, you should ask the auto shippers for clarification.

Take a closer look at those cost factors and you’ll notice that you won’t have any control over most of them as they are constant values. However, the one factor that you can control is the auto shipper you pick, so be extra careful when comparing the various car moving estimates.

Step 5: Auto shipping method

Another big factor that will influence the cost of shipping a car cross country is the exact car shipping method that you request from the auto shipping company you’ve chosen. For your information, there are two car shipping methods: using an open-air trailer and using an enclosed trailer.

Open-air car transport

This is the standard car shipping method chosen by most customers simply because it is less expensive. If you opt for this type of auto transport, then your vehicle will be loaded safely, together with other customers’ cars, onto an open-air trailer and transported to your new address.

The lower price is its biggest advantage, hence its popularity. Its major drawback is that your car will be in the open during the entire haul, which basically means that it will be subjected to the whims of the weather.

Enclosed car transport

The best protection for your valuable vehicle will be achieved if you choose the enclosed truck option. That way, you can rest assured that regardless of the weather conditions, your car will remain utterly protected inside an enclosed trailer.

Using the enclosed type of auto transport to move your car across the country is much more expensive than using the open-air type of car transportation, and what is why it is usually used for hauling very expensive vehicles – sports ones, classic ones, or luxury ones.

How to pay less when moving across the country

Step 6: Rrepare your car

You’ve found a reputable car shipping company and you’ve accepted their offer to transport your car to the destination address. So far, so good.

The next step for you is to prepare your car to be picked up by your auto shipper. There are specific tasks you need to do before the pros make it to your home – just follow this brief car transport checklist to prepare your vehicle for pick-up.

• WASH the exterior of your vehicle.
• INSPECT your car for any signs of damage. If you do find any problems, take photos of them as proof of that pre-existing damage.
• TAKE broader photos of your car regardless of what the inspection shows – keep those photos of proof of its current condition.
• CHECK for possible fluid leaks under the car, inside the engine compartment, and around the fuel tank. If you find any leaks, have them fixed ASAP.
• CHECK the car battery – it should be fully charged and secured safely on its brackets.
• 

  Inspect your car for any signs of pre-existing damage before your auto shipper arrives to pick it up.

  CHECK the tires – they should be fully inflated and in good overall condition.

• LEAVE only around 1/4 of fuel in the fuel tank. You don’t need more than that and the aim is to reduce the weight of your car as well.
• CHECK the emergency brake – it should work ok.
• REMOVE any personal items from the car – the only things you will be allowed to leave inside are the standard car equipment and a child seat, if applicable.
• REMOVE any removable elements from the exterior of your vehicle. Secure the ones you can’t remove.
• DISABLE the alarm system of your vehicle.
• WRITE down the reading of your car’s odometer.

Moving out of state checklist

Step 7: Car delivery

After your vehicle is safely delivered by the car shipper, you’ll be expected to inspect it once again to make sure there hasn’t been any type of transportation damage. After the check, you’ll be asked to sign the condition report and the Bill of Lading that confirm the successful delivery of your automobile. If you can’t be present at the car delivery, then you’ll need to authorize a trustworthy person to receive it on your behalf.

Shipping your car across the country will also mean that you’ve most likely moved to another state altogether. And if that’s the case, then you will be also expected to register your recently delivered vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the state you just moved to.

The good news is that registering your car in a new state is not complicated at all – contact your local DMV office to get more information about their working hours and what documentation you need to have with you during the registration process. Do not postpone this very task because you only have a limited time window to do it – from 10 days in some states to as many as 30 in others.

So, as soon as you can, visit the closest DMV office and register your vehicle there to know you’ve crossed that task as done and to avoid paying a penalty too.

10 Essential things to do after moving

The post Moving a Car Across Country: Car Shippers & Car Shipping Cost appeared first on The Moving Blog.

