Tag: auto transport tips

photo of moving van for relocation services across country

How to Decide Whether to Relocate for Work

Written by Mike Rupers on December 20, 2022. Posted in Auto Transport Quote Calculator, Auto Transport Tips, Car Shipping Advice.

If your employer has asked you to relocate for work and you must move to a different part of the country, do you do it? Maybe it’s that promotion you’ve been working for years to earn. Perhaps your branch is being dissolved. And maybe this decision is an easy “yes,” but it most likely requires careful consideration. Weigh the job relocation questions below to allow yourself to feel confident it’s the right decision for you—and your family.

What’s the Financial Impact?

When considering a move of this magnitude, money always plays a role. Often, especially with a promotion, a relocation package is offered to ease the financial burden of the move. And sometimes, it’s enough. But there can be steep, often unforeseen costs with moving across the country. And yes, relocating because of a promotion usually also means a decent raise.

But how does the raise compare to the Cost of Living associated with the area you are moving to? For instance, if you are moving from a mid-size town in Indiana to Los Angeles, the cost of living in LA may be higher than your raise. In other words, your raise may be a little bit of a raise.

But salary and a relocation package aren’t the only pieces of financial compensation to consider. Your whole benefits package should be considered, including how much of your health or other insurance premiums will be paid by the company, if they will contribute to a retirement plan, or if bonuses, allowances, or other options will be paid.

Evaluate the totality of the financial package compared to the new area where you will live.

Is Relocating Feasible?

For many working adults, relocating is not feasible, regardless of the financial impact. Do you have a child in their final year or years of high school? What would that do to them? If you’re married and your spouse works, can they keep or easily replace their job? Do you have a family you’re looking after and taking care of in your current city? These factors may contribute to the overall feasibility of your relocation situation.

Consider your current obligations and the lives of those who matter most as you weigh your relocation offer.

Is Staying an Option?

As the world discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home is a natural and doable solution for many positions and companies. As you consider the reasons to relocate for work, learn if the job can be done from your current location.

Working remotely with virtual meetings is feasible. Or perhaps traveling regularly to connect in the new city is sufficient. Either of these options could save the company money upfront on the relocation package. And if moving isn’t feasible for the previously noted reasons, maybe remote working is a compromise to get you still that promotion you’ve worked tirelessly to achieve.

What Does the Move Mean for Your Career?

Does this relocation do for your career what you want it to? Don’t just consider the short-term promotion. Think if this puts you in the position you want to be in for what’s next. Is this the right stepping stone for your 5-year plan, 10-year goal, or retirement aspirations? If you aren’t sure if the job and city aren’t the right fit for your long-term objectives, you could end up with an exceptionally costly situation if you need to relocate again within a year or two of moving, especially if you buy a house or switch companies.

How Would Relocating Impact Your Family?

If you’re a parent considering a relocation, or you anticipate expanding your family to include children soon, check out the kid-friendliness of your new city and neighborhood as well as the schools. Not all schools and school systems are built alike. If possible, move to a community with an excellent public school system.

Consider renting a month-to-month place for the first few months in your new city, so if you do have to move across town, you can do so with minimal effort. Visit schools with your spouse and talk to parents in the area. You know your child best. Ask questions that pertain to what your child needs to thrive. And if public schools aren’t the right fit, seek out a private school with the right environment for your family.

Your raise may offset the perceived cost of tuition. And setting your child up with an excellent primary education could be a factor in setting them up for successful adulthood.

What’s the Housing Situation?

Where will you live when you relocate? Your new home is one of the most significant factors to consider when relocating. Assuming you could quickly sell your current house or leave your lease, you’ll need someplace to land. Will you buy or rent?

How far from work do you want to live? Do you enjoy a long commute with podcasts, audiobooks, or music? Or does sitting in traffic make your blood boil? Long commutes can cut into your weekly free time.

Likewise, excessive rent or mortgage payments can cripple you financially. Neighborhood safety, entertainment accessibility, and seasonal weather are all other factors to consider when assessing your potential living situation. You might have the best job in the world, but it may not be worth it if your home causes undue stress. That said, most cities across the country offer great living options for people from all walks of life. Do your research, and you’ll likely find something that fits your needs.

How Do I Relocate for Work to Another State?

You’ve carefully considered all the other questions and decided whether it is best to relocate for work. Congratulations! Now what? Relocating can be challenging, but you don’t have to tackle every step by yourself.

Hire movers to pack up your house, safely put it into a moving truck, drive it across the country, and safely drop it off in your new place. And if you received a relocation package, that’s what it’s for. If not, consider negotiating and ask your employer for moving expenses.

When moving, there’s one other big thing you should consider: your car. Some people are passionate about driving their vehicle to their new home city. But what happens if you have more vehicles than drivers? That is common if you choose to drive a moving van yourself.

You’re already hiring professionals to move your other possessions safely. Consider doing the same for your vehicle by hiring a trusted car shipping company. Your car is one of the most expensive things you own. Trust a highly-rated auto shipping company with your investment. For ideas on transporting your car, here are 10 Great Car Shipping Tips to get you started. And feel free to call Direct Express at 800-600-3750 with further questions as you prepare your relocation for work.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping quote calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available anywhere online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping estimates. The standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote, but it may take longer. Use it if you are patient. We recommend the expedited car shipping rate and have countless satisfied customers because the shipping process tends to go quicker.

Car and Truck Driving Tips In Winter

Written by Mike Rupers on December 19, 2022. Posted in Auto Transport Tips, Seasonal Fluctuations, Van Shipping Cost, Vehicle Shipping Cost.

These figures are alarming, particularly when you consider that 70% of America’s roads exist in places where the temperature regularly drops below freezing during the winter. Most drivers will have to drive on dangerous roads at some point each winter. Even drivers in Southern states where it rarely freezes may encounter snow and ice because of a freak storm or because they take a road trip north. Everybody needs to know the next car and truck driving tips in winter conditions.

No one should ever expect to drive in perfect conditions all the time. Likewise, everyone should know how to drive safely when there’s snow in the air, ice on the road, or fog on the horizon. Keep yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle safe by following these winter car and truck driving tips compiled by the transport experts at Direct Express Auto Transport:

Be Good To Your Tires

Your tires can make winter driving a lot easier or a lot harder. If possible, use tires specifically made for driving in snow and ice. They offer extra grip to keep you from sliding around the road. At the start of the winter season, inspect your tires for signs of wear and tear (or have a professional do it for you). That is a great time to replace old tires – even if you don’t replace them with special winter tires – and start the winter with something new. At the very least, watch your tire pressure – under-inflated tires don’t perform as well in slippery conditions.

Avoid Cruise Control

Cruise control can be a great feature, especially on a long drive, but it only makes driving more dangerous in the winter. You might encounter ice on the road or a sudden snow shower without warning. Or there could be an accident caused by winter weather or a traffic slowdown that appears out of nowhere. Winter travel requires dynamic driving in many cases. You need to slow down quickly and vary your speed all the time. For that reason, it’s safer to leave cruise control off and keep your foot on the gas or brakes.

Take the Essentials

Even with preparation and defensive driving, there’s no way to guarantee safe passage on winter roads. As the stats above demonstrated, accidents are more common in winter, and you could also end up stranded because of bad traffic or impassable roads. That’s why it’s essential to take some precautions before you leave the house for any extended winter drive.

Ensure your car has at least half of a gas tank so that fuel issues don’t leave you stranded in the cold. But don’t assume you won’t get stranded – pack a winter travel kit with essentials like blankets, food, water, flashlights, glass scrapers, windshield wiper fluid, warm clothes, and first aid supplies. You can keep a frustrating situation from getting worse (and more dangerous) by keeping this kit in your car throughout the winter months.

Go Slow

We mentioned earlier that driving on ice or snow requires dynamic control of your speed. In general, though, you always want to drive slower in wintery conditions, regardless of what the speed limit says. Go more gradually on the highways and residential streets. Follow this rule even if the roads appear clear and dry, especially if they have visible snow or ice on them. Preventing your car from slipping and sliding is always better than trying to correct these problems once they start.

Maintain More Distance

You want to go slow because it takes your car significantly longer to stop when the roads are slick. Even if you press hard on the brakes, your car can’t get enough traction to stop as fast as normal. Travel five to six seconds behind the car in front of you, especially in bad weather. That should give you enough time to stop if you suddenly see brake lights ahead of you. Extra stopping distance can also help you avoid hitting another car if you start slipping on the pavement. Try to give a wide berth to every other car on the road.

