Customer Reviews

The Value of Shipping Your Car During a Move

Posted on 12/10/2021

Jump to section:
The value of shipping your car during a move
How far in advance should you schedule your car shipment?
Where you can have your car delivered
How you can prepare for your vehicle shipment so you can focus on the rest of your move
Conclusion
 
shipping-your-car-during-a-move

 

When you are moving a long distance, you will have a lengthy list of things to do and worry about both in the weeks leading up to the move and on moving day itself. Driving several states that day so you can have your car at your new home should not be another stressful part of the experience. Shipping your car to your new home is a great option that can allow you to fly to your new home stress free and still have your vehicle after you arrive.

 

The value of shipping your car during a move

 
If you are moving a long distance, you will have four options for your car. You can drive your car all the way to your new home which, depending on the distance, could take a full day or more. You can sell your car before you leave and then buy a new one when you arrive in your new town which can easily cost you several thousand dollars. You can sell your car before you move and then rent a car or use public transportation which is definitely not the most convenient or comfortable choice. You can also choose to ship your car.
 
Shipping your car will not only allow you to take a flight to your new home rather than drive hundreds or thousands of miles, but it will also likely save you some money. First, you will not be putting hundreds or thousands of miles on your car which will slightly decrease the overall value of the vehicle. You also will not have to worry about the cost of gas, food and lodging for an extended road trip. Finally, you will not need to take any extra days off from work to make the trip.
 

How far in advance should you schedule your car shipment?

 
Most car shipping companies go through different periods of demand over the course of each year. Typically, the busiest time each year for a car shipping company runs from late spring into the early fall. If you wait too long to schedule your shipment, it will likely end up costing you more or, even worse, you might not be able to ship on the dates you want.
 
This is why it is recommended to always book your shipment at least four weeks in advance of the date you need your vehicle picked up. If you are shipping during a busy time of the year such as over the summer, try to book your shipment at least six weeks in advance. As a rule of thumb, you can never book your car shipment too early.
 

Where you can have your car delivered

 
Many people will easily be able to have your car picked up from your old address and delivered to your new address. However, there are situations when your old home or new home might be on streets that are too small or prohibit auto transport carriers from driving there. In these situations, you will have to find a nearby place such as a mall parking lot, where you can meet the driver with your vehicle. This will always be arranged before your shipment is officially booked. You just need to be aware that the possibility exists that you might have to make a short trip during pickup and/or delivery.
 

How you can prepare for your vehicle shipment so you can focus on the rest of your move

 
Within the few days before your auto transport driver arriving to pick up your car, there are a few easy things that you will need to do to prepare. You can refer to this vehicle shipping checklist in order to prepare as well.
 

Remove personal items

 
Any personal items that you leave in your car while it ships unfortunately will not be covered by the car shipping insurance if they are damaged or lost. This includes items like sunglasses, jewelry and gloves. The day before your car shipping window begins, go through your car, and take all of these items out.
 

Get your car cleaned

 
When your auto transport driver arrives to pick up your car, they will have to do a visual inspection for pre-existing damage for insurance purposes. This will be more difficult and take much more time if your vehicle is not clean. So, if you want to save some time so that you can get back to the rest of your move, make sure that your car has been washed before the pickup date.
 

Make sure you (or someone you trust) will be there for pickup and delivery

 
When your car gets picked up and delivered, you or someone you trust, such as a spouse, will have to be present to exchange the keys and sign off on the pickup/delivery. This person will also have to have their valid and unexpired license available to present to the auto transport driver. Since your pickup and delivery dates will be windows of two or three days, this person will need to be ready for the pickup or delivery throughout those periods. We recommend taking shifts with another person, this way you can go about your errands while the other person waits and vice versa.
 

Conclusion

 
Shipping your car is a great choice when you are moving a long distance. It will allow you to take a relaxing flight or train ride to your new home while the moving company and car shipping company both take care of the rest. You will not have to drive for many hours or days, and you can avoid taking unnecessary time off from work. You will also spare yourself the cost of having to sell your current car and then buying a new car in your new town. When you ship your car just remember that you should book your shipment at least four weeks in advance, you will be responsible for some simple preparation and that your pickup/delivery dates are estimates within a window.

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The Value of Shipping Your Car During a Move

Posted on 12/10/2021

Jump to section:
The value of shipping your car during a move
How far in advance should you schedule your car shipment?
Where you can have your car delivered
How you can prepare for your vehicle shipment so you can focus on the rest of your move
Conclusion
 
shipping-your-car-during-a-move

 

When you are moving a long distance, you will have a lengthy list of things to do and worry about both in the weeks leading up to the move and on moving day itself. Driving several states that day so you can have your car at your new home should not be another stressful part of the experience. Shipping your car to your new home is a great option that can allow you to fly to your new home stress free and still have your vehicle after you arrive.

