Relocating can be stressful enough as it is before the realisation that you also need to move your vehicles. If you only have the one, it is easily done, but moving multiple can be difficult and adding motorcycles into the mix can be even more difficult. Here are some of our tips to help you move your rides across America.
Work Out Your Timeline
How much time have you got to move? If things are pretty flexible, it might not be too unreasonable for you to consider moving at least some of your rides yourself. There are so many amazing road trips across the continental USA, and one of them might only be a short detour away from the route you should be taking from A to B.
If you have the time to be able to go at a bit of a slower pace, you should think about doing so. Some might even have the luxury of being able to cycle or ride their motorbike along the route. It will be a very long trip, certainly, but it could be one that you will remember forever.
Be Realistic About the Distance
With that said, you do need to make sure that you will not be pushing yourself too much. A long, multistate road trip might not be on the cards here, especially if you do have a deadline to reach. Looking into car shipping might be the best way to go.
There are plenty of reputable and trustworthy companies to use if you need car shipping from Chicago to Florida for example, or indeed any other great distance that you might want to travel in the USA. This then frees you up to be able to drive yourself in another vehicle, fly, or maybe even let the train take the strain.
America is a bigger country than most people realise. You need to make sure that you are being realistic about the distance that you need to travel, especially if you have never done a roadtrip of this length before. Sometimes, it is just easier and more convenient for you to get your vehicles shipped.
Get Quotes for the Cost
You need to make sure that you understand the cost of moving your rides across America, no matter what form that might take. If you want to get your vehicles shipped, check out auto shipping quotes at Vehicle Haul. This is one of the fastest ways to work out what this is going to cost, and will give you a realistic estimate of what you can expect to pay.
It might be more expensive than you think to try to take your vehicle yourself. Firstly, you have to consider the cost of fuel. Any length of road trip is not always going to be the cheapest. Though you might not have any trouble finding places to fill up, the cost might soon add up if you have not got the best fuel economy.
You also have to remember to factor in the cost of accommodation and other living expenses like food. Though you could opt to stay in chain hotels and cheap roadside motels, repeated nights of this will carry a certain cost. If you have a co-driver or other passengers, the cost will only increase too.
Make Sure the Vehicles are Ready to Go
No matter how you are moving your vehicles, you need to make sure that they are ready for the road. Those who decide to drive them should get them checked out by a licensed and trusted mechanic to ensure that there are no mechanical issues with the car. No one wants to be only 100 miles into a road trip when a fault becomes a big issue.
If your car is being shipped, there are several steps you should take to prepare it for shipping. Make sure you clean the car thoroughly and photograph it before it is picked up, as this will help you to identify any scratches or dings that could appear in transit. Some shipping companies also allow you to place personal items up to a certain weight in the vehicle, but this is to be done at your own risk. This is not the same as if you were to send them across the country with a secure courier. If you want this service, you should arrange it separately.
Moving your vehicles across the States can be a slight nightmare logistically, but you should be able to find something that suits you and your circumstances. With the right planning, moving your vehicles should be as easy a task as moving any other possession. Before you know it, you will be settling into your new home and getting ready to explore all that it has to offer – from the comfort of your own vehicles!
