Bought a Car From Another State? Here's How You Can Ship It Directly to Your Door
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
Not so very long ago, anyone who wanted to buy a new car had to take a trip to their local car dealership. This could be quite a stressful experience, especially when it came to working out a deal with the owner of the lot.
Nowadays, thankfully, finding a new car is a piece of cake and something you can do from the comfort of your couch if you want to. The internet has made life easier, quicker, and more convenient in so many ways, and one of those ways relates to buying a car.
Using a computer keyboard and an internet connection, you can browse thousands of cars online, many of which will be located across the other side of the country, often in another state.
If you find a car you like, you’ve then got the problem of getting it home. You have several options: drive it yourself, ship it by train, hire someone to drive it for you, or take advantage of something called car shipping, door-to-door auto transport.
Before we explain exactly what that is, let’s examine some of your other options and the pros and cons of each.
What’s the best way to ship a car direct?
If you’ve never shipped a car before, you’re bound to wonder what’s the best way to do it. You’ve come to the right place because we’re about to look at your options.
Drive the car yourself
A road trip sounds like a really exciting thing to do, but first, you’ve got to get to where your car is. What if you live in New York, and your dream car is in San Diego, California? That’s quite a journey you’ve got to make before you can think about driving your car all the way back to New York.
When you’re driving long distances, there are some things you’ve got to consider. For example, if it’s you that will be doing all the driving, you’re going to need to take a few overnight stops, which adds to the overall cost of shipping your car. Traffic and weather conditions could increase your journey time and costs even more.
If you want to compare the cost with hiring an auto transport company, there’s a clear winner, and generally, it will be the auto transport company that’s the winner.
Something else to consider is the extra miles that lead to unnecessary wear and tear. You’ve only just bought the car, and you’re going to increase the mileage by a thousand miles or more straightaway. In addition, how sure are you of this car? You’ve never driven it before, and you’re thinking about driving it across state lines on roads you don’t know. These factors are bound to increase the risk of an accident.
Hire someone to drive it for you
Hiring someone to drive your new car is another option, but there are some significant downsides. There are numerous professional companies that offer such a service, or you could hire someone directly without using a third party.
The disadvantages of this option include unnecessary wear and tear and extra miles on the odometer. You’ll need to do a lot of research if you want to find the best company or individual for the job, and it’s also likely to cost more than hiring an auto transport company.
Have a family member or friend drive it for you
You might know someone who would be willing to drive your new car for you, but again, there are several downsides.
It’s a budget-friendly option, and you will know the driver personally, which has to be a good thing. But what do you know about their driving abilities? Other downsides include the additional wear and tear and the need for additional insurance coverage, which will further increase the cost.
Ship your car by train
The final option to look at in this section is shipping your car by train. It might not be the first idea that pops into your mind, but it’s a simple process and not a very expensive one. However, the logistics are what often put people off because you’ve got to get the car to a train station first and then collect it from the train station at the end of its journey.
Also, it’s a service unavailable everywhere across the United States. This means you might have to travel quite a distance to ensure your car gets a place on the right train.
Shipping a car by train is not the most convenient option, and it’s also not as flexible as hiring an auto transport company that ships across country.
What is door-to-door car shipping?
Now let’s take a look at what this post is really about, and that’s door-to-door shipping. You can probably guess what it is because the name is very descriptive. It’s a way of shipping a car from point A to point B, which is often someone’s front door.
We arrange for a carrier to pick up the car you’ve just bought directly from the seller. They load it onto a trailer and transport it to your final destination, which could be your home.
It’s a very convenient way to ship a car, and all you’ve got to do is give us the exact address for the pick-up and delivery of your dream car. We’ll ensure your vehicle is picked up and delivered as close as possible to the addresses you give us.
There are occasions when door-to-door is not possible. There may be restrictions in the street, and large trucks and trailers are prohibited. Another difficulty could be low-hanging branches or power lines that will get in the way of the truck and trailer.
You don’t need to worry if this is the case in your situation. It’s possible to arrange another pick-up or delivery location close by. It could be the neighboring street, in a nearby parking lot, or even at your place of work.
How much does car shipping door-to-door cost?
It’s impossible to give you an exact price because of many variables. However, we can give you some estimates. Take a look at the table below:
|
Distance (miles) |
Average price per mile |
Sample distance (miles) |
Sample price |
|
1000-1500 |
$0.70 |
1000 |
$700 |
|
1500-2000 |
$0.48 |
1750 |
$840 |
|
2000-2500 |
$0.45 |
2400 |
$1,080 |
|
2500-3000 |
$0.47 |
2700 |
$1,269 |
These prices are a reflection of market conditions as of April 2022. If you want a more accurate figure, please contact our shipping advisors by phone or Live Chat. We also have a convenient online shipping quote calculator you can use.
Also, bear in mind that there are multiple factors that determine the price of getting your new car back home. They include:
- Size and weight: The size and weight of your car have a massive impact on the pricing of auto transport services.
