Cross Country Car Transport
Cross country transport options abound, including car transport by train, open carrier, enclosed van and trailer hauling. The best choice for transporting your car, truck, motorcycle, RV or boat will depend on the reasons for needing cross country car transport, your budget, the type and value of the vehicle you're transporting and how soon you need to get it to its final destination. Among your choices:
- Transport it Yourself – you could rent a trailer and pull your vehicle across the country yourself. In addition to the cost of the trailer, factor in your gas, food and lodging costs and plan to spend time practicing maneuvers with the trailer. You'll also want to be sure the towing vehicle is up to the task.
- Hire a Driveaway Service – you can hire an individual or a company to drive the car cross country for you.
- Car Transport by Train – Amtrak's Auto Train offers very limited origins and destinations, but you can ride along with your vehicle along the southeastern USA seaboard. Some cross country car transport services also offer train transport through arrangements with freight shippers.
- Cross Country Car Transport Company – you can select among several options available, including, enclosed transport and open trailer transport. Most car shipping by truck – by open car transport trailer or enclosed car transport - is offered "door-to-door" as long as the transport company can get its vehicle close enough to your origin and destination. Some cross country car transport vehicles can be as much as 80 feet long, so you can appreciate access difficulties that could be encountered.
USA Auto Transport Company Options
Auto transport company options within the USA vary depending on the company, but typically include one or more of these options for shipping a vehicle:
Open Car Transport Trailer. Probably the most common and least expensive option offered with the possible exception of transporting your car by train and riding with it is offered by cross country car transport companies in the way of the open car carriers you sometimes see on the freeway or heading to a car dealer. With open car carrier transport, your vehicle will be exposed to the weather during the trip along with about 2 to 10 other vehicles, and it might take 8 to 10 days to cross the country, depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Enclosed Car Transport. Door-to-door enclosed car transport service is the most expensive way to get your car across the country, but it's a very good option if you can afford it. Not only is your vehicle protected from the weather, there's a reduced risk of theft. Levels of enclosed cross country car transport vary, with optional features like specially equipped vans that smooth out the ride and extra protection measures to protect your car's paint. If you need to transport a classic car, vintage race car, antique or other collectible or high value vehicle, you'll want to find the money to take advantage of these services.
If you decide on car transport by train, you may also have an enclosed transport option.
No matter what your choice for cross country car transport - train transport, enclosed or open carrier, etc., USA Auto Transport Guide can get you connected to multiple cross country car transport companies for free, no-obligation estimates to help you manage your budget and transport your car smoothly!
More on Amtrak Auto Transport
