How to Ship a Car to Another State

Getting your car to your new home is easy if you’re moving in the same city, but not if you’re moving cross country. Time, money, logistics, weather conditions ‒ there’s a surprising number of factors that affect your decision. Don’t worry though. There are plenty of ways to ship a car to another state, so you can find one that works for you, regardless of your needs and your budget.

Hire a Moving or Auto Transport Company

The simplest, easiest, and most stress-free solution. Hiring a professional moving company takes the work out of your hands. In order to get the best price, call at least three companies before committing. After providing some basic information about your car, schedule, and destination, you’ll receive an estimate. Prices are determined by the size of your vehicle, the distance it needs to travel, and the type of carrier you choose.

• Open Carrier. A double decker semi-trailer that hauls cars, a common sight along roads and highways. Open carriers are the most affordable, but leave your car exposed to the elements.
• Closed Carrier. Expensive but safer. Closed carriers shield your car from weather and debris ‒ a good option for classic, vintage, or luxury vehicles.

Once you’ve made your selection, the company will arrange a convenient time to pick up your car and send it on its way. The driver will conduct a thorough inspection first, to provide a record of its condition, before handing you the Bill of Lading. Shipping typically takes 2-9 days, depending on how far it's going.

Allied Auto Moving provides full, door-to-door shipping. You can contact the Allied team at any time to check on the status of your vehicle or confirm drop off times. Our drivers are rigorously trained on proper loading and unloading procedures, so you can be confident about your car’s safety. Once we’ve arrived, we’ll arrange a drop off at your house, office, garage, storage facility, or wherever location is most convenient for you.

Hitch It To Your Trailer

Many moving vans come with a trailer hitch, so you can attach your car and haul it yourself. It’s more economical than hiring a professional, but it also reduces your mobility and handling. A good choice for people comfortable handling a large rig.

Hire a Driver

Contact a concierge service and have a professional driver take your car cross country for you. This adds a lot of mileage, but may work better with your budget. Always go through a verified transportation service, however. They thoroughly vet their drivers and provide insurance coverage for the trip.

Send It By Train

Shipping by train gets your car to its new home without adding any mileage or wear and tear. You can travel with the train or meet up with it later. Depending on where you’re going, a train may be more affordable than a carrier. However, trains sacrifice flexibility. Routes are fixed and drop-off points are predetermined, one of the reasons few people ship their vehicles this way. Providers are limited as well. Outside of Amtrak, most rail companies prefer to work with corporations rather than individuals.

Drive It Yourself

The cheapest option, though not always the most convenient. Crossing the entire country takes several days; longer if the weather is bad. Families with multiple cars have to travel separately and driving coast to coast puts a lot of stress on you and your vehicle, which is why so many interstate movers hire professionals instead.

How to Ship a Car to Another State

Auto Transport Professionals are trained to handle cars safely. Nonetheless, there are a few steps you can take to help everything go smoothly.

• Empty Your Gas Tank. Heavy cars are not only more costly to ship, they’re difficult to load and unload, and a full tank of gas weighs nearly 100 pounds. Don’t empty it entirely, however. One half or one quarter full is fine.
• Note Your Vehicle’s Mileage and Condition. Make sure you don’t have to prove damages in the unlikely event that something happens. Take pictures of your car’s exterior and interior, especially the doors, bumpers, fenders, trunk lid, and hood, which are particularly vulnerable to dents, dings, and scratches.
• Remove Personal Belongings. In order to protect yourself from theft and damage, take all your personal effects out of the car. While most auto transport companies are insured, their policies normally cover the car, not its contents.
• Disable Your Alarm. Drivers encounter a lot of bumps on the road. If you've got an alarm, it's almost guaranteed to go off.
• Check Your Tires. Just because your vehicle’s strapped to a truck doesn’t mean it won’t get jostled going over bumps and curbs. Make sure your tires are properly inflated to avoid damaging your wheels.
• Remove Accessories. Take off your bike racks and luggage carriers. Anything attached to your vehicle will make your driver’s job harder and may even lead to damage.
• Make An Extra Set of Keys. It’s easy for belongings to get misplaced during a long-distance move. Having an extra set of keys on hand ensures you’ll be able to drive your car home when it arrives.

Allied Auto Transport

Trust Allied to move every part of your household, from clothes and furniture to cars, trucks, and SUVs. If you own it, we can ship it ‒ even motorcycles, snowmobiles, and jet skis! Contact us today for a free estimate.