Accelerate Slowly

Too much gas too quickly can cause your tires to slip out on frozen roads. When the stoplight changes to green, apply the gas in a slow, steady manner, and don’t expect to come up to full speed as quickly as you usually would. The same goes if you have to reduce your pace on the highway – don’t hurry to speed up again because it could accidentally cause your tires to lose traction.

Correct Your Slide

If and when your tires start to slide in a way you didn’t expect, don’t panic. Take your foot off the accelerator, and resist slamming on the brakes. Instead, hover your foot over the brake pedal while turning the steering wheel toward the slide. Turning into the slide helps your tires regain traction, at which point you can apply brake pressure gently. Your driver’s instincts will want you to keep the car pointing in the direction of travel, but it puts you and other drivers at risk if you turn against the slide because you could completely lose control of the car. Remember, being in a minor traffic accident is better than a major one. Turning into the slide could mean the difference.

Don’t Overestimate Your Vehicle

You could drive a pickup or SUV with four-wheel drive, a crossover with all-wheel drive, or a make/model that promises superior traction control. These are all great features to have, and they can come in handy when driving in snow or navigating around patches of ice.

But they don’t make your vehicle immune to the hazards of driving in the winter. Anyone who’s gone through a winter storm before has probably seen large trucks on the side of the road. These and other vehicles that offer extra traction may be more capable in the snow or ice, but they’re not any better at coming to a stop quickly. The point is, no matter what you drive, drive carefully. How you go in the winter weather matters a lot more than what you drive.

An Alternative to Winter Driving

Just because you know how to drive in the snow doesn’t mean you want to. Even in the best of conditions, when the weather forecast and the roadways are clear, winter driving can sound less than appealing. It would be best to deal with a cold car cabin, dry air, salt everywhere, and extra stress on your car. There’s a reason most people take road trips in the spring or summer.

If you need to get your vehicle from one place to another – because you’re moving, going on an extended vacation, headed off to college, or getting a car to a friend, family member, or buyer – you don’t have to drive it there yourself. Car shipping is also an option. And in the winter, it’s often the better option.

When you ship a car, you arrange for a vehicle hauler to pick it up somewhere close to your location and load it onto the back of a vehicle trailer (or into an enclosed trailer for maximum safety). The professional driver then transports your vehicle to your destination – whether across the state or country – and drops it off wherever you want. You save time, your vehicle saves miles, and you don’t have to worry about driving on ice or snow.

If vehicle shipping sounds better than a winter-weather road trip, Direct Express Auto Transport makes it easy to arrange a pickup.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

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Cars Depreciate Faster Than You Think

Written by Mike Rupers on December 17, 2022. Posted in Auto Transport Tips, Auto Trends, Car Shipping Advice, Car Transport Calculator, Vehicle Information History.

Average Car Depreciation Rates After One Year

How much do cars depreciate when you drive them off the lot? You hear everybody talk about that, and you assume it must be so to some degree. But does anybody know, on average, just how much? Well, yes, Edmunds’ research pegs that the average car depreciation the minute you drive it off the lot reduces the True Market Value (TMV) to 91%. Wow! That is an expensive one-minute ride.

Why is that? How can a vehicle depreciate so much so quickly? It has to do with perception. Once the car is driven off the lot, others no longer perceive it as a new vehicle, and it instantly loses 9% of its actual market value on average. We are human beings, and not everything we do is rational, and this is one of them. Feelings are feelings. But some feelings are more expensive than others.

So the immediate 9% average depreciation rate of cars right off the lot should just about do it for that first year, right? Wrong! The average True Market Value continues to plummet in the first year to 81% at the end of it. Of course, mileage is a factor, and the fewer there are, the better. And different makes and models can have decidedly varying results. We are addressing the average vehicle in this report.

Average Vehicle Depreciation After Two Years

By the end of the second year, cars depreciate even faster. It speeds up and rests at 69% of the original sales price. So year two sees an additional 12% lost value. Another way to look at it, the average vehicle in year two loses 1% of its value every month. A buyer might be paying a $400 per month car loan for the right to lose another $400 per month of value. That is why most automobile experts counsel buyers to think of vehicles more as an expense rather than an asset.

Average Automobile Depreciation After Three Years

The three-year mark is most germane to our discussion. That’s because most vehicle leases expire after 36 months or three years. Those cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, minivans, etc., will most likely come on the used car market for resale in the three years. The news for sellers is not good. The average car depreciation at the end of three years returns a True Market Value of 58%.

That’s just the average. What models perform the worst after three years? The answer might surprise you. According to AutoTrader and iseecars, the cars that depreciate the most are the BMW 5 Series at 52.6%, followed closely by the Volkswagen Passat at 50.7%. Two more German models, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (49.9%) and BMW 3 Series (49.8%), are also big losers. Two American models, the Ford Taurus (49.7%) and Chrysler 200 (48.4%), also depreciate fast by losing half their value in only three years.

Let’s keep it coming because we are splitting hairs among the top ten car depreciation losers. Two more German models among the highest depreciating cars, the Volkswagen Jetta (48.1%) and Audi A3 (47.9%), are hardly any better. And then in 9th and 10th place are American models Cadillac SRX (47.2%) and Buick Enclave (46.8%) to finish off our list of cars to think twice about.

Notice there are no Japanese models among the fastest depreciating vehicles. The well-earned Japanese reputation for reliability holds up to scrutiny, and they retain their value far better than German and American vehicles. German cars, in particular, can be costly for maintenance and repair.

Average Car Depreciation After Four Years

At the end of four years, the average vehicle depreciation rates fell to a True Market Value of 49%. That means the average vehicle has lost half of its value after four years. Good to know, right? If you think about it, those mentioned German and American cars accomplished the same trick in a swift three years.

Average Auto Depreciation After Five Years

Five years down the road, both literally and figuratively, the average depreciation of cars fell to a True Market Value of 40%. Do you notice a pattern? Every year the average vehicle depreciates roughly 10%. That trend doesn’t stop, folks. By the tenth year, the average car is almost worthless.

Of course, you can always sell the average vehicle for something after ten years. But truth be told, it isn’t much, and it’s always buyer beware.

Cars That Depreciate The Least

The cars with the lowest depreciation rates might surprise you. We’re very proud to say that according to iseecars.com, the two best vehicles that depreciated the least in 2018 are the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Jeep Wrangler, tied at only 27% after five years! The Jeep Wrangler rocks! The only other vehicle that approaches the Jeep Wrangler is the Toyota Tacoma at an impressive 29.5%.

Rounding out the list of the best ten vehicles with the lowest depreciation in order:

Toyota Tundra 37.1%

Nissan Frontier 37.8%

Toyota 4Runner 38.1%

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 39.7%

GMC Sierra 1500 39.9%

Subaru Impreza 42.3%

Ram Ram Pickup Truck 1500 42.7%

How To Slow Down Your Car Depreciation Rate

As you can see, cars depreciate quickly starting the minute you drive them off the lot. You can’t stop this from happening, but you can slow it down. How? By taking great care of your car and being proactive about avoiding unnecessary use and abuse.

For starters, stay on top of scheduled service and maintenance. Your manual will outline what kind of service (oil changes, brake pad replacements, etc.) your make/model needs and on what schedule. You can also get this info online or through a dealership. As much as possible, get a qualified mechanic to perform this work on schedule even if your car doesn’t seem to need it. Your car depreciation rate goes a lot less quickly when old parts and dirty fluid gets swapped out for something new.

You should also monitor your car for signs that it’s not looking or performing as well as it used to. Notice if the gas mileage starts to decline, the engine makes strange sounds or any of the features start to malfunction. The sooner you address the issues, the better – you will usually save money on the parts/repairs and cause less depreciation to your car.

Be vigilant about the interior and exterior too. Wash the outside and vacuum the inside to keep the car from showing its age. A little care and attention applied regularly can keep your vehicle looking and driving like new (and retaining more of its value) after years of being on the road.

Still, the odometer doesn’t lie.

The more miles a vehicle drives, the more it depreciates, even if the owner keeps it in excellent condition. So how do you keep miles off the odometer without keeping your vehicle in the garage where it may not depreciate, but it’s not doing you much good either? You ship your car instead of driving it.

