Everything You Need To Know About Shipping A To and From Houston

Houston is one of the most significant cities located in Texas. Famous for its lip-smacking food and great hospitality, countless people flock to Houston each year searching for greener pastures. And not to mention the port of Houston which is one of the largest ports in the world that creates over 1.35 million jobs every year. Although there are many options when it comes to transporting your car from Houston or vice versa, many people struggle to find the best option to get their car shipped to Houston in the cheapest, fastest and most effective manner. This blog will help you if you are looking to move and want to know the A-to-Z of car transport in Houston and vice versa.

Five different ways to ship a car to or from Houston

Car transport Houston is a process that can be done in 5 primary ways, depending on several factors like your budget, where you are shipping your car from, and whether you have an urgent requirement or not. You can choose an option that best suits your needs cost-effectively. 

Drive the Car Yourself

Houston is a prominent city in Texas located in the South. If you are driving from a neighboring state like New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, or Mississippi to Houston, the option that makes the most sense is driving your car on your own. You won’t have to pay any extra cost apart from fuel, food and beverages, tolls, and mechanic expenses (if needed). Moreover, you can make a road trip out of this and treat it as a mini getaway with your friends or family or on your own. As a bonus, you will have successfully transported your car to Houston while having some of the best Southern food.

With that in mind, if you are driving from a distant state like Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Maine, or Massachusetts, the length of the road trip can take a toll on your body. You are bound to get tired, leading to accidents on the road. Not to mention, driving long distances can do the opposite of rejuvenation and affect your spirits.

Get Someone Else To Drive It for You

If you are worried about being unable to drive for long hours from a distant city while transporting a car from Houston, there is a more straightforward option where you can hire another person to drive your vehicle for you. These are professional drivers who are either retired or want to make some extra few bucks with extra gigs. They possess the professional expertise and insight viz-a-viz how to transport my car from Houston. What’s more, you can save vast sums of money by hitching a ride with these drivers in your car and sending in some personal items in the car.

The only thing you need to do is find a reliable and trustworthy professional driver. Such persons can be hard to find, especially if you are in a hurry. Not to mention, these are professional services, and they can cost a bomb. 

Use a Train Service

Another route you can opt for to ship your car to Houston is via the rail route. However, you need to ensure that the place from where you are transporting the car from Houston must be on the rail cargo route. Using the rail route can help you save money and get your car down to Houston on time since cargo trains are known to be on promptly on time. Since not all train routes allow transporting cars, you will have to check whether you can do it from where your car currently is. 

However, you will have to ensure that you drop the car off at the train station on time and get it loaded onto the train coach. You will also have to ensure that you are present when the train arrives in Houston to unload the car and take it home.

Use an Airplane Service

Apart from roadways and railways, another option for car transport in Houston is using an airplane. You can opt for air cargo service to get your car delivered to you in Houston in the most efficient way possible. Using an aircraft will also ensure that your vehicle is delivered the fastest. 

However, the cost to transport the car to Houston using an airplane is exceptionally high. Nevertheless, you can use air cargo service if you need your vehicle delivered to you within a day or two in an exceptional case of emergency. You may also use the service if you are shipping a rare or a luxury car. 

Use an Auto Transport Company

If you want to get access to a cost-effective, efficient, and fast, using an auto transport company may be your best option. An auto transport company is a company that uses trailers to ship your car from one place to another. This is one of the best ways to transport my car to Houston in the safest manner. 

An auto transport company gives you the benefit of using experienced drivers who have been in the business of shipping cars for decades. You have to find an auto transport company, explain your requirements to them, and get your car picked up! 

Different Types of Car Shipping 

There are two major types of car shipping, based on how your car is shipped. These are: 

Enclosed Shipping

This is a type of car shipping where professionals load your car onto a shipping container, and they then mount this container on a trailer to send it to its final destination. Enclosed shipping is suitable for transporting high-value cars, valuable and collectible cars, sports cars, and luxury cars since the container protects the car from environmental agents. 

Open Shipping

This is a type of car shipping wherein your car is directly loaded onto a trailer and secured with safety harnesses. There is no container, and your car will come in contact with air, rain, and dust. However, this is a cheaper shipping type when compared to enclosed shipping. 

Different types of car shipping services 

There are three primary car shipping services based on how fast you want the car delivered in Houston. These are: 

Express Shipping Service

Your car will be picked up within 1-2 business days of you making a booking in this service. 

Guaranteed Shipping Service

In this service, your car will be picked up within 24 hours of you making a booking.

Military Shipping Service

Exclusively for army personnel and veterans, this service lends priority treatment to military personnel.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Car To Houston (And Vice Versa)?

If you think about transporting your car to or from Houston in Texas, you will naturally wonder ‘how much to transport a car to Houston?’ However, you should know that there is no way to arrive at a cost yourself. You will have to take a few factors into account and take the help of an auto transport company to help you get a quote for the trip or to know the cost to ship a car. The cost to transport a car to Houston is very dynamic and keeps on increasing or decreasing based on some factors. Some of these factors that can help you get an estimate of the cost include:

The Location

Your car’s state, city, and exact pick-up and drop-off location are the most significant factors to help you get an approximate cost. For example, if you want to transport my car to Houston from a state like New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, or even Louisiana, the auto company would be traveling 300-800 miles on average. However, if you want car shipping from a far-off state like New York, Washington, Minnesota, Michigan, Maine, or even Oregon, the auto transport company will have to travel over 2,000 miles. Since the distance increases, fuel costs and driver wages increase too, bringing the total transport cost up. 

