How To Ship A Car To Another State?

Millions of Americans make the decision to relocate their automobile every year. It’s why the car shipping market in the USA has grown to twelve billion. Whether you’re traveling for work, moving out of an old house into a new home, or relocating across the country, shipping a car is often part of the process.

Shipping your vehicle from one state to another is not a very difficult task, as it may seem. But there are many minute details that need attention and consideration before you actually go ahead and hire a company for interstate car shipping services

So, if you are wondering how to ship a car to another state, you are at the right place. In this blog, we will break down everything that you need to do to send a car to another state. Keep reading if you want to know how to ship your car to another state.

Some most popular shipping routes

Ship a Car from Florida to Massachusetts (and vice-versa)
Ship Car From Florida To New York (and vice-versa)
Ship A Car From California To Florida (and vice-versa)
Ship Car From California To Texas (and vice-versa)
Shipping a Car From California To Georgia (and vice-versa)
Ship car from California to New York (and vice-versa)
Ship A Car From California To Virginia (And Vice-versa)
Ship A Car From California To Michigan (And Vice-versa)

5 different ways to ship a car from one state to another

If you want to move a car from one state to another, you have five major car shipping options to choose from. While all of these options have their own advantages and disadvantages, the best option for you will depend primarily, but not only, on the state that you want to ship your car to and the current state of where the car is. Distance plays an important role when you want to transport a vehicle from one state to another. Though you have to also consider how the terrain during the journey will be if the weather conditions will be adverse, and how fragile your car is.

Based on this and several other factors, you can choose between these five car shipping options to ship cars to different states:

1. Drive it yourself

If you are thinking about how to transport a car from one state to another, the first way that might come to your mind is driving it yourself. Driving down to the new place that you are moving to is one of the best ways to ship a car out of state. You won’t have to depend on anyone else and can drive as per your schedule.

Moreover, you can consider this as an opportunity to take a break and indulge in a road trip when you think about how to ship a vehicle to another state. This way, you will be able to let your hair down, relax, unwind, and enjoy with your friends or family while you ship cars to different states.

In fact, when it comes to state-to-state car transport, you will find driving it yourself easier than any other alternative. Not only is this medium widely used by people, it can also help you reconnect with nature.

However, the biggest disadvantage of driving it yourself when shipping your car to another state is how long the journey can be. This is especially true if you are moving from one side of the country to the opposite side of the country. For example, if you are moving from a city like San Diego or Dallas to a city like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, the distance is going to be between 2,700 and 3,200 miles.

This makes it a 40-50 hour non-stop drive. Considering you will make multiple stops during a journey as long as this, it could take you at least 10 days to move a vehicle from state to state. Naturally, this becomes an overwhelming, exhausting, and physically draining journey. Not to mention how expensive the trip would become given you’d have to consider the skyrocketing fuel, car repairs, food & accommodation for at least 10 days.

2. Hire someone to drive it for you

Given how to ship a car to another state via driving it yourself can be exhausting. Another alternative you could look into is hiring someone else to drive it for you. Hiring a professional driver who comes with a good customer rating and referrals can help you with car transportation services from state to state.

The biggest benefit of hiring someone to do the driving for you is that you can put your luggage in the car and save on the money you’d have to pay packers and movers. Additionally, you can enjoy top-of-the-class professional service by the driver and even ride with them, which will help you save much more when you think about how to send a car to another state.

However, such professionals can be expensive and you might have to pay for additional insurance as well. Moreover, it can be an uphill task to find a professional driver who is trustworthy and will take care of your car.

3. Use a train shipping service

This might come as a surprise to you but you can actually use a train service to ship your car. If you catch yourself thinking about how much to transport a car to another state via train, you should know that apart from the train fare, there are added costs that you will have to bear.

For example, you will have to make sure that your car is properly packed and secured before it is loaded on the train to avoid it from being damaged in the journey. The loading and unloading expenses can also pinch your moving cost.

In addition to this, when you search for options for how to ship a car to another state via train, you will find that not all trains ply on routes across the country. There is only a handful of routes where trains ply to ship cars as cargo while the rest are merely passenger trains.

4. Use an airplane shipping service

You might be aware of how many people opt for air cargo to get their belongings and personal items shipped to them since it is the fastest way to do so.

Before you ask how much is car shipping from one state to another via airplane, the end-to-end cost can set you back by anything between $2,000 and $4,000. Now, this might not be the cheapest way to ship a car to another state, but it is definitely the safest and fastest way to do so. However, the cost may be too much for an average American.

