[kathyoasis]

I am going to move from the Bayarea (CA) to the central Florida, but haven't decided yet whether I will drive my own car all the way to FL or fly there. My car is a three year old Honda. Any suggestions?
If driving my own car, any good travel route?
If not, can anyone suggest a good auto ship company?
Thanks!

[annerk]

I'd drive. Three year old car is nothing. Take a week to do it (if your schedule allows) and it will be relaxing, you can drive 6-7 hours a day which will allow you to stop here and there at interesting points along the way. One suggestion, if you are making this drive in the summer I'd opt for the slightly longer but much cooler I-80 route over the I-10 route. Your car will thank you!

[daytonadewd]

Your OP omits specific facts to help you such as if you're question is based that you're on a budget or time restraints or just seeking referrals to ship cars? Don't know here.

I've shipped several cars by air or land, and have relatives/friends who do so regularly to Florida. There are many shipping/freight forwarding companies which specifically specialize in shipping your car by air, truck or sea (via Panama Canal to i.e. Jax or Tampa).

If you're on a budget, check your airfares to Florida and add the quotes for shipping your car. There are many companies which will ship your car to Florida for a flat rate (+ special insurance coverage, which will promise your car delivered in "mint" condition). Make sure you get the quotes with the extra insurance, in case you have problems later on delivery.

Most important advice is that when the car is delivered, you will be asked to "sign off" on delivery. Be ABSOLUTELY sure you've inspected the car BEFORE signing, otherwise you'll have problems if you need to make a claim later.

If you have the disposable time and income, a cross-country trip is DEFINATELY worthwhile. From SFO, you'd have options to Tahoe/Reno and Yellowstone or south to Grand Canyon/Phoenix through Texas on I-10. If you work your way south, you can hit cities you've never been on Route 66 or New Orleans, Hot Springs, Nashville, Blues/BBQ in Memphis or even Austin riverfront. What about crossing the border at El Paso for an awesome Mexican lunch/dinner? Camp in National Parks or sleep in cheesy roadside motels or 5 Star hotels in big cities?

What an awesome adventure!

Last option (which I've never done), is I think you can now take Amtrak from California (via LA) to Orlando (or at least Jax), and ship your car too on the same train. That way you can view the national scenery, get a sleeper cabin and wait for your car to disembark when you arrive. (I think you can even request stopovers too.) All on a set schedule. No worries.

[gypsystar]

Drive! My husband and I just drove from L.A. to FL last week actually, in an 8-year-old Saturn and everything was fine. We have actually made this drive a few times in the past year and had no problems. We took Interstate 10 almost all of the way, and the worst part of the trip is driving through boring, endless Texas.

[bale002]

I have driven across the continent several times, one of the greatest experiences in life, it changed my perception of distance, among other things.

I have taken I-80 and I-70, my favorite tract is Pennsylvania in June, breathtaking landscape.

If I could do it again, I'd take I-10 to see the southern states, especially Louisiana to Alabama.

Since you would be coming from the SF Bay Area, you could work your way down from I-80 to I-70 (may be worth going through Colorado) and then to I-10 around Louisiana.

Some concerns if you go in August-September may be the heat, especially in the plains states, including much of Texas, and hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, but for those you would have advance warning.

Good luck!

[DaniellaG]

I have had my car shipped when I made the move from Ca to Fl or back. I just had my car shipped from MI now to FL. Make sure you price shop and also that the company is insured. I would even call to make sure the insurance is valid still and you can call Better Business Bureau. I have a company after a few that I was not happy with. One which damaged my car and would not pay but this one now I deal with is very fair on pricing,punctual,and keeps you up to date. Ca to FL is a long drive though so if you do it remember that you would have to pay for hotel,gas,etc and that can add up to a lot and may not be much cheaper then having shipped. Though unless you have a friend to borrow a car from rentals are expensive. You can email me or what ever it is if you want a good car transport company I can give you a name of. One more thing if you find someone on your own make sure they are the company taking it because often they will give it to another company and that is where I feel problems come in cause if something happens they brush off accountability to the other.

[ACTS Mom]

We've driven our older motorhome several times across the country and getting ready to leave this week for Oregon. I would have no problem at all in a 3 year old car starting the trip. My granddaughter and boyfriend just drove here from California about 6 weeks ago in a much older vehicle and drove it in 3 days, but that's pushing it. Just make sure you have your oil changed and tires inflated properly before starting out and check throughout the trip.

We're not going out I-10 because it is so terribly hot in Texas and other SW states...we're going up to I-70 and across but it's still hot. You could also drive I-40 and change routes in Nashville to I-24 and on to I-75. That would avoid the endless Texas drive!

[ferret111]

You used to be able to take Amtrak from LA to Jax, and then even down to Tampa or Miami. Hurricane Katrina washed out the tracks and they STILL haven't fixed them. It'll take you as far as New Orleans.

[mango23]

Originally Posted by kathyoasis

I am going to move from the Bayarea (CA) to the central Florida, but haven't decided yet whether I will drive my own car all the way to FL or fly there. My car is a three year old Honda. Any suggestions?
If driving my own car, any good travel route?
If not, can anyone suggest a good auto ship company?
Thanks!

If there are no deadlines it can be a fantastic trip. I used to travel by motorhome a lot and for me the trip was always as much fun as the destination. I would defiantly drive. You get your car to Florida safely as well as yourself for probably the same cost or less then just shipping the car, plus the fun of the trip. As for auto transports, they all stink. The ones who have people drive your car are the worst. I know from personal experience. I have driven cars and they never check or hardly ask a question. They just hand over the car to you. On the other hand when I have inquired about shipping a car with them. They make it sound like the drivers they pick are all collage grads who are professional drivers. I know people who take drive away cars and drive them straight through, no stops, then keep the car for their own use for like a week before delivering it like it like it is a free rental.

Let me suggest one thing just for your piece of mind. If you don't have anything like road assistance I would get one. Here is one trick. AAA will just sign you up for a free 30 day trial that you can use for your trip then cancel. Most offer a very big discount on the first year often like $39.00 for everything. If you have an American Express card you may already have a free road assistance with you card and don't even know it. On a trip like that I would feel a lot more comfortable knowing help is just an 800 number away even with a very new car. I have used road assistance a number of times from dead batteries to even running out of gas with a faulty gage. You really appreciate it when that guy shows up as you are standing there pretty much helpless.

[mango23]

Originally Posted by DaniellaG

I have had my car shipped when I made the move from Ca to Fl or back. I just had my car shipped from MI now to FL. Make sure you price shop and also that the company is insured. I would even call to make sure the insurance is valid still and you can call Better Business Bureau. I have a company after a few that I was not happy with. One which damaged my car and would not pay but this one now I deal with is very fair on pricing,punctual,and keeps you up to date. Ca to FL is a long drive though so if you do it remember that you would have to pay for hotel,gas,etc and that can add up to a lot and may not be much cheaper then having shipped. Though unless you have a friend to borrow a car from rentals are expensive. You can email me or what ever it is if you want a good car transport company I can give you a name of. One more thing if you find someone on your own make sure they are the company taking it because often they will give it to another company and that is where I feel problems come in cause if something happens they brush off accountability to the other.

The sad part is, everything you say is true about car shippers. I would not use any of them unless I had no other choice and then do all the checking you suggest. Rule of thumb, assume what ever they tell you is a lie. I think professional movers of all kinds are about the most corrupt people I have even dealt with. They will lie and overcharge you are every turn. Even holding your possessions for ransom.