Moving to a new place is exciting… and a little overwhelming. There’s the packing, the paperwork, the timelines — and then there’s the big question many people forget to plan for right away: “What do I do with my car?”
Trying to move your household goods and arrange car transportation at the same time can quickly turn into a juggling act. Different pickup dates, different companies, different phone numbers — and suddenly you’re coordinating more logistics than you ever expected. We’ve seen it happen far too often, and we know how stressful it can feel when schedules don’t line up or when responsibilities aren’t clear.
That’s exactly why all-in-one moving services exist. With Pick and Pack Moving, your home and car relocation are handled together — by one team that actually talks to each other. As a friendly, family-owned moving company, we believe moving should feel organized, supported, and predictable. One plan, one point of contact, and one smooth experience from start to finish — so you can focus on what really matters: starting the next chapter of your life with confidence.
How to Plan a Long-Distance Move Without Slip-Ups
Long-distance moves don’t fail because of distance — they fail because of poor planning. When you’re relocating across the country, everything needs to line up: the timing, the budget, and the people handling your belongings and your vehicle.
The problem usually starts when household goods and car transport are booked separately. Suddenly, you’re dealing with different pickup windows, different delivery days, and different coordinators — none of whom are fully in sync. In fact, industry data shows that more than 40% of long-distance moving delays happen due to coordination issues between service providers, not the miles themselves.
That’s why working with a single company that specializes in long-distance home and car moving services makes such a big difference.
With Pick and Pack Moving, everything is planned together—clearly, carefully, and with your schedule in mind. We coordinate:
- Moving trucks and vehicle transport so both arrive when expected
- Pickup and delivery dates that actually make sense for your timeline
- Packing, loading, and unloading of household items and vehicles
- Routes and driving schedules to reduce transit time and unnecessary delays
- Communication between drivers, movers, and your relocation coordinator
- Storage options if your home or car needs a short-term holding solution
Choose the Right Transport Option for Your Vehicle
When it comes to moving your car, most people don’t think about the details until the last minute. They just know one thing: they want their vehicle to arrive safely, on time, and without adding extra stress to an already busy move.
In most cases, customers choose between car shipping and towing, and while both options exist, they’re not equally suited for long-distance relocation. Understanding the difference helps you make a smarter, safer choice for your vehicle.
Car Shipping vs. Towing
Car shipping means your vehicle is transported on a professional car carrier designed specifically for auto transport. Depending on your needs, this may include:
- Open-sided auto transport is the most common and cost-effective option
- Enclosed car carriers for luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles that need extra protection
This method keeps mileage off your car and significantly reduces wear and tear during long-distance moves.
Towing, on the other hand, pulls your car behind a truck using a car dolly or trailer. While this may seem convenient, it often comes with downsides, especially over long distances:
- Increased strain on tires and suspension
- Greater exposure to road debris and weather
- Reduced maneuverability for the driver, which can increase risk
- Limited suitability for certain vehicle types, including low-clearance cars
For most long-distance relocations, professional car shipping services are the safer and more reliable option. Industry data shows that shipping a vehicle on a carrier can reduce transport-related mechanical issues by up to 90% compared to towing over long distances.
As a trusted auto moving company, Pick and Pack Moving takes vehicle transport seriously. Our car transport services include:
- Careful vehicle inspection before pickup and after delivery
- Secure loading using professional loading ramps and equipment
- Experienced drivers trained in long-distance auto transportation
- Clear communication so you always know where your car is and when it will arrive
By pairing vehicle transport with your household move, we make sure your car arrives safely—without adding extra complexity to your relocation.
Prepare Your Home and Car for the Move
A smooth move doesn’t start on moving day — it starts with good preparation. Taking a little extra time to get both your home and your car ready can make a huge difference in how stress-free (and damage-free) your relocation feels.
The good news? You don’t have to do anything complicated. A few smart steps go a long way.
