If you are planning to move, you’re not alone. Almost 9 million people in the US have moved homes since the start of the Covid pandemic in 2020, and many of them have decided to move across the country.
Moving cross-country means that you will have to think about how you will get your vehicle to your new destination safely. For many people who believe car shipping myths, driving the car to the new destination themselves seems like the only option.
But the majority of concerns with car shipping are just that – myths. Interested in learning more? Below we debunk the 8 most common car shipping myths that exist today.
1. Preparing Your Car Is Difficult
Preparing your car for shipment is pretty simple. There are just a few steps you should take care of.
Clean the interior and exterior of your vehicle. Take pictures of your car to record its condition before shipment. Remove all personal items from your vehicle.
Lastly, make sure there is no more than 1/4 tank of gas in your car and take care of any maintenance before shipping.
2. Car Shipping Costs Too Much
Cost is one of the main factors why people choose not to ship their cars. There is the common misconception that shipping a car costs far more than driving it yourself.
But if you end up driving your car across the country yourself, think about the entire process. You’ll have to pay for gas, food, and hotels. You’ll be putting additional miles and wear on your car. You’ll have to service it sooner once you arrive at your destination and you may even need to replace certain parts.
Say that you’re driving from New York City to Los Angeles. The average cost of shipping a car cross-country is $1200.
A drive from New York City to Los Angeles is approximately 2800 miles. A car that drives 25 MPG will use about 112 gallons on the trip.
Factor in the cost of gas at $3 a gallon, and gas for the trip will cost almost $450.
Then you’ll have to factor in that the drive is over 40 hours long, which will require 4 nights at a hotel. If you’re traveling with your family, this means multiple hotel rooms.
You’ll also have to factor in buying food for four days since you will not be able to cook at home.
When all is said and done, you will end up spending the same – if not more – by driving your car than if you were to end up shipping it. You’ll also have spent multiple days driving that you could’ve saved by shipping your car.
3. There Aren’t Door-to-Door Services
For many automotive industry shipping companies, door-to-door transport is a common option. This means that your car will be picked up from your chosen location and then delivered to your final destination.
You won’t have to bring your car to a terminal or worry about finding the transporter – they will find you.
4. Distance Alone Determines Cost
Distance is definitely a factor in shipping your car but is not the only element that will determine the shipping cost. Other factors include the types of cars being shipped and the condition of the vehicle.
You’ll also have to take into account if you’re using an open or enclosed carrier and the accessibility of the delivery designation. The time of year and flexibility of delivery dates can make the price change, too.
The exact price is based on numerous factors and depends on how open you can be with your schedule.
5. Car Shipping Isn’t Safe
You may believe that the car shipping industry is not safe. While it’s normal to feel anxious about putting your car in someone else’s hands, it’s perfectly safe to ship a car.
Thousands of vehicles are transported across the country safely every year. Reputable companies will take even more precautions to ensure your car is in the same condition when it arrives.
It is rare that your vehicle will be damaged, but auto companies will offer insurance in the event that something should happen to your vehicle.
6. Car Shipping Takes Longer Than Driving
Many people believe that car shipping takes longer than driving because it involves more steps. If you’re only driving a few hours, this may be true. But once you’re planning to drive across many state lines and thousands of miles across the country, it can take you several days to reach your new destination in your car.
Vehicle shipping can be just as fast and is much safer than driving multiple days in a row. Many transport companies even offer expedited shipping so you can get your vehicle even faster.
7. You Can Only Use Open Trailers
You’ve likely seen opera trailers carrying vehicles on the highway, so it’s natural to think that this is the only option for shipping your car. While it’s definitely a popular choice, it is certainly not the only one.
You can request an enclosed trailer if you would like added protection to your vehicle. Enclosed options are the best cargo containers for antique, luxury, or classic cars.
8. You Should Pick the Lowest Quote
Transporting your car will not come without a price, so you may feel that the best way to maximize the shipping process would involve opting for the lowest quote.
But the lowest price to ship your car can actually be a bad thing. Companies that offer the lowest price may not be offering the same level of service as reputable companies. They may even be using a bait and switch to lure you in, then hitting you with unexpected costs.
Your best bet is to go with a company that may initially have a higher price point but promises that there will be no hidden costs along the way.
Understanding Car Shipping Myths
Many people live by car shipping myths because they are not willing to see the benefits of shipping their car across the country. As it turns out, shipping your car across the country can often be the most time-effective and cost-effective solution.
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