How to Move a Car

Need to get your car to your new home?

The least expensive option for transporting your car to your new home is to drive it yourself.  That’s right, pack it up, belt ’em in, and head off on the Great American Roadtrip.

However, for many, driving their cars or trucks to their new homes is not an option. In that case, the best option is to hire a professional auto mover. They might be a bit costly, but they can save you time, effort, and hundreds of miles of wear and tear on your vehicle.

Hiring the Right Auto Mover

The first thing you’ll want is an estimate of the cost for moving your vehicle. Auto movers determine cost based on distance, make and model of the car, weight and size of the car, and the car’s operating condition. Other factors in the cost may include additional services provided by the auto mover, and the type of insurance you choose.

Be advised that larger vehicles such as SUV’s will cost more than smaller sedans. If you’re driving one car and transporting the other, you might want to calculate the differences between the two, including factoring in gas prices.

Be sure to schedule your auto mover at least four weeks before you move. To make sure that you are getting a reputable professional, it is advised to contact the Better Business Bureau to find out if the mover you’ve chosen has a good record.

Once your auto mover is booked, be certain to read the fine print of your contract. Also, get the proper insurance for your vehicle.

Preparing Your Car for the Move

• Clean your car – Make it look nice; remove or secure loose items; and document any existing damage.
• Don’t fill up – Your car should have no more than a quarter tank of gas in it. Any more than that will be extra weight that you will be charged for.
• Get a tune-up – Make sure your car is in good shape before you move. If your car is leaking any fluids, be sure to let the transporter know.
• Disable your alarm – You don’t want it going off after a bump in the middle of Nebraska.

Ways to Save Money

Sell it – You can sell your car, which will put money in your pocket and save you on your move. However, if you’ll need to buy a new car in your new home, you should weigh the pros and cons.  Things to consider:

• Is your car paid off?
• Is your car in good working order?
• How much can you sell it for?
• What kind of car do you expect you would buy, and how much would that cost?

Drive it – You might put a lot of miles on your car, but you may be the kind of person that doesn’t mind that sort of thing. If so, just make sure to get a tune-up before you leave and after you arrive, if you’ve driven across the country.

Go part of the way – Some auto movers have a terminal-to-terminal option that allows you to drive it to the dock where cars are loaded and then pick it up from the terminal in your new city.

Return to: Specialty Moves

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