In case you’re moving to a neighboring state and you only have one personal vehicle, then you may decide to transport your car on your own by driving it to the new home. Ultimately, few things offer more fun than an exciting old-fashioned road trip!

However, if you’re moving long-distance across the country and plan to cross multiple states until you reach your final destination, then it’s important to know that the most popular, most cost-effective and safest option is to ship your car via a professional auto transporter.

Read on to learn how to transport a car from one state to another, including details about the cheapest way to ship a car to another state.

Hire an auto transporter to move your car to another state

Without a doubt, the best way to transport your car to another state is to hire a car transport company to do it for you. Even though your first reaction is likely to be, “Oh, no, hiring a professional car shipper is too expensive, I can’t afford it!”, the good news here is that hiring professionals to take care of this specific relocation job is often regarded as the cheapest way to move a car to another state. But why?

Because of the fierce competition in the auto shipping industry, most car shipping companies will fear that they may lose your business to their competitors. As a result, they will try to offer you the best possible price for transporting your vehicle across the country. And ultimately, that’s a very good thing for you as a consumer of that service.

By using professional car shipping services, you’ll get the peace of mind that your own vehicle will be in good hands throughout the transit. Below we’ll give you the steps to finding a dependable auto shipper, but now, let’s say a few words about your vehicle shipping options:

Option 1: Have your car shipped by an open-air truck

Discuss with your car transport company which shipping method is the best one for your car.

This car shipping method is the most common one as it is the cheaper of the two. You must have seen big trucks transporting two or three rows of cars on specialized open-air trailers along the highways. Those trailers are very similar to the ones used for the transportation of new cars to various car dealerships across the country.

Make sure you ask your car shipper exactly how your car will be transported to your new home. The big plus of having your vehicle moved in an open-air truck is the lower cost, of course, but there’s one major disadvantage as well – this way your car will be exposed to the elements – that is, at the mercy of the weather until it reaches its destination.

Option 2: Have your car shipped by an enclosed truck

However, if you’re really concerned about how the weather conditions may affect your car during the transport (possible damage is never out of the question), then you might want to consider paying more for using the enclosed truck option.

Usually, enclosed transport is the preferred method of transporting expensive or valuable cars – classic, vintage or sports ones. So, if you wish to have that extra peace of mind that your automobile will be as safe as it can be on the road, then speak with your car transport company about getting that extra layer of protection for your vehicle.

However, you should make sure that your vehicle shipper will provide adequate insurance regardless of the car transportation method you choose.

How to choose a reputable car transportation company

Now that you know the best way to move a car to another state, let’s take a look at the detailed steps to finding yourself a trustworthy auto shipper. Keep in mind that you’re looking for

• EXPERIENCE – long years in the auto shipping business is an extra assurance that your car will get shipped quickly and hassle-free),
• REPUTATION – good reputation in the form of positive customer reviews and ratings will be an indication that you’ll be dealing with a trustworthy car transport company that will make sure it does its job in a highly professional manner,
• AFFORDABILITY – you’re looking for a good auto shipper that also offers affordable rates. After all, it’s the balance between high-quality services and reasonable prices that will determine how successful a car transportation company is in the end. And how useful it is for you.

One thing is clear: you don’t want to make the rookie mistake of driving thousands of miles across the country, through unknown territories and unfamiliar roads. Just a quick example: the move distance between New York City and Los Angeles is 2,800 miles. 2,800 miles mean more than 41 hours of straight non-stop driving in your car – something that is extremely difficult to plan and do on your own.

So, you need the best auto shipper you can find in your area – how do you find that company?

• 

  Trust a top-rated auto shipper to deliver your car quickly and safely.

  Step 1. Fill in our car shipping calculator. The idea here is to get in touch with top-rated car shipping companies that are properly licensed by the U.S. Government.