Whenever you need to get a car from point A to point B, whether a few hundred miles or from one coast to the other, consider shipping it instead of driving it. It rides safely on the back of a vehicle trailer instead of being subjected to harsh roadway conditions that accelerate car depreciation rates, not to mention the fact that you get to avoid hours and hours of driving and all the costs, hassles, and dangers that come with it.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

Purchasing the Right Tires for Your Car

Written by Mike Rupers on December 16, 2022. Posted in Auto Transport Tips, Auto Trends, Car Safety, Car Shipping Advice, Car Shipping Cost Calculator.

Your tires are literally where “the rubber meets the road.” The tires you ride on affect the quality of the drive, the safety of everyone in the vehicle, the gas mileage of the engine, and even the exterior’s aesthetics. To call them essential is an understatement. Purchasing the right tires for your car is critical to be safe on the road.

Tires also go through more use and abuse than most parts of a car. Every mile leaves them worse for the wear. Eventually, the features of the tire that made it attractive in the first place started to become a liability. The tread begins to wear down, compromising the driving experience and giving you less grip on the road. Anywhere the rubber becomes thin makes flat tires a risk as well. Important as tires may be, they become a liability after a certain point, so you need to monitor your tires for signs of age and damage and replace them as soon as issues appear.

This is your guide to make sure you purchase the right tires before your current tires give out.

How Long Do Tires Last?

The short answer is around six years or 50,000 miles of travel. Past that point, tires become less reliable, and any tires older than ten years need immediate replacement. The longer but more accurate answer to the question of how long tires last is that it depends on how you drive.

Harsh driving such as accelerating quickly and breaking suddenly – will wear your tires down faster. So will exposure to severe weather, including extreme heat and sand or cold and ice. If you infrequently drive, sitting idle in the same spot could create weak points in the tires, likewise, for driving on rough terrain, even for a short period.

The make and model of the car play a role, along with the make and model of the tires themselves. For all these reasons, it’s hard to make universal statements about how long tires last – some will last longer than six years, and others will need replacement much sooner.

Instead of relying on a schedule to tell you when to replace your tires, track their condition yourself. Notice if your car feels or drives differently – tire issues could be to blame. Take the time to inspect the tires as well visibly. Watch for evidence that they’re losing air faster than expected.

Most important, check the amount of tread remaining. Here’s a simple test: place a penny with Lincoln’s head facing down into the treads of a tire. If you can see the top of his head, it’s because there’s minimal tread left to cover the penny. It would be best if you had new tires.

Purchasing the right tires – What do I need?

That question has two answers. One, you need the kind of tires recommended for your vehicle by the manufacturer. That means you need the correct tire size to fit your car. In the next section, we will cover how to ensure you get the right size.

The second answer to the kind of tires I need is whatever kind offers the performance you want. The tire market is full of options that will fit your vehicle. Some offer sporty performance, others upgrade your handling on slick roads, and the tires look cool. It’s up to you to decide what you want – and essential to spend some time on the decision.

Most people choose tires based on cost or replace them with whatever they had before. But as we outlined earlier, your tires significantly impact your overall driving experience for good or bad. It’s worthwhile to spend some time (and possibly some money) to get tires that suit your real-world driving needs.

How to Choose The Right Tire Size

Picking the right size tire is an essential part of the replacement process. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy. Even effortless. You should go to a mechanic or tire shop to purchase and mount your new tires. They can look up precisely what size tires your make and model needs. You could also look in your owner’s manual.

One final place to look is on the tire itself. At several places on the side of the tire, you will find a number that looks something like “255/60 R16.” The figures might be different, but they will look much the same. They indicate the tire size if you need to reference your current size. Leave it up to a professional to tell you how to choose tire size.

How to Avoid Premature Tire Replacement

Tires are expensive, and getting them replaced is a hassle. Purchasing the right tires for your car is a high priority. It’s the kind of automotive maintenance you want to put off for as long as possible. Understandable. Give yourself as much time as possible by keeping your current tires in good condition. With a few strategic steps, you can avoid unnecessary wear and tear and prevent common types of damage. Here are some tips:

Watch Your Tire Pressure – Underinflated tires can throw off your handling, reduce your gas mileage, and cause extra wear to the surface of the rubber. Check the air pressure in your tires once a month, and visually inspect the tires regularly to see if they look flat. Check the side of your tire to learn the correct PSI to inflate to.
Get Your Tires Rotated – Your four tires will not wear evenly – some wear faster than others. Keep that from leading to a tire failure by rotating your tires every 5,000 miles. Some people get their tires rotated every time they have their oil changed.
Have the Wheels Balanced – An unbalanced wheel (where the heavy spot of the wheel isn’t balanced correctly) can also lead to uneven, unnecessary wear on the tires. The best policy is to have your wheels balanced by a mechanic every time you have them rotated.
Fix Any Alignment Issues – Your car is out of alignment when the wheels toe in or out rather than riding in a straight line. Alignment issues can make your vehicle pull to one side and cause rapid wear on your tires. If you notice an alignment issue, get your car to a mechanic soon. Otherwise, have a mechanic check the alignment every six months.
Keep Your Car Off the Road – Long road trips are challenging on your tires. Instead of subtracting hundreds or thousands of miles from the life of the tires (and spending hours or days of your time behind the wheel), consider auto shipping instead. Your car, truck, van, SUV, or collector auto rides on the back of a vehicle trailer or inside an enclosed trailer. It moves between any points in the continental US without putting your tires through the stress of travel, not to mention the work it spares your engine and every other aspect of the auto.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping quote calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available anywhere online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping estimates. The standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote, but it may take longer. Use it if you are patient. The expedited car shipping rate is our most recommended, and we have countless satisfied customers because the shipping process tends to go quicker. The rush rate is our highest level of car shipping service, and we have many customers who are glad they went with that method.

photo of Man leaning on a SUV before car shipping

What to Know About SUV Shipping

Written by Mike Rupers on December 15, 2022. Posted in Auto Transport Tips, Car Shipping Cost Calculator, SUV Shipping.

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are great options for lots of people. Whether you need extra cargo space, towing capacity without a pickup truck, or hauling your most precious cargo: kids, friends, and family. An SUV could fit the bill. But regardless of what you use it for, if you need to ship an SUV, there are a few things you need to know. As shipping experts, Direct Express Auto Transport will help you understand the differences between shipping SUVs versus sedans and even the unique issues depending on the size of your SUV.

Cost of SUV Shipping

The cost of shipping an SUV is typically more expensive than a sedan and for a few legitimately good reasons. Most big auto transporters carry anywhere between six to ten standard sedans. SUVs are larger in almost every dimension. They are taller than sedans, wider, and longer. The most critical statistical difference between SUVs and sedans is the weight.

An average SUV is usually much heavier than a small sedan. There are two primary reasons weight is a significant factor in car shipping costs. First, transporters are subject to weight limits. In other words, even an SUV that is small in dimension but weighs more reduces the number of different vehicles allowed on that transport.

Secondly, heavier vehicles require more fuel to power the transport truck itself. SUVs mean lower fuel economy for the transporter. The carrier can move fewer vehicles on that route by taking up more space or weight on the transport. So they must charge SUVs more to make up for the lost revenue of being unable to transport additional vehicles.

Thankfully, you’ll be asked for your vehicle’s year, make, and model before you receive a quote. That means compact SUVs such as a Honda CRV, a midsize Ford Explorer, and a full-size Chevy Suburban are all priced differently. Carriers understand that not all SUVs are created equal, and they’ll price fairly according to size. But please don’t misrepresent your vehicle (saying you have an Explorer when you have an Excursion.) Your carrier may only have the capacity or even the proper equipment to transport your larger vehicle if you are upfront with what you need to ship. You’ll only end up costing yourself more time, money, and headaches.

How Long Does it Take to Transport an SUV

How long it takes to ship an SUV varies depending on how far you’re shipping it, where it’s starting, and the final destination. Sure, these are the same factors for a sedan. But there’s one more hitch with an SUV. Because it is more significant than a sedan, it may take longer to be assigned to a carrier. Some carriers need help moving larger vehicles. Still, other transporters have almost-full loads already booked and can only accommodate additional cars of a standard sedan size. Keep this in mind when preparing to ship your SUV and plan a little further in advance or have some extra grace and patience.

Open v. Closed SUV Shipping

One of the primary decisions you must make when transporting your vehicle is whether to use an open or closed transport. And for the most part, we recommend reserving enclosed transport for classic or costly cars valued at or over $100,000.

But when you’re talking about an SUV, it takes less time to approach that value, especially if you have a luxury SUV such as a Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac Escalade, or Porsche Cayenne. Enclosed transport may be the way to go, mainly since fewer sedans are transported in this manner (about 3%.)

