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The practice of line haul auto transport is the act of taking vehicles to long distances usually between cities or terminals, deploying lorries or large trucks as the means of transport. It's a common practice in the automobile transportation industry to ship several vehicles efficiently throughout the country. Read complete blog on the topic to enhance you knowledge and get better understanding of different modes of auto shipping in USA.
Line haul auto shipping consists of moving the vehicle on the routes established in a specific way from one terminal to another terminal within a regional area usually a major city. In contrast to door-to-door shipping, whereby cars are transported right to the location of the customer, line haul automobile shipping instead focuses on moving cars inter-linking the terminals with always a time at which the transportation will have to be completed given beforehand by the customer. After the completion of their transport, customers may have to collect their cars from those terminals. Even First Haulers, can provide car shipping from terminal to destination as door-to-door service. This will cost you less than door-to-door auto shipping over a long route only.
Pickup at Terminal: The customer delivers his vehicle to a designated terminal or hub. Transportation of vehicles is implemented via the multi-car trailers or trucks.The customer delivers his vehicle to a designated terminal or hub. Transportation of vehicles is implemented via the multi-car trailers or trucks.
Long-Distance Transport: The central truck either goes along a fixed track in the way of traveling or it goes along the flexible route and thus it can cover hundreds or thousands of miles. Simultaneous transport of vehicles will make it one of the most affordable options. The central truck either goes along a fixed track in the way of traveling or it goes along a flexible route and thus it can cover hundreds or thousands of miles. Simultaneous transport of vehicles will make it one of the most affordable options.
Delivery at Destination Terminal: At the customer terminal, vehicles are unloaded. Customers pick up their vehicles from the terminal, or arrangements for the final delivery to the customer's location (for an additional fee) may be made by the shipping company. At the customer terminal, vehicles are unloaded. Customers pick up their vehicles from the terminal, or arrangements for the final delivery to the customer's location (for an additional fee) may be made by the shipping company.
Cost-Effective: As many vehicles are shipped collectively, hence, the transport cost is less per vehicle, which is not the case with door-to-door shipment.
Efficient for Long Distances: Line haul is an excellent option for cross-country or long-distance auto transport.
Reliable Scheduling: Routing and scheduling are fixed, thus it is easy to predict the delivery time.
Ideal for High Volume: Individuals or companies that need to send multiple vehicles at once can take advantage of the efficiency of line haul services.
Terminal Drop-Off/Pickup: Customers may need to drop off or pick up their vehicles at terminals, which can be inconvenient.
Less Flexible: Unlike door-to-door shipping, line haul follows fixed routes and schedules, which may not align with the customer’s timeline.
Longer Transit Times: Since vehicles are transported in batches, there may be delays in loading and unloading
If you are faced with any of these situations below, this means you can choose to opt for line haul shipping.
| Aspect | Line Haul Shipping | Door-to-Door Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | More affordable | More expensive |
| Convenience | Requires terminal drop-off/pickup | Direct pickup and delivery |
| Flexibility | Fixed routes and schedules | Customizable to customer’s needs |
| Transit Time | May take longer due to batch transport | Faster, as it’s direct |
Before the delivery of your car, it is crucial to get it prepared in a certain way. The guidelines to be followed are given as follows to avoid car shipping chaos at the end.
Clean the Vehicle Inside and Out:
To begin, cleaning the exterior of your car can be the first step you take to remove any dirt and debris that can be seen. This way you can easily spot any damage that might have happened. On the other hand, make sure you clean the interior of the car to ensure not a single personal item is left in the vehicle, as these things may become a distraction during the inspections.
Personal Belongings Removal:
Remove all your personal or interior items and any loose stuff, as well, from your car. Some insurance plans do not cover personal belongings during transit; therefore, it is better to remove these items before shipping.
Photos & Notations of Cars Condition:
Get good images of your car from different positions and make sure that you indicate the existing dings, dents, or scratches. This documentation can be helpful if you need to file an insurance claim later.
