Amtrak Vehicle Shipping Tips

Making the choice to not actually drive a vehicle on a long move can be a smart one. The truth is long-distance treks can be ripe with road hazards, hassles and other inconveniences. This is, of course, not to mention the wear and tear on the vehicle in question and headaches of driving involved. This is why many who need to get a car moved along the Eastern Seaboard choose the Amtrak vehicle shipping route.

By taking both car and driver along for the ride, the Amtrak vehicle shipping service is a great one to consider for anyone making a move along the coast or even those looking to vacation there. The train runs daily between Lorton, Virginia, and Sandford, Florida. It doesn`t make any stops along the way, so the total trip takes under 17 hours, which beats the heck out of driving the route.

Those who ride along with their cars as passengers on the Amtrak vehicle shipping trains will find they get some good service along the way, too. The train offers several different levels of sleeping accommodations, dining and entertainment.

Deciding to go with Amtrak vehicle shipping is a little different than driving yourself, however. Inasmuch, you`ll need to know a few things about the service before you make reservations, and especially before you board. Here are some tips to help you on the journey:

. Make sure your vehicle meets the minimum requirements for train entry. Amtrak vehicle shipping accepts a lot of different kinds of autos, but the truth is, there are pretty strict size requirements that must be met. Height is typically the determining factor as to whether a vehicle is eligible or not, but ground clearance also comes into play.

. Pack smartly. While it`s more than acceptable to load up the inside of a vehicle for the trip, it`s wise to keep valuables out of sight. This goes for any trip, anywhere, but Amtrak vehicle shipping doesn`t want to be responsible for valuables, so you need to be.

. Don`t use luggage racks. Filling up your trunk is perfectly acceptable, but luggage rack use is out. This is to protect your vehicle and possessions and those of others on the train, as well.

. Pack items you`ll need on the journey in a bag to bring with you. You will not have access to your auto during the trip.

. Bring photo ID on the train. This is very important for picking up your ticket and retrieving your vehicle at the end of the ride.

. Understand check-in requirements. The trains try to leave promptly on schedule, so it`s important to understand the times for check-in and other requirements in advance. If you miss the train, you miss it.

. Deactivate car alarms. There`s nothing worse than a long ride with a horn blaring the entire way!

Amtrak vehicle shipping is a solid service to consider for transporting both people and cars. It`s important to understand the rules of the ride, however, before you buy tickets and especially before you show up at the station.