- Transport type: Most people opt for open transport because it’s the cheapest option. However, your car is exposed to dirt and debris. If your new car is very valuable, a custom, classic, unique, or antique car, you might want to pay a little extra for an enclosed shipping service. Your car will be completely protected from the elements.
- Price of fuel: The price of fuel plays a significant role in the cost of shipping your car. When the price of fuel soars, the price of car shipping also rises.
- Time of year: Car shipping rates also vary, depending on when you’ve scheduled your move. Popular months for moving, such as May to August, are also popular car shipping times. This means that demand for auto transport services is higher, which tends to be reflected in a higher price.
- Timeline: Shipping a car across the country with a transport service can take weeks. If time is of the essence, rush services are often available at a cost.
How long does it take to ship a car from another state?
The average transit time for shipping a car across country is between 7 and 10 days. This average can vary considerably due to weather, traffic, other customer schedules, and what the trip entails.
There are often 5-7 pickup windows and delivery times the carrier needs to work around. For example, the carrier might pick up 6 cars on one coast, and all the car shipments go to the other. There will be no other stops the carrier has to make, apart from delivering those 6 cars. On the other hand, they may be picking up and dropping off cars across the country, which adds to the transit time.
Auto transport companies are often able to commit to smaller windows for the pick-up or drop-off, but there is usually a premium you have to pay for this express service. The extra cost is to cover the cost of running a truck out of route or missing other freight to ensure they meet your time frame when shipping your new car.
The benefits of using auto transport services
Hire a reliable auto transport company like SGT Auto Transport, and you’ve got a company that understands how to find the best price. We’re also professionals at what we do. Let’s share some more reasons why you should use auto transport services.
There will be no plans to make
With the help of Google Maps, you’re probably thinking it should be easy to plan a road trip. However, driving long distances is not always easy. It depends on the season and whether any roads are closed for construction. Google Maps isn’t always on the ball regarding these holdups.
If you leave shipping your car to the pros, they’ll take care of this for you. Using special GPS devices, auto transport carriers can plan and change multiple routes and monitor weight limits and construction routes. They’ll be able to get your car from the seller to your home quickly, efficiently, and safely.
You’ll save time
If you drive the car, you’ll be using up your own time. However, if you leave your car shipping in the capable hands of a shipping company, they’ll do everything for you, and you can get on with your normal routine.
You’ll save on the cost of a road trip
Time is not the only consideration when you’re shipping a car. The cost can also be a big thing. If you’re doing the driving, you’ve got to factor in things like meals, hotel stays, snacks, drinks, and tolls. All of these little extras take the tally even higher. And let’s not forget the always rising cost of gas too.
Should anything happen to your car during the road trip, you will be losing time and money in getting it fixed.
It’s safer for your car
You’ll be taking extra care if you decide to drive your new purchase home, but you’re only human. Accidents can happen, animals can run out into the road, and it’s impossible to predict what other road users will do.
You might just be the victim of a fender bender, and your car still drives. But, nevertheless, you’ve damaged one of your most prized possessions.
Professional auto transport drivers are trained to transport vehicles in the safest way possible. The trailers they use are sturdy, and the driver will secure your car safely.
You also have the option of choosing enclosed auto transport if you want to protect your vehicle completely.
It’s also safer for you
You’re only human, and driving can be exhausting. Factor in any inclement weather, discomfort from sitting in one position for too long, or a deer that decides it’s the perfect time to cross the road, and it’s a recipe for disaster.
Choose a trusted car shipping company, and they will have vetted, experienced drivers who are well-equipped to drive long distances. They also adhere to safe schedules and mandated driver’s hours to avoid exhaustion. These things mean you can have confidence that your vehicle will arrive at its destination, and you’ll be safe too.
You’ll put fewer miles on your car
Nobody wants to put extra miles on their car if they don’t have to. But, if you decide to drive your new car home, you’ll be putting unneeded strain on certain parts of your vehicle. The result will likely be the premature shorting of your car's healthy lifespan.
If you ship your car, you’re preserving its condition, whether you bought a classic car, an exotic car, or a brand-new vehicle just off the lot last week.
You can ship multiple cars
Perhaps you’ve just bought one car for yourself and one for your wife? A big benefit of car shipping is that you can ship more than one car in one go.
You’ll keep the cost of insurance down
Car insurance rates are based partially on the distance you drive. A long-distance road trip will bump your premium up. Plus, should you be involved in an accident on the highway, the insurance costs will be even higher.
You can ship your car almost anywhere
Auto transport companies are very flexible and can pick up and drop off your vehicle almost anywhere in the country. Work with a team of trained long-distance logistics experts, and you can get your car or truck where it needs to be.
It’s not as expensive as you think
It does depend on the distance and the service you choose, but the cost of shipping your car is likely not as much as you think.
There are many cost-effective ways to ship your new car, including working with our team here at SGT Auto Transport. We are very experienced and love what we do. Let us help you find the cheapest and most reliable shipping method for getting the car you’ve just bought safely home.
Call (864) 546-5038 or use our Live Chat option.