The Type of Transport Service

Guaranteed shipping service may cost you a little more than express shipping, while military shipping service may be cheaper since it gives army personnel a discount. Similarly, enclosed shipping is likely to have higher prices than open shipping.

The Weather

 If you are getting your car shipped during heavy rainfall, snowfall, or amid a storm, you may have to pay more since the drivers will have to make halts to ensure the safety of your vehicle. 

Car Details

The car type, model, make, year of manufacturing, and condition of the car also make a difference to the shipping price. 

Fuel prices

If the fuel prices go up, it might increase the cost to transport a car to Houston. 

How Long Does It Take To Ship A Car To Houston (And Vice Versa)?

Distance determines the final duration of the shipment journey. The distance between Houston and the other city will help determine how much time it will take to ship the car. If the car transport to Houston happens from a nearer city like New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, or Louisiana, it may take a few hours to 2 days to get the car delivered. However, if you want to ship your car from a distant state like New York, Washington, Minnesota, Michigan, Maine, or Oregon, it can take 5-9 days to transport my car to Houston.

Another factor that determines the duration of the journey to transport my car from Houston is the weather during transport. For instance, if the weather changes drastically during the transport, the auto transport company drivers may have to make a halt temporarily and wait for better driving conditions. 

Additionally, the route, the detours, and the traffic jams may increase the time it takes to ship a car to Houston. 

How Does The Process Of Shipping A Car To And From Houston Work? 

When you find the right auto transport company, you will get a quote from them to ship your car. You can accept the company’s quote or negotiate with them for a better offer. 

Once a deal is in place for car transport to Houston, you will have to tell them a date and time and give them an address for the car pick-up. A team from the auto transport company will arrive at the car’s current location on the pick-up day and assess your vehicle for any damages. You can find this information mentioned on the Bill of Lading, and you can cross-check it at the time of signing the same.

With all the paperwork completed, the car will begin its journey to or from Houston, Texas. 

When the car is about to reach its final destination, the auto transport company will ask to see if there are any damages, as per the Bill of Lading. If you are satisfied, you can sign the Bill of Lading and complete the delivery process. 

Documents Required For Shipping a Car To and From Houston

If you want to know the list of documents needed for transporting car from Houston, then here’s a checklist:

• Bill of Lading: This is an essential piece of paper that you need to keep with you. It is proof of the car being picked up and delivered, and you need to sign it at pick-up and delivery.
• Insurance: This is the auto transport company’s insurance to protect your car during transit.

How to Find the Best Auto Transport Company To Ship A Car To And From Houston

Suppose you are wondering about shipping your car to or from Houston in Texas. In that case, you’d ideally want to hire an auto transport company that is the best in the industry and has considerable experience operating in Houston and the Southern area. To find the best auto transport company to ship your car to or from Houston, you can consider the following factors to help you make the best decision: 

Experience

Try to estimate the company’s experience in transporting cars, especially in Texas and the Southern region. The auto transport company should have seasoned drivers and an experienced team that has been in the business for years.

Cost

You would ideally like to know how much to transport a car to Houston. You should compare the quotes of different auto transport companies and see which company offers extensive features and services in the most cost-effective deal. 

Services

 See if the company offers services like door-to-door pick-up and drop, amongst other services that set them apart. 

Reviews

Go through the auto transport company’s reviews to see what past customers say about them. 

Miscellaneous

 Read through the fine print and see what are the auto transport company’s inclusions in the package they provide. Look for the company’s licensing and insurance policies.

FAQs Regarding Shipping a Car To And From Houston

What Documents Do I Need To Keep Ready To Ship A Car To And From Houston?  

You can sit back and relax since you need only minimal paperwork to ship a car to and from Houston. You will need all the paperwork signed and given to you by the auto transport company when they pick your car up, including the Bill of Lading.

How Long Is An Auto Transport Company’s Quote Valid?  

The duration of the quote’s validity differs for each auto transport company. However, as a standard practice, it is valid for at least seven business days, after which the auto transport company can increase or decrease the prices. 

Do I Need To Be Present At Pick-Up And Delivery Times?  

Although it is always good to receive your car on your own, it’s not mandatory. You can appoint any person you trust over 18 years as your representative, and they can collect the vehicle for you. 

How Can I Pay For The Auto Transport Service?  

Trustworthy auto transport companies accept payments for their services using various means like debit cards, credit cards, net banking, and even mobile wallets like PayPal.

Does Insurance Cover My Car During Transit?  

All auto transport companies in the country have a valid insurance policy. Thus, your car will be covered under insurance when it is in transit.

Pros and Cons of Moving To Houston

Pros: 

• Diverse culture 
• Some of the best food in the country 
• Great professional opportunities 
• Low cost of living 
• Ample greenery 

Cons:

• Traffic congestion 
• Mosquito problem 
• High taxes
• Hot & humid weather 
• High possibility of storms

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