Preparing Your Home
Proper packing is one of the biggest factors in protecting your household items during a long-distance move. In fact, professional movers report that well-packed shipments can reduce damage claims by up to 60%.
Here’s how to set your belongings up for a safe journey:
- Use high-quality packing materials, including sturdy boxes, strong tape, and protective moving pads
- Wrap fragile items individually and cushion them with packing paper or bubble wrap
- Clearly label boxes by room and mark fragile items so movers know to handle them with extra care
- Keep high-value or sentimental items (documents, jewelry, small electronics) separate and easily accessible
- Avoid overpacking boxes — heavier items should go in smaller boxes to prevent breakage
- Disassemble large furniture when possible and secure all loose parts
If packing feels overwhelming, this is where full-service movers like Pick and Pack Moving can step in and help — professionally and efficiently.
Preparing Your Car
Your vehicle also needs a bit of attention before transport. Proper car shipping preparation helps ensure a smooth pickup, safe transit, and faster inspection at delivery.
Before your car is loaded, we recommend:
- Performing basic maintenance checks, such as fluid levels, tire pressure, and battery charge
- Cleaning the interior and exterior so that existing scratches or dents are easy to see during inspection
- Removing all personal belongings, loose items, and valuables from inside the vehicle
- Disabling alarms and noting any special instructions for the driver
- Documenting your vehicle’s condition with clear photos from multiple angles before pickup
These simple steps protect you, your vehicle, and your peace of mind—and they help ensure a quick, smooth post-delivery inspection once your car arrives.
Don't Forget About Insurance and Documentation Essentials
When you’re moving both your home and your car, insurance and paperwork might not be the most exciting part of the process, but they’re some of the most important. Having the right coverage and documents in place protects your belongings, your vehicle, and your peace of mind from start to finish.
Understanding Your Insurance Coverage
Not all moving insurance works the same way, especially when vehicle transport is involved. A professional moving company should clearly explain your options, without confusing language or hidden details.
Here are the main coverage points to review:
- Liability coverage for household goods, which provides basic protection during loading, transportation, and unloading
- Vehicle shipping liability limits, covering potential damage while your car is in transit
- Optional full-value protection, offering higher coverage for valuable or fragile items
- Clear explanations of what is included, excluded, and how claims are handled if something unexpected happens
Taking a few minutes to review these details upfront can save hours of stress later.
Documents to Prepare Before Your Move
Having your paperwork organized helps everything move faster and smoothly. Below is a simple checklist to help you stay prepared.
| Document | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|
| Moving contract / Bill of Lading | Confirms services, pricing, pickup, and delivery details |
| Insurance certificate | Verifies coverage for household items and vehicle transport |
| Vehicle condition report | Document your car’s condition before shipping |
| Photo documentation of the vehicle | Helps with post-delivery inspection and peace of mind |
| ID and contact information | Required for verification at pickup and delivery |
| Parking or building permits (if needed) | Prevents delays during loading or unloading |
| Special instructions list | Notes alarms, access issues, or fragile/high-value items |
Comparing Costs: Separate vs. All-in-One Services
Moving of any kind involves both money and time. When you add a vehicle transport into the mix, the complexity grows. Many people assume hiring separate services (one company for your household move and another for your car) will save money.
But when you look at actual cost averages and factor in time spent, resources used, and stress levels, that assumption doesn’t hold up.
| Moving Expense & Experience Factor | Separate Services | All-in-One Service (e.g., Pick and Pack) |
|---|---|---|
| Household Move Cost | $3,000–$6,000 (full-service movers) | Included in one bundled quote |
| Car Shipping Cost | ~$1,200–$1,800 (cross-country average) | Discounted or streamlined within the combined plan |
| Total Estimated Cost | $4,200–$7,800+ | Often $4,000–$7,000 (with better predictability) |
| Time Spent Coordinating | High — multiple calls, schedules, paperwork | Low — one point of contact |
| Logistical Complexity | Multiple companies & timelines | One cohesive plan |
| Stress Level | High — more moving parts | Lower — one trusted team |
| Insurance Coordination | Separate policies + claims contacts | Unified coverage + simplified claims |
| Risk of Delays | Higher (schedule misalignment) | Lower (planned as one move) |
| Hidden Fees Risk | High (storage, extra pickups, late deliveries) | Lower (transparent, bundled pricing) |
Why are the numbers necessary to consider?
