Moving Cross Country? 5 Tips for Shipping Your Car Safely
Moving across the country is a major undertaking, especially when you need to figure out what to do with your vehicle. Many homeowners choose to ship their car instead of putting thousands of additional miles on their vehicle, paying for hotels along the way, and dealing with the stress of a multi-day drive. If shipping is new to you, it’s natural to feel some anxiety about handing your car off to a company you’ve never used before. Whether you’re moving out of state for work, retirement, or a lifestyle change, understanding how car shipping works can help you avoid unexpected costs and delays.
Fortunately, there are ways to make the process easy and secure. Auto shipping companies offer services designed specifically for this, freeing up space in your schedule, protecting your vehicle from damage, and often saving you money compared to driving it yourself. If this is your first time shipping a car cross country and you’re not sure how to proceed, here’s everything you need to know about transporting your vehicle safely and securely when moving.
Should You Ship Your Car or Drive It?
Before booking anything, it’s worth deciding whether shipping actually makes sense for your situation.
- Shipping may make sense if: you have multiple vehicles, you’re traveling with children or pets, you need to arrive quickly, your vehicle isn’t well suited to a long drive, or you’re relocating for a new job with a tight start date.
- Driving may make sense if: you want the road trip experience, you only have one vehicle and no other way to get there, you enjoy long drives, or you need the car to transport belongings that won’t fit elsewhere.
1. Find the Right Auto Shipping Company
Auto shippers specialize in various shipping methods. You need to find the one that suits your preferences and situation best. When evaluating auto shippers, focus on uncovering the following details.
Company Experience
See if the car transport(opens in new tab) service you’re considering has experience transporting vehicles like yours, and check whether they’ve shipped to your specific location before. Experienced car shippers tend to ensure a smoother process, so always look into a company’s customer history, since there are plenty of auto transport companies worth avoiding.
Shipping Rates
The best auto shippers offer competitive rates. Car shipping isn’t cheap, but it also shouldn’t run wildly out of proportion to the distance and size of your vehicle. Be wary of providers offering unbelievably cheap rates, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Professionalism
Professional car shipping companies work with experienced people in the industry. Look for companies that are properly licensed, insured, transparent about their process, and willing to answer questions before you commit.
2. Gather Documents Needed to Ship Your Car
Most car shipping companies will ask for several documents before accepting your business. The paperwork varies by provider, but generally includes:
- Vehicle registration and title: proves you’re the rightful owner of the car being shipped.
- ID: acceptable forms usually include a passport, driver’s license, or social security card.
- Auto insurance: most auto shippers carry cargo insurance, but some companies still want your insurance information on file for documentation purposes.
If you won’t be present to receive your vehicle at the delivery location, prepare an “absent owner authorization letter” for whoever is receiving it, so they can present it to the delivery personnel on arrival.
3. Inspect for Pre-Existing Damage
Inspecting your vehicle for pre-existing damage before shipping gives you a clear record of its condition, so you have something to point to if a dispute comes up later. The carrier will also complete a bill of lading at pickup, a document that records your vehicle’s condition before transport. Review it carefully before signing, and keep a copy for your records.
- Wash the car so damage is easy to spot
- Survey it for chips, dents, or scratches and note anything you find
- Take close-up, date-stamped photos from multiple angles and distances
- Save copies of every photo somewhere secure, not just on your phone
4. Remove Personal Belongings
Avoid leaving personal items in your car to prevent theft or damage. Clear out the trunk, and remove any paperwork, snacks, or keepsakes from the glove compartment before pickup. A shipping company’s cargo insurance covers your vehicle, not the items inside it, so anything left behind in an accident is on you to replace.
5. Check Tires and Fluids
Your car needs to be in good working condition before shipping. It won’t be driven much during transport, but it still needs to run for loading and unloading. If you haven’t done a maintenance check recently, now’s the time.
- Check tires for cracks, tears, or holes
- Check brake fluid, washer fluid, coolant, oil, and power steering fluid, and top off anything low
- Fill the gas tank to about a quarter or half full, this reduces weight and keeps the car running smoothly for loading and unloading
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car Cross Country?
The cost to ship a car cross country depends on several factors, including distance, vehicle size, transport type, fuel prices, and seasonal demand. Open transport is typically the most affordable option, while enclosed transport costs more but offers additional protection from weather and road debris. Getting quotes from a few companies is the best way to understand what your specific move will cost.
Car Shipping Checklist Before Pickup
- Wash the Vehicle
- Photograph Existing Damage
- Remove Personal Belongings
- Check Fluids and Tire Pressure
- Remove Toll Tags
- Disable the Car Alarm
- Have Keys Available for Pickup
- Confirm Pickup Details With the Shipper
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car cross country?
Cost varies by distance, vehicle size, and the shipping method you choose. Open transport is generally more affordable than enclosed transport. Get quotes from a few companies to compare, and be cautious of any quote that seems unusually low.
How long does it take to ship a car?
Transit time depends on the distance and the shipper’s route, cross-country shipments often take anywhere from a few days to about two weeks. Ask your shipping company for an estimated delivery window before you book.
Do I need to be present for pickup and delivery?
Not necessarily, but someone needs to be there to hand off and receive the vehicle. If you can’t be present yourself, an absent owner authorization letter lets someone else handle it on your behalf.
What’s the difference between open and enclosed car transport?
Open transport is the more common and affordable option. Your car rides on an open trailer alongside other vehicles. Enclosed transport protects the vehicle from weather and road debris, at a higher cost, and is generally reserved for higher-value or classic cars.
Is my car covered by insurance during shipping?
Most reputable auto shippers carry cargo insurance covering the vehicle itself, though it typically won’t cover personal items left inside. Ask for proof of insurance before booking, and confirm what is and isn’t covered.
How far in advance should I book car shipping?
It’s best to schedule vehicle transport several weeks before your move, especially during busy moving seasons. Booking early gives you more flexibility with pickup dates and pricing.
Can I ship a car with items inside?
It’s not recommended. Cargo insurance typically only covers the vehicle itself, not personal belongings inside it, so anything left in the car during shipping is at your own risk.
Is it cheaper to ship a car or drive it?
It depends on the distance and your situation. Driving avoids the shipping fee, but you’ll pay for gas, food, and possibly lodging along the way, plus added mileage and wear on the vehicle. For longer distances, shipping is often comparable in cost once those expenses are factored in, and it saves you the time and physical toll of the drive itself.
Final Thoughts
Transporting your vehicle to another state can be a long and involved process, but with the right preparation and the right shipping company, it can also be one of the more painless parts of a cross-country move. If you’re driving the rest of your move yourself, our comparison of moving trucks vs. moving containers and our long-distance moving dos and don’ts can help with the rest of the logistics. If you haven’t started on the rest of your move yet, our complete moving checklist is a good place to begin.
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Shipping your car during a cross-country move? These 5 tips cover choosing a shipper, paperwork, and prepping your vehicle for transport. #realestate #moving
About the Author
As a Wellington Realtor, Michelle frequently works with buyers and sellers relocating to and from Florida. Helping clients prepare for a long-distance move involves more than finding a home, it also includes coordinating moving companies, vehicle transportation, and the other logistics that come with a relocation to Wellington. If your move is also tied to selling your current home, our guide to preparing your home for sale is worth a look too.
Michelle has been specializing in residential real estate since 2001 throughout Wellington Florida and the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell or rent she will guide you through the entire real estate transaction. Whether you’re buying, selling, or renting in Wellington and the surrounding communities, Michelle can help guide you through every step of your real estate journey.
Areas of service include Wellington, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Greenacres, and more.
