Options For Shipping Your Car Cross Country

One would imagine that the simplest method of transporting a vehicle is to simply drive it yourself. However, what if this journey involved driving from New York to San Francisco for example? The United States is a continent-sized country and driving across it will take days. It is a journey that will be physically and mentally taxing. An alternative is to have the vehicle professionally shipped. Below are a few methods of safely transporting your vehicle cross country.

Open-Air Trailer
Car shipping companies transport vehicles across the country in open-air trailers that look similar to those used to transport new cars. The majority of car shippers will take between one and three weeks to get the car to its final location. If you decide on this form of transportation, be sure to ask specific questions about how the vehicle is being transported. It’s not unusual for these companies to unload the cars in several points across the country and place them on larger trailers as they travel as a means of improving efficiency.

Closed Trailer
The various states of America have very different climates. If you don’t like the idea of your car being exposed to weather extremes on the journey, you can place it on a closed truck. This is significantly more expensive (more than 50% above the cost of an open-air trailer) but if you’re transporting the car in winter or if it is an expensive model, this will be money well spent. A closed truck will provide a greater level of security but make sure that the carrier has the requisite insurance.

Use A Driver
There are organizations that can provide you with a professional driver if you don’t fancy making the long cross country trip yourself. Most of these drivers have decades of experience and know the shortest and safest routes to take. This is probably a better option for comparatively short distances. You can even place personal goods in the vehicle which will be guaranteed by the company. The main downside is the obvious mileage that will be added to your car.

Professional drivers can be expensive so if you’re in a bind, you may ask someone you know and trust to perform the honors for you. This is a viable option if you know students who are safe and responsible drivers as they will be willing to make the road trip for less. They will see it as a great way to see the country during a break in their studies. Make sure that you have insurance which covers accidents that occur when someone else is driving your car.

Over The Water
A final option is to use a cargo container though this is really only the best option if you have to transport the vehicle over water. Indeed, a cargo container is the only solution in this instance. Most containers are of a standard 20 feet by 40 feet size but special containers can be used when requested.

Although it can be a lot of hassle, transporting a vehicle across the country is worth it if it is a treasured and valuable automobile. People often become attached to their cars and leaving them is not seen as an option. This is why cross country transport solutions are sought out.

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