Moving to a new city is a pain in the wazoo, especially if you own a private vehicle. With gas prices going through the roof, there’s no way you can afford a cross-country road trip from one end of the US to another. That is, not unless you want to be broke for the rest of the month.
To cut the cost of traveling via car, most people opt to have their cars transported by truck. Although this is a cost-effective way, we wouldn’t really say it’s the ideal situation. After all, anything can happen on the road. Your car could get damaged on the journey, or worse, what if the ropes get loose and your car breaks free? That would be one expensive tumble.
If transporting via truck isn’t a good option, then what is? Well, have you heard about the rail train service that carries cars in the US? It’s called the Amtrak Auto Train, and it could be quite beneficial for you.
What is Amtrak Auto Train
If you’re moving from Lorton to Sanford, you are one of the lucky people who have access to the Amtrak auto train. This is a budget-friendly and reliable mode of transportation for travelers moving between Lorton to Sanford and vice versa.
Amtrak trains make daily up and down trips between the two cities, and the best part is, you can transport your car as well! They will cover the distance between Virginia and Florida in just 17 hours, which is pretty impressive for a total of 855 miles.
Is the Amtrak Auto Train safe for my car?
If you were transporting your car via truck, it would be tied on top of the truck, completely exposed to the elements. What’s more, the truck would be extremely congested, as it would be carrying other vehicles as well. So, your car will travel without protection, even in the best scenario.
Moreover, the cramped up setting makes your car vulnerable to sudden mini collisions with the other vehicles in its close proximity. This isn’t a good option if you’re transporting an expensive and brand new car.
On the other hand, the Amtrak auto train offers shipping containers that are enclosed from all sides. Your car will be neatly packed inside the container, with ample space all around. Moreover, it won’t be exposed to elements like dust and rain throughout the journey. It is a matter of traveling more than 800 miles, after all.
Transporting your car in the Amtrak auto train also prevents any possibility of road accidents. If it were a truck, the safety of your car would be in the hands of the truck driver.
Most drivers are quite skilled and know how to drive a truck safely without any incidents. However, there’s still the possibility of that rare on-road collision that might end it all. Why take that risk with your beloved car?
Finally, the Amtrak auto train is also available for any kind of small vehicle; we’re talking cars, bikes, boats, and even jet skis! Whatever the vehicle type, the auto train will neatly pack it into their spacious and protected transport containers. You don’t have to worry about a thing. Just enjoy the scenic train ride!
Where can I access the Amtrak Auto Train?
You can catch the Amtrak auto train either from the city of Lorton, Virginia, or Sanford in Florida. The train only makes trips between these two cities and has no extra stops along the way. So, if you want to use the auto train, you’ll have to travel between these two cities.
How much does the Amtrak Auto Train cost?
Amtrak’s vehicular transportation fees are quite affordable compared to a typical haul truck. If you own a standard-sized car, like a Chevrolet beat, it will cost you around $ 460 to $ 520 for one trip.
A larger-sized SUV or pickup truck will cost about $ 540 to $ 600. If you’re transporting your motorcycle, it will only cost you about $ 292.
These figures are what you can expect on a general scale. Visit the Amtrak auto train website for more accurate pricing. Moreover, do note that you will also have to pay for your train ticket for the journey.
Are there any other services like Amtrak?
Amtrak is the only cost-effective and reliable mode of transportation for your vehicles in the USA. Other than this, you would have to resort to using a haul truck. However, if you are living in Canada, you can use MVS, which provides safe and reliable shipping for vehicles across the country.
I bought a used car online. Can I use a rail train to transport it?
Buying a used car online is common practice in North America and other parts of the world. Platforms like Autozin provide an authentic and genuine way for people to buy and sell used cars.
The Canadian site has become a popular tool for customers all across North America, and we can understand why. They sell vehicles of all sizes and makes, whether it’s a Buick, a BMW, or a ramp truck. Just visit their website and find what you’re looking for.
However, you might face a problem if the car you bought happens to be in another city. How are you going to bring it to where you live? Surely you don’t mean to fly to the car’s location and then drive it back to your city? Of course not; that would be a logistical nightmare.
You want to hire a rail train service that can safely pick up your vehicle from point A and drop it off to point B. If you live in Stanford and the car is in Lorton, your best bet would be to hire the Amtrak auto train.
If not, you will most probably have to hire a haul truck. Alternatively, you can also use the MVS train service if you live in Canada. Whatever you decide, it’ll definitely be better than spending a fortune on gas just to drive your car all across the country.
