If you’re from Texas and would like to relocate to another state, moving your vehicle with you can be challenging especially if your destination is really far away. You might even need car transport services from state to state with locations like Florida or even New York. Getting your car a long way from home is possible but you really have to be ready for it. To help you prepare better, here is a guide to walk you through the process.
Step 1. Choose Your Method of Transport
Before starting your move from Texas to another state, you have several transport methods to consider:
a. Drive the Car Yourself
Driving your car to a new state from Texas could be a great option if you’ll be moving somewhere near like Arkansas and Oklahoma. For those distances, it’s a bit simple and affordable, and you can travel at your own pace. However, in situations where you have to go long distances, its cons become more obvious such as:
- Fuel and accommodation costs for long-distance travel
- Increased mileage and wear and tear on your car
- Fatigue from extended driving hours
b. Hire a Professional Auto Transport Company
If you want the hassle of driving it yourself to be taken away from you, you can employ the help of a professional auto transport company to do it for you, they have efficient car transport services from state to state that you can access for a fair price. They have two main shipping options:
- Open Transport: Your car is transported on an open trailer along with multiple other vehicles. It is a more affordable option but your car is exposed to outside elements.
- Enclosed Transport: Your car is in a covered trailer with extra security from anything that can cause damage to it. This option is expensive and is mostly used for similarly high-value vehicles.
c. Tow the Car Using a Trailer
If you have a vehicle that can effortlessly tow other cars, you can tow the car yourself if you have or can rent a trailer. For towing, there are 2 options:
- Dolly Trailer: Portable and accessible, this lifts the front wheels of the car so it’s good when transporting FWD cars, but not RWD and AWD ones.
- Flatbed Trailer: This is bigger and better if you actually get your hands on it. It prevents drivetrain wear but you have to make sure your car can pull it properly.
d. Use a Driveaway Service
You can hire a driveaway service that gets professional drivers to transport your car to its destination. This might be convenient too but it adds miles to your car and you have to entrust it fully to a stranger.
Step 2. Get Quotes and Compare Costs
Car transport services from state to state might have tendencies to cost high if you don’t know what you’re doing. You have to be careful here in choosing who you’ll get your personal auto transport services from. Try and compare different estimates from providers. If you’re curious about what adds up to certain costs, these depend on:
- Distance: The distance of the destination influences the cost.
- Vehicle Size and Weight: Bigger cars have an additional charge for their weight and the space that they take.
- Transport Type: Open transport is cheaper than enclosed transport, which is more secure.
- Seasonal Demand: Prices are higher during moving seasons such as summer, and lower during the fall.
Step 3. Prepare Your Car for Transport
Once you’ve chosen a transport method, say for example; car transport services from state to state, follow these steps to prepare your car:
a. Clean Your Car
Wash your car so that you can see any dents, scratches, and damages before transporting it.
b. Document Your Car’s Condition
Take clear photos from multiple angles to document your car’s condition. This will serve as evidence in case of any disputes regarding damages.
c. Remove Personal Items
Remove your belongings from inside the vehicle to prevent any type of damage or loss.
d. Check for Leaks and Mechanical Issues
Ensure your car is in good working condition, check for fluid leaks, and make sure the tires are properly inflated.
Make sure that your car is in proper running condition. Check for leaks and make sure your tires are properly inflated.
e. Reduce Fuel Level
Keep your fuel tank about a quarter full to decrease weight. The fuel left will make sure the car can still be driven off the trailer.
Step 4. Understand Legal and Insurance Requirements
Before moving your car across state lines, you need to understand the paperwork related to the process.
a. Auto Transport Insurance
Most auto transport companies provide standard insurance, as a customer you should verify the limits so that you may purchase additional insurance if needed.
b. Vehicle Registration and Title Transfer
Try to check with the DMV requirements in your new state for registering the vehicle. Some states might not be so simple that they will still require you to run some tests and do some paperwork.
c. State-Specific Laws
Other states might also have different laws regarding your vehicle that you need to be knowledgeable about. It’s risky to not know if you have something that is illegal in another state.
Step 5. Track and Receive Your Vehicle
If you use an auto transport service, do know that you are able to track your vehicle’s location either through a customer service representative update or through a GPS of some sort. Once it does arrive:
- Inspect for any damages that the car might have gotten during the trip.
- Use the photos you shot before as a before and after of the car’s condition.
- Report any damages or errors as soon as possible to the transport company.
In summary, moving your car from Texas to another state is a bit trivial in terms of difficulty since everything matters in deciding if you’ll have an easy time or not, You may drive the car yourself, or use personal auto transport services from state to state. At the end of the day, the best decision is the one you choose with preparation, as having control of what happens to your car is your privilege.