When buying an SUV from across the country or transporting it for a move, our friendly customer service reps at Direct Express can help you find the right solution from your starting city to the destination. Call 800-600-3750 or use our easy online tools to get your quote or book your transport.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

Direct Express Auto Transport photo of Customer Service Staff woman

Tips for Car Storage

Written by Mike Rupers on December 15, 2022. Posted in Auto Transport Tips, Car Safety, Car Shipping Advice, Car Shipping Cost Calculator.

In the US, there are around 273 million registered vehicles but only 227 million licensed drivers. Quick arithmetic shows there are 46 million more vehicles than drivers. Some surplus autos sit in a garage, driveway, or street. But for many people, keeping extra cars on or around their property isn’t possible or desirable. Car storage exists for those people.

Long-term car storage may be the best option if you have a car, truck, van, SUV, or collector car you need a better place for it. Private storage sites across the country cater to every kind of vehicle and vehicle owner. Plus, the cost of storing a car might be less than you think, especially when you compare it to the cost of the alternatives.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the advantages of vehicle storage for those who have yet to try it. Then, we will go over some tips for storing a car that ensures whatever you drive stays in optimal condition while in storage.

Why Savvy Drivers Choose Car Storage

Why do millions of drivers across America rely on auto storage? Plenty of reasons:

Protect Your Favorite Car – If you drive something rare, exotic, luxurious, or otherwise valuable, you want to protect your investment in one of your favorite possessions. Cars parked outside will show the abuse of being exposed to the elements. Even a car parked in a garage under a tarp will age faster than it needs to. The best way to defend your ride against age, abuse, and unnecessary risk is to store it away. You don’t need a “special” car, either. Any vehicle will drive stronger for longer when kept in auto storage rather than elsewhere.
Access Ample Amounts of Space – You can store one model in a car storage facility or hold a dozen, making it easy to access as much space as your car collection requires. Plus, for every vehicle you put in storage, you free up space in your garage or driveway.
Rely on Auto Storage Specialists – Indoor storage facilities go to great lengths to ensure that the conditions inside remain within the perfect range for long-term preservation. There are even facilities built exclusively for storing vehicles. Many of these facilities have auto storage specialists who will perform the necessary maintenance to keep your vehicle in the best condition possible.
Access Climate-Controlled Units – Extreme heat and cold can degrade materials inside an automobile, both cosmetic and mechanical components. Many car storage businesses offer climate-controlled units to keep cars at the ideal temperature year-round. They also have redundant and backup systems to control the climate even when the power goes out, or the AC needs a fix.
Benefit from Extra Amenities – Depending on where you go for auto storage, the facility may offer extra amenities that will appeal to automotive enthusiasts: things like car detailing services, appraisals, and specialized mechanic assistance.
Keep Your Car Roadworthy – Some people store collector cars they never intend to drive, but more people store cars they LOVE to operate, and in other cases, cars they depend on to handle extreme weather or rough terrain. If you must always keep your vehicle in road-worthy condition, auto storage is the best place.
Meet Like-Minded Enthusiasts – Car storage facilities tend to attract people who love cars. If you count yourself in that category, expect to meet people who share your passion once you start storing your vehicle. Some facilities even cultivate the local enthusiast community by organizing events or offering free drinks to members who hang around the facility.

How to Store a Car the Properly

You may have one or more collector cars you want to keep in perfect condition. You may have more vehicles than space and don’t want to sell something. In these and many other cases, auto storage looks like the best option, whether for just a few months or a few years. However, if preservation is your priority, learn how to store a car so that it undergoes the least amount of wear, tear, stress, and strain possible:

Top Off the Tank – Park the car with as much gas as possible in the tank. That serves two purposes. First, metal surfaces inside the gas tank can rust when exposed to air. Second, the more gas you have, the farther you can go when you pull away from the storage facility. Make a point to top off the tank on your drive to the car storage facility.
Add New Oil – Used engine oil contains particulates and impurities that could cause damage if allowed to sit inside the engine for too long. Change the oil and oil filter soon before putting the car into storage. That has the added benefit of preparing your vehicle to take a drive of any length when you pick it up from the warehouse.
Wash and Wax the Exterior – There has never been a more critical time to pamper the vehicle’s exterior. Dirt, grease, and grime left to sit on paint or metal parts for months into years will lead to damage and premature corrosion. A thorough washing gets these impurities off. Following with a wax job creates a layer of protection between your paint job and the outside elements.
Clean and Dust the Interior – Dirt can have the same effect on the interior as the exterior. After emptying the interior, vacuum the upholstery and wipe down the surfaces to remove as much dust as possible. If you have leather upholstery, you may want to apply a protectant product.
Plug Up the Tailpipe – Plugging up the tailpipe prevents moisture and critters from getting into the pipe and causing damage. This tip applies more to vehicles stored outside or in a typical garage rather than inside a car storage facility. Regardless, it’s an innovative, simple step to protect your car.
Avoid the Parking Brake – Leaving your parking brake engaged for months or years can damage the components. You will have a flat surface to park your car on inside a vehicle storage building. However, it’s still good practice to put blocks of wood or wheel chocks behind your back tires.
Park on a Plastic Sheet – This tip serves a few purposes. First, if you park on a sheet, you notice any fluids leaking out of your car so that you can address the issues before heading out on a long drive. You also keep those drips from staining the floor of the car storage facility and keep any oil already on the floor from damaging your wheels.

Final Tip – Find a Car Shipping Company

If you have a car in auto storage, it stands to reason that you have something else to drive daily. Having multiple driving options is much fun, but it can create hassles when trying to get the right vehicle to the right place.

Let’s say you want to get a collector car in storage in another part of the country where you plan to spend time for vacation, work, or to move permanently. You don’t take cars you’re trying to preserve on the coast-to-coast road trips, and you would prefer to travel in your daily driver or even a plane. When you need to get a vehicle from Point A to Point B and don’t want to drive it yourself, rely on car shipping services instead.

Vehicle haulers traversing the country all the time can pick your vehicle up and move it anywhere in the lower 48 states without putting miles on the odometer or wear on the engine. Plus, you don’t have to do the driving – a professional handles it instead. The combination of car storage and car transport lets you drive what you need or want wherever you spend time.

Another reason they’re a great pair is that vehicle storage keeps cars in excellent running order, saving you money on auto transport.

Transporters will charge an extra few hundred dollars if a vehicle won’t start and they have to manually load it onto a vehicle trailer or into an enclosed trailer. Keeping a car in car storage and following the tips outlined above makes it far more likely to start strong and drive when it’s time for transport.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

Everything That Can Go Wrong When Someone Drives Your Car Across Country

Written by Mike Rupers on December 15, 2022. Posted in Auto Transport Tips, Car Safety, Car Shipping Advice, Car Shipping Cost Calculator.

When was the last time you let a stranger drive your car? It’s probably been a while, if ever. And when you last allowed someone unfamiliar behind the wheel of your car, it was perhaps a valet, mechanic, or auto detailer – someone who drove it very briefly. Most people are very protective of the car they drive – whether it’s a make and model they love or something they spent significant money on – and hand over the keys only when there’s no other option. What could go wrong when someone drives your car across the country?

That caution makes perfect sense. So why does it go out the window when a car needs to get across the country? Usually, you wouldn’t let a stranger drive your car across town, even with you sitting in the passenger seat. But suddenly, you’re willing to let a stranger move it hundreds or thousands of miles solo? That takes a tremendous amount of trust, yet drivers do it all the time.

Faced with the prospect of a daunting, days-long road trip, they put their faith in a random driver instead. Not surprisingly, a lot can (and does) go wrong.

Perhaps even more than you realize. To help you understand the risk – to yourself and your vehicle – of letting someone drive your car any long distance, we created a comprehensive list of possible problems. Consider what can happen, then ask yourself – is this the best way to get your vehicle across the country?

Stolen Vehicle

How do you know the person you’re giving you keys to won’t drive off and disappear? Stolen vehicles are rare but not unheard of. And while the internet makes it easier to find drivers willing to drive cars across the country, it also increases the risk of scams. After all, a fake website run by a criminal gang looks no different than a legitimate website. How do you know you’re hiring someone you can trust?

Granted, you can run a background check on a potential driver and photocopy their driver’s license. But even with these precautions, you’re taking a big gamble by putting all your faith in a stranger. That is a considerable concern for people with an exotic, collector, or much-loved cars that they can’t bear to part with.