• Step 2. Select the brand and the model of your car on the next page, then specify the shipping method you want (open-air or enclosed) and mark down the condition of your vehicle – running or not running. Finally, you only need to enter the shipping date, your name, and contact info.
• Step 3. Get price estimates for having your car shipped from your current home to the new one on that date you’ve specified. In fact, getting several car shipping estimates will help you narrow down your choice and enable you to pick the offer that’s most agreeable to your moving budget.
• Step 4. Take a bit of extra time and research the car shippers you’re reviewing. The price in the quotes will be a deciding factor, of course, but you’d better check the pros’ reputation as well. Access trusted reviews of car transport companies and see how customers have rated their services. If a vehicle shipper gets bad reviews and low ratings consistently, then that’s an indicator that something may be wrong and you’d be safer not hiring that company. In general, it’s a good idea to trust only companies with good reputation, high-performance ratings and the lowest number of complaints, if any.
• Step 5. Don’t make the mistake of going with the very first auto shipper that comes along. Compare carefully the estimates you’ve received, check the reviews and ratings of each car shipping company, and finally – contact each one for more information. It won’t hurt to ask them for a discount and advice about what you can actually do to lower the quoted car shipping price.

Luckily, there’s an even easier way to get in touch with reputable car shipping companies – straight from your smartphone! Get the brand-new iOS app RideShipper and receive up to 4 quotes from the best vehicle shippers in the country. In addition to being the fastest way to hire top-rated car transportation companies, RideShipper will also let you cut your car shipping costs by up to 40%.

How much does it cost to move a car from one state to another?

The cost to ship a car to another state will be calculated on a case-by-case basis, meaning that you’ll get to learn how much you’ll pay for the car transportation service only after you get accurate estimates by top-rated car transportation companies in your area.

Nevertheless, it can be beneficial to you to be familiar with the fundamental factors that will influence the car shipping price one way or another.

• DISTANCE. The greater the distance, the higher the price of the vehicle shipping services, of course.
• SHIPPING METHOD. The open-air transportation method is cheaper than the enclosed one. Get car shipping quotes for both transportation methods to see the price difference.
• SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. It’s easy to guess that larger and heavier vehicles will cost more to transport.
• AUTO SHIPPER. Even for exactly the same shipping service, some auto transportation companies will charge more while other professionals will charge less. This is why it’s important to be able to compare various vehicle shipping quotes instead of readily accept the very first offer you get.
• INSURANCE. The cost of the insurance will surely add up but it’s often included in the car shipping estimates.
• FUEL. As can be expected, the current fuel prices will influence the cost to ship your car to another state.

How much does it cost to transport a car?

How to prepare your car for shipping

Before your car shipping company comes to pick up your car, you will need to have prepared your vehicle for safe transport. There are a number of important things that your auto shipper will expect you to have done. Otherwise, they will probably charge you extra for the inconvenience and the additional time that will be lost.

Preparing a vehicle for auto transport is an important step which you shouldn’t just skip for whatever reason. The task is not overly complicated so you should be able to finish it within an hour or so as long as you know what steps to take to prepare your car for shipping.

Follow this concise how-to-prepare-a-car-for-transport checklist:

• 

  You are required to wash the exterior of your vehicle before your auto shipper comes to pick it up.

  Wash and clean the exterior of your car;

• Inspect visually your vehicle and document any damage you notice. You’ll be able to identify possible scratches and dents more easily when your car is clean. Take photos of your vehicle, both closer and broader ones;
• Remove any personal items from the car. The only things you will be allowed to leave are a child’s seat and car tools in the trunk;
• Charge the car battery;
• Inflate the tires to the recommended tire pressure (PSI). See the sticker in the door jam or consult your owner’s manual;
• Top off all fluids;
• Leave only around 1/4 of fuel in the car tank. The idea here is to reduce the overall weight, which will reduce the transportation cost;
• Check whether the emergency brake functions properly;
• Retract the antenna, fold the side mirrors and remove any exterior parts that can be removed safely;
• Secure the hardtop if your car is a convertible;
• Disable the car alarm system;
• Make a note of all mechanical problems, if any, and report them duly to the auto shipper before your car is loaded up for transport.

