Shipping a car can be a daunting challenge, especially for those who don’t do it often. And the term “interstate car transport” is relatively broad; it can mean anything from a short route to a cross country shipment, and every shipment is different. For instance, shipping a car from New York City to Miami is a much different experience than shipping from Burlington, Vermont to Lubbock, Texas. This type of variance is why the auto shipping industry works the way it does, especially when it comes to interstate car transport services.
Which Interstate Car Transport Method Should I Choose?
Well, this one’s up to you. There are really only two major ways that shipping companies can provide interstate car transport services. The first is auto transport by truck, by far the most common method of shipping your vehicle. The second is auto transport by rail, which is far less popular. There is also shipping a car via air, but that’s really expensive and cost-prohibitive for the majority of customers. This is why we focus on the two main overland options when discussing interstate car transport, and of those, auto transport by truck is usually the way you want to go.
Now, when you’re shipping a car there are two main options you have in terms of carriers. Those are open auto transport, which is considered the standard method, and enclosed auto transport, which is harder to find and more expensive but often worth it if the vehicle is. These are carriers that can ship to and from any contiguous U.S. state. Some shipments may require flatbed shipping services, though that’s usually reserved for vehicles that simply can’t fit on a standard car carrier.
What Should I Expect when I Ship my Car?
There are a lot of things you can and should expect when you ship a car. Interstate car transport is much more straightforward than shipping to Alaska, Hawaii or internationally, though, and that will definitely help make your shipment easier for you. One of the most important things you can have when you ship a car is insurance. Now, you don’t need your own personal insurance on the car you ship, as the carrier’s insurance will cover any damages while the vehicle is in transit. And, every single carrier is required to be fully licensed and insured. Still, though, it may be a good idea to verify their insurance, and you can do that when the carrier arrives to pick your vehicle up.
You should expect to wait, especially for shipments that are going a long distance. Most carriers can travel up to 400 miles in a day, not including additional stops. This makes everything a lot faster, and usually you can sort of guess as to how long it will take. Coast to coast shipments can take upwards of two weeks, but shorter shipments will take less depending on how long the route is.
Is Interstate Car Transport Common?
Interstate car shipping is not just common; among carriers, it is perhaps the most sought after service. International shipping is fairly large, too, but that’s not our department. But interstate shipping is common and easy to find, on the whole. This means that you shouldn’t encounter too many issues with finding and booking your shipment.
However, there are some areas of the United States that are harder for carriers to get to than others. Shippers tend to avoid states with low populations or with cities that are not all that large. The reason why is because it’s just not as profitable. There are fewer customers on those routes, and it takes longer to get from one to the next. This results in longer wait times for pickup and also higher prices. Places like the Dakotas, Idaho, Wyoming, and parts of New England are particularly affected by this the most.
If you are interested in interstate car transport services, fill out our free quote form. It’s completely free and easy, and will get you a free quote with no hassle right away. You can also get a quote to ship your vehicle any time by calling us at 800-930-7417. We have representatives standing by to answer questions, give you a quote right over the phone, or book your order to ship if you’re ready.
Since 2007 Dave has written all the content and blogs for American Auto Shipping and during this time added the duties of customer support and transport logistics.
He currently resides in Washington with his three kids and their mom and cat. A fan of Marvel movies and good stories, when not shipping cars Dave can be found working on his novel, enjoying a good book or playing some tournament HALO.
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