 

The value of shipping your car during a move

 
If you are moving a long distance, you will have four options for your car. You can drive your car all the way to your new home which, depending on the distance, could take a full day or more. You can sell your car before you leave and then buy a new one when you arrive in your new town which can easily cost you several thousand dollars. You can sell your car before you move and then rent a car or use public transportation which is definitely not the most convenient or comfortable choice. You can also choose to ship your car.
 
Shipping your car will not only allow you to take a flight to your new home rather than drive hundreds or thousands of miles, but it will also likely save you some money. First, you will not be putting hundreds or thousands of miles on your car which will slightly decrease the overall value of the vehicle. You also will not have to worry about the cost of gas, food and lodging for an extended road trip. Finally, you will not need to take any extra days off from work to make the trip.
 

How far in advance should you schedule your car shipment?

 
Most car shipping companies go through different periods of demand over the course of each year. Typically, the busiest time each year for a car shipping company runs from late spring into the early fall. If you wait too long to schedule your shipment, it will likely end up costing you more or, even worse, you might not be able to ship on the dates you want.
 
This is why it is recommended to always book your shipment at least four weeks in advance of the date you need your vehicle picked up. If you are shipping during a busy time of the year such as over the summer, try to book your shipment at least six weeks in advance. As a rule of thumb, you can never book your car shipment too early.
 

Where you can have your car delivered

 
Many people will easily be able to have your car picked up from your old address and delivered to your new address. However, there are situations when your old home or new home might be on streets that are too small or prohibit auto transport carriers from driving there. In these situations, you will have to find a nearby place such as a mall parking lot, where you can meet the driver with your vehicle. This will always be arranged before your shipment is officially booked. You just need to be aware that the possibility exists that you might have to make a short trip during pickup and/or delivery.
 

How you can prepare for your vehicle shipment so you can focus on the rest of your move

 
Within the few days before your auto transport driver arriving to pick up your car, there are a few easy things that you will need to do to prepare. You can refer to this vehicle shipping checklist in order to prepare as well.
 

Remove personal items

 
Any personal items that you leave in your car while it ships unfortunately will not be covered by the car shipping insurance if they are damaged or lost. This includes items like sunglasses, jewelry and gloves. The day before your car shipping window begins, go through your car, and take all of these items out.
 

Get your car cleaned

 
When your auto transport driver arrives to pick up your car, they will have to do a visual inspection for pre-existing damage for insurance purposes. This will be more difficult and take much more time if your vehicle is not clean. So, if you want to save some time so that you can get back to the rest of your move, make sure that your car has been washed before the pickup date.
 

Make sure you (or someone you trust) will be there for pickup and delivery

 
When your car gets picked up and delivered, you or someone you trust, such as a spouse, will have to be present to exchange the keys and sign off on the pickup/delivery. This person will also have to have their valid and unexpired license available to present to the auto transport driver. Since your pickup and delivery dates will be windows of two or three days, this person will need to be ready for the pickup or delivery throughout those periods. We recommend taking shifts with another person, this way you can go about your errands while the other person waits and vice versa.
 

Conclusion

 
Shipping your car is a great choice when you are moving a long distance. It will allow you to take a relaxing flight or train ride to your new home while the moving company and car shipping company both take care of the rest. You will not have to drive for many hours or days, and you can avoid taking unnecessary time off from work. You will also spare yourself the cost of having to sell your current car and then buying a new car in your new town. When you ship your car just remember that you should book your shipment at least four weeks in advance, you will be responsible for some simple preparation and that your pickup/delivery dates are estimates within a window.

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Jacksonville, FL

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Dallas, TX

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"I called RoadRunner and was able to have my car picked up that same day and delivered over 500 miles away the next day!"

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Boston, MA

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Los Angeles, CA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vehicle shipping process.


When determining your car shipping cost, there are a few factors that we take into account in order to provide you with an accurate price quote. The mileage between the origin and destination is the biggest factor that contributes to your total rate. In addition to the distance of your relocation, another factor is the type and condition of the vehicle being shipped. The final factor is the date that your vehicle will be ready for transport. There are also additional options, such as enclosed carrier and top-load service that can be added to your shipment at the time of booking for a higher level of service. Read more about how much it costs to ship a car.

To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator or you can call (888) 422-7584 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. In order for us to calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.

The transit time for your shipment is based mostly on the mileage between the pickup and delivery location. Generally, every five hundred miles will add one day to the transit time - so for a 1,000 mile transport, the transit time would be 2-3 days. Check out our estimated transit times for a detailed view of approximate delivery times.

Yes, online tracking is available to you 24 hours a day and is updated in real time. Upon scheduling your shipment, you will receive a unique booking number that will allow you to track the status of your shipment online. Your tracking portal will also give you the ability to live chat with a shipping agent that can answer any questions you may have regarding the status of your shipment.

All shipments include basic liability coverage during transit. Comprehensive insurance options are available for an elevated level of shipment coverage during transit. You will be able to select a level of coverage during the booking process. If you have further questions regarding insurance options give us a call.

