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What is the Fastest Way to Ship a Car?

Published by Joe Webster.

What is the Fastest Way to Ship a Car?

Moving to a different city or state in a rush? Do you need to receive your car just in time for work or school? Having a vehicle hauled swiftly is often a necessity. The fastest method is by air cargo, but it is exorbitantly expensive. Fortunately, customers seeking rapid shipments can find other suitable and affordable options. Let’s look at the shifting methods, their speed potential, and common mistakes to avoid to ensure smooth and efficient transport.

Logistics Methods

Let's look at different moving methods to understand your options better and pick what suits you best regarding service, price, and speed.

  • Cargo Plane. This is probably thefastest and safest way to ship a car but also the most expensive. In many cases, the fee may even exceed the vehicle's value. It is hard to justify such a hefty price unless you are shipping an incredibly fragile, valuable, or vintage car. While air freight is thought to be the most efficient method, it is not always the case as, in reality, the efficiency depends on several factors, such as distance and season.
  • Open Trailers. Open trailers have several advantages, including availability and affordability. Even if your move is last minute, you can find trustworthy movers to take on your vehicle. On the other hand, exposure to outside elements during the journey leaves your car vulnerable to damage and theft. Speed is another drawback; since open-air carriers haul multiple vehicles at a time, it takes much longer to retrieve your automobile than to haul an enclosed shipment.
an enclosed truck
  • Enclosed Trailers. Though more expensive than open-air carriers, sending your vehicle in an enclosed trailer offers protection from external damage and break-ins thanks to its shock-reducing soft-tie strapping system. It is a much faster carrying method since it can only fit up to six cars. Thus, you can collect your automobile a week or two earlier than you would with an open-air shipment.
  • Amtrak’s Auto Train. Relocating a car cross-country by truck is common. What is less common and known, but possible, is to deliver your vehicle by Amtrak’s trains. Amtrak moves along the East Coast between DC and Florida, carrying different types of automobiles, including sedans, SUVs, motorcycles, and even vans. Though routes and availability are limited, We can be an efficient and economical method for journeys along the East Coast.
  • Driving Your Car. Among the most common decisions is choosing between hauling an automobile via a hauling firm or driving it. If you opt for the latter, you have total control over your trip. If you are moving a short distance, this is undoubtedly the cheapest and most convenient option. However, out-of-state or cross-country journeys are not that easy; they are significantly more time-consuming than other methods and, at times, incur high expenses if you count the costs of gas, fuel, lodging, and meals. Hiring a professional driver is also a possibility, though subject to availability. Customers considering this option should remember that a professional driving service is more expensive than sending your vehicle via a traditional shipping carrier, especially if you have a deadline.

Things to Avoid

As in any process, the better prepared you are, the smoother and more efficient the procedure. Thorough preparation can facilitate faster shifting of your car from point A to point B. That is because you are reducing the chances of an unforeseen delay or a hiccup as long as they are within the scope of your control. Below is a list of things to avoid when making carrying arrangements:

  1. Check out Your Shipping Hauler. Choosing an agency that is licensed and insured against possible damages and accidents is essential. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, any business transporting automobiles must have liability insurance above the required minimum. Reputable companies hold between $50,000 and $100,000 of insurance coverage. Moreover, moving companies must be registered with the Department of Conveyance and have proper legal documentation they should be able and willing to provide upon request. Shy away from companies without or providing their DOT and MC numbers and avoid relying on verbal agreements. In the worst-case scenario, having everything in writing will be valuable and, in the meantime, give you the necessary assurance of quality and professionalism. Make sure you ask hauling representatives for copies of license registration and insurance proofs before you make any solid arrangements. Alternatively, the Federal Motor mover Safety Administration maintains a hotline where customers can check on each company’s paperwork and complaints filed by previous clients.
ring binder on office desktop with office supplies
  1. Obtain Sufficient Insurance Coverage. As mentioned above, any hauler that offers interstate shipment is required to hold appropriate insurance coverage. Please request a copy of the insurance certificate and review the coverage in detail so you understand what it includes and enumerates. If you deem the coverage insufficient or would like to increase it, talk to an agent and ask if they could expand it. You may be able to pay the transporter a fee for this. Alternatively, you can get additional insurance independently. It is better to be safe than sorry, and should anything happen to your vehicle while it is being moved, you will be financially and legally protected.
  2. Missing or Incorrect Paperwork. Before finalizing shipping arrangements, the car conveyor will ask for specific documents. These include a certificate of insurance, vehicle registration, and proof of ownership (or authorization to ship it). To prevent delays or problems, gather these papers and ensure they are all in order and ready to be presented.

    Moreover, couriers will examine your car upon hand-off and record its condition in detail in an inspection report. The report will be the sole record of the vehicle’s shape before hitting the road, and it is paramount for you to be present during the inspection, review written details, and agree to its accuracy before signing off. Upon vehicle delivery, check your car meticulously and note any damage caused during relocating. Make sure the driver signs the release document. Once both parties sign off, the shipment will be considered complete on both sides and it will be hard to file any claims on the carrier’s insurance unless damages are stated on the report.
  3. Prepare Your Car for Shipment. One tip that might not be as intuitive is to empty your car. While it might seem wise to fill up the vehicle with personal belongings to save a buck on moving costs, dispatchers will ask you to remove your stuff. That is because auto-hauling companies are prohibited by law from driving vehicles that contain household items. Additionally, surplus weight will most likely increase your delivery fee, as weight and size are essential to determining a quote. Depending on the company, some may allow personal stuff in the car up to a certain weight (usually 100 lb), but no business will agree to any responsibility for these items. Moreover, should the driver get inspected by the Department of Dispatching along the way, all belongings found inside may be seized.

In conclusion, if you are looking for the fastest way to ship your car while avoiding astronomical invoices unless you own a luxury car that would require and justify the costs, the enclosed carrier might be the most suitable option. Indeed, it is costlier than open air, but in addition to saving time, you also receive an added level of security. Of course, you should look into specifics and talk to a car transport agent to determine the most efficient and fitting for you. In some rare cases, open air might prove to be faster.

showcasing a ship

One thing to remember is that the delivery timeframe is often determined by the pick-up period. Unless you are opting for air freight or train, haulers can only drive a certain distance per day so the road trip itself will not alter the speed of the shipment. As such, expedited service is the fastest way to ship a vehicle.

You can request a guaranteed delivery date for an additional cost for expedited service. Most standard pick-up windows are one to two weeks. Though much more challenging and costlier for movers to accommodate, many shipping carriers agree to discharge a delivered vehicle within a two-day pick-up window. We can provide same-day and same-week shipments for those needing rapid service. If you are pressed for time and need expedited service, the money is worth the price, as it will be the fastest way to ship your automobile.

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Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

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A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!
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I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
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There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.
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We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

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A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
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