When you want to move a car from point A to point B, you usually just hop in and drive. But what if you need to transport the car across the country? Unless you love the idea of driving for days, you’ll want to consider other options. The choice you make will depend on your budget and how fast the card needs to get there. Here are some options for transporting your car across the country.
1. Hire a Driver
You’ve decided you don’t want to drive the car across country. But that doesn’t mean you can’t hire someone else to do it. There are services that provide professional drivers to transport cars across the country.
If a professional driver is too expensive, then you can hire a non-professional driver. A trustworthy friend or family member might jump at the opportunity. A college student is a good choice as well, at least if they’re reliable and you trust them. This is because college students often look for fun ways to earn money during school breaks. It’s highly likely getting paid to drive across country would be fun for many students.
Check with your auto insurance before choosing this option. Make sure accidents and thefts are covered even if someone else is driving. If they’re not, then you’ll want to choose another option.
2. Hire a Commercial Car Shipper
Using a commercial car shipper is a popular way to transport a car across the country. The shipper will usually load your car onto an open-air trailer with several other vehicles. You’ve probably seen these types of trailers, as they’re often used to ship new cars. Using an online auto transporter directory will allow you to get bids from auto shippers and brokers.
Prospective shippers should provide a time delivery window. The delivery can take anywhere from seven to 21 days. In addition to expected time of delivery, ask detailed questions about how they will transport your car. Some shippers unload and reload cars between cities to create more efficient truck routes. You also might have the option of choosing door-to-door delivery or terminal-to-terminal.
You might not want your car exposed to certain weather. In that case, you can consider a service that uses an enclosed truck. It costs more than an open-air trailer, but the price is worth it if you’re worried about exposure to bad weather. Having your car inside of an enclosed truck will also decrease the possibility of damage. No matter which you choose, make sure the shipper provides insurance.
3. Ship the Car by Plane
Shipping a car by plane is the most expensive method for transporting a car. This method is usually done when a car is going overseas, but some shippers offer domestic services as well. The distance and where it’s going might make a small difference, but it’s still more than other options mentioned here.
Shipping a car as air freight is usually only done if the vehicle is high in value. For instance, if a car is a classic worth $600,000, then air freight is a possible choice. But a car doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive to ship via airplane. The car could be a cherished family heirloom with sentimental value. Any car that you don’t want sitting on a truck or being driven across country can possibly ship via air freight.
Transporting Your Car
No matter your budget, you can probably find an affordable option for transporting your vehicle. Driving it yourself is always an option if you’re not pleased with the choices. Take time to carefully research your options before agreeing to anything.
