corsia logo

Terminal-to-Terminal Auto Transport

Terminal-to-Terminal Auto Transport

In this guide we will define auto transport terminals, and go over the pros and cons of terminal-to-terminal car shipping. This will help you make an educated choice about the relocation of your vehicle.

What is an auto transport terminal?

A terminal is a regional storage facility, usually a secured lot that towing companies use. It is the place where vehicles are stored until a carrier picks them up. Most terminals are located outside large metropolitan areas, often near your local airport or off major highways running through big cities.

It is not unusual for several car shipping companies to use the same terminal.

The terminal is a transport hub where carriers often combine shipments traveling to the same region. Not having to drive around picking up and dropping off individual loads – carriers can efficiently load and unload vehicles at one place. That, however, does not always means a lower price for the end consumer.

What are the pros of terminal-to-terminal car shipping?

When moving, planning is essential. To stay on track with your move, you will need to schedule every task, sometimes down to the last hour.

When tackling your moving schedule, terminal-to-terminal car shipping could be a good option. It enables you to drop off your vehicle at a certain location, a storage facility, at the most convenient for you time. With this option on the table, you are not bound by the availability and time constraints of door-to-door auto transport.

Many terminals, however, charge storage fees that sometimes may add up to an amount equal to the cost of expedited vehicle shipping. The first day or two might be free, but then the storage fees begin to pile up.

Hence, before you settle on an option, we encourage you to get pricing for all options.

What are the cons of terminal-to-terminal auto transport?

Although terminal-to-terminal auto transport could be a more affordable option, it’s not for everyone. And for some car owners, the disadvantages will outweigh the advantages.

Getting to and from the terminals

The first disadvantage is that the terminals are usually located outside of the city limits, far from most residential areas or suburbs. It means that you will have to arrange transport and calculate your time accordingly. It is a task that implies additional time and money.

If you have a friend or a relative willing to give you a ride – you are all set. Otherwise, you may find that the cost of getting to and from the terminals cancels out any saving you’ve earned by not booking door-to-door service.

Terminals storage fees

The next possible disadvantage is paying storage fees. In case you are not able to pick-up your vehicle within a certain time frame, you may incur storage charges.

Vehicle delivery time

Terminal-to-terminal transport may take longer than door-to-door auto transport service. To avoid unpleasant surprises, check with your booking agent in advance.

Security of terminals

Another disadvantage of terminals is that they are not always fully secured. Your vehicle will be parked in an open air lot, exposed to the elements as well as possible vandalism and accidental damage. Most terminals are equipped with cameras, but often not with 24/7 security guard.

When is terminal-to-terminal delivery a good choice?

Sometimes, if you’re moving to a remote location such as a village nestled in the mountains, terminal-to-terminal shipping might be your only option. Door-to-door service, in this case, would be an extremely pricey and difficult to arrange task.

Also, if you can’t be around for your vehicle’s pick up and at the same time don’t mind driving a few extra miles, then terminal-to-terminal car shipping is a good option.

When you opt for terminal-to-terminal shipping, you will be responsible for delivering your vehicle to a designated storage facility. From there, a carrier will pick it up and drop it off at a terminal closest to your destination location.

When dropping off your vehicle at a terminal make sure to leave your car keys – either with an attendant or in a drop box, together with your order number.

Carefully follow all the instructions provided by your car shipping company. It is important to understand how to prepare your automobile for transport, and have all the necessary documents.

You can learn more about how auto transport works from our website. You can also call our team with to discuss your options and budget. They will walk you through the entire vehicle shipping process and help you select a service.

Share our experience:
Are you ready to ship a car?
Recent posts
car shipping quote

Truckers Can Fight Sex Trafficking

If You See Something, Say Something! This is the slogan of the nonprofit group Truckers Against Trafficking, the organization’s main goal is to have more

Shipping a Rivian

Shipping a Rivian

Shipping an electric vehicle like Rivian requires several considerations. Here we will share some key aspects to keep in mind when you need to ship

Read more

Corsia Logistics team works hard every day to ensure reliable expedited car shipping service. Our customer reviews prove that.

