Moving interstate? Yeah, I feel your pain. Between removalists, flights, and setting up your new place, the costs add up fast. The last thing you need is your car transport blowing your budget.
Here’s the thing – I’ve helped heaps of mates figure out how to move their cars without breaking the bank, and there are definitely some tricks most people don’t know about.
Your Best Money-Saving Options
The Backload Secret (My Personal Favorite)
This is gold, and hardly anyone talks about it. Transport companies often have empty space on return trips, so they’ll give you massive discounts just to fill the trailer.
My neighbor saved $400 moving from Melbourne to Brisbane just by being flexible with dates. The catch? You might wait an extra week or two, but if you’re not in a rush, it’s brilliant.
How to find it: Ring transport companies directly and ask about backload opportunities. Don’t be shy – they want to fill those empty spots.
Share the Ride (For Cars)
Consolidated transport is like carpooling for vehicles. Your car shares trailer space with others heading the same way, and you split the costs.
I used this when moving to Perth last year – saved about $300 and met the other car owners at pickup. Turned into a bit of a laugh, actually.
Skip the Door-to-Door Service
Look, having your car picked up from home is convenient, but depot-to-depot can save you $150-300. My sister did this for her Sydney to Adelaide move and made a weekend trip out of the depot visits.
Just watch out for: Daily storage fees if you’re late picking up. Set a phone reminder!
When Driving Yourself Actually Makes Sense
Everyone assumes driving is cheapest, but let’s be real here. Sydney to Brisbane? Sure, probably worth the road trip. Melbourne to Perth? That’s $500+ in fuel alone, plus accommodation, food, and you’ll be knackered.
My mate tried the Perth drive and regretted it big time. Between fuel, two nights in motels, and needing new tires afterward, he would’ve saved money using a transport company.
Drive if: It’s under 500km, you enjoy road trips, and your car’s reliable. Otherwise, seriously consider your options.
Smart Ways to Cut Costs
Timing Is Everything
Avoid these expensive periods:
- December to February (everyone’s moving)
- School holidays
- Weekends
Sweet spots: March-May and August-October. Book 3-4 weeks ahead and you’ll often get better deals.
Get Multiple Quotes (But Do It Right)
Don’t just grab three random quotes. Start with smaller operators – they’re often hungrier for business and more competitive. Ask every company about current specials or backload deals.
Prep Your Car Properly
Clean out everything personal (extra weight costs extra), take photos of any existing damage, and make sure it runs. Non-running cars can cost an extra $200-400 because they need special equipment.
Red Flags to Watch For
If someone quotes way below everyone else, there’s usually a reason. Check their insurance, read recent reviews, and make sure they’re not adding sneaky fees later.
I learned this the hard way when a “cheap” company tried to add $300 in extra charges at pickup. Ended up costing more than the reputable quotes.
The Bottom Line
Moving interstate is stressful enough without worrying about your car. Find the sweet spot between cheap and reliable, and you’ll arrive at your new home with both your vehicle and sanity intact.
The key is knowing these options exist and not just accepting the first quote you get. Do a bit of homework, be flexible with timing, and you can definitely move your car without breaking the bank.
