How to Ship Your Car To or From College

It's that time of year when college students are either getting ready to head off to college or coming home from their first semester away. If you're a college student attending university far from home, you may have a long drive ahead of you.

If you are the parent of a college student, you may be worried about your child's safety on the road. Shipping your car is a great option in either case.

In this post, we will walk you through how to ship your car to and from campus and give you some tips on making it as smooth as possible.

Is it possible to ship a car?

Shipping your car is a great alternative to driving it yourself. Many shipping companies specialize in transporting vehicles, and they have the expertise to make the whole process smooth and painless.

A flatbed or transport trailer is typically used to transport the car to its final destination. You can feel confident that your automobile will reach its destination safely because the vehicle is safely secured to the trailer and the truck is operated by a professional.

Benefits of using car auto transport rather than driving yourself

Shipping is safer

Tired drivers cause accidents every day, often with deadly consequences. If you're attending college out of state, the drive may take hours or days. In addition, many college kids are in a hurry to get to campus or get home, so they try to get those miles under their belt quickly, even if it means skipping a few rest stops and driving late into the night.

Add to this the fact that some students might not want to fork over the money for a night in a hotel, causing them to drive straight through what would be better as a multi-day trip.

Shipping your car eliminates the risk of an accident by entrusting your car to an experienced professional auto transport company.

Shipping saves money

Additionally, shipping can save you money on transportation, which is crucial given how much money the average student spends on textbooks and tuition. Shipping also avoids adding the extra miles that a cross-country trip entails, meaning less maintenance.

Ship to avoid damage and theft

Cars on long road trips have the potential to incur damage as a result of road debris like rocks. By shipping your car instead, you can ensure that your car arrives at your destination in the same condition it was when it left.

It's also possible to become the victim of theft on an overnight road trip. If you're traveling to or from college, there's a good chance that you've loaded up your car with personal belongings. Using a college car shipping service can eliminate this risk.

Car shipping is convenient

With a reputable car shipping service, you can have peace of mind knowing that your car will arrive quickly and safely at your destination. Many companies will pick up your car at your door and ship it to any location you choose. It's easy to schedule your vehicle for pickup and delivery, and a good company will make the whole process a breeze.

Vehicle shipping cost

The cost of shipping varies widely from one case to the next. It depends on criteria including the weight and dimensions of your vehicle, the distance to be traveled, and the route's feasibility. Of course, you can always call a car shipping company to to get an accurate quote.

Generally speaking, prices for vehicle shipping are affordable and can be compared to the cost of driving and staying in hotels along the way, depending on the length of the journey. Even if it costs slightly more, having a calm state of mind is sometimes better than saving a little money.

A College students' guide to transporting a car

Prepare in advance

If you (or your child) decide to have your car delivered to the school, be sure to schedule well in advance to make sure your car arrives when you need it. Auto-shipping can take a few weeks in busy seasons, depending on the distance between you and your destination. If you're planning to return to school in January, for example, it's best to schedule shipping by November at the very latest.

Even if you don't plan far in advance, however, it's never too late to check with an auto shipping business about whether or not they can meet your request.

Find out if you can have your automobile picked up from your residence

In most cases, car transport firms offer door-to-door delivery. However, certain limitations may prevent drivers from reaching their destination. A number of factors could be at play, including the availability of adequate street access and city ordinances that limit vehicles over a certain size and weight. A good vehicle shipper will help you choose the best option for your particular situation.

If your car cannot be picked up from your residence, shopping malls or other large parking lots are ideal alternate locations for vehicle pickup. When it comes to delivery, most schools and institutions have a sizable commuter parking lot that could be an excellent location. Just be sure to contact the school before you make arrangements to ensure that on-campus delivery is allowed.

Prepare for pre- and post-transit inspection

Before the driver arrives to pick up your vehicle, remove any external accessories such as roof racks. Remove anything of value from the interior of the vehicle as well. Insurance policies for auto carriers do not cover damaged or lost assets in transit.

When your car is picked up for shipping, the driver will inspect the exterior of the vehicle for damage. This is to ensure that the vehicle is delivered in the same condition that it was at the beginning of the journey. The driver will document any visible damage and then have you sign in acknowledgment.

Before the driver arrives, it's a good idea to perform a quick inspection of the vehicle yourself, making a note of any dents or other damage. This way, you can be confident that the driver's assessment of your vehicle is accurate. Upon delivery, your inspection will help you avoid any unpleasant disagreements about the condition of your car. This is especially important for valuable vehicles such as classic cars.

Prepare necessary paperwork

Before having the car shipped, it is crucial to make sure your vehicle's registration and insurance are up-to-date. The person receiving the delivery needs to be at least 18 years old and must present a valid driver's license. This is important! There are many cases where a young college student was not authorized to accept delivery when their car arrived.

Be sure that whoever plans to receive the delivery has the contact information of the shipping company, and that the shipping company has this person's phone number. The driver will need to contact them so they are ready to pick up the car when it is delivered. Be sure this person also has the receipt as further proof that they are authorized to accept the delivery.

You'll also want to make sure that you have the right kind of parking permit if you plan to park on campus. College campuses are notoriously strict about parking regulations, and you don't want to end up with an expensive parking ticket on the first day of the semester.

How to ship a car to college

The car shipping industry is so vast now that a lot of shipping companies now do vehicle shipping. Shipping cars has been an option for more than a decade.

Contact a shipping company

The first step is to discuss transporting schedules with the transport coordinator. Ensure that from the time of scheduling to the time of pick up, there is someone to communicate with, both on the side of the shipping agent and the college student picking up the car.

Get car shipping quotes

It's always a good idea to get a quote from multiple shipping companies so you can find the best deal. Most carriers offer instant quotes online, although you may need to call for a more accurate quote. Keep in mind that your quote will be affected by the type of vehicle, the pickup and dropoff locations, and the time of year.

Auto shipping services

There are a variety of reasons why people may need to ship a vehicle. Some people have to haul historic cars across the country for shows, while others are moving and can't drive their car themselves. No matter why you're shipping your car, hiring a professional and reliable auto transport provider is a convenient and affordable option.

Shipping your car with us at A-1 Auto Transport is the greatest solution out there, period. We've been in the business for a long time and can offer you the best service at the best pricing. We provide both open and enclosed shipping solutions for your vehicle to meet your specific needs. In addition, our network of carriers spans the country, so we can always identify the most efficient route for your shipment.