Wrecked Vehicle

A road is a dangerous place. Even the most experienced, cautious, or defensive drivers get into accidents. Sometimes it’s out of the driver’s control and unavoidable. People driving cars across the country do everything possible to avoid accidents. That said, some people drive less cautiously in a vehicle that belongs to someone else than they would in their car.

Like theft, the risk of an accident is remote, but it’s not irrelevant either, especially since you’re probably not going to put a driver, you hire through a driving test. Accidents can take the form of minor fender benders or complete vehicle destruction. Either way, it’s incredibly inconvenient because now you have to deal with whatever it takes to get the vehicle home.

Unnecessary Wear and Tear

When you hire a driver for a long-distance trip, they will claim to be a safe and responsible driver in all cases. But unless you’re in the cabin with them, you have no idea if they’re gunning the gas, slamming on the brakes, or putting stress on the transmission. There are many ways to drive a car the wrong way – causing it unnecessary wear, tear, damage, and age. You might pick your vehicle up and think it looks fine. Then you start driving it again and discover that it has strange sounds, a stern drive, poor stopping distance, lousy gas mileage, or a host of other problems it didn’t have before.

Hidden Costs

When you arrange a car driving service, you negotiate a rate beforehand. You will need to pay for gas and the driver for their time. Sometimes, you must pay for food and lodging along the way. There can also be hidden costs if the trip takes longer than anticipated or unexpected costs/issues arise.

You may have decided to hire a car driving service because you thought this was an economical option, especially once you factor in the value of the time you saved by not driving. Once you receive the final bill, you discover it wasn’t such a great value. That doesn’t happen often, and understanding your agreement with the driver can prevent it.

Nonetheless, it’s a risk that’s caused more than one person a bad case of buyer’s remorse.

Disputes

As we have made quite clear by now, much can go wrong between when you hand your vehicle off and when it gets picked up. It may not be in the condition you expected. It could arrive later than you anticipated, or the driver could demand more money because of unforeseen issues. It’s not unheard of (or even particularly rare) for disputes to arise when you hire a driver for long-distance travel. These disputes can get ugly too. You hired a driver because you thought it would be an easy alternative to driving yourself. Then it turned into a contentious fight that could drag out and waste time and money. Are you willing to take that risk?

Unknowns

Who knows what will happen to your vehicle over hundreds of miles on the road with a stranger behind the wheel? There are countless X factors to consider. And while most of them are remote – eg. what if the vehicle gets stolen by someone who isn’t the driver? Will you need to pay the driver for their return travel? – anything is possible. The amount of unknowns you have to accept when you let someone else sit in the driver’s seat makes this option seem less appealing for some people.

The Best Option for Car Shipping

Keep in mind that there are two ways to ship a car. You can hire a driver and accept all the risks outlined above. Or you can avoid or minimize those risks by hiring a vehicle hauler instead.

What’s the difference between a driver and a hauler? A driver pilots your vehicle just like you would. A hauler drives a vehicle trailer (either open-air or enclosed) loaded with multiple vehicles, including yours. You’ve probably seen these trailers on the highway before. You’re hiring a driver to handle your car in either scenario, but that’s where the similarities end.

Vehicles are much safer – from accidents, damage, theft, and harsh driving – when they ride on (or in) a trailer. The car isn’t accumulating miles or getting exposed to roadway hazards. Plus, unlike car driving services which often hire retirees, nomads, and car lovers, a car shipping company will only hire professional drivers to haul vehicles – drivers with training, credentials, and a proven track record for safety. Your car is in much better hands with one of these professionals than a gig-seeker.

On the one hand, car shipping works very similarly to a driver: you hire someone, arrange a pickup in one place and await a drop off in another.

On the other hand, treating your car like something to ship rather than something that must be driven takes away all the challenges of vehicle logistics. Professional haulers know the fastest, safest, most efficient way to get your vehicle exactly where you want it to go. Plus, they don’t have to sit in your car seats, mess with your mirrors, or play with the radio along the way. For most drivers, it’s obvious which is the better option.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

photo of a man Maintain your car change the tires

How to Maintain Your Car’s Drivability

Written by Mike Rupers on December 13, 2022. Posted in Auto Transport Tips, Auto Trends, Car Safety, Vehicle Shipping Cost.

How long do today’s cars last? According to Consumer Reports, only around eight years or 150,000 miles on average. That’s a little short, considering how much you spend on a car and how much you depend on it daily. You need to maintain your car’s drivability.

Fortunately, you can make a model last much longer than average with some proactive steps. Addressing issues early, before they leave you stranded on the side of the road, can extend the lifespan of anything you drive and help you get the most from your investment. No matter what make or model you depend on, use these car maintenance tips to prolong drivability:

Read Your Owner’s Manual

That is the first item on the list because it’s the most important and neglected. Your owner’s manual gives you a roadmap for keeping your car running. It likely has a schedule showing you what kinds of preventative maintenance it needs and when. The manual will also supply advice from the manufacturer about what you can and can’t do with your vehicle – e.g., put on snow tires or use different kinds of motor oil.

Since this advice comes directly from the manufacturer, it’s the best information available about the needs of your specific model and model year. Those needs are sometimes obscure, too. Some autos have specific but unexpected requirements that could eventually affect their longevity if neglected. Your owner’s manual might not offer a thrilling read, but it can put you in much better touch with your vehicle, which is a prerequisite for keeping it running smoothly.

Obsess Over the Tires

Of all the things on your car that require monitoring and maintenance, your tires are arguably the most important. They’re where the rubber meets the road – a saying highlighting how essential tires are and how much wear and tear they get subjected to. Maintain your car’s drivability by keeping your tires rotated.

Long miles could cause the tires to lose air pressure, which throws off the vehicle steering and reduces fuel efficiency. Aging tires are also at risk of bursting, which is highly annoying at best and extremely dangerous at worst. You can prevent these issues by checking your tire pressure regularly and inflating your tires to the level the manufacturer recommends (printed on the side of the tire).

Rotating your tires is also essential, ideally with every oil change. Most important, though, is replacing your tires once they reach thresholds for age, miles traveled, or visible signs of wear. Traveling with worn-out tires is a significant safety hazard that puts you, your passengers, and your ride at risk.

Always Change the Oil

Ask an expert how to maintain your car engine, and he will probably tell you to change the oil. Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. It lubricates all the moving parts inside the machine. When oil becomes dirty and sludgy or the oil level drops too low, it can cause engine parts to seize up, overheat, and fail in countless different ways. You ignore your oil at your peril.

Conventional wisdom says you should change your oil every three months or after every 3,000 miles of travel. Some manufacturers acknowledge you can wait longer than that, but it’s better to be overly cautious about your oil. Getting it changed on a regular schedule ensures it never becomes a problem. This routine also gets your car in front of a trained technician every few months, which is extremely helpful for spotting mechanical issues early.

Whether it’s a dealership, a local mechanic, a big-chain lube shop, or your driveway, find a place you feel comfortable changing your oil and commit to doing it often.

Replace Parts Early and Often

In addition to your tires and oil, many other parts of your car need replacement during its lifetime: wiper blades, brakes, timing belt, air filter, engine coolant, transmission fluid, battery, and so on. For all of these elements, find out their expected lifespan and plan to replace them close to their projected failure date.

True, you may end up replacing a part that still has life in it or flushing away some fluids that could have gone for hundreds more miles. But this solution – replacing things before they fail – is always cheaper than the alternative in the long run. Why? Because it costs less to replace a part that still works than to repair a vehicle where that same part has failed – and possibly damaged other components, led to an accident, or required fees for tow trucks and emergency mechanic services.

If you’re serious about how to maintain your car, make a multi-year calendar outlining every part, fluid, or component you will replace. When done consistently, staying ahead of car maintenance can keep your car running indefinitely – for as many years or miles as you still enjoy driving it.

Drive Differently

When people think of how to maintain a car, they focus a lot more on the car’s performance than their performance behind the wheel. But it’s undeniable that how you drive impacts the health and well-being of what you drive. For example, if you frequently brake hard, your brakes will wear out faster, along with your tires; if you don’t slow down when you go over speed bumps, you may damage the undercarriage of the vehicle; if you drive recklessly in rain or snow, the chances of an accident go up significantly.

Driving conscientiously at all times can help you avoid taking unnecessary risks or putting unwanted stress and strain on your car. Changing your driving habits costs you nothing – a completely free method that could save you thousands in car maintenance.

