Car shipping can be surprisingly cheap, even if you’re paying a few hundred dollars or more to have your vehicle transported from one place to another. To find the best price, however, you need to do some research and comparison shopping before deciding on the most affordable car shipping companies available.
This guide will show you how to get the most out of your money when it comes to shipping your car, whether you’re sending it cross-country or just across town.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car to another state?
The cheapest way to ship a car is with the help of a professional freight carrier. You can search for local companies that offer low rates and compare them side by side. These companies will often post their rates online for you to see before you decide which one is the best fit for your needs. If you have never shipped a car, make sure to look at the different types of services they offer such as enclosed trailer shipping or open air transport. If you’re looking for something more affordable than an enclosed trailer, then an open air transport might be your best option.
With this type of service, you’re charged based on weight instead of size. Be aware though that if it rains during your move, your car may end up getting wet! Another reason why this service may not be the most ideal is because it’s not very safe in case there’s a crash; although rare accidents do happen from time to time.
However, some people feel more comfortable knowing that their vehicle is securely protected inside a truck. Some trucks are even made to be weather resistant so that if any rain does come in contact with the vehicle, it will just roll off without causing any harm. It’s important to know what you want when you are shopping around for car transportation services so keep these tips in mind when comparing prices!
How to find the cheapest car shipping company?
The best way to find the cheapest car shipping company is by checking out reviews from customers. For example, if you’re looking for a cheap Car Shipping Company in New York, go online and search for New York car shipping.
This will bring up all the companies that offer services in New York. Read their reviews and choose the one with the best reviews. You can also call them up and ask about their prices. Once you have found a reputable company, contact them and tell them what you need done. They’ll be able to give you an estimate of how much it will cost.
If the price seems fair then set up an appointment to drop off your vehicle and get your paperwork ready. If there’s any damage or other charges when they pick it up, let them know before they pick it up so they can make sure everything is fixed before delivery.
When picking your car back up at the other end of its journey, check for any damage and report anything immediately. Make sure to write down any damages as well as pictures. It’s important that you provide proof so that the driver doesn’t blame you for something not being right when they picked it up. After the truck has been unloaded, take your car back home and enjoy!
Drive it yourself
If you are looking for cheap car shipping, then driving your car can be the cheapest option. The downside is that you need to have a clear route, and the weather needs to cooperate. It’s also advisable to not take this route if you’re in any way physically impaired.
You will want to make sure your car has enough gas in it, and also make sure it’s legal in all states along the way. One of the great things about driving yourself is that you can control how much weight your vehicle holds – meaning if there are heavy objects in your trunk, they’ll add to fuel consumption as well as increase wear and tear on the vehicle.
Try removing unnecessary items like tires or anything large before hitting the road. Additionally, cars with larger engines tend to use more fuel than smaller engines. When you drive across country, it may be worth investing in an automatic transmission. Finally, keep in mind that you may need to reserve hotel rooms and storage space ahead of time.
Tow it yourself
You might think that it’s crazy to drive your car all the way across the country, but if you do, you can save on the cost of shipping. If your car is under 10 years old and not worth more than $3,000 then it’s free to travel with it. All you need is proof of insurance and registration and you’re good to go.
Plus, since you will be driving your own vehicle, there won’t be any additional fees for tow trucks or drivers. The only downside to this method is the wear and tear on your car from driving long distances.
If you don’t want to risk any damage or going over your mileage limit, you can take public transportation and either rent a U-Haul trailer or ship it by rail. Either way, both options are much cheaper than traditional auto transport services.
Hire someone to drive it for you
The simplest way of transporting your car cross country is by hiring someone with a truck to drive it for you. This may cost more than other methods, but it is the quickest and easiest way. You will need to pay them before they start their journey and then again when they reach their destination.
Plus, this person can also help load your belongings at both ends if needed. If this seems too expensive or time consuming, there are companies who offer long distance moving that include transportation of your vehicle as well. You should be able to find these online in search engines!
Send it by train
Shipping your car by rail is an affordable and eco-friendly way to ship your car. In addition, train shipping is often considered safer than truck shipping. Most people don’t consider this option as it can take longer than truck or plane shipping, but it’s worth the wait if you’re looking for an affordable option.
Trains are also capable of carrying heavier loads than trucks which makes them more suitable for larger items like cars. However, they are not always able to travel everywhere so check with the company before booking a trip. The downside of using trains is that it takes much longer – at least 3 weeks when shipped coast-to-coast in America.
Furthermore, due to their size and weight, trains cannot transport certain types of vehicles such as motorcycles or scooters. They cannot carry hazardous materials either. Due to these restrictions, some customers may find themselves having to pay for additional services or incur additional fees such as increased labor time because drivers have to work harder in order to load cars onto the train. When using trains, be sure to request the services of a freight agent who knows how best to pack your vehicle without damaging it during transit.
Terminal to terminal car shipping
Terminal to terminal shipping is the cheapest way to ship your car. This option involves dropping off your vehicle at one location and picking it up at another. Terminal to terminal shipping can cost as little as $350, but prices will vary depending on the distance of the drive and other factors such as weight, size, model year, etc.
You’ll need to have time set aside for drop off and pick up which could take anywhere from 1 day – 2 weeks. In addition, you should be aware that terminal to terminal shipping means you won’t have the opportunity to choose a carrier or transport company before shipment begins so be sure you like their service!
Open door-to-door car transport
Open door-to-door car shipping means that your vehicle will be picked up at your home, loaded into the truck and delivered to its destination. You don’t have to lift a finger! Plus, it is usually one of the most affordable options. The driver will also take care of all the paperwork.
Once you arrive at your destination, the driver will drop off your car in an open space near where you are staying. So if you need to get going quickly or would prefer not having to drive after a long trip, then this option might work for you.
The most common and cheapest way to ship a car: Open car transport
Open car transport is the most common and cheapest way to ship a car. It’s also commonly referred to as rollback transport. The process starts with loading your vehicle onto the bed of an open truck and securing it there with safety chains. The truck will then take your car from point A (the place where you are) to point B (the place where you want it delivered).
What differs in this service, when compared to enclosed transportation, is that you won’t have access to your vehicle during transit. As such, if you need to make any last minute changes or additions before delivery, they may not be possible without adding additional costs to your shipment.
Keep in mind that open car transport usually only provides basic packing services and drivers do not offer assistance upon arrival at destination or unloading at destination; it’s up to you and anyone else traveling with you to handle those aspects of the trip yourself. That said, this method of shipping can often be significantly cheaper than other options.
A Quick Wrap
There are many reasons you may need to ship your car, whether it be buying or selling, but the main goal is that you want it done as cheaply as possible. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide for how to ship your car on a budget. We have covered everything from finding the right company and getting an estimate, all the way through loading up the vehicle and tracking its progress. Our hope is that with these tips in tow, you can get your car shipped without breaking the bank!