When considering different auto transport options for your vehicle, make sure you understand that all shipping quotes may not be the same. Many transport companies, especially high volume, low cost operations, will provide quotes for what is known as "terminal to terminal" service.
Auto Transport Terminal Service
Terminal service will result in a local service picking up your vehicle and taking it to their holding facility. A larger truck will arrive at a later date and load your vehicle and deliver it to another holding facility near the destination of your delivery. Another local service will then deliver the vehicle to you. You can also deliver and pick the vehicle up at the terminals in some cases.
A terminal is typically located in a large metropolitan area, one that serves as a transportation hub for a particular region. Transport companies can pick-up and deliver from these areas at a lower cost for a number of reasons, mainly that the routes are established and high traffic, thus simplifying and shortening the process.
Auto Transport Door to Door Service
Door to door service means that your vehicle will be loaded on a trailer from an address you supply and taken to another address you supply. The vehicle will not sit in a terminal nor will it be loaded onto different trailers. You may have to meet the driver at a larger location if the truck is unable to make it into your neighborhood. Trees, narrow streets, gates and power lines are issues that may make meeting the driver a necessity. Door to door auto transport will generally result in less time from pick up until delivery, as the vehicle will not be put in a storage facility.