Drive Less

It might sound evident on a list of car maintenance tips that you can maintain the drivability of your vehicle by simply driving it less. But many people need to pay more attention to how much unnecessary driving they engage in yearly. Sometimes you want to drive or need to drive. However, occasionally you log hundreds or thousands of miles behind the wheel when there are viable (and often superior) alternatives to driving.

Auto transport, for instance. Imagine getting a vehicle from one side of the country to the other. You could commit to a coast-to-coast road trip, eating up days of your time and putting thousands of miles on your odometer. Or you could ship the car, in which case it rides on the back of a car transport trailer driven by a professional (instead of you).

Other ways to drive less and maintain your car include biking or using public transport instead of driving around town, consolidating more of your errands into one trip, or having more things delivered to your home. You can keep your vehicle around for longer simply by giving it a break occasionally.

Direct Express Auto Transport – Maintain Your Car’s Drivability

It would be best if you had a ton of time, tools, and automotive expertise to maintain a car entirely on your own. You’re going to need some help along the way. That means working with a mechanic who can perform routine maintenance or automotive repairs if something unexpected breaks down. It also might mean working with a vehicle transporter.

People ship cars for many different reasons: to a winter home, for work, for school, to a buyer, etc. Anytime it’s impossible, inconvenient, or just unwanted to make a drive yourself, auto haulers are willing to make the drive for you and spare your car, truck, or SUV extensive wear and tear in the process.

When you need to find a vehicle hauler, rely on Direct Express Auto Transport. We created the first online car shipping quote calculator. We connect with auto transporters across the country who are traveling through your location en route to the destination where you want to send your vehicle(s). It’s surprisingly easy for you.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

Is Owning an Electric Car Worth It?

Written by Mike Rupers on December 12, 2022. Posted in Auto Trends, Car Safety, Car Shipping Advice, Car Shipping Cost Calculator.

Electric cars are everywhere. In 2010, there were only about 17,000 electric cars in operation worldwide. By 2019, that number had exploded to 7.2 million; in the same year, 2.1 million more electric vehicles reached the roads. By all estimates, electric car sales will only climb faster and steeper in the coming years as these gasoline-free cars become widespread.

Now that eclectic cars are starting to look much more viable and appealing than they did just a decade ago, many people are asking – is owning an electric vehicle worth it? Before people leap electric, they want to know if the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Most of all, they want to know if now is the time to go electric or whether purchasing one (or two) more gas cars before trying something new is wiser.

There are only so many definitive answers to these questions. A lot depends on where you live and your lifestyle, especially in terms of transportation. Ultimately, everyone decides whether an electric car is worth it sooner rather than later. Before you make up your mind, consider electric cars’ advantages and disadvantages.

Advantage – Good for the Environment

The emissions from the tailpipe of a gas-powered car contribute to several environmental problems, including air pollution and climate change. Fuel-efficiency standards have been improving consistently because of a widespread acknowledgment that the more fuel we use, the more harm we do to the environment. Since electric cars don’t emit anything out of the tailpipe, they don’t pollute the air or put greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. They’re considered “clean cars.”

Driving an electric car not only helps you lower your carbon footprint and do your part to make the world more sustainable. Seeing your car on the road also helps to “normalize” the idea of electric cars and help more people feel comfortable buying them – helping to get more gas guzzlers off the streets in less time.

Disadvantage – Limited Range

The distance an eclectic vehicle can travel on a full battery (known as the range) varies by make and model. For some, it’s close to 400 miles, but for others, it’s more relative to 200 miles or less.

The range of electric cars is increasing all the time, but in all cases, it’s more limited than a gas-powered vehicle. You can go forever with gas owing to the widespread availability of gas stations. But there are still relatively few electronic charging stations (about 20,000 nationwide), making it hard to plan on finding one when the electric battery begins to run low.

People who want to drive long distances should consider whether electric power can realistically meet their automotive needs. One way to expand the range is to rely on auto transport. An electric vehicle can travel any distance you want on the back of an auto trailer, making it easy to get yours from one part of the country to another without worrying about battery life.

Advantage – Cheaper to Operate

Gas is expensive. The average driver spends over $1,000 a year on it. For people who drive a lot or own a truck or SUV that uses more gas, the figure can be much higher. Compare that to the average electric vehicle, which costs less than $500 a year to keep charged up. Estimates suggest an eclectic car costs anywhere from one-half to two-thirds as much as a gas-powered vehicle.

Electricity prices also tend to be more consistent than petroleum prices. Anyone eager to cut their fuel budget by a lot can skip the pump entirely (and all the impulse buys that go along with it) by owning an electric vehicle.

Disadvantage – Time to Recharge

Advantage – Good for the Environment

Disadvantage – Limited Range

Advantage – Cheaper to Operate

Disadvantage – Time to Recharge

Filling up a gas tank takes five minutes at most. Recharging the battery on an electric car takes 3 hours at best. Some take as much as twenty hours to reach a full charge, and while you don’t need to recharge completely every time, you limit your range further by leaving home without a full battery. Automakers are working hard to reduce charging times.

Homeowners can also install “fast-charging” stations to power up the batteries as fast as possible. But even under the best conditions, electric cars take significantly longer to recharge than gas cars take to refuel and will for some time to come. Most people aren’t used to being patient when it comes to driving. They grab their keys and hit the road whenever they please. Electric cars require a little more planning and preparation and can leave you stranded at home until your battery charges enough to reach your destination and get you back.

Advantage – Fewer Maintenance Needs

Compared to gas-powered engines, designs that run on electric power have fewer moving parts, produce less heat, and get less dirty. That’s why electric vehicles typically need significantly less maintenance than their counterparts. For example, you never need to get an oil change again, and you can expect your brake pads to last substantially longer. Auto maintenance can be costly and inconvenient, making electric vehicles look more affordable and attractive overall.

Disadvantage – Pay More Upfront

Electric cars cost more than models with similar dimensions, performance ratings, and feature packages because of what’s under the hood. Batteries and electric motors are getting more affordable to produce, but for now, they inflate the price of electric vehicles, which in most cases cost $30,000 and upwards.

Tax credits worth up to $7,500 can offset some of that cost. So can the lower cost of ownership, thanks to cheap power and maintenance. Regardless, expect to see a higher sticker price for electric cars and pay a premium for owning one.

Advantage – Travel in Peace

One of the first things you notice behind the wheel of an electric auto is that they’re nearly silent in all driving conditions. It takes a minute to adjust to the fact that you can’t hear the engine revving up and down – but few people miss the noise compared to the peaceful quiet of an electric car. Instead of listening to the machine, you can focus on conversation, music, an audiobook, or your thoughts.

Disadvantage – Small Selection

The lineup of electric cars has expanded in recent years and promises to multiply in the coming years. Currently, however, there are far fewer electric makes and models. Auto buyers are limited in size, style, features, and performance. They may have to select something they like but don’t love it. If you can’t find an option you prefer near you, expand your search nationwide and rely on easy auto transport to get your vehicle from the seller’s location to yours.

Advantage – Commute Faster

Electric vehicles are permitted to travel in “carpool” lanes even with only one person in the car. If you have carpool lanes along your route to work (or anywhere) and currently can’t take advantage of them, consider how much time you can save. States and cities eager to control air pollution are excited to get more electric cars on the roads. Allowing them to drive in carpool lanes and offering tax credits are two examples of how electric-car drivers enjoy special privileges – and there may be more in the works.

Direct Express Auto Transport – Find Electric Vehicles Nationwide

Are electric cars worth it? If you answered yes, your perfect model might be somewhere other than a local dealership. It could be sitting on the other side of the country – offering the performance, features, style, and price you want too far away to reach. Fortunately, availability isn’t one of the disadvantages of electric cars.

Wherever you find something you like, rely on Direct Express Auto Transport to get it to you. We can also help you to ship a car that you sell to a buyer elsewhere or haul your electric vehicle to your new home after a relocation or to a vacation spot where you spend the winters.

Anytime, for any reason, we are here to connect you with vehicle haulers crisscrossing the country in every direction.

Find one to haul your electric car (or any auto) with our car shipping quote calculator. Select the best option for your budget and schedule. We have spent years refining this process to be as simple, fast, and straightforward as possible.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

How to Properly Jump Start a Car

Written by Mike Rupers on December 11, 2022. Posted in Car Safety, Car Shipping Advice, Vehicle Shipping Cost.

It happens to everybody at some point. Your car battery is dead and needs an emergency jump start. The leading cause of drained car batteries is the vehicle sitting idle for too long.

