Preparing your vehicle for the 2,100+ mile journey from Austin to Seattle is straightforward. Here's what you need to do:
Clean and Document: Wash your car inside and out before shipping. This makes it easier to note any existing damage during the inspection. Take photos from multiple angles as a record of your vehicle's condition.
Remove Personal Items: Carriers aren't insured for personal belongings, and extra weight can affect shipping costs. Remove toll tags (like TxTag), garage door openers, GPS devices, and any loose items from the interior. Empty your trunk except for a spare tire and jack.
Check Fluids and Battery: Ensure your gas tank is between 1/4 and 1/2 full—enough to load and unload, but not so much that it adds unnecessary weight. Check that your battery is fully charged and secure.
Disable Alarms: Turn off any car alarms to avoid issues during transport. Your vehicle may sit for extended periods, and an alarm going off can cause delays.
Secure or Remove Accessories: Retract or remove antennas, fold in side mirrors, and take off any custom spoilers, bike racks, or roof cargo boxes that could be damaged in transit.
Provide a Key: You'll need to give the carrier a working key for loading and unloading your vehicle.
For a complete walkthrough of the shipping process, check out our guide on how to ship a car. You'll also want to review the required car shipping documents before your pickup date.