Exactly how do I Transport my Vehicle by Myself?
Yes, you can arrange car shipping yourself, and it is simpler than it sounds: plan a couple of weeks ahead, get quotes from verifiable companies, document the car’s condition, choose open or enclosed transport, and get the terms in writing. “By myself” really means being your own shipping manager; the truck and the driving still come from a licensed carrier, unless you take the true DIY route of driving or trailering the car, which has its own honest math. Here is each step in order.
Plan Early
Last-minute shipping costs more and limits your choices. Booking ahead saves both time and money, gives you room to walk through details with the experts, and locks your budget before the schedule pressures your decisions.
How early is early enough? A two to four week window works well for most moves. Booking in that range keeps you out of urgency pricing, leaves slack for delays to be sorted without drama, and gives you time to compare properly. Prices are built from distance, open versus enclosed equipment, and any additional services, so knowing your route and dates early is knowing your price early.
Research Shipping Companies
Ask friends for recommendations, read reviews with attention to how problems were handled, and verify credentials directly: any legitimate broker or carrier has FMCSA registration with USDOT and MC numbers you can check in a minute (Ship A Car, Inc. is USDOT 2303542, MC 784930). Compare complete quotes, not just bottom lines, and read the terms before signing.
When requesting quotes, provide the full picture: make and model, exact pickup and delivery locations, dates, running condition, and any special requests. Accurate inputs get quotes that hold. The advantages of using a professional company are concrete:
- You get qualified and experienced drivers.
- Ensures there are no added miles on your vehicle.
Drive the Vehicle to the Destination
The true do-it-yourself options exist too. Driving works if you have the time, the car is up to the trip, and you accept the added miles, fuel, lodging, and wear as part of the real cost. Renting a car-hauling trailer and towing behind your own vehicle avoids the miles on the shipped car but demands proper securing, a capable tow vehicle, and comfort driving a loaded trailer across long distances. For most one-way moves beyond a few hundred miles, the totals land close to a transport quote without the week of your time.
Inspect your Car
Before shipping, inspect the vehicle inside and out and record what you see. Note every scratch and dent, and photograph the car from all angles with time stamps. The driver documents condition on the bill of lading at pickup and again at delivery; your photos back that record, and together they are what make any compensation claim quick and clean instead of contested.
Select the Right Shipping Method
There are two major methods: open and enclosed. Open shipping puts the car on a multi-car open trailer, the industry standard and the best value for daily drivers. Enclosed car shipping boxes the vehicle away from weather and road debris entirely, the right call for luxury cars and collectibles, at roughly a third more than open transport. Match the method to the car and the budget honestly; most vehicles ride open, and the ones that should not usually know who they are.
Have a Contract
The contract is your protection, so read the parts that matter before signing. The essentials the company should spell out:
- The cancellation policy and fees
- The price
- The insurance information
- Estimated delivery date
- The claims and procedure
Conclusion
Arranging your own car shipping comes down to planning ahead, verifying the company, documenting the car, and getting the terms in writing. Weigh distance, the car’s condition, and your budget when choosing between transport and true DIY, and remember that with a broker like SAC you pay nothing until a vetted carrier is confirmed, which removes most of the risk from the decision.
Are you ready to ship your car? Contact a Ship A Car transport coordinator at (866) 821-4555 right now to receive more information on your specific transport and to receive a free no obligation quote right over the phone.
