Moving to a new home is an adventure. New city. New memories. New life.
Except for one tiny little detail…
You still need your car to get there. You know, to live in your new place. To run around and go do all that new life stuff.
Now you could drive it cross country yourself, sure. Jump in the driver’s seat, hit the open road and leave your old life behind. Maybe put it on a boat, too. But then you’d be driving during the move.
And trying to juggle that with all the other million and one tasks that come along with moving? That’s not fun for anyone.
The thing is, these days there are ways to transport your vehicle that make it a breeze. And those are the kinds of options you want to know about.
Here’s what we’ll cover…
- Why You Should Consider Transporting Your Car When You Move
- How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car?
- Choosing the Right Transportation Method
- Tips for Transporting Your Car Safely
- Timing of Your Car Transport
Why You Should Consider Transporting Your Car When You Move
Moving to a new place is hard enough as it is.
In 2024 alone, about 25.87 million Americans picked up and moved to a new residence. That’s a whole lot of people running around with boxes, calling moving companies and saying goodbye to their neighbours.
Throw a cross country drive in the mix? That’s a nightmare no one needs.
Let’s break it down. Driving your car all those miles adds wear and tear on your vehicle. You’re going to spend money on gas, hotels and meals on the road. It’s exhausting.
All this is why so many people decide to ship their car to their new residence with a nationwide car transport service. It takes one big job off your to-do list and allows you to focus on moving in and settling down.
Pretty genius, if you ask me.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car?
Okay, let’s talk dollars and sense for a minute.
The vehicle transport industry in the United States is a booming $10 billion market. That should clue you in that lots and lots of people are using professional transport rather than driving themselves.
It depends on the type of transport you use. The national average for open transport is around $0.96 per mile. If you want enclosed shipping it’ll be closer to $1.25 per mile.
On a cross country trip of about 1,500 miles, you’re looking at around $600 – $2,500 or so depending on the options you choose.
That seems expensive? Remember what it costs to do it yourself.
Pumping gas and food every few hundred miles, hotel rooms along the way, wear and tear on your car and time away from work. Professional transport is starting to look like a bargain.
Did you know that in 2024 78% of Americans had unexpected costs during their move? Planning for car transport early means you don’t get hit with that kind of surprise.
Choosing the Right Transportation Method
Car transport isn’t all created equal.
You have a few options for how your vehicle can get from point A to point B. Knowing these choices and what they mean for your situation helps you make the smart decision.
Open Transport
This is the most common type of transport. It’s also the least expensive. In open transport, your vehicle rides on a trailer with other cars on top of it. This is how new car dealerships transport new cars across the country.
Best for: Normal vehicles, people on a budget and shorter distances.
Enclosed Transport
Want more protection? Enclosed transport means your car is inside a covered trailer. This protects it from the elements, road debris and curious eyes.
Best for: Luxury and classic cars, high end vehicles and long distances.
Door-to-Door vs Terminal-to-Terminal
With door-to-door transport, your vehicle is picked up from your current home and delivered to your new one. That’s super convenient.
Terminal-to-terminal service requires you to drop off your car at one location and pick it up from a terminal near your new home. This tends to be a cheaper service but you have to do more legwork.
Tips for Transporting Your Car Safely
You want your car to arrive in tip top shape, right?
Here are a few steps you can take to help ensure that happens.
Clean the Inside and Out
Cleaning your car inside and out is good for a few reasons. One is it’s easier to spot pre-existing damage if your vehicle is clean. Walk around and photograph your car from multiple angles. Document all scratches, dings and dents.
Protects you in case of any disputes later.
Remove Personal Items
Transport companies don’t allow you to leave any personal belongings in your vehicle. You should still take them out anyway. Electronics, documents and other items can shift around during transport and get damaged.
Remove anything that’s not factory-installed or attached.
Check Fluids and Battery
Your car doesn’t need a full tank of gas before transport. Transport companies actually prefer it not to be more than a quarter full. That said, you should check that your battery is charged and basic fluids are topped off.
Driver is going to have to start and move your car to get it on the trailer.
Disable Alarms and Toll Devices
You don’t want your car alarm going off repeatedly during transport. Disable aftermarket alarms and remove electronic toll pass devices. Saves you (and the transport company) from unexpected charges.
Get It in Writing
Before you hand over the keys to your vehicle, make sure you have a written contract. Pickup and delivery dates, total cost with no hidden fees, insurance details, contact information. The reputable companies will gladly provide all of this for you.
Timing of Your Car Transport
When is the best time to ship your car?
Here’s a tip: Book your transport in advance.
Peak moving season is between May and September. This is when prices spike and availability becomes limited. Book 2-3 weeks out for the best prices and most flexibility in scheduling.
Making the Final Decision
Moving is no small task. It’s one of the biggest life changes most people will experience. You want everything to go as smoothly as possible. You want the new place to feel like home.
Your vehicle isn’t just a means of transportation, after all. It’s freedom. It’s independence. It’s your ability to go wherever you want and do what you want from day one in your new home.
You don’t want to leave it behind or put unnecessary miles on it during the move.
That’s why professional car transport exists. It bridges the gap between your old life and your new one. It’s one less thing to stress about if you do it right.
Conclusion
Shipping your vehicle to your new home doesn’t have to be difficult. Millions of people move every year. The car transport industry has made it easier than ever to safely ship your car any distance.
To quickly recap:
- Transporting your car saves time, money and stress
- Cost can range from $600 to $2,500 for most moves
- Open and enclosed transport, which is right for your vehicle
- Prepare your car properly before shipping
- Book your transport early for best rates and availability
Your new house doesn’t feel like home until everything you need is there. Your car is one of those things. Sitting in the driveway ready for your next adventure.
You can leave it to the professionals and focus on all the things you have to do when you move.
