It’s official: Americans relocate more often than any other country in the world. Surveys consistently show that Americans are more likely to move to another town or state than other nationalities, and one reason for this phenomenon is the American willingness to relocate to accept a better job.

American families also tend to have more cars per family than other nationalities, resulting in a potential problem when relocating: how to move one or more vehicles to your new address?

Auto transport companies are a great alternative to driving your car on a long-distance move. The companies charge a fee based on the size, weight and destination of your vehicle, and there are several different transport options available.

The cheapest method of car relocation is by open auto transport. These are the open car carrier trucks you have probably seen on the highway. Delivery time via an open auto transport is normally within seven days, and many times much quicker, depending on your car’s origin and destination.

A safer but more expensive option is to use “enclosed auto transport.” This protects your vehicle from inclement whether, flying rocks on the highway, and other hazards. With most companies, the price for enclosed car transport is 25 to 50% higher than the standard open auto transport, but for expensive or classic vehicles it can be worth the expense. The average delivery time remains roughly the same — within seven days.

Car transport companies are usually listed in the Yellow Pages under “vehicle shipping,” “auto transport,” or “car transport.” You can also locate transport companies online by typing the same terms into your favorite search engine. When considering a company, make sure they are licensed and bonded. This will protect you as a consumer in case anything should go wrong, or if your car is damaged in route to your new home.

To get the best deal on auto transport, it is wise to get competitive quotes from at least three different companies. Also, be sure to consider the total cost of the move. Some companies will attempt to charge hidden fees that are not quoted in their base price, so be sure to specifically ask for a “final price quote,” outlining all charges incurred during the move.

If you are relocating overseas, you will need to find an international auto relocation service. Many of the biggest auto transport companies have affiliates overseas and will be able to offer you a competitive quote on the move. Of course, relocating to a foreign country is often a great deal more expensive — though auto relocation rates to Canada tend to be only slightly higher than within the continental US.

Overall, relocating your car is a simple process, and you’ll find that auto transport companies eliminate much of the hassle from your relocation for a very reasonable cost.