Most probably, you are finding it hard to go through cross country car shipping, either because you are settled in, want ordering a new automobile from some other state or simply bet lazy to drive your car excessive miles. Cross country car shipping services are intended to purposefully make such situation simple to individuals and companies. From estimating, say, shipping cost to choose the right way which would be e.g. a door to door car shipping, in this article you will find all relevant cross country car shipping information you need to know.
What Does “Cross Country Car Shipping” Mean?
When it comes to transporting a car from one location to another or transporting a vehicle in states which are separated by a great distance, the term cross country car shipping comes into play. This is the same from towing a vehicle from New York to California even to moving a car trailer from Florida to Texas; however, it is not as simple as that. As with any other process, there is a need for organization and decision on the best automobile moving agent to use.
Elements Which Impact the Price of Transporting a Vehicle Anywhere In The USA
Transporting a car from one side of the country to the other is not a cheap endeavor. However, being aware of such variables will enable you to know how to come down with the costs even further. Here are the main factors:
Distance
The distance between the pick-up and the drop-off is the main retainer of costs. Cross-country shipping obviously costs more than shorter hauls due to fuel costs, time, and labor involved. Normally, a higher distance may lead to a lesser cost per mile but it ends up increasing the total shipping charge.
Vehicle Size and Weight
Shipping larger more cumbersome vehicles such as trucks, vans, and SUVs is more costly than shipping a small stress free subcompact economy car. Both dimensions and weight affect the volume occupied on the transporter; heavy vehicles also increase fuel consumption during transport.
Type of Shipping: Open vs. Enclosed When one has to choose cross country car shipping, will have the option between open transport and enclosed car transport. Open transport is the less expensive option, where the automobile is transported over a vehicle in an open container thus exposing it to the weather. Enclosed transport, which is costlier than open transport, protects the car entirely from the weather, debris, and damage using a closed container when shipping the car.
Shipping Time Frame: Those seeking their vehicles in a short time span will have to pay for expedited shipping services, if this service is offered at all. The option of minimum cost is available but the maximum period that one has to wait to get the vehicle will depend on a combination of the transport company’s plans and their route.
Seasonal Demand: Car shipping economics are also affected by demand on a seasonal basis. This is when most people move due to the higher temperatures which increases the rates. On the other hand autumn and winter shipping would be cheaper and less affected by demand, still conditions might hinder the shipping process.
Pick-Up and Delivery Options
With the busy lifestyle that most people have today, a lot of automobiles are shipped using the door to door car transport services. When you use a certain professional auto transport service, they will first come to your house to collect your car and then bring it to the place you want. Although this shipping method incurs more costs than the terminal-to-terminal shipping method whereby you drop off and pick up the vehicle at certain locations, it is more convenient as time is saved and there are fewer hassles to deal with more so in long distance movement of the vehicle.
How to Get a Car Shipping Cost Calculator
A car shipping cost calculator is a tool that is often found on many websites which will assist a user in establishing how much it may cost to ship their vehicle based on a number of variables such as distance, type of vehicle and type of shipping. When you go to use a calculator, you will typically be required to enter:
- Pick-up and delivery locations: The zip codes for the beginning and final destinations.
- The vehicle information you would need: Year, make, model, type of vehicle (e.g., sedan, SUV).
- Transport type: If it is required, whether an open carrier or enclosed is used.
- Desired shipping time frame: Standard or express services.
- Once you fill in these units, the shipping cost calculator will go ahead and give you an approximate cost for shipping your car. The other option provided estimates are indicative of the actual scenario although it is advisable to reach out to several auto transport companies to understand the cost better.
Benefits of Door-to-Door Car Shipping
Commonly known as interstate car transport, door to door car shipping options come with a number of benefits:
Convenience: People do not have to worry about driving their cars to and from a terminal because the vehicle is collected at the exact residence and the new car owner right at their doorstep.
Less Risk: Shipping terminals present a risk of losing a car due to the number of times the vehicle has to be handed over to different individuals, which is eliminated when the car is being picked from a garage.
Time-Saving: With door to door shipping, one does not have to go to the terminal to drop off or pick up the car, which I believe is quite a time saver, especially during long distance relocations.
How to Choose the Right Auto Transport Company for Cross Country Shipping
It is important to take your time in selecting the best auto transport company because that will guarantee the safe delivery of your car within the said timeline. Here are a few tips to help you make the right decision:
Read Reviews and Testimonials
Check how previous customers rated the company in review websites and how reliable they are – or any warning signs such as delays, vehicle damages or additional costs.
Check for Licensing and Insurance
Firstly, the transport company has to be DOT licensed and insured for intermodal transportation as potential damages may arise during transit.
Consider Several Quotations
Seek quotations from at least three different companies in order to price their offering. Also, ensure that all the quotations have all the costings so that no one has an extra charge later on.
Inquire About Tracking Provision
In the modern world of auto transport, there are many companies that will offer GPS systems where you will be able to locate the exact position of your car at any certain point of the transport route. This comes handy as you don’t have to worry about being held up and not knowing the reason for the delay.
Conclusion
Transporting a car from coast to coast for shipping does not have to be a costly or a time-consuming process as long as one knows the law and the different ways of car transport.
If you prefer open or enclosed auto transport, do not forget to calculate car shipping cost online to get the correct price, or you may order inexpensive car shipping which includes delivery of a vehicle to your home, all these things will minimize risks and guarantee the security of your car on the way. Then no struggling is needed to have and ship a car and all these and many more will help you have an arranged process and no stresses related to this.