What to do after moving your car to another state

Now that you know how to transfer a car from one state to another, let’s take a look at the 2 most important things you need to do after your vehicle gets delivered to the new address.

1) Upon delivery, inspect your vehicle carefully for possible signs of damage during transport. If you happen to find any, take photos of the damaged areas and contact your state-to-state car shipping company to inform them and inquire about what you have to do next.

2) Don’t forget that you still need to register your newly-delivered vehicle in the destination state within a short window of time. Car registration periods differ from state to state – some states will offer as many as 30 days while others will only give you 10 days to complete that task.

Contact the new-state DMV office for more information on how to register your car in the new state, including all the vehicle registration paperwork you have to bring with you to their office.

10 critical things to do after moving

The post How to Move a Car from One State to Another appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Choose a Broker or a Carrier to Move an Automobile?

Depending on your moving deadline a few weeks before the desired moving date is a good time to begin the organization process. You need time to select a company and the company needs time to coordinate with you your automobile move. And before you sign with it, remember to check its USDOT number, its rating at the BBB and its insurance policy. If you can also gather positive reviews from people you know who have recently moved their automobile – this would be even a better option. In the end, it all comes down to knowing well what broker or mover you have hired to make sure that your auto relocation will be timely and safe, and that you will get your car in the condition you gave it away.

In order to have a smooth and happy automobile relocation, check the broker or carrier before hiring it!

Hiring a Broker

A moving company and a broker – make a difference between these two. When booking a broker instead of hiring an auto hauling company, there are a number of things that you should know.

Getting quotes and comparing estimates is very important. Get at least several quotes to compare the cost for moving your automobile. You can do it here. Once you get a few quotes you may be tempted to hire the cheapest local or state to state moving form but cost shouldn’t be your only criteria when selecting an interstate vehicle shipper. Finding a trustworthy automobile relocation company means more than the price for its services – after all, both brokers and car movers work for money so quotes that are considerably lower than the others should ring a bell. And besides, there is a risk of extra hidden charges that may come up if you select a broker. This is unfortunately an uncontrollable detail for all customers in the automobile relocation sector. In order to minimize this risk, if you decide to use a broker, you should be aware of what automobile relocation services are included in it like insurance, open or closed trailer, terminal-to-terminal or door-to-door service, etc. All these details matter a lot because door-to-door service and closed trailers are usually more expensive. Your automobile will be waiting at the terminal to be picked up and it will cost you time. Also, terminals have charges and they could also have daily storage fees. Knowing what your quote includes is a good advice also if you have chosen to hire a moving company directly.

Check out the pros and cons of hiring a car broker vs. an automobile carrier!

Once you choose a broker, it will collect the deposit that is due and then it will forward your details to carriers it works with in search of the lowest quote. After that a car moving company – or a third side in the process, will deal with your automobile relocation. So, you pay the broker, and you pay the carrier as well.

Hiring a Carrier

The same advice goes here as well – just like when searching for a broker, your search for an automobile mover shouldn’t be based solely on price. Rather look for an average quote than the cheapest one. A very low quote by a broker or a mover carries risks like shipping your automobile for a very long time (weeks or months) if it gets shipped at all. The worst case scenario is when nobody shows up to pick your automobile. The broker or carrier has collected your deposit which is non-refundable and the company has no problem, but you do now. So, don’t risk getting scammed or getting very poor service by going for a very low ball estimate. Sometimes what seems to cost the least comes out to be the most expensive thing.

Using moving companies for automobiles is a bit different, on the other hand. Hiring a carrier for the move of your automobile gives you a wide election of moving companies for your automobile relocation, while brokers work with a limited list of them. You can read reviews and check ratings of the moving companies before hiring them and make a better choice. If the quotes you get from moving companies differ largely, ask them questions what they include.

