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Is Shipping Your Car The Safest Way to
Transport Your Car Long-Distance

When you’ve got a long distance to move or travel, you’ve got three options for getting your car there with you: drive it, tow it, or ship it. All three options come with their own pros and cons. For example, it’s probably the cheapest to drive your car, at least in theory. You still pay for food and accommodations on the road and, depending on how far you’re going. These can really add up.

Towing is another cheap option, but you’ll most likely have to rent the equipment to do so. There are the same road expenses too, such as food, lodging, and maintenance. You will also deal with the added worries of parking situations (some of which may come with a fee) and long-distance towing, which can be extremely tiring. The upside to towing is the lack of wear and tear on your vehicle.

Shipping is by far the most convenient way to get your car from one point to another, but is it the safest? Depending on which auto shipping companies you research, you will find most offer safe transport and loads of insurance coverage to boot. Here are some reasons why choosing to ship your car is the safest bet.

1. Road Wear and Tear

It’s far safer for your vehicle to ride on the back of a transport truck than to be driven across the country, racking up loads of miles. How far you’re going should be a consideration when you choose whether to ship your car. If you’re traveling over 500 miles, it’s much safer to ship your car than to drive it, even with the expense you’ll accrue. Think of the wear and tear on your vehicle that you will have to pay for in the long run.

Driving across the country is no joke, and it can have severe effects on your health if you are not careful. You risk everything from cramps to blood clots, plus the dangers of driving while distracted or sleepy. Not to mention that other drivers on the road don’t always drive safely. It’s something to consider if you’re not used to spending that much time sitting or in a car.

2. Breakdown Prevention

If your car is on the back of a transport truck, it’s not going to break down and leave you stranded on the side of the road. Who knows what that might cost? Not only are you severely inconvenienced by not having a working vehicle, but you may also be stranded in a dangerous place far from help.

Your physical safety is of paramount importance, but you must consider what’s best for your car as well. Depending on the repairs, you could be looking at a bill of thousands of dollars to fix your car, and you’re not even to your new home yet. On the other hand, transporting your vehicle prevents all that, which makes both you and the car safer in the long run.

3. Transport Type

Most companies offer two types of transport: open and enclosed. While open transport is perfectly safe, your car is exposed to the elements and a visible temptation to thieves and vandals. Your decision to choose open transport versus enclosed may depend on the value of your car. For example, your family minivan will likely be perfectly fine on an open transport truck, but you might want to opt for enclosed transport for your Ferrari.

With enclosed transport, no one can even tell your diver is hauling a vehicle, much less what kind or how nice that vehicle is. An enclosed trailer protects your car from the elements and prying eyes. You can expect to pay more for enclosed transport since it’s often only possible to move one vehicle at a time. However, depending on the type of vehicle you’re transporting, you may find the extra cost well worth it.

4. Door-to-Door

You have two options when it comes to your delivery type. Most companies will offer terminal-to-terminal shipping or door-to-door service. Terminal-to-terminal delivery is usually reserved for overseas shipping or shipping to Hawaii or Alaska, where your vehicle will travel on more than one truck and to more than one port. You will either drop off or have your car picked up at the terminal, where the company will load it onto a ship. A transport company will pick your car up on the other side and deliver it to your new home.

With door-to-door delivery, your car is brought straight to your doorstep. The driver will pick up your car at your old home and drive it across the country for you. While this type of delivery is usually a little more expensive, you can rest assured that nothing will happen to your vehicle while it is on the road. The driver will deliver your car to your new home with as much convenience to you as possible.

The Bottom Line

By far, the safest bet is shipping your car. While transport companies have extra insurance to cover anything that happens on the road, your car is much less likely to break down or sustain any damage on the back of a transport truck and ship.