How to prepare your car?
Tags: cars, automation, vehiclerental
Published: 2023-11-16 10:07:14


Being prepared is the best thing you can do when it comes to car shipping. First and foremost, each of your family members will need to pitch in for your car shipment to be a success. Before your family helps you with preparing your car, however, you will need to choose a reputable auto transport company. After you’ve chosen the appropriate shipping service, it is time to turn your attention toward preparing your car for shipping.

Getting a visual inspection of the vehicle is a good idea, as it will allow you to account for any damages your car has incurred up until now. Document any damages you spot with your phone. This way, you will have a record of the inspection report you will need to receive and sign before the actual shipping company arrives.

Inspect your vehicle for any signs of leakage. Also, inspect the engine compartment and underneath your car. Make sure there is absolutely no leaking around your fuel tank. If you see any leaks, no matter how small, you should have them fixed before the auto shipping company arrives.

To make sure that the shipment does not have any extra weight, you may want to leave your gas tank only 1/4 full. Likewise, the battery in your vehicle needs to be completely charged before it arrives, and the battery should be secure to help prevent it from shifting around while your car is being transported.


## Open Carrier Vs Enclosed Truck

There are two basic options when it comes to shipping your vehicle: you can choose an open carrier truck or an enclosed truck. Typically, enclosed shipping is more expensive.

In exchange for the additional costs of an enclosed truck, you get peace of mind. You will know that your car is better protected from any type of damage it might receive during the shipping process.

On the other hand, while enclosed shipping offers more protection, it might not be worth it if you do not own a high-end vehicle. In most cases, cars transported in open carrier trucks arrive in great condition and you can potentially save yourself some money.

## Why you should hire a shipping company?

Along with the resources we've previously mentioned, we have created helpful car shipping videos to answer any questions or concerns you may have with car shipping. We have a large database that has over 2,500 screened auto shippers for you to choose from, whether you want to ship your car to California, whether it's San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, or anywhere else. We do not require an upfront fee to provide you with this service. We take the hassle out of car shipping.

If you need further convincing, simply look at the numerous 5-star reviews our team has worked effortlessly to receive.

## What is the cheapest way to ship a car across the country?

If you are deciding between shipping or driving your vehicle, be sure to calculate the true cost of driving your car across the country, including all of the expenses. This estimate should not only include gas, but also food, snacks, hotel stays, toll booth fees, and more. After averaging it all out and comparing, most people discover that shipping their car is not much more expensive than driving it. And, in some cases, it may even be cheaper.


## Shipping Your Car Terminal to Terminal

[Terminal-to-terminal shipping is often the cheapest way to ship your car](https://www.autostartransport.com/terminal-to-terminal-car-shipping), which involves dropping your car off at a regional storage terminal and picking it up at one near your new home. Terminal-to-terminal options may not, however, be available if you are moving to or from a rural or remote location. While terminal-to-terminal shipping is cheap, do not forget that it is also a bit slower and can force you to leave your car in a terminal for at least a few days. But, if you have the time and do not want to pay the extra money, terminal-to-terminal shipping can be a great option to transport your car without driving.

## Tips To Cheaply Ship Your Car

The cheapest way to ship a car is mainly determined by the type of vehicle and how far it has to travel. That said, here are some proven ways to save money on car shipping:

- **Do your research:** Research your options. There are many ways to transport a car cheaply.
- **Compare rates and services:** Don't use the first company that you see. Compare rates to save the most money.
- **Find the best transporter for your needs:** Determine what is most important to you when shipping a car.
- **Use terminal-to-terminal shipping:** Although this is the cheapest option, it is often slower and less convenient. It involves finding terminals to ship your car to and from, as well as carriers that want to stop at these terminals.



## How do you ship a car in the US?

Where you land on the shipping spectrum will depend largely on the kind of car that you're shipping. Moving a five-year-old family sedan is obviously quite different than shipping a rare antique vehicle. The good news is that there are several options available to ship a vehicle nearly anywhere in the world.

## How to find an auto?

If you reside in a big city, these days it's as simple as typing my city auto transport into Google. My city is either the city you are shipping to or from.

Literally hiring a company online to move your car is usually the easiest part of the entire auto transport process. It's cheaper than hiring a professional driver, keeps miles off your tires, and it's helpful if you aren't able to drive the car to your new place yourself.


## What is cross-country vehicle shipping?

Cross country vehicle shipping is a type of service provided to move cars from state to state or city to city. Auto transport haulers travel about 500-700 miles/day and deliveries take anywhere from 1-9 business days after booking. Certain pickup and/or drop-off locations, like Hawaii for example, might take longer. Some companies offer expedited pickup and delivery for an additional cost.

## How to get the best vehicle transport rates?

To get the best vehicle shipping rates, you'll want to obtain multiple quotes. Obtaining numerous quotes ensures you are getting the very best price possible on vehicle shipping. That said, there are other things you can do to lock in great pricing as well, such as:

- **Research:** Research your options for car shipping and decide what your needs are
- **Match a Transporter to Your Needs:** Once you understand what you need in an auto transporter, you'll want to find one that matches your requirements.
- **Open-Transport:** Open-transport is hands down the cheapest way to ship a car.

The cheapest way to ship a car will greatly depend on how you choose to ship it however, with a little research, you can get the best rates any day.


## How long does it take to ship a car?

How long it takes to ship a car depends heavily on the distance the car is being shipped and on the company doing the shipping. Moving a vehicle over shorter distances, such as 300-500 miles, may only take a couple of days, but shipping a vehicle across the country can take as long as a week or more.

## How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?

This is a loaded question because costs will depend on quite a few different factors. Anything from the type of transport to the time of year can have a big effect on the price you'll ultimately pay to get your vehicle from one place to another. For instance, lists prices between $800 and nearly $1,000 to ship a Chevy Malibu from Indianapolis to Los Angeles. On the other side of the coin, shipping an F-150 from NYC to LA will cost well over $1,000. Those are most likely open-air shipping prices for truck transport, so the numbers may change significantly for other methods. Those prices are for commuter vehicles, but classic cars, collector vehicles, and exotic cars all carry additional charges. In general, these vehicles can carry up to a $3,000 premium over their more middle-of-the-road counterparts for additional insurance and more careful shipment handling.