Best Car Shipping Companies in Tallahassee, FL

How to choose car shipping companies in Tallahassee

If you need to move a vehicle hundreds of miles from or to Tallahassee, you could do it yourself. But it will take many hours of driving and put stress on your odometer.

You might think about auto transport companies in Tallahassee instead. These companies are in business to ship cars safely from point A to point B, even across the entire country or outside the continental U.S.

It’s important to know several things about the industry in order to make the right hire.

Auto transport companies in Tallahassee are either carriers or brokers. Carriers operate the trucks that move vehicles from origin to destination. Brokers do not directly ship vehicles; instead, they work with a network of carriers to arrange transportation.

Carriers vs. brokers

Both brokers and carriers that operate interstate have to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and obtain an MC Docket number. Carriers need a USDOT number. You can verify these licenses.

Here are some of the other options you have when setting up auto transport in Tallahassee:

• Open transport vs. closed transport: Open transport, the more popular choice, puts your vehicle on an open trailer. Closed transport, which is more expensive, protects it from weather and road debris.
• Door-to-door vs. terminal-to-terminal shipping: Door-to-door shipping refers to a vehicle being picked up or dropped off as close to your desired locations as possible. Terminal-to-terminal shipping, with pickup and drop-off in a regional storage facility, is less expensive.
• Pickup/delivery windows vs. guaranteed dates: It’s standard for car shipping companies to offer pickup and drop-off windows of multiple days. Guaranteed dates cost extra.

Car shipping cost in Tallahassee

Several factors determine the cost of auto transport in Tallahassee:

• Distance and pickup/drop-off locations: The longer the distance your car is shipped, the more it costs. It also costs more if you get door-to-door service or if you are shipping to or from a rural area.
• Season: Summer tends to be the busiest season for auto transporters in Tallahassee, but bad weather and the holiday season can also drive prices up during winter.
• Guaranteed dates/expedited shipping: If you request specific pickup and drop-off dates or need expedited shipping, the price goes up.
• Open vs. closed transport: Closed transport, recommended for high-end cars, carries a premium.
• Size/weight of vehicle: The larger the vehicle, the more expensive it is to transport.

Estimated transport rates to/from Tallahassee

Get quotes from several different car shipping companies in Tallahassee before scheduling with a broker or carrier. Try to begin the process six to eight weeks before you want your car picked up.

Ask each business you contact about their insurance coverage in case your vehicle is damaged in transport, and talk to your own provider about how your policy applies.

After you decide which company to use, find out how to prepare your vehicle for shipment. Most auto transporters in Tallahassee ask you to remove personal belongings and leave the gas tank one-quarter full. Make sure you are there when the vehicle is picked up and delivered so you can sign the bill of lading, the contract for the shipment. Depending on the route, transport of your vehicle can take two days to two weeks.