Luckily, the solution is simple: jump-start the battery. This process is unfamiliar to some and intimidating to others, but rest assured that it’s easy and safe. Rely on this comprehensive guide to highlight everything you need to know about how to jump-start a car.

Signs You Need to Jump-Start Your Car

Before you do anything else, you need to confirm that a dead car battery is the source of your problem. Lots of things can cause a car not to start. Luckily, there are some tell-tale signs that battery is the issue:

Dashboard Light – Many modern vehicles have dashboard indicators to warn you when the charge in the battery is too low. Check the dash for any new lights, and consult your owner’s manual if you’re unsure what to look for.
Clicking Sound – Your car battery provides power to the starter motor, which starts your car. If the battery doesn’t provide enough energy, you will hear a clicking sound from the engine when you turn your key in the ignition.
No Electrics – The battery powers your car’s electric system that comes on even when it’s not running: things like the radio or the dome lights. If you can’t get these things to turn on as expected, it’s a clear sign that the battery needs to be jumped.

Why You Might Need to Jump-Start a Car

You could have a dead battery for multiple reasons, even if the car or the battery is new. We already mentioned that sitting idle can drain the battery because some systems draw small amounts of power even when the vehicle is off. Cold weather is another potential issue because batteries lose strength as the temperature drops. Here are some other circumstances that could leave you with a dead battery:

Human Error – If you forget to shut a door all the way or leave your headlights on by accident, it could drain all the power out of your battery. Be alert for warning signs from your vehicle that something needs your attention before you lock the doors and walk away.
Bad Wiring – Aftermarket electronics systems like a new stereo or extra vehicle lighting can draw too much power from the battery if they’re not wired up correctly. You may need a bigger one if the wiring is OK but still has battery issues.
Broken Alternator – The alternator is what recharges your car battery while you’re driving. Like every engine part, it wears out over time and requires replacement. If battery problems become a recurring issue, investigate the alternator.
Corroded Battery – Time and extreme weather will cause corrosion to form on battery terminals, which makes it harder for them to function as intended. All batteries need replacement (typically after 4-5 years) because of corrosion and other inevitable consequences of age.

When not to Jump Start a Car

If your car will not start and you’re sure the battery is the problem, there are a few situations where you should not attempt to jump-start your car. The first is when you drive an electric or hybrid vehicle. These models have complicated electrical systems and battery arrays that either need to be jump-started or require a detailed, non-standard approach.

Plus, if something goes wrong, it could cause severe damage to the electrical systems these vehicles need to drive. Therefore, it’s always best to have a professional address power problems in a hybrid or electric model.

The other instance where you shouldn’t try to jump-start your car is when the location of the vehicle becomes a safety hazard, like when it’s on the side of the highway. If you put yourself or others at risk trying to get the car started, enlist the help of a professional.

How to Jump-Start a Car Step By Step

The instructions below are for the traditional methods for jump-starting one car battery off another. However, the easiest way to jump-start a car is to use a battery pack built for a specific purpose. You charge it on a wall outlet and keep it in your car whenever needed. Then, you hook the pack to your battery to initiate the jump start. It takes the hassle out of finding another vehicle and getting them positioned correctly. Barring that option, here’s how to jump-start a car the old-fashioned way:

Find Another Driver – It could be a family member, roommate, neighbor, or stranger. One way or another, you will need to find someone else with a vehicle with a battery you can use for a jump start.
Position the cars – Position the vehicles so that the jumper cables can stretch from one battery to another. The typical way is to line the cars from hood to hood, but the circumstances may require a different position. Before you do anything, though, make sure that someone has a set of jumper cables.
Prepare the Vehicles – Both vehicles need to be in park or neutral and turn the ignition off. The jump start could take 10-15 minutes total, so be sure you’re in a spot that gives you enough time to work. If necessary, you may want to push your vehicle somewhere safer or more convenient to work from.
Hook Up the Jumper Cables – People often get confused about how to use jumper cables, but it’s a simple process that’s the same for almost all vehicles. Attach one of the red clips to the positive terminal (it will have a + sign or say POS) on your battery and the other red clip to the positive terminal on the battery in the other car. Then attach the black clip to the negative terminal on the battery in the other vehicle. Finally, attach the last black clip to a piece of unpainted metal under the hood of your car and away from the battery – most people use a metal strut to hold the hood open.
Start the Working Vehicle – Start the vehicle normally and let it run for about five minutes. If you see sparks or hear sounds from either engine, turn off the vehicle, unhook the jumper cables, and repeat the previous step.
Start Your Vehicle – After letting power from the other vehicle travel through the jumper cables and into your battery for a few minutes, it should have enough charge to start your car. If it doesn’t start, shut your vehicle off and let the other vehicle run for five more minutes. If it still won’t start, your battery likely needs replacement.
Charge the Battery – Once your car starts, let it run for a while so the alternator can charge the battery. If possible, go out for a drive of 10-20 minutes. Then head to an auto parts store or a trusted mechanic to get your battery checked out. It might need replacement even if the jump start worked. Most auto parts stores will now replace the battery for you.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping quote calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available anywhere online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping estimates. The standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote but may take longer. Use it if not in a hurry and are patient. The expedited car shipping rate is most recommended, and we have countless satisfied customers as a result because the shipping process tends to go quicker. The rush rate is our highest level of car shipping service, and we have many customers who are glad they went with that method.

Car Shipping Advice For College Students

Written by Mike Rupers on December 9, 2022. Posted in Auto Transport Tips, Car Shipping Quotes Calculator, College Student Car Shipping Tips.

Going to college is an exciting time of life. It is the phase where you explore new things and have a new beginning. However, for many college students, transitioning from living on campus to living at home during breaks and holidays can be a daunting experience. Especially for those who live far from college may need to transport their car between their college town and their hometown. This process can be challenging, particularly for students who have never shipped a car. That’s why we have prepared this comprehensive guide to help you understand everything you need to know about car shipping for college students. From finding a reputable carrier to preparing your car for transport, we will cover everything. So whether you’re a new college student or a seasoned pro, buckle up and get ready to learn everything you need about shipping your car from campus to home.

Benefits of using a car shipping service

Using a car shipping service has numerous benefits, particularly for college students. One of the most significant benefits is that it saves you time and effort. Instead of driving your car back home, you can ship it, which means you don’t have to worry about going for long hours, which can be exhausting. Another benefit of using a car shipping service is that it can be relatively cost-effective, especially if you’re traveling a long distance. Additionally, car shipping services provide added convenience. They can pick up your vehicle from your college and drop it off at your home, saving you the hassle of traveling to a pickup location.

Factors to consider when choosing a car shipping company

Choosing the right car shipping company is crucial to ensure a smooth and successful shipping experience. Here are some factors for college students to consider when choosing a car shipping company:

Reputation and experience

The reputation and experience of a car shipping company are critical factors to consider when choosing a carrier. Look for a company with a good track record and plenty of experience in the industry. Check out their reviews and ratings online to get an idea of their service quality.

Licensing and insurance

Make sure that the car shipping company you choose is licensed and insured. Licensing ensures that the company is registered with the Department of Transportation and adheres to industry standards. Insurance protects your car in case of damage during transit.

Auto Transport Cost

Car shipping costs can vary widely depending on the distance, type of service, and other factors. Get quotes from several car shipping companies and compare their prices to find the best deal.

Types of car shipping services available

Several types of car shipping services are available, each with unique features and benefits. Here are some of the most common types of car shipping services:

Open carrier transport

Open carrier transport is the most common and affordable car shipping service. It involves transporting your car on an open trailer with other vehicles. While this service is cost-effective, it offers little protection from the elements and potential damage.

Enclosed carrier transport

Enclosed carrier transport is a premium car shipping service that offers maximum protection for your vehicle. It involves transporting your car in a fully enclosed trailer, protecting it from the elements and potential damage.

Door-to-door car transport

Door-to-door transport is a convenient car shipping service that involves picking up your vehicle from your college and delivering it directly to your home.

How to prepare your car for shipping

Preparing your car for shipping is essential to ensure a smooth and successful shipping experience. Here are some tips for college students to help organize their car for transport:

Clean your car thoroughly

Before shipping your car, make sure to clean it thoroughly. That will make inspecting for any pre-existing damage easier and protect it from dust and debris during transit.

Remove personal belongings

Remove all personal belongings from your car before shipping it. That includes any items in the trunk, glove compartment, or other compartments.