Do you know more differences between hiring brokers or moving companies for automobiles’ relocation? You can make a comment and share what you think. After your car relocation is over, you could also send us your moving story to let us know if your relocation was successful.

The post Automobile Relocation Services – A Broker or a Mover? appeared first on The Moving Blog.

What is Vehicle Transportation?

Transportation of vehicles takes place in two ways – through a carrier and through a broker. What is the difference? Carriers are the companies that directly take and ship automobiles. The brokers are the companies that organize the shipping but do not offer it is a service themselves. Usually hiring a broker is more expensive because you pay the carrier and you also pay the broker’s fees. Besides, it is the broker that chooses the auto transportation company, not you. On the other hand, the broker will handle for you the vehicle transportation, including payments and paperwork. You can decide for yourself which one of the two transportation options for vehicles suits you better.

If you have a car, the transportation will be easy. For other vehicles, especially larger ones, you should first inquire if the vehicle transportation companies offer the services that you need. Many car movers will pick up a SUV, ATV, even trucks. After that check, you can proceed to getting vehicle transportation quote.

What is a Vehicle Transportation Quote and How Do I Get One? How About the Rates?

The quote is to get you information about the possible cost for your vehicle transport. Both the broker and car mover will need to know the vehicle type, its length, height, width and weight, year, make, model, if it is operable, convertible or modified, and the distance of your move. This is how they will be able to tell you the price for the transport of your vehicle. Of course, the price will also differ according to whether you choose a carrier, or a broker, and it will also depend on the prices that the different companies apply. Transporting a vehicle from state to state is also more expensive than short distance moves.

What are the ways to transport a vehicle? Check them out in this article!

Our moving cost estimate that you can fill in online will get you in contact with professional moving companies that will be able to handle your vehicle relocation smoothly and easily. For example, if your vehicle is not operable, this may mean a higher cost (some carriers charge extra for that because they have to find a special truck on which the vehicle can be taken).

It is important to give true information to carriers. If you misrepresent your vehicle as running, if it isn’t, in an attempt to save from the costs, then the transporting company may not be ready with the right truck and equipment to move your vehicle, then the trip of the truck will be wasted, and it will only cost you more. Regarding the size of your vehicle, the vehicle transportation companies need this info to choose the best option for a moving vehicle. You can read more about the cost to ship a vehicle, explained in details, in this article.

How Do I Select a Vehicle Moving Company?

It has to be a reliable company – fully licensed, bonded and insured. And this is something that you have to check, especially if you will be moving your vehicle overseas. It could be difficult to find the right moving company for you, the one that you can really count on, especially if you don’t know any company yourself. That is why it is advisable to use the opportunity to get a quote from us – we provide a guarantee.

Where Will My Car Be Taken from?

It could be taken from a terminal or from your home. And it could be delivered to any. Terminals are convenient because you may not be able to be present when the truck is available to pick up the vehicle and inspect it, and take the keys. Also, a move from a terminal or to one, are cheaper. All you need to do is select a terminal with the vehicle transport company and agree on when to deliver your vehicle. Be ready to be informed how long the transportation will also take depending on the two means that you choose – through a terminal or from your home.

It is important to provide precise vehicle details to the carrier for a precise quote.

How Do I Pay the Car Transporter?

You will usually be asked to pay a deposit for the move. Or you can pay in advance the whole sum, depending on your preferences. Beware of the companies that accept payments only in cash – usually this is one of the signs of moving scam that you should be careful with. Most companies will take a credit card, a bank wire transfer or a check. Discuss this option with them and choose a method of payment that is convenient for both of you. Some auto shipping companies also accept other methods of payments – just ask, depending on what is convenient for you.

Here are Some Easy and Useful FREE Tips!