Nevertheless, if your car is a collectible, rare, antique, or one in a million, how much to transport a car to another state is perhaps the last concern on your mind since the car is too valuable to think about cost-cutting measures. In that scenario, it makes perfect sense to pay the air freight charges and get your precious car delivered to you safely.

5. Use an auto transport service

When you think about how to ship a car to another state, all you want is a cost-effective, fast, safe, and secure way of getting your car picked up from its current location and being dropped off at a new location in another state in the most hassle-free manner. A fuss-free option that checks out all the boxes is using an auto transport service that will help you with state-to-state car transport.

Using auto transport services will not only give you access to the cheapest way to ship a car to another state, but it is also the most reliable method of doing so. These auto transport companies will take care of everything that needs to be done to securely ship a car out of state – from loading it on the trailer, unloading it at the point of delivery, traversing through rough terrain, and driving even in the roughest weather conditions. These companies have decades of experience in transporting automobiles from one part of the country to another in the shortest time possible.

Moreover, you can customize the process however you want – schedule pick-up day and date as you feel convenient, and stay on top of how far the team has reached with regular updates. Whenever you think about how to move your car to another state, auto transport companies are your best choice to do so.

The types of car shipping options

There are two primary types of car shipping options that you choose from based on your requirement, budget, and convenience. For instance, when you want to know how to transport a car from one state to another, you should take into consideration the location where the car is being shipped to and the route that will be taken. The two options you can choose from are:

1. Open car shipping

Think of an open trailer truck and a car mounted on top of it which is secured by harnesses and ropes- this is exactly what open car shipping looks like. This is the most common method of shipping your car to another state. It’s also the most budget option and can be the best to opt for local moves where the distance isn’t great.

Open trailers are essentially large flatbeds with no sides or top, so there is no protection from the elements. Although car shipping is, move vehicles from state to state. Open trailers may not be the right idea, because they’re not able to cover such long distances without stopping to rest.

2. Enclosed car shipping

Opposite to what open car shipping is, enclosed car shipping is where your car is placed inside a container. This is often used for rare or exotic cars that have significant value, as it reduces the risk of damage to the car during transit.

It protects your car from all the outside elements, and it also has security measures in place should someone attempt to enter the trailer. This option is more expensive than opting for open shipping to move vehicles from state to state.

If you want to know how much is car shipping from one state to another using enclosed car shipping, it will be slightly more expensive than open car shipping since the weight of the trailer increases when a container is used. Therefore, this type of car shipping is the best state-to-state car transport option for those with luxury cars, antiques, and priceless cars.

Different types of car shipping services

Now that you have decided on the type of car shipping option you are going to choose, the next thing to do is choose the type of car shipping service you are going to use. This step is crucial to define how long it will take for your car to be picked up from its current location and get delivered to its final location.

When you transport a car from one state to another, these are the two car shipping services you can choose from:

1. Guaranteed pick-up

Guaranteed pick-up service for shipping your car to another state is a great option if you have a strict time constraint on your car shipping. This service is a guarantee that your car will be picked up for transport within 24 hours of the specified ship date. For example, if you are moving on the 1st and need your car by the 2nd, you can use this service to guarantee that your carrier picks up your vehicle on the 1st or 2nd.

2. Express auto transport

If you want to send a car to another state and have a fair amount of time on your hands, you can opt for an express auto transport service which will pick your car up in a few days from the date of booking.

How much does it cost to ship a car to another state?

If you search how to move my car to another state, it is obvious that one of the key concerns in your mind will be the cost to do the same. For this, it is extremely crucial to choose an auto transport company that will cater to all your needs and not burn a hole in your pocket at the same time. No matter what type of car you want to ship, how much is car shipping from one state to another is a very valid concern.

Here are a few factors that can drive the cost of state to state car transport up:

• Distance: The distance between pickup and delivery location. The further away, the more it will cost.
• The type of carrier you choose: An enclosed carrier is more expensive than an open carrier. Enclosed carriers protect the vehicle from dirt, debris, and weather. They also provide security if you’re shipping a classic car or other high-end vehicles.
• Pickup and delivery services: If you need door-to-door service, it will cost more. And if you need rush service, that can also increase your costs.

• Time Frame: If you need your vehicle picked up or delivered within a certain time frame, this can drive up the cost of shipping.
• Car type: The size and type of car you are shipping will also determine how much it will cost. For example, high-end sports cars with exotic paint jobs may be more expensive to move than a basic sedan or SUV. Similarly larger vehicles such as trucks or vans will take up more space than smaller cars and so cost more.

The cost of how to ship a car to another state is subjective, dynamic, and fluctuates significantly. However, you can make advance bookings to beat the surcharges, ask for discounts, and make sure that you choose a time of the year that does not increase the number of days it takes to ship a car to a different state.

