November 17, 2021 Posted in Auto Transport
Lucy Lucas

Born and raised in Miami Lucy is a content writer with a love of moving and packing. She is an expert at making sure everything fits into her suitcase.

Benefits of Car Shipping – Why Driving Isn’t a Good Idea When Moving Cross-Country

Moving cross-country and still not sure how to transport your car? Should you drive all the way or hire a professional cross-country moving company? Here are some of the numerous benefits of car shipping that will help you decide what works best for you and show why driving all those miles might not be a good idea after all.

Numerous cars on an open trailer overlay
Unsure of what to do next with your car? Here is why you should bring it to the new city

Adjusting to a new place will be a much easier process if your car is by your side, especially if you’re relocating out for the first time. Not only will this help you fulfill daily obligations, but it will also provide you with an opportunity to explore the surroundings better. Not to mention, it will come in handy if you’re relocating to the suburbs, have small kids, and need to drive them everywhere – from daycare to school. All this considered, it becomes perfectly clear why a car should be a top priority on the moving essentials list.

After you’ve finally decided where to live and explored all the perks of the destination you’re going to, the very next step is organizing the car transportation to the new home. Here is everything you need to know about it.

Why Driving on Your Own Is Not That Genius of an Idea – It’s More Complicated Than You Might Think

Relocating from the West Coast to the East Coast (or vice versa) and planning to drive your vehicle all the way? Well, unless you’re a professional driver, keep in mind this is a pretty demanding task that could easily turn the whole long-distance moving experience into a real nightmare, especially if you are relocating with kids.

Driving on Your Own Could Take Longer Than You Initially Planned

No matter how well you prepared yourself and your family for this long trip, it won’t be enough in moments when you’re overcome with fatigue. On average, you can pass a thousand miles if you drive (without stops) for fifteen hours.

At the very beginning, it is clear this is mission impossible if you are relocating to another state alone. In case some of your other family members are drivers, in theory, this is feasible. But still, you should keep in mind that this adventure can be pretty unexpected and take longer than you anticipated. Road works, bad weather conditions, the car breaking down, and many other unexpected events could affect the duration of your trip.

Don’t Forget About Maintenance Expenses

The more miles you pass with your car, the more the maintenance will cost, while the value of your vehicle will decrease. Going on such a long trip means you should check and even change some parts. Changing oil, replacing air filters, brake pads, coolant, and tires will inevitably cost a lot and increase the final expenses. However, when going on such a trip, inspecting those details is a must-do preparatory step because it directly impacts your safety.

Costs Can Be Pretty High When Organizing the Whole Process by Yourself

One of the most common moving mistakes people make when organizing a cross-country move is forgetting to include certain expenses related to relocation in their budget. For example, depending on the distance between your old and new address, you will need overnight accommodation for at least one night.

You should also cover all the tolls, gas, food, and all unexpected expenses that come your way. In the end, the whole thing can cost you more than transporting a car across the country with the help of a professional long-distance moving company. So without further ado, here are all the benefits of shipping a car instead of driving it.

One of the Greatest Car Shipping Pros Is Being Able to Be in Control of the Costs

Unlike all the potential unexpected issues and costs that can happen when transporting the car on your own, when it comes to professional cross-country moving services, things are entirely different. Once you confirm the quote, you will have a clear picture of your budget and expected costs, which will make the planning of the move to another city significantly easier.

However, before confirming the quote, make sure you’ve checked if a moving company is legitimate. This is the only way to be sure you’re dealing with reliable and professional movers able to provide you with all the necessary services, including auto transport. Also, go thoroughly through recommendations for moving companies, and check third-party websites too, because the opinions of previous customers can reveal any potential red flags. Let’s see now how professionals do it!

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Regardless of the Number and Type of Vehicles, Professional Auto Shippers Will Take Care of It

According to the latest report, the average American household possesses 1.88 cars. If you have two or more vehicles, it means you won’t even be able to drive both of them on your own. However, with the help of a professional auto shipping company, you will get both of them delivered right in front of your new home.

