There are a few different ways to go about auto shipping. Choosing the right method depends on your preference, budget and timeline for delivery.
Open car shipping is the cheapest hands-off option, but it leaves your vehicle exposed to the elements. Enclosed transport is more expensive but offers more protection.
1. Door-to-Door
Whether you’re shipping your classic car cross country or a family vehicle from the East Coast to the West, transporting your automobile long distances requires a reliable auto transportation company. Choosing a vehicle shipping service that offers door-to-door transportation can help to ensure the safety of your vehicle and allow you to relax and focus on other moving-related tasks.
This vehicle transport option is the most convenient for you and your car carrier, since it allows for pickup and delivery at the exact same location. This eliminates the need for you to be present when your car is picked up and delivered, which can be particularly helpful if you’re working on a tight schedule. Additionally, the driver will inspect your car for any damage before leaving with it. If you find any marks or scratches, make sure to take photos and note them on the inspection report.
With door-to-door auto transport, your car will be loaded into either an open or enclosed trailer at the originating address and then transported to the destination. The truck will then drop it off right in front of your doorstep at the destination, making this method ideal for vehicles that can’t afford to sit around a terminal yard for too long. This is also the most popular method for shipping classic cars and other high-end, condition-sensitive vehicles.
If you want to ship your vehicle door-to-door but are on a tight budget, it’s possible to work with a company that provides this service for a slightly lower fee. However, it’s important to understand that this is a more expensive option than terminal-to-terminal transport, as the carrier will have to spend more money on labor and fuel for each trip.
Another way to ship your car door-to-door is by RoRo (roll-on, roll-off). With this method, your vehicle is shipped on an ocean container at the originating city and then driven on a ferry or truck to the destination port. Depending on the shipping route, your vehicle will be placed in a single-use container or a consolidated one with other vehicles headed to the same place. The consolidated container is typically cheaper, as you share the cost of ocean freight and customs clearance with other customers.
Lastly, you can also ship your vehicle by air. This is the fastest method for domestic and overseas car transport, but it can be very expensive. The good news is that your car will be safe and secure in an airplane cradle, which helps to reduce the risk of damage. To learn more about each of these methods, be sure to speak with your preferred vehicle transport company. They will be able to provide you with all the information you need about choosing a vehicle shipping service that suits your needs.
2. Terminal-to-Terminal
Terminal-to-Terminal car shipping is a tried and true method of open vehicle transport. With this option, you bring your car to a designated terminal where it will be picked up by a long-haul truck and transported to the destination city. This is less expensive than door-to-door transport, and it cuts down on the time it takes to complete the trip since carriers won’t have to divert their routes to residential areas.
To make the process as seamless as possible, you’ll need to drop off your vehicle at a terminal within a reasonable distance from both your home and your new destination. Ideally, this is a location with easy access to major highways and a lot of space for parking vehicles. You’ll also want to choose a company that has a reputation for minimizing damage during loading and unloading, which is more likely to happen when your car is exposed to the elements at the terminal.
Before your vehicle sets out on its journey, the transportation team will perform a crucial pre-travel assessment. This will help them map out the best route to your new location, taking into account things like narrow streets that have large vehicle restrictions and overhead power cables. This is one of the biggest advantages of hiring a professional, as they are much more familiar with the local area and will be able to avoid any obstacles that could delay or prevent your vehicle from making its final journey.
Once your car arrives at the destination city, it’ll be delivered to a pre-determined location, which could be a storage facility, terminal, tow yard, port, or other similar site. You’ll need to be there to meet the driver and sign off on the delivery, but if you can’t be there in person, you’ll have the ability to schedule a delivery window that works with your busy schedule.
One of the drawbacks of this type of shipping is that your car will be stored at the terminal for an extended period of time. This is especially a concern if your home is far from a terminal, in which case you’ll need to arrange for transportation to and from the terminal, which will add to your shipping costs. But, if your budget is tight and you’re okay with your car spending some time in storage, terminal-to-terminal shipping may be a good option for you. For more information about how this option works, give us a call today! We’d be happy to answer any questions you have and to help you choose the perfect transportation method for your needs.
3. Terminal-to-Town
If you have your own truck and a car trailer, you can save money by towing your vehicle yourself. This option can be a great choice for people that are comfortable with towing and are familiar with all of the logistics involved. It can be a very stressful experience for those that are unfamiliar with the process. If you are planning to use this method, it is important to understand the risks and limitations of towing a large vehicle like an auto transport trailer.
Another way to get your car to your destination is by hiring an auto transport company that offers door-to-door transport. In most cases, this is the cheapest method of car shipping. If you choose to ship with a door-to-door carrier, you can expect your car to be delivered to the exact address that you provide for pickup. You will have the flexibility to choose your own drop-off location as well, which is not always possible with other methods of car transportation.
Most of the companies that offer this type of service use open-air trucks for their car shipments. This means that your car will be exposed to the elements during transport, which can be an issue if you have a valuable classic or luxury vehicle. It is also important to note that this method of transportation can be more expensive if you need to ship your vehicle on an expedited basis.
This method of car transportation is gaining popularity as the need for scheduling flexibility increases. This method is usually cheaper than shipping by ground or air and allows you to ship your car 365 days a year, which is not always an option with other transportation methods.
It is best to ship with this method in the winter when prices are lower because fewer people are moving during this time. The winter months are also a safer time to ship since there is less chance of weather delays or road closures.
Plotting your car’s departure date can be a little tricky because you will need to strike a balance between your schedule and the availability of an auto transport carrier. Most companies will provide a window of dates when they can pick up your vehicle, and it is crucial to have as much flexibility as possible.
If you want to know more about how to choose the right method for shipping your car, contact us today. One of our knowledgeable representatives will be happy to help you decide which transportation method is best for your needs. They will be able to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each method and help you choose which option is the cheapest for your particular situation. They will also be able to provide you with quotes based on your specific needs.