5-Star Rated Car Shipping Company

5/5
5/5
5/5

they trusted us

and here's what they say

Simon Moore
Great company
Read More
Looking for a logistics company, to ship my car, from California to Illinois,my first search, then Corsia showed up, skeptical. Call and a very friendly secretary: Elena. She guided me through, I scheduled and as she explained, all when smooth as scheduled Very happy I did the right choice. I'll recommend this great Company to anyone that is thinking to relocate a vehicle. Thanks Corsia logistics for your honesty and professionalism!
Elizabeth Woodward
High five's all around!
Read More
Corsia was highly recommended by a friend in the automobile industry. We needed to transport a cargo van from Seattle to Florida. We contacted Corsia who quickly arranged transport within just a few days. Communication was outstanding! Just a few email confirmations and we were all set. Mike was great and arrived right on time and delivered to Florida on schedule. Tip-avoid the hornets nest of auto brokers on line and just contact Corsia for a truly great experience!
Carrol Tiffany
Amazing
Read More
Corsia has been amazing. Their prices are really competitive but more importantly their customer service has been 5-Star. Elena followed up with me every step of the way, making sure there was no miscommunication between me & the driver. We are using them to ship a 2nd vehicle & would not hesitate to use them again!
Tony Boyd
Definitely recommend
Read More
I have recently used Corsia for long time family car with sentimental value that was moved I have recently used Corsia for shipment of my vehicle from Oregon to Arizona by recommendation from other family member who also used Corsia in the past. I am very pleased on the service and the communication throughout shipment. Ken was my direct contact and kept me informed along the move The car was picked up and delivered as communicated. I did use a enclosed mover and the driver was also clean cut professional and treated car as his own. I would definitely recommend Corsia again with the experience I have had. Thank you. T
JW
Top notch
Read More
Top notch Transport - Porsche 997 Top notch! As easy and efficient as one could possibly imagine. Great customer service.. thank you Luke. Great prices. Check. Timely communications. Check. Clean transport trailer. Check. Supremely careful driver. Check. Timely arrival. Check. Don't mess around elsewhere, just call Corsica and feel confident your transports needs are going to be exceeded. My Porsche 911 rode like a Queen in her enclosed chariot. I've never needed a transport company before, and I surely will use them every time. Do yourself a favor, seriously. Call now.
Geet Mp Haryana
Reliable, efficient
Read More
Corsia rep (Elena) was very proactive. Helped ship a car from CA to GA. She checked in with me via email quote and several phone calls to find me the best possible quote for the fastest available service. After several communications, Corsia was able to schedule a vehicle pickup the next day. The driver communicated well, and the vehicle arrived in final destination faster than we expected in perfect condition. I highly recommend using Corsia's reliable, efficient service.
Cay Liptak
Clean, efficient, wonderful
Read More
Thanks, Corsia! Pickup was so clean, efficient, and wonderful -- my only recommendation is to make sure you schedule it during the day so you can fully review the car in the daylight. Drop off was equally wonderful, and the whole trip went down without a hitch (pun intended!). Seriously, Corsia delivered my Jeep from CT to California with no issues or bumps in the road!
Csaba Kovesdy
Truly positive experience
Read More
Corsia Memphis to LA, mid-size SUV. I looked at 4 different companies amd Corsia was the most responsive of them. While being responsive, they were not unduly aggressive: when I indicated that I need to wait a month before making a decision they stopped contacting me and only came back with a reminder when I really needed it. Once I decided to engage Corsia they found me a transport within two days and the car was delivered (from Memphis to LA) in another two days. I had a truly positive experience.
Kelly Torres
Highly recommend
Read More
Working with Corsia Logistics was a great experience. Working with Corsia Logistics was wonderful. They were able to find a driver right away to transport our car. They were in constant communication as to when the car was getting picked up and dropped off. The driver also communicated with me as to when he would arrive. I would highly recommend Corsia Logistics.
Amy Nelson
Excellent Organization
Read More
Corsia was an excellent company to work with while I transferred my car across the US. A friend of mine suggested I use them as they had been very organized and trustworthy with her own car. I researched a few different place but decided to go with Corsia and I'm so glad I did! Any questions I had throughout the process they answered quickly and clearly. I would definitely use them again in the future and recommend them for others to use.
Previous
Next