• Transporting a vehicle interstate is more complicated so always have ample time before contacting a shipping company.
• Always check the company before you book it – read reviews, check the USDOT number and the memberships at the Better Business Bureau.
• Follow the mover’s instructions strictly. If for instance you were asked to not place anything inside your vehicle, it is for safety reasons.
• Read well all the paperwork before signing it. Don’t sign on blank sheets.
• Don’t give money without a document proving you have.
• Always stay informed of the carrier’s policy on damages. What will happen if the mover damages your vehicle – what is the procedure for you to be reimbursed?

Hopefully you will find our advice useful. If so, please make a comment and share this article through the bar to the left of this article. Thank you.

The post All You Need to Know About Vehicle Transportation appeared first on The Moving Blog.

Cost to Transport a Car Cross Country – Factors:

1. Distance and Location

The distance your car will travel affects the cost to transport a vehicle. More miles mean more expensive shipping service in general. Yet, shipping a car 2000 miles across the country is not always the most expensive service. Quite often automobiles that need to be transported to a small rural town cost more to ship just because the vehicle is located at a remote area away from a major highway. Therefore, the distance is not always the decisive factor. A vehicle going from a major city such as Chicago to a major city such as New York will cost less to transport than a vehicle going to a small remote town in New York  state.  The location as a factor is therefore important to keep in mind. Every time you need to ship a car from or to a remote area it may cost more to transport if it is away from a major highway.

2. Vehicle type as a factor

The vehicle make and model is the second factor that affects the price substantially. Smaller vehicles would cost less to transport, while bigger and heavier automobiles will cost more. Small compact sedans such as Honda Civic or Fit, or Toyota Yaris, could cost slightly less than a mid-size sedan like Honda Accord. The average prices for small sedan to be shipped across the country would be around $750 – this is west to east coast car shipping rate. The same size vehicle, moving east coast to west coast would cost around $1100. Therefore, the price of transporting a car across the country will change based on the direction you are going. Read further to learn more about how seasonality affects the prices additionally.

3. The condition of the car

The condition of the automobile also affects the price greatly. Running and not running vehicles cost differently to transport. The auto transport companies consider a car running when it can move on its own power. When this is the case, it will cost less to transport.  A non running vehicle is when it can’t move on its own power. This will make it difficult to load and unload and in most cases will require a forklift at pick-up and delivery. This means that a non running automobile will cost more to transport than one in a running condition.  It is always a good idea to request a few car shipping quotes and compare.

4. Vehicle modifications

When the car has been modified such as lifted or lowered, or with larger tires than normal, this will further affect the price to transport it. In most cases modifications mean that the usual weight and size will change and thus the price to transport the vehicle. Modifications affect the carrier’s total weight of the trailer and because of this the price to ship the vehicle goes up. The size and the weight of an automobile matter a lot in the car transport industry and it affects the car shipping cost.

5. Type of transport – open or enclosed

Open auto transport the standard shipping method that most customers choose, but you can request an enclosed transportation service as well.

The main types of auto transport are via open and enclosed trailer. Most companies consider open auto transport the standard shipping method that most customers choose. This type of transport is less expensive and the most requested by private customer and auto dealerships. Enclosed auto transport is the preferred method for sports, luxury and classic cars. The enclosed trailers offer more protection to the vehicle because the vehicle is fully covered, which protects from weather and road elements. Enclosed auto transport service is more expensive than the open also because only about 10% of the auto shipping fleet in the US is enclosed and for this percentage the demand is high. Therefore it is a good idea to shop around first and the book an enclosed service. Moving a vehicle from Los Angeles to Miami, in the winter (2013), in an open carrier will cost $750 while the enclosed shipping will cost $1200.

6. Season

Seasonality affects certain routes every year and the cost to transport a vehicle often goes up. For instance, shipping a car to some of the Southern states such as Florida, Arizona and Texas could get more expensive during the snowbirds season every spring and winter. if you need to transport a car across the country, from let’s say Massachusetts to Florida, the prices will go up in the winter because the “snowbirds” move to the South and the demand for auto transport is very high at that time of the year. Shipping a car from Boston to Miami in the early winter will cost around $800 while the other way around will cost about $500 for an open trailer.

