If you’re shipping your car within the continental US, there are few (but very important) restrictions to keep in mind. These can affect everything from shipping time to price to services available. For example, door-to-door car delivery is not available in Hawaii or Alaska, where all shipped cars will be left at the port and must be picked up directly by the owner or an authorized party (a signed letter and advanced notification to the company are usually necessary).

Other restrictions to consider include:

• If you live in a residential area with lots of hanging trees, a truck may not be able to drive through and will have to leave your car at a shipping station instead.
• Certain types of terrain, such as cul-de-sacs, steep hills and dirt roads may not be appropriate for large trucks.
• Many cities have weight restrictions for vehicles getting into the city. If your destination city has that in effect, car delivery will be made to an alternate location outside the city center, and you will be responsible for picking up the vehicle yourself.
• Trucks may not deliver (or delivery times can stretch out considerably) during harsh winter conditions, especially if roads are icy.