The Ultimate Guide to Transporting a Multi-Car Household
Transporting more than one vehicle during a move is one of the most time-consuming and anxiety-inducing aspects of the entire process.
Not only do you have to coordinate logistics, but you also need to ensure each vehicle arrives at your new home safely. And that’s just the start…
The truth is most people don’t just own one vehicle anymore. According to U.S. Census data, 59% of American households have two or more vehicles. That means if you’re moving house with multiple cars, you’re not alone in the struggle.
The good news is with a little planning, this doesn’t have to be overly complicated or expensive. You just need to know what options are available to you.
In this post, we’ll cover:
- Why Moving with Multiple Vehicles Requires Additional Planning
- Options for Moving Multiple Vehicles
- Factors to Consider When Selecting Your Transport Method
- Tips for Coordinating the Move with Multiple Cars
Ready to make sure all of your vehicles make it to the new home unscathed? Let’s dive in…
Why Moving with Multiple Vehicles Requires Additional Planning
Let’s get the obvious out of the way…
Shipping a single car during a move is a piece of cake. But when you have two, three, or more vehicles to worry about? It’s a whole different story.
Each vehicle may require different care or handling. A daily driver might be fine on an open carrier, but that vintage car in your garage may need to be transported in an enclosed carrier.
Timing is also important. You need all of your vehicles to arrive around the same time so your family isn’t left without wheels.
That’s why it’s important to work with a reliable auto transport company when moving house with multiple vehicles. They can coordinate the pickups and deliveries so you don’t have to stress about the details.
Trust me. You want them on your side.
Options for Moving Multiple Vehicles
Okay, now let’s talk about how you actually get multiple vehicles from point A to point B. There are several options and each has their own advantages and disadvantages based on your situation.
Drive Them Yourself
This is the most DIY method of transport. You and a few family members each drive a car or truck to your new home.
The obvious advantage here is cost.
This is basically free other than gas and food. But there are some serious downsides too:
- Adds hundreds or thousands of miles to each vehicle
- Requires multiple licensed drivers
- Coordinating multiple vehicles for long-distance moves is a nightmare
- Cross-country moves are exhausting.
Driving is the only way to go for local moves. But anything over a few hundred miles and it becomes highly impractical.
Hire a Professional Auto Transport Service
Professional auto transport is the most popular solution for families with multiple vehicles. Companies like A-1 Auto Transport handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on the rest of your move.
Here’s how it typically works…
- You call around and book transport for all of your vehicles at the same time.
- A company will send drivers to pick them up and load them onto carriers or trucks.
- The vehicles are driven to your new location and dropped off at the agreed upon address.
Benefits include:
- Zero miles added to your vehicles
- Professional drivers and insurance coverage
- Coordinating pickup and delivery is one company’s responsibility
- You can fly to your new home instead of driving.
Most domestic vehicle shipments take 7-10 days from door to door. About 70% of cars are transported on open-air carriers which is the least expensive method.
Use a Combination of the Above
Believe it or not, some families do a bit of both driving and shipping when moving multiple vehicles.
Maybe your family drives one vehicle while shipping others. Or you tow a vehicle in the back of a moving truck and ship the rest.
Hybrid solutions like this can work if you need a car on moving day but still want to avoid racking up miles.
How to Choose the Right Transport Method
If you’re not sure which of the above options is best for you, there are several factors to consider…
Distance of the Move
If you’re moving less than 200 miles, driving is usually the way to go. Shipping costs aren’t justified for short distances.
Beyond a 200-mile radius, auto transport starts making more sense. It spares your vehicles wear and tear from the move and you don’t have to spend days driving.
Value and Condition of the Vehicles
Luxury cars and classic cars in need of special care are best shipped in enclosed transport carriers.
Standard family vehicles don’t need that level of protection. But higher-end cars definitely do.
Your Timeline
If you need all vehicles to arrive on a specific date at your new home, professional transport provides greater control over the schedule.
Driving introduces variables such as traffic, weather, and driver fatigue that can cause delays.
Budget
The cost to transport multiple vehicles will vary based on:
- Distance traveled
- Vehicle weight and size
- Open vs enclosed transport
- Current demand for carriers
Get quotes from a few companies. Most will offer a discount for shipping multiple vehicles with them which can bring down your per-car price.
Tips for Coordinating the Move with Multiple Cars
Ready to start taking action? Follow these tips to make your multi-vehicle move as painless as possible.
Book Early
Auto transport is seasonal. Requesting a pickup and delivery 2-4 weeks out will give you more options and likely a better price.
The summer months are the busiest time of year. Whenever possible, try to move during fall or winter for better availability.
Prepare the Vehicles
Before pickup day, each vehicle should be ready to go.
- Remove personal items and possessions
- Document any existing damage with photos
- Check all fluid levels and tire pressure
- Disable alarms that might drain the battery
- Fuel tanks should be about one-quarter full.
Coordinate Pickup and Delivery
When moving multiple vehicles, pickups may need to be staggered.
Some transport companies can pick up and drop off all of your vehicles on the same day. Others may need to schedule multiple appointments.
Confirm delivery windows for each car. You don’t want the trucks there without you present at your new home.
Keep Important Documents Handy
Make sure you have the following for each vehicle:
- Registration
- Insurance cards
- Keys (including spares)
- Contact information for transport company.
Wrapping It Up
Moving house with multiple vehicles takes some forethought. But it’s not a reason to panic.
The trick is picking the right transportation method for your situation and booking early. Whether you drive, ship, or some combination…
Planning makes all the difference.
Here’s a quick recap of what we covered:
- Assess the transport needs of each individual vehicle
- Compare costs of driving vs. shipping
- Book professional transport early for long-distance moves
- Prepare all vehicles for pickup well in advance
- Coordinate the timing of pickups/deliveries so you’re never left without wheels.
Moving with more than one vehicle is a challenge nearly 60% of U.S. households face. So take it step by step, and you’ll get there with all of your cars safely in one piece.
