Amtrak is your best (and only) option if you want to ship your car by train
. The rail transport company can ship your vehicle about 900 miles in less than one day for around $500. However, Amtrak provides service in only two small cities: Sanford, Florida and Lorton, Virginia.
How are cars shipped by rail?
How car shipping by train works. Car shipping by train works pretty much the way it sounds. You transport your vehicle from one location to another, but instead of paying a car shipping company to deliver it via truck, you put your car on a train and ride along with it. And yes, the passenger ticket is mandatory.
Can you put your car on a train across the US?
The Auto Train transports you and your car (or van, motorcycle, SUV, small boat, jet-ski or other recreational vehicle) nonstop from the Washington, DC area to Florida, just outside of Orlando.
How can I ship my car to another state?
- Option #1: Drive it Yourself. …
- Option #2: Hire a Driver. …
- Option #3: Tow or Trailer Your Car. …
- Option #4: Transport Your Car with Your Moving Company. …
- Option #5: Ship Your Car to Another State by Train. …
- Option #6: Ship Your Car by Boat. …
- Option #7: Hire an Auto Transport Company.
Can I put my car on a train to Florida?
Instead of being stuck in traffic on I-95,
you and your vehicle could Get Carried Away on the Auto Train
. Simply pack your car with everything you need for your trip between Lorton, Virginia (near Washington DC) and Sanford, Florida (near Orlando) and leave the driving behind.
How long is Auto Train from Florida to Virginia?
The nonstop trip takes
just over 17 hours
, slightly longer than the time it would take to drive the 850 miles without stopping (and without traffic). The train departs daily.
How much does it cost to take the Auto Train from Florida to Virginia?
The Auto Train will take you and your car nonstop between Lorton, VA near Washington, DC and Sanford, Florida near Orlando for
as low as $89 (plus the cost of your vehicle)
with Saver Fares.
How are cars hauled on trains?
Vehicles are
loaded onto and off of auto racks by portable ramps
, which allow vehicles to be driven onto or off the rail car.
How are the cars secured on the auto train?
Once a vehicle is loaded onto a rail car, auto ramp professionals secure each wheel to the rail car
with special straps and chocks
to keep it securely in place and damage free during transit. Auto ramp staff members are specially trained to handle vehicles with care.
Can I put stuff in my car when I ship it?
Specifically we’re asked, can I put stuff in my car when I ship it? The short answer is
yes, but there are important caveats
. First, personal items are not covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance. You ship them at your own risk!
How long does it take to ship a car?
Auto transport carriers typically take
seven to ten days
to ship your car across the country. However, time estimates typically depend on factors such as weather conditions, road conditions, and the type of transport.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Texas?
If you’re planning on flying to your new home, shipping your car is an easy way to get it where it needs to be. That being said, it will cost
between $800 and $1,000
to ship your car from California to Texas.
Is there a train that goes to Florida?
Three Amtrak routes travel to Florida:
Auto Train (which only stops in Sanford, Florida and in Virginia), Silver Star and Silver Meteor
.
How long does it take a train to get to Florida?
If you prefer to ditch the car but still want the romance of overland travel, hopping on an Amtrak train is your best bet. Both the Silver Star and Silver Meteor lines make regularly scheduled journeys to Florida, with a travel distance of around 1,100 miles and a total trip length of around
28 to 32 hours
.
How much is Amtrak to Florida?
| Limited Time Fares* One traveler Two travelers^ | Roomette $109 $159 | Bedroom $249 $299 |
|---|
Is the Auto Train comfortable?
The coach cabin on the Auto Train looks like many other Amtrak coach cabins but
you find considerably more space and comfort
. The seats are in a 2-2 configuration and recline quite generously, similar to the slanted lie-flat business-class seats common on international flights in decades past.
How many cars does the Auto Train hold?
The train can carry
up to 320 vehicles
. The train also includes lounge cars and dining cars. The Auto Train service allows its passengers to avoid driving Interstate 95 in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, while bringing their own vehicles with them.
How much does a train car cost?
Today, the typical freight railcar is in the
$100,000 to $150,000
range. Overall, there are six basic freight railcar types. But within each railcar type, there are multiple specific design factors.
Is it cheaper to travel by train or plane?
Train travel is often cheaper than flying
(especially since you can take more with you before paying extra baggage fees). And it can be more convenient than driving — especially if you’d be driving in an unfamiliar place or having to drive for hours and hours nonstop to get to your destination.
What are Amtrak sleeper cars like?
An Amtrak sleeper car is a train car that
contains restrooms, shower rooms and sleeping accommodations
(not coach seats). Only the overnight and long-distance trains have sleeper cars, which contain roomettes and bedrooms.
How long is a car ride from Virginia to Florida?
How long is the drive from Virginia to Florida? The total driving time is
12 hours, 44 minutes
.
How are cars unloaded from trains?
These cars can are typically unloaded in one of two ways:
dumping them into a pit, or attaching a pan and vacuuming the material out via a pneumatic conveying system
. Unloading these cars by means of an open pit is the fastest way to empty the car.
How long is an autorack car?
These cars, built by Gunderson (a subsidiary of The Greenbrier Companies) measure
145 ft 4 in (44.3 m)
long and 20 ft 2 in (6.15 m) tall; they feature adjustable interior decks to carry up to 22 light trucks and minivans.
What cars drive on trains?
A road–rail vehicle or a rail-road vehicle
is a dual-mode vehicle which can operate both on rail tracks and roads. They are also known as two-way vehicles (German: Zweiwegefahrzeug), hi-rail (from highway and railway, or variations such as high-rail, HiRail, Hy-rail), and rail and road vehicles.