The Company Will Help You Choose Between an Open and Enclosed Trailer

The shipper you choose will explain to you in detail how car shipping works and what type of trailer you should choose for your car type. For example, if the vehicle is luxurious, they will always highly recommend going for an enclosed trailer. In the enclosed trailer, the conditions are simply perfect, and bad weather cannot affect the cargo.

In case your vehicle is a regular family car, then an open trailer will be just enough. The best thing of all is that it will cost you at least 40% less than transporting your vehicle in an enclosed trailer.

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Follow the guidance and get your vehicle delivered right in front of your doorstep

Using Professional Auto Transport Services Will Save You a Lot of Time

One of the greatest benefits of shipping a car is that you’ll have more free time since the whole process will be managed by a professional company. All you will have to do is prepare the car according to their instructions and decide on the pickup and delivery point, as well as on the trailer type.

There Will Be Plenty Tasks on Your Plate – Save Time for Them

Moving to a new state is an almost three-month process that includes packing the whole household, decluttering, cleaning, house and job hunting, or house selling, paperwork. All this can be pretty exhausting. However, stress-free moving is possible with the support of professionals. Opting to ship the car will save a lot of nerves and a lot of your time too!

How Long Does It Take Until Your Car Is Delivered?

Depending on the destination you are relocating to, the days needed for the shipper to deliver the vehicle will differ. Here are some approximate time frames:

  • East Coast to West Coast, 5–14 days,
  • Midwest to East Coast, 3–8 days,
  • South to North, 3–8 days.

However, keep in mind that the only information you can count on is that one the carrier gives you.

woman in car getting ready for long distance moving overlay
Plan everything in advance and think of the tiniest details

Another Benefit of Car Transport Is an Insurance Policy

Another benefit of relocating with a professional shipping company is the insurance policy that will be included in the quote, which means you won’t have to pay extra to get one. In case you decide to drive by yourself, keep in mind that the regular car insurance you have might not be valid in other states.

If You Choose to Ship Your Vehicle With a Carrier, the Insurance Policy Will Be Free of Charge

The mandatory insurance policy professional shippers offer covers any external damage up to $100,000 on an open trailer or $500,000 on enclosed trailers. Of course, there are options for higher coverage, and if you’re interested in these options, don’t forget to ask the carrier about all details and learn what the options are.

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Learn what the insurance policy covers and go for an option that suits your needs best

Auto Transport Is Always a Safer Option than Driving on Your Own

Undeniably, the best advantage of using long-distance moving services is greater safety. This is especially true if you are planning to move in winter, when road conditions can be less than safe. Also, long trips are simply exhausting regardless of the time of year. Pair that with the stress of uprooting your whole life and starting over in an unfamiliar place, and you most likely won’t have too much fun.

It’s Not Always About the Money – Safety Is a Top Priority When It Comes to Auto Transport

Lack of focus is something to expect after driving for hours. On the other hand, too many stops during the trip can prolong the ordeal and increase the expenses. All this leads us to the conclusion that transporting the vehicle using a professional carrier is much safer than driving on your own. So keep all these details in mind when organizing the relocation to a big city. Safety always comes first, and all your choices should be made accordingly.

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Know your limits and always go for the safest option - like auto transport is

Choose Door-to-Door Hassle-Free Transport and Forget About Stress

All things considered, having your car delivered right to your doorstep and traveling by plane instead sounds like a pretty good deal! Not to mention all the time-wasting, nerves-wracking, and potential expenses you’ll avoid. Although using professional auto transport might seem like an expensive option at first sight, in many cases, you will spend less money than by organizing each segment of the move (including auto transport) separately.

Don’t forget that companies provide special discounts for all their customers who use a couple of their different services. Discount plans, guaranteed prices, greater safety, and no unpleasant surprises are the main perks of using professional car shipping services. And that’s precisely why you should go for them!

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