Nobody wants to forget their vehicle at home after traveling around the country.
Packing belongings and loading an entire family into a moving truck is hectic enough. But leaving the car behind… That’s just carelessness.
What happens if you forget about vehicle logistics until the last minute?
Movements are delayed. Families are stuck. And the vehicles are not transported as they should.
Let’s hit the accelerator on your next move instead of hitting the brakes.
Vehicle logistics must be scheduled first
A domestic move involves several vehicles. When millions of Americans move each year (25.87 million expected by 2024!), that means tons of cars need transportation too.
Some people drive their vehicle with them. After all… it is an option.
But who wants to spend days and days driving back and forth across the country? Especially when there are better solutions.
Enter: open carrier auto transport.
This method of vehicle shipping is fast, affordable, and can be reserved well in advance of moving day.
Here’s why it makes sense.
table of Contents
- Why vehicle logistics is overlooked
- How Open Carrier Automated Transportation Works
- Choose the correct shipping method
- Timing the transport of your vehicle
- Preparing your car for shipping
- Putting it all together
Why vehicle logistics is overlooked
When making a plan to move, most families focus on preparing the house. Packaging. Cleaning. Sorting through years of garbage.
This means that vehicle transport tips and tricks take a backseat.
It’s understandable. Cars don’t live in the house. No need to pack them. That’s why they “feel” like the easiest part of a move.
Except they aren’t.
Driving across the country is a waste of time and money. Hotels, food, mileage: it all adds up. For families with more than one vehicle… Man, imagine that everyone has to drive different cars!
But if only one person drives the car… where is he when you need to pack boxes?
Automatic open vehicle transportation was created for this exact situation. Using a state to state car towing The service is the simplest way to manage vehicle logistics.
It’s cheaper than most people think.
How Open Carrier Automated Transportation Works
There are three ways to take your car where it needs to go. But one method is overwhelmingly more popular than the others.
Car transport with open platform It is the choice for 99% of all vehicle shipments made each year.
Need a refresher on what open transportation is?
Think about the trailers you’ve seen driving down the highway. The ones with lots of cars on top of each other?
These are called “open carriers” because there is nothing to protect the vehicles from the outside elements. Weather, road debris, etc.
Shipping your vehicle this way is simple.
- Reserve your transportation with a licensed and insured auto transport company. Be sure to verify your USDOT number through FMCSA.
- The carrier schedule a pickup date within the expected time frame (normally between 2 and 7 days after booking)
- The driver inspect your vehicle for pre-existing damage
- Your car will travel via open trailer to the desired destination
- make a final vehicle inspection upon delivery before signing the documentation.
Boom. Made.
Your car will be shipped while you pack the boxes. Don’t waste time or miles on your personal vehicle.
Choose the correct shipping method
If you’re wondering how to ship a car across the country, you’ve already found the best option. But do you need an “open” carry or something with a little more style?
Open vs. Attach.
Here is the difference.
Open Transportation is exactly what has been mentioned above. Affordable. Common. Suitable for all cars.
Attach Transport is literally the same as open but with your vehicle inside a closed trailer. These shipments are much more expensive and are typically used for luxury, classic, and high-end sports vehicles.
Here’s a good rule of thumb…
If your car is not old, expensive or flashy. You do not need closed transport.
Why spend twice as much on shipping when open carrier transportation is perfect for everyday vehicles?
Timing the transportation of your vehicle
Another piece of the puzzle is timing everything correctly.
Many people forget that there is actually a shipping season for auto shipping.
Vehicle transportation waits for no one.
Okay, that’s a lie. But you get the point.
Summer is the busiest season for both moving and auto transport companies. The rates are higher. Waiting times are longer. The whole nine.
When shipping your vehicle ahead of timeyou can expect:
- Set a lower rate before summer demand increases
- Schedule a pickup time without insane wait times
- Coordinate with the entry and exit of your homes.
How long should you go out?
Vehicle transportation reservation 2-4 weeks in advance Moving day is the sweet spot.
As for how long it takes to ship a car… It depends on the distance.
- From coast to coast: 5-7 days
- Cross country: 3-5 days
- Within the same state: 1-3 days
The point is that you leave enough room in your schedule. No one wants to see vehicles appear after families have already settled into their new homes.
Preparing your car for shipping
Preparing a car for shipping is easy. But this is what the process really looks like.
Below are the basic steps to prepare your vehicle for transport.
Cleaning The interior and exterior allow the driver to identify damage that may already be on the car.
Cleaning your personal belongings It is important because most carriers do not cover stolen or lost items.
Checking Fluid levels and tire pressure. It seems like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning anyway. A drivable vehicle is easier to load and unload.
Lastly, take a few minutes to document current damage with photographs. You’ll be glad you did if something were to happen during transportation.
Putting it all together
Planning vehicle logistics for your next move is simple.
Professional auto shipping companies have taken care of every situation you can imagine. Every move is unique, but here are some helpful tips to remember when shipping your car cross country:
- Book car transportation as soon as possible. The ideal is 2 to 4 weeks of rest.
- Compare open versus closed transportation to see what your vehicle qualifies for.
- Schedule pickup after vehicle prep work is complete.
- Please allow enough time for the shipment to arrive before moving day.
- Take plenty of photos before and after transportation.
Following these steps will resolve your vehicle dilemmas in no time. Let the professionals worry about the travel while you focus on everything it takes to get around the country.