Disable the alarm

Disable any alarm or anti-theft devices in your car before shipping it. That will prevent them from going off during transit and causing any issues.

Ship our car with a quarter tank of gasoline

Gasoline is heavy. There is no need to ship your car with more than a quarter tank of gas. Try to ship it with less than half a gas tank by all means.

Tips for a successful car shipping experience

Here are some tips to help you have a successful car shipping experience:

Plan ahead

Book your car shipping service well in advance to ensure you get the best deal and have plenty of time to prepare your car for transport.

Choose a reputable carrier

Choose a reputable car shipping company with a good track record and experience in the industry.

Communicate with the carrier

Stay in touch with the car shipping company throughout the shipping process to get updates on your car’s location and expected delivery time.

Car shipping costs and payment options

Car shipping costs can vary widely depending on several factors, including the distance, type of service, and other factors. Here are some payment options available:

Cash on delivery

Cash on delivery is a popular payment option that involves paying the carrier in cash upon delivery of your vehicle.

Credit card

Many car shipping companies accept credit cards as a payment option. That is a convenient and secure way for college students to pay for their car shipping service.

Insurance and liability coverage for car shipping

Insurance and liability coverage is essential when shipping your car. Ensure that the car shipping company you choose has adequate insurance coverage to protect your vehicle in case of damage during transit. Additionally, it’s a good idea to check your insurance policy to see if it covers car shipping.

Tracking your car during shipping

Many car shipping companies offer tracking services that allow you to monitor your car’s location during transit. That is a convenient way to stay updated on your car’s progress and expected delivery time.

College students receiving their car at its destination

When your car arrives at its destination, inspect it thoroughly for any damage that may have occurred during transit. If there is any damage, document it and file a claim with the car shipping company and your insurance provider.

Conclusion and final thoughts for college students

Shipping your car from campus to home can be a daunting experience, especially if you’re a college student who has never shipped a car before. However, with the proper preparation and a reputable car shipping company, it can be a smooth and successful experience. Use this comprehensive guide to help you prepare your car for transport, choose the right carrier, and ensure a successful shipping experience. Good luck!

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photo of tires rims Fixing A Car Before Selling It

Fixing Your Car Before Selling It: A Guide

Written by Mike Rupers on December 9, 2022. Posted in Auto Transport Quote Calculator, Auto Transport Tips, Auto Trends, Car Safety.

Want to know what things to do before selling your car? Then this is the guide for you. Below, our experts here at Direct Express Auto Transport have compiled a checklist of 9 essentials to cover before putting your car up for sale. Taking care of these nine things to do, fixing your car before selling it, will give you a better chance of making a timely sale at a price you’ll love. Without having to sit through 15 test drives in the process.

While some of these tips will cost you a bit of extra cash, that’s money you can put on top of your asking price. Ultimately, you’ll have every reason to end up in the green. Check out these nine things to do before selling your car, and ship your vehicle with our trusted team here at Direct Express Auto Transport.

Tires

Tires are typically the first thing that car buyers will look at when doing an exterior inspection of a vehicle. Savvy car shoppers know how to spot tires that have worn down treads, and nearly all shoppers will raise their standards for what they consider “acceptable” when shelling out cash for a car. For this reason, you want your tires to look as new as possible. You also want them to ride well. If potential buyers request test drives, a bad set of tires quickly show themselves during the ride, which can cause some buyers to have anxiety about the rest of the car.

To prep for a visit from a potential buyer, fill your tires up to the proper PSI recommended in your car’s manual. Don’t have the manual? Look up the correct PSI for your make and model online. If your existing tires look new enough and have a noticeably deep tread, you are probably good to go. A set of new tires can run you several hundred dollars. That investment probably isn’t worth it for an existing set that is only six months to a year old or on a car that will only sell for a couple of thousand dollars total.

Lights

At some point in the car inspection, the potential buyer will have you get in the car as they walk outside and check the headlights and taillights. Simulate this process with a spouse, buddy, or coworker before selling your car — preferably during the evening or nighttime. You want to see how your lights perform when it counts.

Replace bulbs that are entirely kaput and ones that are significantly dimmer than their neighbors. Remove and clean any foggy lamps to return them to their natural luminosity. You can pay for a semi-expensive buffing kit or buff up those bulbs with some white toothpaste and elbow grease. One of the most affordable fixes on this list, working lights are a legal must-have for any car. Make sure yours are ready to go before selling.

Brakes

From one of the most affordable fixes to the most expensive, it’s time to talk about brakes. Bad brakes are not only a significant safety risk but also easily noticeable by anyone taking a test drive. Sure, you might be used to how slow it takes your car to come to a stop, but car buyers won’t have that same familiarity.

If your brakes require much force or create any grinding noises or sensations, it may be time to replace them. Invest in new breaks, and you will stand a better chance of getting prospective buyers to stick around. Better safe than sorry.

Windows

Though not tied as closely to performance as the above products, windows play a huge role in any car’s appearance. Buyers notice if you have a crack or chip in your windows, and your car’s value immediately drops. Do a quick once-over of your windows and take them to an auto body shop to have any cracks and chips addressed.

After that, you’ll want to check to ensure your windows work. If you have power windows, this means making sure each one rolls up and down. You may have survived for years with a back window stuck at half-mast, but your buyers won’t be so tolerant. Get your power windows fixed, or your asking price will suffer.

Wash and Detail

A good wash and detail can cost you over a hundred dollars. But it’s one hundred percent worth it. When done correctly, a deep wash and detail can take stains that have been there for years out of your fabric seats. It will also give your car that fresh new-car smell, which can go a long way in taking years off your car’s age — at least as far as appearances go. That can make all the difference for buyers choosing between two or more vehicles. Do a deep wash and detail at the end of your prep process, so your car looks its best when the buyers arrive.

Oil Change

When looking under the hood, one thing that most people know how to do is to check the dipstick. Don’t be a dipstick yourself, and forget to put fresh oil on your car before putting it up for sale. Even if buyers don’t check the dipstick, they’re almost certainly going to ask you when your most recent oil change was. (If they end up buying the car, they’ll need to know when to get the following oil change.)

Get an oil change right before selling it, then keep the paperwork to show potential buyers how recently your vehicle has been serviced. Changing your oil is one cheap way to show you care about giving buyers a well-serviced car.

Change and Refill Fluids

Speaking of servicing cars, when you take your soon-to-be-old car in to get its oil changed, ensure that your service station is changing and refilling your fluids. Just like with an oil change, contact your dated receipt for this fluid change and top off to show your buyer that you are giving them the car in excellent condition with the coolant, wiper blade fluid, and all of the other levels up to the tippy top. It will give your potential buyers peace of mind that will help justify your price and push them over the edge to purchase.

Wiper Blades

New wiper blade fluid doesn’t do much good with bad blades. No amount of liquid will save you from that dreaded, nails-on-a-chalkboard screeching. (Talk about a quick way to end a test drive.) In this situation, the only thing that will save you is changing your wiper blades. Maybe you live in Los Angeles or Phoenix, and you haven’t had to use your wiper blades more than one or two times per year for the past five years. The person who’s buying your car won’t care. They will want blades that work. The good news? Changing your wiper blades is relatively cheap, and you can get it done at virtually any auto shop.

Touch Up Paint

If this is your first time touching up your car, this task might seem daunting and potentially the most expensive of any of these fixes on this list. If you’re still reading, you’ll be happy to know that touching up your car’s paint doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Buy a bottle of touch-up paint online or from your local dealership. These bottles usually only run you $20 or so each. (Make sure you triple-check that you’re buying the right color!)

Watch a YouTube video on properly touching up scratches and discoloration on your vehicle. Painting your car is not the same as painting a wall or a canvas. With a little focus, you’ll have those problem areas spiffed up quickly. Of course, you can always take your car to an auto body shop for a professional paint job. It will cost you at least several hundred dollars — an investment we recommend making only for higher-priced sales.

Learn More and Ship Your Car With Our Team at Direct Express Auto Transport

When you get these fixes done and are ready to sell your spiffy, new-looking car for the highest possible value, consider widening your selling radius to reach more potential buyers. You never know who may be interested in your car several states away. If you sell to an out-of-state buyer, ensure you are shipping your vehicle with a reliable auto transport company. Our experts here at Direct Express Auto Transport have been leading the industry in safe, reliable, and affordable car shipping for several decades. Get an online quote from us in seconds with our Original Auto Transport Quote Calculator, and complete your sale with our trusted team today!