By: Maureen
founder of Reliable Driving

When moving or relocating, determining how to relocate your vehicle(s) to a new location can be one more burden to add to an already stressful process. If you have more vehicles than licensed drivers, if you do not have the time to make the drive yourself, if you prefer to fly, or if you have young children that make a long road trip out of the question, hiring a driver or an auto transport company may be a good option.

Now, which is the better choice for you?  There are a number of pros and cons to consider…here are a few:

Reliable Driving

Pros:

• Door to door service: we will pick-up and drop-off your vehicle at the location of your choosing – we can also provide airport curbside pick-up and drop-off
• Vehicle pick-up and drop-off dates and times are scheduled to best suit your needs and we are always on time (barring unforeseen flight, weather or mechanical delays)
• Delivery time frame is efficient and reliable – we drive directly to destination with only nightly hotel stops
• Personal belongings can be packed into the vehicle
• We can drive your rental moving truck and motorhome
• Pet ride-along services available
• Daily updates of vehicle relocation progress

Towing Service:

• We can tow a variety of trailers behind a passenger vehicle, moving truck or motorhome:
  
  • RV’s
  • Boat, jet-skis, ATV’s, or motorcycles
  • Vehicle dolly
  • Enclosed trailer
  • Open-bed trailer

Cons:

• Cost of hiring a driver to relocate your vehicle will often exceed that of using an auto transport company
• Additional wear and tear, as well as additional miles, added to your vehicle during the trip
• Possible mechanical issues during the relocation

Auto Transport Company

Pros:

• When shipping a standard-sized vehicle, auto transport companies are usually one of the  less expensive options
• No additional wear and tear or additional miles added to your vehicle during the trip
• No risk of a vehicle breakdown of your vehicle on the road

Cons:

• 5-to-7 day window for pick-up of vehicle
• Scheduled departure and delivery dates are often delayed or missed completely
• Delivery time frame can take weeks depending on distance of transport (7-to-21 days)
• Vehicle is often transferred multiple times from one car carrier to another during the transport increasing the possibility of damage to the vehicle
• Door to door service can be an additional charge or unavailable depending on the pick-up and drop-off location
• Possible rental car costs accrued during extended vehicle delivery time frame
• No transport of motorhomes
• Personal items are often not allowed to be packed into vehicle
• No pet ride-along option
• No towing service

Additional important information when using an auto transport carrier:

• It is important to understand the difference between an auto transporter and an auto broker. Auto brokers only arrange the transportation of your car. Be suspicious of any website where it is not clear whether the company is a broker or a transporter. – https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move/resources/consumer-advisory-automobile-transporters

• Be wary of the cheapest deals, and avoid any company that sends a second email stating that they have just had a cancellation and are able to offer a discounted fee if the offer is taken up immediately. Most quotes will be around the same price; from these, distill the service that best suits your purposes. Pay no one until the vehicle is collected: The broker takes his commission when the car is loaded and begins its journey, then the driver takes the balance when the car has been unloaded and inspected at its destination. – https://traveltips.usatoday.com/ship-car-across-country-belongings-inside-it-63436.html

• A good article with tips regarding auto transport:
  http://www.intercitylines.com/10-things-know-shipping-car/