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January 11, 2026

How to Ship Your Car and Household Items Cross Country: A Complete Guide

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How to Ship Your Car and Household Items Cross Country: A Complete Guide

Moving across the country involves countless decisions, but two of the biggest challenges are figuring out how to transport your vehicle and your belongings. If you're relocating with a car and a limited amount of household goods, you need specialized solutions that work together seamlessly.

Why You Can't Just Pack Your Car Full of Boxes

Many people assume they can kill two birds with one stone by loading their vehicle with boxes and having it shipped cross country. Unfortunately, auto transport companies don't allow household goods to be shipped inside vehicles during transport. This policy exists for several important reasons:

  • Additional weight affects vehicle safety during transport
  • Loose items can damage your car's interior during transit
  • Insurance coverage typically doesn't extend to personal belongings
  • Items can shift and cause handling issues

This means you need separate solutions for vehicle shipping and household goods transportation.

Finding the Right Auto Transport Service

When searching for "car shipping cross country," "vehicle transport services," or "how to ship a car to another state," you want a provider with:

  • Proven reliability: Look for companies with decades of experience in vehicle shipping
  • Transparent pricing: No hidden fees or last-minute surprises
  • Safe transport methods: Both open and enclosed carrier options
  • Door-to-door service: Convenient pickup and delivery
  • Comprehensive insurance: Protection for your vehicle during transit

moveauto has been providing these exact services since 1994, specializing in safe, reliable auto transport across the United States. Whether you're shipping a sedan, SUV, or luxury vehicle, professional car shipping ensures your vehicle arrives safely at your new home.

Shipping Small Amounts of Household Goods

Not everyone needs a full moving truck. If you're relocating with just a bedroom's worth of furniture, a few boxes of essentials, or select household items, traditional moving companies often aren't cost-effective. You need a "small move" specialist.

Ship Smart specializes exclusively in long-distance transportation of limited household goods. Since 1999, we've helped customers ship everything from:

  • Furniture pieces (beds, dressers, couches)
  • Boxes of clothing and personal items
  • Kitchen essentials and small appliances
  • Artwork and fragile items
  • Electronics and office equipment

Our white-glove service includes professional packing, secure transportation, and delivery to your new home—without paying for space you don't need.

The Perfect Partnership for Cross-Country Moves

Ship Smart and moveauto have partnered to create a seamless relocation experience. Here's how it works:

  1. Ship your vehicle with moveauto: Get your car safely transported cross country with a trusted auto shipping specialist
  2. Ship your household goods with Ship Smart: Transport your furniture, boxes, and belongings with a small-move expert
  3. Coordinate both services: Enjoy the convenience of working with partner companies who understand your complete relocation needs

This partnership means you don't have to choose between shipping your car or your belongings—you can do both with trusted, specialized providers.

Planning Your Cross-Country Move

When searching for "moving car and furniture across country" or "how to relocate to another state," follow these steps:

Start Early: Book your vehicle shipping and household goods transport at least 2-4 weeks in advance, especially during peak moving season (May-September).

Get Quotes: Request estimates from both your auto transport and household goods providers to understand total costs.

Prepare Your Items: Clean your vehicle for transport and properly pack your household goods. Ship Smart can handle packing for you if needed.

Coordinate Timing: Work with both companies to align pickup and delivery windows when possible.

Keep Essentials Separate: Pack a separate bag of immediate necessities to travel with you personally.

Making Long-Distance Relocation Simple

Relocating across the country doesn't have to be overwhelming. With the right partners handling your vehicle shipping and household goods transportation, you can focus on the excitement of your new beginning rather than the stress of logistics.

Whether you're moving for a new job, closer to family, or simply ready for a change of scenery, Ship Smart and moveauto provide the specialized expertise you need for a smooth transition.

Ready to Start Your Cross-Country Move?

Contact Ship Smart today for a free quote on shipping your household goods, and ask about our partnership with moveauto for reliable vehicle transportation. Together, we make moving across the country straightforward, safe, and stress-free.

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Great customer service Great customer service. All companies used by ShipSmart did a good job. Great communication throughout the process.
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