Preparing your vehicle properly helps ensure it arrives safely in Washington. Here's what you need to do:
Remove personal items and accessories. Take out toll passes, GPS devices, phone chargers, and anything else loose inside your car. Remove or secure exterior accessories like roof racks, spoilers, or custom mirrors that could get damaged or fall off during transit.
Check your fuel level. Keep your gas tank between a quarter and half full. This gives the carrier enough fuel to move your vehicle on and off the transport, but not so much that it adds unnecessary weight.
Disable or document alarms. Let your carrier know if your car has an alarm system so they can avoid triggering it while loading and unloading.
Have keys ready. Make sure you have at least one key available for the carrier. They'll need it to move your vehicle during pickup and delivery.
Take photos. Document your car's current condition with photos from multiple angles. This protects you if any damage occurs during transit.
Check tire pressure and fluids. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and your battery is in good condition. Your vehicle needs to be in working order for the carrier to move it safely.
Review your shipping details. Confirm your pickup and delivery locations, and understand the timeline. For a long haul like Florida to Washington, check out our Cross Country Vehicle Transport Guide for more details about what to expect.
Following these steps makes the shipping process smoother and protects your vehicle every mile of the way.