The Key to Stress-Free Family Moves: Professional Auto Transport | Better Living

Life is full of transitions, from kids heading off to college and seasonal escapes to warmer climates, to career relocations and military moves. Each new chapter brings excitement, but also a long list of logistics. One of the biggest challenges is often overlooked: getting your car where it needs to be.

For busy families juggling housing, schedules, and deadlines, auto transport can be a game-changer. Professional auto transport companies help you skip long drives, avoid vehicle wear-and-tear, and make your move more manageable.

What is auto transport?

If the idea of shipping your car feels complicated, don’t worry—car shipping companies make it simple. Auto transport is exactly what it sounds like: a professional service that safely and efficiently moves your vehicle from one location to another.

Many families choose door-to-door transport, where your car is picked up from your home (or dorm, office, storage unit, or base) and delivered directly to your new address. This eliminates the need for multiple trips or temporary parking solutions.

Most car shipping companies offer two main types of transport:

• Open transport – The most common and cost-effective method, where cars travel on an open trailer.
• Enclosed transport – Offers maximum protection from weather and road debris, ideal for luxury, antique, or highly valued vehicles.

Why auto transport makes sense for busy families

When you’re in the middle of a move, every task feels urgent. Packing, paperwork, new housing, and family schedules are all demanding your attention. Adding a long-distance drive on top of it all can quickly become overwhelming.

Here’s how auto transport can help:

You save time

A long-distance drive can take days. Shipping your car frees you to settle in, unpack, or focus on starting a new role while your vehicle travels separately.

You avoid long, stressful drives

Weather, construction, and unfamiliar highways can turn road travel into a headache. Auto transport lets you skip the long haul and arrive refreshed.

It protects your vehicle

Cross-country drives add miles and wear to your vehicle. Shipping keeps your car in top shape and helps you avoid expensive damages and repairs.

It’s often more cost-effective than driving

Gas, food, hotels, tolls, and maintenance add up quickly. Moving is already costly and requires a significant portion of your budget. Professional auto transport companies offer transparent, guaranteed pricing so you can avoid hidden fees and budget with confidence.

No matter who you are or where you’re going, auto transport can make your move easier and more enjoyable. Read on to learn about the different ways families and individuals benefit from car shipping services.

For seasonal travelers and snowbirds

For seasonal travelers, the annual migration should feel exciting, not exhausting. Auto transport makes it possible to start your trip stress-free, and maintain that vacation state of mind until you’re back home.

Avoid long seasonal drives

Driving thousands of miles to and from your vacation destination puts wear on both your car and your body. Shipping your vehicle eliminates marathon road trips and keeps your car in great condition year after year.

Travel on your own schedule

Instead of spending days on the road, you can fly to your seasonal home in hours. Meanwhile, professional auto transporters will deliver your car to your seasonal residence (and back home).

Perfect for couples, families, and pet owners

Coordinating multi-car moves or long trips with pets can be stressful. Auto transport simplifies the entire journey so you can focus on enjoying your time away.

“Very professional and communicative. This is the first time we have ever shipped a car, and we were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was. We drove across the country for our vacation, shipped the car back, and then flew home. It turned out to be a net savings, not to mention the savings in time.”

– William

March 2025

For families sending a student to college

Sending a child off to college is emotional and logistically demanding. Add the challenge of getting your student’s car to campus, sometimes several states away, and it can start to feel like a burden. College students and their families benefit from college auto transport in several ways.

Safety and peace of mind

Parents often worry about teens driving cross-country alone. Between fatigue, weather, and unfamiliar roads, the risks are real. Auto transport lets your student travel safely while their car is delivered directly to campus.

Perfect for tight timelines

College move-in days are hectic, crowded, and often designated to specific days. With door-to-door transport, students and their families can focus on moving in while their car arrives separately.

Ideal for out-of-state students

If your student is attending school in another region, especially one with harsh winter conditions, shipping keeps their car in great shape for the semester ahead.

“I shipped a car from San Diego to Dallas to my kid in college. Everything was perfect. The driver was very courteous and professional and kept us up to date. The car was delivered fast and in perfect condition. I will be using Montway to return the car to San Diego at the end of the school year. Highly recommended.”

-Brian O.
October 2025

For families relocating for work

Career-driven moves are exciting, but the logistics can quickly become stressful for the whole family. Between finding housing, starting a new role, and managing family schedules, driving cross-country is the last thing you need.

Auto transport helps professionals reclaim time and reduce stress.

Focus on the job, not the drive

Relocations often come with tight deadlines. Shipping your car keeps you on schedule and removes one major obstacle from your move.

Ideal for dual-income households

Coordinating who drives which car, and when, can be difficult. It can also involve taking extended time off work or taking kids out of school while traveling. Auto transport solves that instantly by shipping one or both vehicles.

Great for temporary assignments

Travel nurses, government employees, and contractors often move for short-term placements. Auto transport lets you avoid repeated long drives and keep your personal vehicle with you wherever you go.

“I had to move for a new job located several states away, and my primary vehicle is an EV. Driving it such a long distance would have been inconvenient, so I opted for a transport service. The transport was from Indiana to North Carolina, and it was completed in just a day. The driver was courteous and communicated well throughout the process. The entire process was daunting at first, trying to choose the right company, but once settled on Montway, everything was straightforward.”

-Adam

March 2025

See also

For families with a military move or PCS

Military families experience some of the most demanding moves—often with short notice and long distances. Auto transport can make PCS transitions significantly easier, with some companies like Montway Auto Transport offering reduced rates for service members.

Support for fast, frequent moves

PCS orders often require quick turnarounds. Shipping your car removes a major logistical burden during a tight timeline. Auto transport companies with large, nationwide carrier networks will be able to accommodate your tight schedule.

Reduces stress when moving multiple vehicles

Auto transport lets families travel together instead of splitting up for long drives. Some companies even offer discounts for multi-car shipments and repeat orders.

Makes family transitions smoother

Between school transitions, packing, pets, and leave schedules, there’s a lot to manage. Letting professionals handle vehicle transport allows your family to focus on adjusting—not logistics and driving.

“We had to ship one car across the country due to Navy PCS and went with Montway – they were able to pick up the car within the expected time frame, and the car arrived at the new duty station in 4 days! Great communication, timeliness, and care of the vehicle! Would definitely recommend Montway to military families for PCS!”

– Murphy McKenna

February 2025

Step-by-step guide: how to ship your car

Shipping a vehicle is simpler than most people expect. Here’s how it works:

1. Get a quote

Enter your pickup/drop-off dates and vehicle details for instant pricing.

2. Schedule pickup

Choose dates that fit your moving timeline.

3. Prepare your vehicle

Remove personal items, give it a quick clean, and check basic fluids.

4. Meet your driver

A quick inspection is completed before loading.

5. Receive your vehicle

Your car is delivered to your new home—no long drive required.

Learn more about how auto transport works.

Making every move a little easier

Are you considering auto transport but don’t know where to begin? Start your research with this Car Shipping Company Comparison Guide. There are many options available, and some will be more suited to your needs than others.

Having arranged transport for more than one million vehicles, Montway Auto Transport has earned its reputation as one of the nation’s top-rated car shipping companies. With a nationwide carrier network capable of transporting all vehicle types–from cars, trucks, and SUVs to electric vehicles, motorcycles, and powersports–Montway has been a trusted name in auto transport since its founding in 2007.