How do you ship your car?

I'm relocating from California to North Carolina in a few weeks and trying to avoid a long drive. Never shipped a car before and don't know how it actually works. I saw a few companies like A1AutoTransport offering a variety of such services, but I am still confused. Any recommendations would be helpful.

jasonmy wrote

I'm relocating from California to North Carolina in a few weeks and trying to avoid a long drive. Never shipped a car before and don't know how it actually works. I saw a few companies like A1AutoTransport offering a variety of such services, but I am still confused. Any recommendations would be helpful.

.
https://www.reliablecarriers.com/
.

jasonmy wrote

I'm relocating from California to North Carolina in a few weeks and trying to avoid a long drive. Never shipped a car before and don't know how it actually works. I saw a few companies like A1AutoTransport offering a variety of such services, but I am still confused. Any recommendations would be helpful.

There are two (2) types of vehicle transport: enclosed and open air.
Former is safer but also more expensive than the latter.

There is a ton of companies that do this for a living. Some are national, some a regional.
Here is links to a reviews of a few:
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/l/best-car-shipping-companies/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&accountid=1271758339&utm_content=164903155369&utm_term=kwd-44661064997&utm_campaign=21274833086&network=g&device=c&placement=&location_physical=9003763&device_model=&creative=698999879716&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21274833086&gbraid=0AAAAA9Wxw1OMWfxPXfJLu7le8ODcdYr2V&gclid=CjwKCAjwqKzEBhANEiwAeQaPVdPCOowSBIqzp6TbZSxPGF5Ca3zZ1VdK2KAJ3hw1y0LhCYkY1NrngBoCG7AQAvD_BwE

https://www.cars.com/car-shipping/money/best-car-shipping-companies/

https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/moving-services/best-car-shipping-companies/

HTH,
a

No affiliation, but it would appear a lot of folks have had great luck working with zeeman335

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1255908

Gonna be a hell of a drive across the pacific ocean.

Some moving companies now specialize in transporting a car along with you HHG's House Hold Goods.

Atlas Van Lines, United Van Lines, and Mayzlin these three I know do it.

Me? On a boat.

I've used Mr. Car Shipper twice (4Runner from NJ to MT and M2 from FL to NJ) and been happy both times. I think they are basically a broker - they work to find spots on independent carries for the car. Customer service is good, and there have been no issues with pricing or other shenanigans.

It is a value play so if you are looking for white glove, enclosed transport this is NOT it. I was a little concerned about shipping the M2 on a open trailer, but when I went to take delivery my little M2 was the cheapest vehicle on the trailer (was an antique Jaguar, an R10 and a Range Rover on the same shipment) and while it was little grimy was cleaner than it would have been if I drove it.

The the process does require a little bit of flexibility and faith - the pickup and drop-off windows are fluid like the cable guy, and you don't get any sort of live updates or tracking. But everything worked out as planned both times.

Most of the car transport industry is actually brokers. They're almost all gonna outsource it to someone else who may or may not be good.

That said, I'd absolutely drive it if you can. The drive crossing from TN into NC is worth it alone. Don't forget to leave your CA behind when you leave, NC is a VERY VERY VERY different place.

I have used Intercity twice and they are great.

Be very careful. The auto transport industry is filled with shady people. Look into it and you’ll find this to be true. Recently I moved my CX50 from NJ to AZ and made sure I used a highly reputable transport service.

Another transport company that comes with a million positive reviews in my other circle (Toyota Land Cruisers) is Summit Auto Transport...

https://summitautotransport.com/

Passport Transport. Professional; enclosed; insured.

There's this thread which I think has some good info.

Car Shipping Company Recommendations?

When I was considering having to ship a car -- either a Dodge Hellcat or a MINI JCW -- from CA to AR I asked around -- local car dealers: BMW, M-B, Porsche; which car shipper they recommended and InterCity Lines came up.

https://intercitylines.com/

I contacted this company and got a quote to ship my MINI JCW but I decided to sell this car rather than ship it. I drove my Hellcat from CA to AR.

Have you considered driving the car? Besides driving my car (Hellcat) from CA to AR when I moved out of CA I have driven a number of cars from CA to the mid west and in fact across and around the US mainly west of the Mississippi. Beautiful country. And that is staying mainly on the interstates.

And about 4K miles of highway driving is some of the best usage you can give a vehicle.

Quadruple VANOS wrote

Be very careful. The auto transport industry is filled with shady people. Look into it and you’ll find this to be true. Recently I moved my CX50 from NJ to AZ and made sure I used a highly reputable transport service.

What company did you use?

I used Montway to ship a Porsche 2,400 miles in an open carrier. Full satisfaction.

A great service at a good price would be Dana Auto Transport. Open trailer, twenty years expertise.

Based out of Southern California, depending on the season they either do CA-Northeast or CA-FL
I do not believe they do North Carolina routes, however…