Interstate auto shipping
There are several ways to get a car from point A to point B, and there is no simple answer as to which is the best for you. The three most common options of interstate transport are driving a car yourself, hiring a driver, or using an auto hauling company to ship your car across the country.
Naturally, we’re going to suggest you hire an auto transport company, specifically J&S Transportation, to ship your car. But we still want to present you with your options so you can make an informed choice.
Car transport interstate options
1. Drive The Vehicle Yourself
The most straightforward option is to drive the vehicle yourself from point A to point B. This may seem like the most convenient and cheapest option, but that’s not necessarily true.
The cost of gas, food, lodging (if it’s a few days journey), then either a bus or plane ticket back to your point of origin can add up quickly. On top of the cost of travel, there is the cost of lost wages from missing work, and the wear and tear on your vehicle – not to mention the potential hazards of a long distance road trip, such as accidents, road conditions and other drivers.
You could also tow the vehicle with a car trailer or on a flat-bed truck. This will eliminate the additional mileage and wear-and-tear on the vehicle that would be added from the drive, but adds the cost of either renting a trailer or a flat-bed. While this option assures you’ll know when the vehicle will get to its destination, you have to ask yourself is it worth the time, money, hassle and risk.
2. Hire a Driver
If you don’t want to make the drive yourself, you could hire someone; a friend or professional, to drive your car to your destination for you. It’s more expensive than driving yourself, but it also saves you from spending days on the road.
In addition to the cost of gas, food, lodging and return travel, you will also need to compensate this person for his time. And trust them with your vehicle. Most people I know don’t like to lend out their car for a trip to the store, much less a cross-country trek.
3. Hire An Auto Hauling Company
Hiring a professional auto hauling company to ship your car may be the most convenient and safest way to ship a vehicle. And it may also be the cheapest option.
The first step is to do some research: Legitimate auto transport companies should be both bonded and insured, and will require an inspection and a bill of lading before shipping. They’ll also offer free instant online quotes for interstate car transport.
Hiring a vehicle hauling company is far and away the most convenient, hassle-free, and safest way to get your car from point A to point B. It’s usually also the most cost-effective method.
People are shipping cars more and more these days. There are a variety of reasons people book interstate auto shipping. Sometimes people need interstate auto shippers because they’re moving. Perhaps they need to ship a car bought a car online from a dealership or private individual located far from their home. Maybe they’re snowbirds making their annual migrations south in the winter or back north in the summer.
Whatever the reason you may find yourself in the market for a car transport service, there are a few steps you should take to help ensure your car transport experience is as smooth and stress free as possible.
Steps for a successful Interstate auto shipping experience
Choosing an interstate car transport service can seem like a difficult task, but it doesn’t have to be. If you do a little homework and research, the process of finding an auto hauling company worthy of your trust is suddenly a much simpler and stress free task. Ask yourself, “What am I looking for in an auto hauler to move my car?”
Here are some things to consider:
- Plan you transport as far in advance as you can. We recommend booking your order at least 10 days in advance if at all possible
- Get quotes from multiple companies.
- Choose which type of transporter best fits your needs, an auto transport broker or car carriers.
- Research the auto transport companies you’re most interested in.
- See what other customers are saying on review sites like transportreviews.com, transportrankings.com, reviewcentre.com, et al.
- Check their safety rating with the FMCSA
- Check their ratings with agencies like the Better Business Bureau.
- Make any special requests like top loading, or notifying the transport company if your vehicle is a classic or restored vehicle.
- Choose your transporter and place your order.
Whether you’re a dealership looking to transport a fleet of vehicles or a private customer moving a single car, an auto hauler needs to be a reputable operator and cater to your needs.
Is the company an auto transport company or a broker? Will they deliver your car themselves or pawn it off on another company, leaving you to try and figure out where your car is? And, who do you contact if you have any questions or if problems arise?
Look for testimonials from customers on the company’s website. These are always a good indication that the company is trustworthy.
It’s a good idea to shop around and not necessarily go with the first thing you find when looking to purchase any product or service. This includes choosing a car transport service.
Customer service, reliability, and a good safety record matters. When you call, are you talking with a person knowledgeable about the auto shipping business or simply an operator in a call center?
Also, does the company offer a free online quote? Are their prices competitive?
Often the cheapest car shipping quotes are not your best option. It might be less expensive, but may cost more of your time and peace of mind in the long run.
There are a lot of vehicle transport companies out there, and like in any industry, some are better than others. Your car is a valuable asset, and it’s worth the time it takes to separate the good from the bad when trying to find a company to move your car
Interstate transport made easy! Ship your car with J&S Transportation for a stress-free car moving experience!
Prepare your car for interstate auto shipping
Once you’ve placed your interstate car transport order, there are a few additional steps you can take to help make the pickup and delivery of your vehicle easier.
Never shipped a car before? That’s okay. Use this list of steps for how to prepare a car for transport, and you’ll be just fine.
At J&S we’re committed to providing phenomenal customer service, safe and quick delivery, and open and honest communication at a fair price to everybody.
We do our very best to earn your loyalty. Once you transport a vehicle with J&S, we believe we will become your auto transport company of choice.
