If you need to ship your car from one location to another, you probably need to weigh all options.
Driving might be the cheapest and easiest way from first sight.
Also, you can tow the vehicle or use car shipping services.
Let's take a close look at ways of shipment.
1. Driving
At first sight, you don’t need to pay for transportation.
It’s very convenient for transportation for short or one-way trips.
But you will need to remember about the other costs as fuel, tolls, rest stops, overnight stays, food.
Also, there are risks and wear and tear involved in driving long distances.
2. Towing
You can save money by towing the car, but you should only do it if you’re highly experienced.
Costs include fuel, tolls, rest stops, overnight stays, food. There are risks and wear and tear involved in driving long distances. 
3. Car Shipping Companies
Works for long and short distances.
You can choose an open or enclosed trailer.
All national routes covered.
4. Shipping the car with household content in a container
Convenient.
Cheap modes of transportation.
There’s a higher risk of damage the vehicle, as items can fall onto the car.
5. Shipping a car by train
Fast and safe auto transport. Very cost-effective.
You can sometimes travel with your car by train.
You still have to transport the vehicle to and from the station.
6. Auto transportation by air
Fast and relatively cheap for international auto transport. Safe and secure.
You still need transport to and from the airport.
Car towing companies work mainly for parking lot companies, handling illegal parking, and recovery of repossessed vehicles.
The vehicle can be taken from a car accident to a repair shop.
Or, if you’re car broke down, a truck would tow your vehicle from the roadside to the mechanic’s workshop.
There also is another type of car towing, which can work over longer distances.
For example, between two neighboring cities.
And now let’s talk about the pros & cons. 
Pros:
- you can stay with your car the entire time, and it gives you a sense of control
- can be cheaper than car shipping if you use car towing service
- some of the car towing companies might fix the car
Cons:
- Wear and tear on your car
- risks of damage because of the carrier’s rush (they are paid on a per-project basis, so they are under pressure to handle as many jobs every day as they can)
- usually, car towing companies do short-distance shipping
Let’s speak about the ways of car towing:
Flatbed Towing
Flatbed towing is one of the safest ways of towing cars.
The flatbeds are usually hooked up to a specific transport vehicle designed to do the job.
It is a cost-effective and very easy way to tow breakdown vehicles.
It is also a very popular choice for car transportation for dealerships, house moves, and purchases.
Two-Wheel
Two-wheel towing is when a car is hooked up to the rear of the tow truck with its two front tires off the road and raised.
The car is then towed close to the back of the car and is quite secure.
You also don’t clock up mileage as the pedometer is linked to the driveshaft and the front two wheels.
However, there are some drawbacks.
There will be uneven wear and tear on the back two wheels compared to the front ones if you are traveling a long distance.
Flat Towing
It got this name as all four wheels are flat on the road at all times.
This ensures an even wear and tear of your tires, but it also increases the overall wear, which is something to bear in mind if there is a long journey ahead.
It is a lighter, quicker way to tow, but you will also clock up potentially large amounts of mileage.
They provide towing services throughout the Little Rock, Benton, Bryant, and Sherwood area.
Reliable and affordable towing services.
Pros :
- Affordable prices
- Fast and reliable service
- No charges for illegal parking
- Open 7 days a week/24 hours a day
Cons:
- Only Little Rock areas
All American Towing & Recovery pride themselves on honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
They have equipment and experience to handle any situation.
Pros :
- Fully insured and licensed
- 24-hour service
- Top-rated company
- 20 years experience
Cons:
- Prices are little higher than usual
GetCarrier is a reliable vehicle transporter, not a furniture-moving company, so your motorcycles are in good hands.
They have enclosed trailers that will protect your bikes from any flying debris, dust, or other environmental factors.
Pros :
- Any vehicle shipping
- Fast and easy service
- Marketplace
- Best cost guarantee
- Tons of positive reviews
Cons:
- Not always 24/7 supporting
They offer English & Spanish service.
The company can offer Tire Changes, Battery Jump Starts & Battery Replacements.
Pros :
- 24 hours service
- Fast and professional service
- Comparable prices
- Different types of services
- Good reviews
Cons:
- Website is not maintained properly
A1 Towing NYC offers 24 hour roadside assistance services in Manhattan NY.
Other services include towing, flat tire replacement, auto jump start, and car unlocking.
Pros :
- 24 hours service
- Informative website
- Fair prices
- Different types of services
- Interesting blog
Cons:
- Provide service only in NYC
Press to see Top 8 Best Auto Transport Companies.
Towing costs will depend on several things, such as:
The type of vehicle
The towing cost will depend on the size of the vehicle.
An RV will cost more to tow than a small sedan.
Condition of the vehicle
If the vehicle is tolerated, it may be more complicated to get it onto the tow truck than a car that’s run out of gas.
Distance
The car towing company will charge by the mile.
To tow a car across the country will cost more than from a repair shop to a house down the road.
Special circumstances
Car towing from a quiet parking lot in the middle of town will cost less than having to pull your car out of a ditch and shipping across the country.
The same as car towing on Sunday afternoon or on a public holiday on a narrow country road will cost more than retrieving it from an accident scene.
After-hours towing typically starts at 8 or 9 p.m. and ends between 6–8 a.m.
Each company’s after-hours service varies.
Some companies’ additional cost is as low as $5.
Others charge up to a $150 one-time fee.
Sometimes, the time of the day may also affect your price.
These are just some factors that influence the cost to tow a car.
Almost all car towing companies working 24/7.
How much does the car towing cost?
Generally, a typical tow of five miles or less might cost $35-$125; a 40-mile tow could be $125-$275; a 100-mile tow could cost $275-$600, and having a vehicle towed hundreds of miles could cost $1,000 or more.
Based on our research, tow truck companies charge between $2 to $4 per mile.
It can cost on average $75 – $125 to hire a tow truck service.
Check the prices for car shipping here.
It’s important to remember that each company will charge its own fee. Most will charge a flat rate for the long-distance towing service. However, if your car broke down in a remote area, there may be an additional fee.
If you think you already know the most suitable transportation method, we recommend weighing options again.
According to the table, car shipping is more popular and safe.
If you have a new luxury vehicle, the car shipping company will provide an enclosed trailer with a lift gate.
The car towing company will be able to provide only an open trailer.
1. Remove Necessary Items
The first thing you need to do is remove all personal items from your vehicle.
This ensures nothing goes missing or get’s damaged during transport.
Many tow truck companies make it clear they aren’t liable for lost items.
2. Take Pictures of Your Vehicle
Take pictures of your vehicle with your phone to fixate pre-existing damages.
These pictures will come in handy if any new damage occurs.
3. Disengage Your Emergency Brake
Your emergency brake will need to be disengaged when your vehicle gets loaded onto the truck.
If it isn’t, damage can result.
4. Close All Windows
Closing the windows in your vehicle ensures no dirt or debris get in during transport.
5. Arrange for Access to Your Vehicle
Arrange access to your vehicle and provide keys to the driver.
If you’re not at the pickup point, please hide the keys somewhere and provide this information to the driver.
Do you know how to prepare the car for shipping across the country? No? Check it out.
At some point, everyone who owns a vehicle will have to call a tow truck.
Although the process is a hassle, it’s not a problem to find a professional company nowadays.
You may require towing due to an unexpected breakdown.
Professional towing is also a great way to transport your vehicle when moving.