We accept all major credit cards, electronic transfer, postal money order, and bank/certified check for the deposit or full pre-payment of your shipment. If a balance is due upon delivery, it can be paid directly to the driver and can be paid in either cash, bank/certified check, or postal money order.

Yes, there must be someone present to release and accept the vehicle, provide keys to the driver and sign the initial and final inspection reports. This person can be anyone over the age of 18 that you trust with releasing or accepting your vehicle.

You may transport personal belongings in your car, as long as their total weight does not exceed 100 pounds and they are stored in the trunk or back seat (below the window line). Please keep in mind that personal belongings are not covered by insurance if they are reported as damaged or missing.

To get a quote for shipping your vehicle, you can either use our instant online car shipping quote calculator above or you can call (888) 422-7584 to receive a quote from one of our car transport pricing specialists. In order for us to calculate your quote we will need to know the location you are shipping from and to, the type of vehicle you would like to ship, and the date your vehicle will be ready.

The further in advance you schedule your shipment, the more likely we will be able to meet the time requirements you desire. For best results, we suggest scheduling your transport at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Expedited shipping options are available in order to accomodate shipments that require . You can always give us a call and ask one of our car shipping experts what your options are in terms of the schedule for your car transport.

The driver will get the car transporter as close to your door as he can legally and safely get. In most cases, the driver will be able to pickup and deliver directly at your door. Some cities may have restrictions on large trucks that prohibit them from driving into residential areas. Auto transport trucks are large and need lots of room to maneuver and turn around, so if access to the pickup or delivery location is restricted by narrow streets, low-hanging trees or tight turns, the driver may ask that you meet at a location nearby with a large parking lot, such as a grocery store.

Open transport is the most common car shipping method. There are two types of open-air transporters. The Majority of shipments are be made with 8-10 car carriers. Smaller carriers which hold 2-3 cars are used for shorter more local moves. There is broader network of carrier availability for open-air carriers since they are used more often. We suggest choosing enclosed shipping methods when shipping classic, luxury or exotic vehicles. Enclosed transporters guarantee maximum protection from exposure to any open-air elements on the road. We suggest booking your enclosed transport in advance since there is limited carrier availability. Read more about the difference between open and enclosed transport

RoadRunner Auto Transport specializes in shipping all types of vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans, oversized vehicles, antiques, classic cars, motorcycles, construction vehicles, inoperable cars and boats. If you are not sure whether or not we can ship your vehicle, you can give us a call to find out what we can do for you.

You should have about a quarter of a tank of gas in your car at the time of shipment. This leaves enough for the car to be loaded and unloaded but doesn't add much additional weight.

The Bill of Lading is a very important document used by car shipping companies that documents any pre-existing damage on the vehicle during the time of pickup. It also serves as a record of your contact info and the official agreement for transport. If you want to file any insurance claim regarding your shipment you will need the Bill of Lading.

Top load service is when your car is placed on the higher deck or level of an open auto transport trailer. This is considered to be preferable to the bottom load because the cars on the lower deck are at risk of possibly having fluid from the cars above leak on them.

Make sure your car has been completely cleaned, both inside and outside. This is particularly important because this will help the driver conduct their inspection in order to assess any pre-existing damage on your vehicle. You will also want to make there are no additional personal items in the vehicle unless you intend to ship those with the vehicle (remember those items must total less than 100 pounds combined and be kept below the window-line of the vehicle). Be sure to inform the driver of any special circumstances concerning the vehicle. Finally, make sure there is a quarter tank of gas in the car at the time it is picked up for shipment. Visit our car shipping checklist to make sure you are prepared for your vehicle shipment.

Yes, we can ship vehicles that are in non-running/inoperable condition. When inoperable cars are shipped, a special auto carrier is required that makes use of a winch which is connected to your car and slowly and safely pulls your vehicle onto the carrier. There is an additional fee for inpoerable vehicles because of the special equipment and extra work involved with securing the vehicle onto the transporter. You can select the inoperable option on the online booking form or inform your shipping agent if you make your reservation by phone so that the proper arrangements can be made to accomodate a non-running vehicle.

We offer open car shipping and enclosed car shipping services. Open car shipping is used much more frequently and is the type of auto transport that you see on the highway where carriers are hauling vehicles on two decks that are exposed. Enclosed car shipping is when your vehicle is shipped in a trailer which has walls and a roof, they look like a larger version of a regular eighteen-wheeler. This method is recommended for luxury, exotic or classic cars.

Door-to-door car transport is the full service delivery of your vehicle directly from the door at the pickup location to the door at the delivery location. Our drivers do their best to get as close as physically and legally possible to the pickup and delivery locations, but in certain instances there may be restrictions preventing them from being able to safely reach your door. Our transporters need ample space to maneuver and load/unload your vehicle. If your street is too narrow, or if there are hazards such as low lining trees or power lines, drivers may ask that you meet them at a location nearby where they can safely load or unload your vehicle, such as a large parking lot or shopping center nearby.