- Separate services mean separate quotes, separate deposit deadlines, and separate customer service reps.
- Insurance and liability become harder to manage when your household goods and vehicle are under different carriers.
- Delays are common when providers aren’t coordinated.
What to Do on Moving Day and Delivery Day
Moving day can feel like the most intense part of the entire relocation. But we've got you!
When everything is properly coordinated and communication is clear, moving day becomes structured, predictable, and far less stressful.
One of the biggest advantages of choosing an all-in-one service is having a single point of contact throughout the process. At Pick and Pack Moving, we believe strong moving coordination starts with clear, proactive communication with movers. From the moment your shipment is scheduled, you’ll know:
- Who to contact with questions
- When your household items and vehicle will be picked up
- Whether your car is traveling via open carriers or enclosed transport
- What to expect at each stage of the move
Moving Day: What Happens and How to Prepare
On moving day, your relocation team will arrive within the scheduled window to begin loading your household goods and preparing your vehicle for transport.
If your car is being shipped, the driver will:
- Confirm your shipping quote and paperwork
- Conduct a vehicle inspection based on your type of vehicle
- Load your car onto an open carrier or enclosed carrier, depending on the transport option you selected
Whether you choose standard auto transport services or enclosed transport for a high-value vehicle, everything is handled with door-to-door delivery— meaning your car is picked up directly from your location and delivered as close to your destination as safely possible. Because Pick and Pack Moving operates as both a professional mover and an experienced auto transport company, there’s no confusion between teams.
Delivery Day: What to Expect
Delivery day is the moment everything comes together. Here's a pocket-sized moving delivery checklist that could save you time and resources:
- Be present (or designate a trusted contact) for delivery
- Inspect household items as they’re unloaded
- Check furniture, boxes, and fragile items against the inventory list
- Review your vehicle’s condition report and compare it to pre-shipping photos
- Confirm door-to-door delivery completion for your car
- Ask questions immediately if something doesn’t look right
This post-move inspection protects you and ensures any concerns are documented promptly.
What to do if there are damages or delays?
Even in the highly regulated auto transport industry, unexpected delays or minor issues can happen.
If you notice damage or experience a delay:
- Report it right away to your coordinator
- Take photos and document the issue clearly
- Follow the simple claims or resolution process outlined in your agreement
One of the advantages of hiring all-in-one shipping companies is that there's no back-and-forth between separate customer support teams.
Move Your Home and Car Together With One Team You Can Trust
When you’re relocating your home and your car, it shouldn’t feel like a puzzle you have to solve on your own. You shouldn’t be chasing different companies or worrying whether everything will show up at the right delivery location.
As trusted all-in-one movers, Pick and Pack Moving brings everything together for you — household moving, vehicle transportation, and professional auto transport — so the entire process feels organized, supported, and genuinely manageable.
We combine the care and personal attention of a family-owned business with the experience of reliable USA movers. From careful packing and coordinated long-distance moves to seamless car transport through our dedicated auto shipping company services, we handle the details that often overwhelm people working with multiple car shipping companies.
You’ll receive clear, honest car shipping quotes, door-to-door delivery, and updates you can actually rely on.
And if your move doesn’t line up perfectly? That’s okay — our secure storage and warehouse solutions are there to keep your belongings safe until you’re ready.
If you’re looking for a truly stress-free moving solution, one that values clear communication, careful handling, and real accountability, we’d love to help. Contact us today for your personalized quote and experience how moving feels when one trusted team takes care of everything.
