There’s no doubt that cars play an important role in everyday life for many Australians. From getting you to work on time to transporting your groceries, having a car can make your life more convenient, efficient and ultimately more enjoyable. If you are moving interstate, you’ll need to decide whether you want to bring your car with you and start preparing for how you will relocate it to your new home.
As professional removalists, we help Australians relocate across the country everyday. From moving precious belongings and furniture to every type of vehicle, we’re experts at making interstate moves hassle-free. Here is our ultimate guide to moving your car interstate.
Should you move your car interstate?
Before you begin to prepare to move your car interstate, you should first consider - do I need to move it interstate? The answer to this question depends on where you are moving to, your lifestyle in your new state and the age and condition of your car.
Every state in Australia is different and has its own unique transportation infrastructure. If you are moving to outback NSW, you will likely need a car. However, your existing car may not be suitable. Would your small electric car that is ideal for driving around the inner city work in the hilly countryside? Do some research into where you’ll be relocating to give some context about whether your car will be needed. If you have chosen where exactly you’ll be living, check the closest public transportation links as well as any bike paths.
If you are living in the inner city, you may not need frequent access to your car in order to go to the supermarket, travel to work or enjoy any other nearby amenities. In the case of living in the outer suburbs or in rural areas, you’ll likely need access to a vehicle to help perform these weekly tasks. Weigh up how often you will be needing your car after you move interstate before deciding to move it.
Depreciation is a huge cost when it comes to car ownership. Sometimes it’s not worth the cost of maintaining, fixing and then relocating an older vehicle. If your car is in good condition and only a few years old, then consider whether it is worth selling your vehicle to later purchase another after you’ve moved. This is a great way to cover (and save on) relocation costs and it gives you the opportunity to save up for another and new vehicle later down the road. It also will help you understand whether you really do need a car in your new state, before you’ve gone to the trouble of relocating one.
If you need your car to help move to your new home or will be using it immediately, then it’s best to relocate it with you interstate.
Driving yourself vs getting it transported
You’ve decided that you are relocating interstate with your vehicle, but will you drive it yourself or get it transported using a vehicle relocation service? Both options come with their own advantages and disadvantages.
The majority of people want to drive their own vehicle themselves as they think it will be cheaper. This can be true, but it mainly depends on how far you will be driving. If you are moving from Perth to Sydney, it's going to take at least 40 hours to drive there. This long way to drive is not only going to cost a pretty penny in petrol, but you will also have to pay for accommodation, food, tolls and any other incidental expenses along the way. If you are relocating from Canberra to Sydney, which is a 3 hour drive, it may be cheaper to drive your vehicle yourself than have it transported.
The decision to drive it yourself or get your car transported is more than a question of which is cheaper. There’s also the time, effort and wear to consider. As Australia is considerable in size, you’ll need to stay alert and awake for hours on end when travelling interstate. Driving is incredibly exhausting and wastes valuable time you could spend setting up your new home and exploring your new surroundings. The long distances will also add substantial mileage, in addition to wear and tear to your car, further deprecating your asset.
While driving is great if you aren’t in a rush and wanting to see more of Australia, we don’t recommend it if travelling long distances in a car with children and/or pets. If you’ve decided that car relocation is a better option for you, here is how it works.
How does car relocation work?
There are a few different methods when it comes to relocating a vehicle. The three most common are transporting the car by rail, transporting via freight, and using a driver to drive the car to your destination.
Transporting your car by freight involves either the use of a truck or ship (for relocation to Tasmania or internationally). Truck tends to be a convenient and popular option for interstate car relocation. Using rail can be a cheaper option, however may not be as convenient as freight and is limited to the bigger state and territory cities.
Some services may use a driver to relocate your vehicle. Although this saves you the time and energy of driving it yourself, you will also have the downside of the car mileage increasing as well as some additional costs.
The cost of relocating your car interstate
Vehicle relocation pricing depends on a range of factors including weight, size and make of vehicle, the destination and method of transportation. An average cost to give you an idea is around 40-60 cents per kilometre to relocate your car interstate. However, the cost will vary so it’s best to receive a quote specific to your relocation needs.
Bigger and heavier vehicles will cost more to relocate, especially if you are moving a car with a caravan or trailer attached. The size of your tyres can also have an impact on the price, and so can any changes made to the suspension of your vehicle.
You may need to factor in some additional costs including insurance, fuel costs for driving to and from the pick up/drop off points, and any state or territory specific registration fees.
Preparing your car
Before your car embarks on its journey interstate, you’ll need to do some basic preparation. The first thing is ensuring you have a spare set of keys. You’ll be giving your keys to the relocation company so you will also need an additional copy to access your car. Keep the keys with you throughout the move to avoid them getting lost in the chaos of the move.
The next step is to do a maintenance check. This involves checking the tyres, battery, mileage and reviewing the car for any mechanical issues. It’s also wise to take some images of your car and record any existing damage or issues before relocating your car, this can come in handy for insurance. Check with the relocation company about how much petrol your car should have while being transported, and take in account the petrol required to drive to the relocation pick up.
Clean your car inside and out before relocating it. If you want to transport belongings within your car, discuss this first with your relocation company. Each vehicle transportation company will have their own policies on this and you may be required to pay for additional insurance. It’s best to not leave anything in your car so remove any umbrellas, phone chargers, spare change, etc. Make sure your car is free of all dirt, mud, soil, seeds, and plant matter. Not only will this mean that your vehicle will be nice and clean when it arrives, but some states like Western Australia and Tasmania have strict quarantine rules on car transportation. You may risk having to pay cleaning costs on top of fines for failing to comply with these regulations.
Your car relocation company should brief you on any specific requirements for transporting your car, but don’t be afraid to double check. You may also need to provide your car relocation provider with any necessary paperwork required for your move. This can include documentation of your registration number, proof of insurance or that your car is roadworthy. Make additional copies to be on the safe side.
Book your car relocation today!
If you are moving interstate, Allied can assist you with your vehicle relocation. As part of our many moving services, we’ll ensure that your car arrives safely and efficiently to your new home interstate.
Choosing a removals company to relocate your vehicle saves you from having to deal with the hassle of multiple providers. We’ll ensure that all aspects of your move are organised and facilitated to maximise convenience. You can also receive a more competitive quote if Allied is handling all your relocation needs.
From pet relocation to professional packing, let Allied take care of everything required for your interstate relocation. There’s no need to worry about the logistics of getting your car to your new home while also managing the rest of your move when you choose Allied.
Get in touch with our friendly team today and discuss moving your car interstate.