Check Mechanical Condition
Ensure your vehicle is in good working order. Check fluid levels, battery charge, and tire pressure. Report any mechanical issues to the transport company beforehand. A properly functioning vehicle makes loading and unloading much safer and easier.
Document Important Details
Make note of your vehicle's specific characteristics:
Disable Security Systems
If your car has an alarm system, either disable it or provide clear instructions to the driver on how to handle it. This prevents any issues during transport and ensures smooth handling of your vehicle.
Remove External Accessories
Take off any removable parts like:
At First Haulers, we specialize in efficient and reliable line haul auto shipping services. Whether you’re moving one vehicle or a fleet, we ensure:
No Upfront Payment
We do not ask for any upfront payment before pick-up. No worries about delays in collecting your car.
Competitive Prices
We assure you to give you the best costs available while not compromising our service quality for your vehicle's safety.
Best Track Record
First Haulers has been in the vehicle shipping game for a while, and trust us, our happy customers speak volumes about our top-notch service.
Instant Car Transport Quotes
Get your car shipping quotes online in a few steps. Plan your car transport to save time.
Preferred Carrier Networks
We have a reliable network of carriers nationwide which allows us to ship your vehicles anywhere without hassles.
Personal Concierge
Your own personal concierge will keep you informed and attend to all your needs during the transfer.
Your Satisfaction Guaranteed
We are committed to satisfying our customers by improving our services and exceeding expectations.
Highest Insurance Standards
Your investment is protected by comprehensive insurance coverage on all shipments, allowing you to relax.
Professional and Punctual
Our team is committed to delivering high-quality service punctually, often even ahead of schedule.
Multiple Levels of Service
You have the choice among standard, priority and expedited services that will fit your needs and budget perfectly.
Locked-in Price
Our price quote is fixed. There are no hidden costs or fees. You pay exactly what you were informed. This means you can be assured that the whole car transport process is fair and clear.
Damage-Free Delivery
We take care of your vehicle while in transit. We guarantee no damages will occur. Your car is delivered without any scratches or other types of damage.
| Aspect | Line Haul Shipping | Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Long-distance, often cross-country | Can be short or long-distance, point-to-point |
| Volume | High volume (multiple vehicles in one trip) | Lower volume (fewer vehicles per trip) |
| Routes | Fixed routes with multiple stops | Direct route between two terminals |
| Flexibility | Less flexible due to fixed schedules | More flexible for specific routes |
| Cost | More cost-effective for high-volume shipments | Slightly higher cost for smaller shipments |
| Use Case | Ideal for businesses or large-scale transport | Ideal for individual customers or small-scale |
Get an On-Spot Estimate on Your Car Shipping Costs Now!
You can start by navigating to our easy-to-use cost calculator. In the blink of an eye, we will tell you exactly how much shipping your car will cost. Our motive is to be as honest as possible hence, we provide you with the information you need to have a smooth auto transport operation.
Click the below button to calculate your exact personalized auto-shipping quote in a few steps.
What Our Customers Say
John D
Verified
"Excellent service from start to finish! Your team is professional and kept me informed about the transportation process. The car arrived in perfect condition, even earlier than I was expecting. I am very satisfied with the services of your company which is reliable and did a super job the transport"
Samantha P
Verified
"I really did not know how to handle my car across the country, but after communicating with first Haulers, I found it surprisingly easy. They proactively explained everything, and the driver was also very polite and professional. I don’t see why I should not use it the next time."
Michael R
Verified
"My car was picked up and delivered on time and it looked as good as new without any scratches. I was impressed by how helpful the customer service team was in resolving all the questions I had and their ability to put my mind at ease. It was awesome!"
Karen L.
Verified
"I was shipping my classic car with them, and I had chosen the enclosed trailer, and guess what? They took good care of it, and the quality of the communication during the transport really impressed me. Incroyable!"