The safest way to move interstate is to get an auto shipping company to move your car. Car shipping companies move cars using open shipping, where your car is transported with up to seven other cars and is exposed to the elements, or closed shipping, where your car is transported in a closed container. Open shipping is the cheapest option, while closed shipping may offer you more peace of mind, especially if you have a vintage or luxury car. It’s a matter of personal preference which method you choose.

Make sure you ring around and get a couple of quotes so you can compare prices and services before committing to a car transport company. If you live in a small town or remote area, you may be able to save money by having your car shipped to the nearest major metropolitan area.

Many states are upping their speed limit due to renewed reactions against government control. Virginia is the latest state to boost speed limits from 65 to 70 m.p.h. in rural areas. Tom Tom Inc., a GPS company, has released research showing the average  speed of drivers on interstate routes. Mississippi has the highest speed of 70.1 m.p.h. and Washington D.C. has the lowest — 46.4 m.p.h. When given a stretch of open highway, most Americans tend to do about 70 anyway with their powerful, safe cars.

While many large open states like Utah, Idaho and South Dakota have long had speed limits of up to 75 or 80 m.p.h., the boost in more populated eastern states comes in part from record low highway fatalities, a 2009 figure of 33,963, the lowest since records began in 1954. The Federal Highway Administration estimates however, that almost a third of those deaths come from speed related incidents.

Back in the early 70′s a national speed limit of 55 m.p.h. was imposed, but ever since 1995, when a Republican Congress repealed the limit, states have been raising their highway speeds. While some believe that a potential summer hike in gas prices may force slower driving for energy conservation, Virginia’s recent action suggests just the opposite.

Los Angeles, the City of Angels, is the country’s second largest city. Besides being one of the most multicultural cities in the country, L.A. is also home to the entertainment industry. The centers of television, film, and recorded music are all located in this Southern California cosmopolis.

L.A. also has a lower crime rate than Omaha, NE and is increasingly distant from its depictions as an apocalyptic conflagration at the end of the earth in films like Blade Runner. L.A.’s subway and light rail line is currently expanding and their bus system is the second busiest in the country. LAX is also the fifth busiest airport in the world.

L.A. has a lot of culture too.  The L.A. county museum of art is renowned for bringing quality shows and pieces from around the world to its halls. And such a diverse mix of peoples influences the food scene too.

Los Angeles is vast, and having a car helps. But you can also bike around town too. It might be best though to choose a neighborhood that you think will suit your needs and where you can work close by. If you want to be by the beach, think Santa Monica, but don’t expect to be driving into Downtown every day, you could be in for a long ride.

It’s no secret that moving can be expensive. One thing I hate to see people spend money is cardboard boxes.Why spend on something you’re just going to be getting rid of anyway? You could put the money toward bigger expenses like moving trucks or auto transport services.

In your neighborhood, there are tons of businesses getting rid of cardboard boxes, every day, if not every hour.
If you live near a mall, a great way to pick up perfectly good boxes is drive behind the mall where the loading trucks go to make their deliveries. Almost every store has a designated cardboard recycling dumpster, where only cardboard is placed in it. You can just pull right up to one of these and pick out whatever sizes you need. For bigger boxes, you may want to look behind furniture or home appliance stores. For the mid-range to smaller boxes, clothing stores could be your best bet.
Bars and pubs are also another great place to look for smaller boxes. Cases of beer that are delivered to pubs come in cardboard boxes, and are the perfect size for moving. So the next time you’re in the pub for a pint, ask them if they have any boxes you can take off of their hands.

- All auto shipping companies should do an inspection before they pick the car up and after they deliver it. This is going to document any pre-existing conditions of your car such as dents, bumps and scratches, but it will also note the mileage and gas on the car before its loaded onto the truck and after it reaches its centralized location. It’s important that YOU read this report and make sure everything is honest and correct. These reports are taken so that if anything does happen to your car, they can and will send in a payment or reimbursement for the damages done.

That shouldn’t scare you. This is simply a safety precaution. It’s like wearing a bike helmet – just because you have one on doesn’t mean you ARE going to get hit by a car! It’s simply to keep you safe. By the way when looking for a company to work with, be sure you take note on where they pick up and where they deliver. So if you are in Canada and you are moving to Florida, make sure they are do auto transport Florida!

- Be honest with the car transport services about any and all items you may have in the car – have it be the actual car or the trunk. Each truck is going to be weighed for each state they cross, and they could be charged fines if the truck is heavier than it should be. If possible, remove all the items ahead of time so that you don’t cause any problems for the truck company and driver!

- Be sure to ALWAYS read the fine fine fine print on ANY contract before you sign it. I don’t care if it’s to Santa Claus or for something like this. It’s important that you know your rights, you know the rules, and you understand the fee structure as well as any other information on the contract. If you don’t understand something — ask them! Remember they are here to help you, so if there is something you don’t understand, let them know and I’m sure they will be more than happy to explain it to you!

Lastly, be sure to always research ANY company you deal with – it doesn’t matter if it’s an online service or an offline service. It doesn’t matter if it’s an auto transporting company or something completely different. By checking on websites that offer reviews you can find a lot out about auto shipping companies or auto car transport companies. Snoop around – you are trusting them with your vehicle! Also, make sure they are members of the Better Business Bureau and that they are licensed, insured and bonded!