7. The current price of fuel

The fluctuation of the fuel prices also affects the total cost of auto transport. This is a factor we should not forget about. Today the price to transport a car from Chicago to Los Angeles could be around $1200 and the next week it could be close to $1300. Therefore, keep in mind that the quickly changing gas prices affect the auto transport prices.

A reliable auto transport company will make you aware of all the factors currently affecting the prices. It is important that you ask questions and research the industry before scheduling your auto transport services. If you are moving across the country and need to move a vehicle ask your household mover to recommend an auto transporter. Most moving companies work with preferred car shipping companies and this will make the process easier for you.

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Reading Auto Transportation Reviews

Be careful if a company possesses both carrier and broker license. Check its reliability by reading auto transportation reviews. You can see a list with websites here. Car relocation reviews can point you towards a particular trustworthy moving company and can be helpful for you to avoid scammers. Besides the auto transportation reviews, check the licensing that the carrier has – the USDOT, Freight broker license and Motor carrier license. As you read on the different reviews the majority of the opinions that you see will help you form a realistic opinion of the carrier. You need a carrier with experienced driver, a company that you can trust with your car for a state to state move, an overseas relocation or a relocation from the USA to Canada, etc.

Get a few auto transportation online quotes to see the exact price for your car moving.

Find out Your Auto Transportation Prices

If you are looking forward to finding out how much the move of your car or other vehicle may cost you, you need to have in mind that every move is unique. Still, here are a few examples that will give you a clearer idea of the auto transportation prices that the movers apply. For example, if you want to move an Audi from 2005, the cost for relocating it from New York, NY, to Tampa, Florida, would be about $800. Larger distances would cost you even more. Of course, the auto transportation price for shorter distances will be smaller. For example, if you want to ship your vehicle from NYC, New York, to Boston, Massachusetts, you can look forward to paying half the same amount – i.e. about $400. Depending on the size of the car you have for shipping you will need to add or extract $50 – $100 from the price in order to get a realistic idea. For pickups add a minimum of about $200 on top of these auto transportation rates. If you have a motor vehicle that is very much different than the ones mentioned in this example like a collectible car or a boat, you will need to get a few auto transportation quotes online. This is approximately the cost of auto transportation that you can expect for the move of your vehicle. You can get more info on the price on this link.

Get Auto Transportation Quotes Online

Why are estimates important? Because you need to be prepared with the actual cost of your auto transportation. The prices shown above are very approximate. The actual cost will vary depending on the exact make of the car and is it functional, what distance you are moving it to, do you need an open or closed trailer, etc. The full description of the conditions on which the cost of your auto relocation depends on are enumerated in this article. That is why ask for an estimate and compare the auto transportation quotes that you get. A few instant quotes will give you the info you should have.

Follow our car shipping tips to make your auto transportation smoother.

Auto Transportation Tips to Follow

• Before the move collect all the documentation necessary – insurance policy, moving papers, ownership documents, etc. Keep it neat and your car docs will always be available when you need them. You need to have a document for the inspection of the carrier and a bill of lading.
• Ask for insurance from the auto transportation company you choose – learn the conditions under which the insurance is valid and what happens in case of damages.
• Exchange phone numbers with the driver who is responsible for picking up your car.
• After the move explore the car and see in what condition it is. If you find anything wrong fill it in the bill of lading and ask to have the driver’s signature.
• Since you are already informed of what is the procedure in case of damage take the necessary actions.
• In case of any disagreement between you and the carrier you can file a complaint with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSA) and with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Write an auto transportation review. Whatever your experience with the auto transportation companies was let everyone know. As you already understand, every person who plans to move a car will find such reviews quite useful – just like you have already.
• Got more auto transportation tips? You can comment below if you have something more to add to this article. Any contribution is welcome!

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