How long does it take to ship a car to another state?

When you think about how to ship a vehicle to another state, you are most likely wondering how long the entire process takes. To answer this question, it is important that you know the distance between the city the car is being shipped to from the city where the car is right now.

If you want to transport a vehicle from one state to another, the distance to be traveled could be anywhere between 1,000 miles to 3,000 miles. For example, to transport a vehicle from Oregon to California, one needs to travel 3,000 miles. Assuming that an experienced trailer driver is able to drive 300 miles in a day, it will take them at least 10 days to reach the destination given there is no hindrance in the route. Another important factor that can help you understand the time taken to ship a car to another state is the terrain that the driver has to drive through. Trailers can travel smoother and faster on plains than in hills, mountains, or deserts.

How the process of shipping a car to another state work?

If you are wondering how to ship your car to another state, it is of utmost importance that you understand how the process of shipping a car from one state to another works. Here is a guide to help you understand how auto companies pick up your car and send it to another state.

Get a quote

Look for a reliable and trustworthy auto shipping company that has credible customer reviews. Share your requirements with them and get a quote. Negotiate the price if necessary. The auto transport company will need details like the point of pick up, the point of drop off, your choice between open and enclosed shipping in addition to all the details about your car.

Pick up

A team from the auto transport company will arrive at the point of pick up and take your car to ship the car out of state. Additionally, the dispatcher will call you when a driver is assigned to pick up your vehicle. Drivers typically call 24-48 hours before the pickup date, but some may call earlier. The driver will give you a firm pickup date/time and confirm all of the details regarding the pickup and delivery dates/times.

Delivery

Before signing off for the delivery, check the car for any damages and sign the Bill of Lading.

How to get a quote to ship a car to another state?

If you are thinking about how to transport a car from one state to another, it is important to get the right quote. The easiest way is to use an online form on the site of an auto transport company. The first step is to provide pick-up and delivery information by entering your zip code, origin city, destination city, and dates of availability for pick-up and delivery. If you have selected expedited service, please be sure to add in the date of required delivery.

The next step is to enter the vehicle information on the online form. This includes the year, make, model, and any special instructions such as if it’s non-running or has been modified. You will also indicate if there are any special requirements for shipping your vehicle such as expedited service.

Once you have completed the form, click “Continue”. The system will calculate a price quote based on what you entered in the form and then allow you to book the order directly from this screen.
If you still have some questions like how much to transport a car to another state, call the companies and clear your doubts. The company will already be having your details about the shipment so would be able to better help you.

How to find the best company to ship my car to another state?

To know how to transport a car to another state safely, you must find the best auto transport company. You want to be sure that they are reputable and have a good rating with the BBB.

Find out what type of vehicles they usually ship. If they usually deal with big rigs and this is your first car, they probably won’t be ideal. Also, look at their history and find out if they have any major complaints against them. Then, see how long they have been in business as there are plenty of new companies out there that are just trying to make a quick buck.

The best auto transport company for you should be the one which can accommodate all your needs and offer a safe, and convenient way to ship a car to another state.

Try to find auto transport companies that hold expertise in driving through rainfall, deserts, curvy mountains, through city traffic, and even on highways where there is a high probability of accidents. Every auto transport company will have their own expertise, try to understand how to ship your car to another state and what expert skillset do you require in a driver to choose the best auto transport company.

FAQs regarding shipping a car to another state

What are the documents that I need to ship a car to another state?

When you are looking up how to ship a car to another state, you will have to keep a file of all your car documents ready. This will include registration, purchase documents, and insurance.

How to send a car to another state with personal items?

There are some auto transport companies that allow you to transport a car from one state to another with a few boxes of your personal belongings. However, not all companies allow the same. Check with the auto companies in advance.

What should I do before I move my car to another state?

Make sure that all your valuables and personal items are removed, there is a little bit of gas and the tyres are well inflated.

How do I pay to transport vehicles from one state to another?

Use cash, credit or debit cards, mobile wallets like PayPal.

Does the car transportation service from state to state cover insurance?

Some companies do. To know how to ship a vehicle to another state, make sure that you check with the auto transport company about their insurance coverage policy.

Pros of moving to another state

• You will grow as an individual and become more independent
• You can explore different new job opportunities
• You can have a fresh start and make new friends
• You can explore newer cultures, food, and weather

Cons of moving to another state

• Leaving your hometown and familiar places
• Being away from your friends and family
• Uprooting your family (if they are moving with you)
• Stressful moving experiences
• New environments may be hostile initially

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