How to Transport a Car to Another State

How to Ship a Car From State to State

Moving cars to another state isn’t rocket science, but it takes adequate planning to ensure everything goes smoothly. When transporting a car from one state to another, consider the following:

• • Select the Right Transporter: Not every transporter is going to meet your needs. You’ll want to carefully review each transporter you are considering to ship your car to ensure they offer the best service for your specific situation.

• • Get Multiple Quotes: Don’t settle on the first rate you get. Shop around to find the best price possible. With uShip, you can compare quotes from multiple auto transporters all in one place.

• • Decide on a Method of Transport: It’s important to know what method of auto transport you want to go with to ship your car. There are many options available to you, so be sure to select the one that best fits your needs.

• • Schedule Your Shipment Early: The earlier you start the shipment process, the better. This allows you to get the best state-to-state auto shipping rates. Additionally, getting things squared away ahead of time allows you to focus on other important things.

• • Prepare Your Vehicle for Transport: Make sure to communicate with your auto transporter so that you are both on the same page.
    Gather Documentation: Gather any documentation you might need when shipping your car to another state, such as titles, registration, and insurance. It’s a good idea to check with your service provider to see what is needed on their end.

• Prepare for Pickup and Delivery: Make sure your car is ready to go on the day of pickup and that you or a responsible party are also available to meet your carrier on delivery day.

State-to-State Auto Transport Methods

There are many ways to ship a car to another state which means you’ll need to know the ins and outs of what’s available to you. The following are the primary ways to ship a car to a different state:

• • Open Auto Transport: Open auto transport is the cheapest option for shipping a car but offers the least amount of protection.

• • Enclosed Auto Transport: Enclosed auto transport is the most expensive option but offers the most protection.

• • Single Car Transport: If you are looking for faster state-to-state transport, single care transport is the best way to go.

• • Terminal-to-Terminal Transport: Terminal-to-terminal transport tends to be a hassle because you have to drive your car to a local terminal to be shipped. Additionally, you also pick it up once it arrives; but you can save some big bucks this way if you’re willing to put in the extra effort.

• Door-to-Door Transport: Door-to-door transport is the most convenient way to ship a car, and it’s offered with both open and enclosed auto transport. With this method, your transporter will pick up and deliver your car as close to your doorstep as possible.

Make sure you work with your auto transport company to decide which method of transport is best for you. For more information, see our guide on Auto Transport Methods.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car to Another State?

The cost to ship a car to another state is dependent on several factors, including:

• • Shipping Distance:: The farther your car is being transported, the more time and fuel the carrier is spending, therefore the more it will cost.

• • Vehicle Size: The larger the vehicle, the heavier the load. Carriers need to stay under a certain weight, so an SUV may cost a little more than a sedan to transport.

• • Vehicle Condition: If the vehicle does not run, it will cost you more to transport as the carrier will not be able to simply drive it on and off ramps.

• • Type of Transport: There are two common ways to transport your vehicle, open and enclosed transport. Enclosed transport costs a bit more than open transport, but provides more security.

• • Seasonal Fluctuations: Summer is the most common time to ship your car, which can save you money by sharing a trailer with more vehicles. The winter also brings snow and storms that can delay your shipment.

You can get an idea of what it might cost to ship your car with uShip’s cost to ship a car index.

Things to Keep in Mind When Shipping Your Car from One State to Another

The most important thing to keep in mind when shipping your car is the car’s safety. Your carrier can help you with some tips, but you can do a lot to prepare your car for shipping. While the vehicle will only be driven minimally (on and off the ramp), it’s important to minimize the risk of damages.

Be aware of any documents your carrier may need while transporting your vehicle to a new state. While you may not need any paperwork, some documents you might need include:

• A Copy of Your Driver License
• Car Registration and Title
• Proof of Insurance