What You Need to Know About Car Shipping to or from Minnesota
Every year, thousands of people move to Minnesota from all over the United States. Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes and it certainly lives up to its reputation. It’s popular because of the opportunities it provides for water-based sports and recreations such as swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, ice fishing, and much more.
Minnesota also enjoys low crime rates, low housing costs, and a low cost of living which are a few more reasons why it’s a top destination for many families and individuals.
If you’re thinking about moving to Minnesota, have you thought about what you’re going to do with your car? For many, it’s a case of selling it and buying another one when they reach their final destination.
However, there’s a much better option that could save you money in the long run. Car shipping to Minnesota is cheaper than you think. It’s also a far more convenient option which means you won’t have to be without a vehicle to get around in.
If you’d like to know more, this post should answer your questions. The points covered in the post are also relevant if you’re moving in the other direction, for example, from Minnesota to another state.
Finding the best car shipping companies in Minnesota
When it comes to car shipping companies, Minnesota has a good selection to choose from but how do you go about picking the best one? Here are some tips to help you find the best Minnesota car transport company.
Think about your auto transport requirements
Car shipping companies come in all shapes and sizes, and the services that they offer vary too. Think about what you need before contacting any auto transport companies because you’ll be able to narrow down your search.
For example, do you want open or enclosed transport? Do you want to ship to or from Hawaii?
When you contact different companies, make sure they offer the services you need and ship to your preferred location.
Compare car shipping quotes
There are going to be car shipping companies that offer similar services but that doesn’t mean their prices will be the same.
Most car shipping companies will provide a free, no-obligation quote before you make an official booking, so take advantage of this feature.
You’ll find our instant quote calculator very useful.
Inquire about insurance coverage
For an auto transport company to operate legally, it must carry liability insurance in case your car is damaged during transportation. However, the level of liability may vary so always check with a company before making your booking.
Choose a company that can cover the full cost of repairs in case of an accident.
Check out payment options
The best car shipping company in Minnesota will be one that has different payment options and ways to pay.
Here at SGT Auto Transport, we offer the following:
- Regular price: This is when you pay in full once we’ve assigned a carrier to collect your vehicle. When your vehicle is delivered, there’s nothing left to pay.
- Discounted price: With this payment option, you make a small partial payment when we assign a carrier to pick up your vehicle. This small payment is taken from a credit or debit card. When your vehicle is delivered, you pay the balance either in cash, with a cashier’s check, or money order.
One additional payment method we accept is PayPal.
Read customer reviews
If you want to know how well an auto transport company performs, a good place to look is one of the many review sites. You’re looking for satisfied customers and how a company deals with any problems.
How much does Minnesota car shipping cost?
Several factors are taken into account when calculating the cost of shipping a car to Minnesota. The biggest one is the total distance between your pick-up and delivery point.
Additional factors include:
- Size of the vehicle being shipped: A larger and heavier vehicle, such as a minivan, will cost more than a light compact vehicle.
- Pick-up and delivery locations: Door-to-door delivery to a rural location generally costs more than to a metropolitan area.
- Time of year: You’ll make some big savings if you ship your car in the winter because there is less demand for car shipping services. However, keep in mind that shipping times might be longer because of the weather.
- Time frame: Shipping a car across the country can take several days. If time is of the essence for you, it is possible to speed up the process. However, this typically costs more.
How long does auto transport to and from Minnesota take?
When you’re shipping your car to and from Minnesota, the time it takes will depend on several things. Obviously, the distance is going to be the biggest factor, but other things can affect the timeline.
Season
There are peaks and troughs in the car shipping world and knowing what they are means you can avoid them should you want to.
During peak times, you can expect to pay more for auto transport services, however, the transit time is typically shorter. Late spring and early fall are the peak times for moving, which means there’s also a big demand for car transport services. The upside of this is that you could get your vehicle picked up sooner than at other times of the year because of the volume of trucks traveling back and forth across the US.
But what about the winter? This is a time when demand for car transport services is lower meaning it could take longer for you to arrange a pick-up and delivery. There are also several important holidays during the winter and this is when carriers and drivers often take a break to spend time with their families.
Weather conditions
We’ve all driven home from work on a rainy evening and been surprised at how long it takes compared to dry weather conditions. The same happens for car shipping companies. Bad weather, in general, results in a longer shipping time.
Severe weather conditions can delay your shipment even further. When there are thunderstorms, hurricanes, ice, snow, heavy rain, or hail, your delivery could be delayed.
The conditions mentioned above can lead to slippery roads, poor visibility, and unsafe driving conditions. Drivers have to drive slowly or even stop until the weather changes, for their safety and the safety of your vehicle.
Road conditions
Another factor that carriers have no control over is the condition of the roads. Road construction on the highway or unexpected detours can delay transit times. There might also be temporary roadblocks due to road accidents. These can also cause delays.
Pick-up and drop-off locations
A factor that plays a key role in shipping times is the pick-up and drop-off locations. Areas that are more challenging to reach take longer to get to. However, places that are heavily traveled and easily accessible will be easier to reach. This shortens the time it takes to pick up and deliver a car.
In general, metropolitan pick-ups and drop-offs are easier to access thanks to the many major highways and interstates that connect them. Carriers can deliver cars much faster between cities.
On the other hand, if either the pick-up or delivery location is more rural and harder to reach, you can expect the pick-up and delivery timeframe to be longer.
Transportation method
Another major factor is the transport method you choose. Your options are open car transport and enclosed auto transport, both of which have pros and cons.
Open carriers can transport multiple vehicles in one load. This means there may be multiple stops along the way which could increase overall transit times. That being said, open car transport is one of the quickest ways to ship a car.
Enclosed car carriers are limited in the number of cars they can transport. There are also fewer enclosed car transport companies making coordination more challenging. However, one of the benefits of enclosed car transport is that vehicles are protected from the elements and traffic grime.
Driver’s hours
Driver’s hours can also play a role in shipping times. According to Department of Transportation regulations, truck drivers can only be legally on the road for a specific number of hours each week. This is to ensure the safety of drivers and other road users. They are obliged to rest for a certain length of time.
If you’ve still got some questions to ask about shipping your car to or from Minnesota, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our shipping advisors. Call (864) 546-5038 or use our Live Chat option.
FAQs
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Minneapolis?
The cost of shipping a car from California to Minneapolis depends on several factors including the type of vehicle you want to ship and how quickly you want to ship it. The best way to calculate the exact cost is with the help of an online quote calculator.
What is the best way to ship a car in Minnesota?
The best way to ship a car in Minnesota is with the help of a car shipping company. Your car will be transported on a trailer quickly and safely and it won’t break the bank.
How do I prepare my car for cross country shipping?
If you’re shipping your car across country, there are a few things you can do to prepare and ensure a smooth shipping experience.
- Wash your vehicle inside and outside
- Take photos to show the current condition of your car
- Clean the car’s interior and remove or secure any accessories
- Check the tires are correctly inflated
- Check the radiator and battery
- Make sure there are no mechanical or engine issues
- Check there are no fluid leaks
- Empty the gas tank to no more than 1/4 full
- Disable any alarms and remove or deactivate toll tags
How do I protect my car when shipping?
The best way to protect your car when shipping is to make sure it’s ready for transport. If there are any removable parts, secure them or remove them completely. Retract antennas and fold in the car’s side view mirrors. Remove any accessories from inside the car such as cables, pens, spare change, and air fresheners.
