Moving house with multiple vehicles is one of the most stressful aspects of any move.
Just think about it…
You’ve got boxes to pack, movers to coordinate, and a million other moving details. Now throw in 2, 3, or even 4 vehicles into the mix.
It can get complicated in a hurry.
The good news?
Moving house with multiple vehicles doesn’t have to be a nightmare. If you take a strategic approach, there are established methods that thousands of families rely on to move their entire fleets easily and efficiently.
What You’ll Learn
- Why moving with multiple vehicles is more complicated
- How to figure out which vehicles to drive vs. ship
- 6 Tips for managing moving house with multiple vehicles
- 4 Common mistakes to avoid when moving house with multiple vehicles
Why Moving with Multiple Vehicles Is More Complicated
Statistics show that currently, 59% of US households have more than one vehicle.
In other words, the majority of families who move house have to work out the details of moving with multiple vehicles.
Here’s the problem…
Each vehicle you’re moving has to be driven somewhere. You can’t ship all of them via a moving van.
This quickly creates logistical challenges, including:
- Coordinating who will drive each vehicle
- Refueling on long trips
- Keeping track of multiple cars and drivers
- Wear and tear on your fleet
If you’re moving long distances, this can become even more challenging. In fact, that’s why cross-country car shipping solutions exist. Driving all your vehicles across the country is exhausting, expensive, and time-consuming. Most families just don’t want to put themselves through it.
So already, it’s kind of overwhelming, right?
It doesn’t have to be though. Let’s dig into how moving house with multiple vehicles works in the real world.
The Reality About Moving Vehicles Yourself
A common misconception is that you save money by driving your vehicles yourself.
You don’t.
Fact: Moving with multiple vehicles across state lines costs more if you drive yourself. There are a lot of hidden costs associated with this “DIY” approach. Add in the extra time off work for each driver too.
Take a moment to do the math on this:
A family of 3 has 3 cars. They are moving from California to Texas. That’s roughly 1,200 miles each vehicle, for a total of 3,600 vehicle miles of driving.
Multiply that by 3 cars x current gas prices x hotels and food for 3 drivers…
Then tell me how driving your vehicles yourself is going to save you money.
Oh, and this isn’t even accounting for the stress, wear and tear on your vehicles, or breakdowns on unfamiliar roads.
Don’t fall for the “drive yourself” trap.
6 Tips for Managing Your Vehicle Move
Moving house with multiple vehicles is like a dance.
When the different parts come together in sync, it’s beautiful. If not, it’s a disaster.
Here are the steps that really work when you’re relocating with multiple cars and trucks.
1. Make a Vehicle Inventory First
The first thing you should do is take an inventory of every vehicle you need to move.
In detail.
Make and model, year, current mileage, existing damage (photos), and anything special about the vehicle (classic car, motorcycle, etc. ).
Documenting everything up front gives you a baseline to work from. This is the foundation for the whole vehicle relocation process. Skip this step and trust me, you’ll have problems later.
2. Determine Which Vehicles to Drive vs. Ship
You’ll need to make a call on which of your vehicles you’re going to drive and which ones you’re not.
This is a critical decision point.
Questions to ask:
- Does this vehicle need to be there first? If someone needs a car the day after arrival, maybe it makes sense to drive it.
- Is the vehicle up to a long drive? High mileage, older cars may not make it across country.
- Who is going to drive it? If no one can drive, then you’re shipping.
- Where is it going? Short distances are usually driven. Longer distances have other factors (timing, comfort).
Most families who move with multiple vehicles actually drive one and ship the others. This gives them some flexibility while moving without trying to drive all vehicles across the country at once. For longer trips, it’s often the smarter strategy.
3. Stagger Your Vehicle Arrivals
A common mistake when moving house with multiple vehicles is getting everything to arrive at the same time.
Bad idea.
Instead, make one vehicle arrive a few days before you need it. This provides a car for someone to run last-minute errands, pick up keys, meet the movers, and so on. The rest can arrive after you’re settled.
4. Prepare Each Vehicle Before Moving
The best way to handle moving with multiple vehicles is to prepare each one up front.
For shipped vehicles:
- Remove all personal items, disable alarms
- Leave only a quarter tank of fuel in each vehicle
- Note any existing damage
- Keep all keys readily accessible
For driven vehicles:
- Full service check, tune-up if necessary
- Tire condition inspection and pressure checks
- Prepare an emergency roadside kit
- Plan out route with rest stops marked
Neglecting to prepare your vehicles is like inviting stress and headaches into your move. Don’t make this mistake.
5. Account for Timing and Season
Moving house with multiple vehicles during peak season is more expensive.
Fact.
Everyone is moving in the summer. Which means the moving industry is slammed from May through August.
Including moving vehicles.
In 2024, about 25.87 million Americans changed residences.
This results in seasonal demand for shipping vehicles, especially during warmer months. Expect rates to be higher and availability more limited.
The counter strategy is to move during the shoulder season in fall or winter. Rates drop and scheduling is more flexible. You’ll likely deal with weather however.
Budget your time accordingly.
6. Keep Documentation Ready
For each vehicle, have a folder with all the documents:
- Registration and insurance paperwork
- Recent service records or receipts
- Photos of the vehicle before the move, showing current condition
- Contracts with vehicle transport company
- Pickup and delivery confirmations, any communications
When something inevitably goes wrong, being able to prove your case is priceless. Believe me on this.
Common Mistakes When Moving With Multiple Vehicles
Even intelligent people make these mistakes when moving with multiple vehicles.
Mistake #1: Procrastinate, leave everything until the last minute.
Vehicle transport companies fill up fast during peak times. If you wait until the week before your move to start planning, you’ll be stuck with a limited selection and the highest prices.
Always plan your vehicle move at least 3-4 weeks out.
Mistake #2: Opt for the cheapest deal without proper research.
The cheapest transport quote isn’t necessarily the best. If the company is unreliable, your move will be much more stressful.
Do some digging on your transport company before agreeing to work with them.
Check out reviews online. Verify insurance coverage. Ask questions until you’re comfortable with the answers.
Mistake #3: Forget to check vehicle insurance for moving coverage.
Your regular auto insurance may not cover your vehicles during professional transport. Check with your insurer before signing anything.
Mistake #4: Overload vehicles that will be shipped.
Transport companies have weight limits. If you overload your vehicle with personal items, they can shift and damage your car.
Empty out everything from vehicles that will be shipped.
Pulling It All Together
Moving house with multiple vehicles is a process that takes planning, patience, and a smart approach.
Families who do this most successfully:
- Plan well in advance
- Make smart choices about driving vs. shipping
- Prepare each vehicle
- Keep documentation organized
The time you spend in the beginning makes the rest of your move exponentially easier.
Don’t let multiple vehicles ruin the excitement of a new home. Follow these strategies and moving with multiple vehicles will be manageable.
The above is the whole guide for how to move house with multiple vehicles.
