How to Ship a Car by Rail
Shipping a car by rail has become a very popular option. It is greener because a train creates less pollution than a truck and much less expensive. You can ship a car by rail from almost anywhere in the continental United States, and there are two basic ways to do it.
- Decide which shipping option works for you. Your first choice is to ship by a regular auto rail car. These are the open frame rail cars, and the vehicles are visible to the eye and elements. If you are shipping an expensive automobile you might want to consider upgrading to an enclosed car to avoid flying debris and bad weather.
- Use Autolog’s Auto Train service. They offer shipping from the Northeast to the West coast and Midwest. You can check out the website to schedule a rail shipment online.
- Use Autotransport by Rail. The company provides door-to-door pickup and delivery by using a mix of truck shipping and rail shipping to get your vehicle to its destination. They also offer online booking.
- Use Amtrak car shipping service. There are a few stipulations, such as having to arrive an hour or two early depending on your vehicle type, and you must be traveling on the same train as your vehicle. Right now, Amtrak only offers this service on the East Coast, from Washington, D.C. to Sanford, FL.
- Use Auto Rail Forwarders, one of the oldest car-by-rail shipping companies. They provide door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping options and can be booked online.
- Allow for at least a week’s advance notice for pickup and expect the company to take anywhere from 3 to 25 days for delivery. You have to remove all personal belongings from the vehicle and either arrange for or drop off the vehicle yourself.
Each of these businesses provide free price quotes.