Okay so you’re moving out of state from Ridgewood. Congrats but also, now what do you do with your car?
Most people either think “I’ll just drive it” or completely forget about it until moving week. Driving it yourself sounds fine until you’re on hour 14 of a solo drive through Ohio wondering why you didn’t just ship it.
A good auto transport company handles all of that for you. But finding one you can actually trust? That’s where it gets tricky.
So What Does an Auto Transport Company Even Do?
They pick up your car from your door and deliver it to your new place. That’s basically it. You don’t have to be there for the whole thing. Most people fly to their new city and their car shows up a few days later.
The one thing worth knowing upfront: there’s a difference between a carrier and a broker. A carrier owns their trucks and handles your car directly. A broker is more like a middleman: they take your order and find someone else to do the job.
Neither is automatically bad, but with a carrier you know exactly who’s touching your car. Less surprises.
What to Actually Look For
Forget the fancy websites and big promises. Here’s what matters:
Are they registered?
Every real auto transport company has a USDOT number. Takes 30 seconds to check on the FMCSA website. If they can’t give you one, move on.
Do they have insurance?
Not just “yes we’re insured”, ask what it covers and what happens if something goes wrong. A legit company won’t hesitate to explain this.
Is the quote in writing?
If someone gives you a price over the phone and says “we’ll sort out the details later” that’s a no from me. Get everything written down before you commit.
What are people saying?
Not the testimonials on their own website. Go to Google, Yelp, Transport Reviews. Look at the 3-star reviews too, not just the 5s. That’s where the real story is.
Can you actually reach them?
Call the number before you book. See if a real person picks up. You’d be surprised how many companies go quiet once they have your deposit.
Open vs Enclosed Keep It Simple
If you drive a regular car Honda, Toyota, Ford, whatever open car transport is totally fine. Your car rides on an open trailer, same way dealerships get their inventory delivered. Costs less, works well.
If you’ve got a classic, luxury, or exotic car, go enclosed. More expensive but your car is in a fully covered trailer, protected from weather and road junk the whole way.
Signs Something’s Off
Some stuff that should make you pause:
- The quote is weirdly cheap compared to everyone else
- They want a big deposit before pickup
- You can’t find them on the FMCSA site
- They’re pushing you to sign today
- Everything’s verbal, nothing’s written
Honestly the pressure thing is the biggest one. A company that’s confident in their service doesn’t need to rush you.
Why a Lot of Ridgewood People Go With 2 J’s
2 J’s Auto Transport has been running since 2012. John and Joyce started it because they were frustrated with how sketchy and confusing the industry was so they built something straightforward.
They’re a carrier, not a broker. They ship to all 50 states. They’re available every single day of the week. And if you look at their reviews, the thing people mention most isn’t even the price, it’s that someone actually picked up the phone and walked them through everything.
For Ridgewood folks moving to Florida, Texas, the Carolinas, California they’ve done those routes more times than they can count.
FAQs
When should I book?
Give yourself at least 2 weeks. If you’re moving in summer, 3 to 4 weeks to be safe it gets busy.
How long will it take to get there?
Ridgewood to Florida is usually 2 to 4 days. Cross-country to California is closer to 7 to 10 days.
What if something happens to my car?
Licensed carriers are required to carry cargo insurance. Before you ship, ask for the specifics coverage amount, deductible, the whole thing.
Can I throw stuff in the trunk?
You can, but it’s not covered by cargo insurance and some carriers have weight limits. Better to just keep it empty.
