Ship a car from Toronto to Vancouver
Let’s talk about some things you should know before you ship your vehicle from Toronto to Vancouver.
If you are reading this, our guess is you don’t want to spend days driving across the Canadian countryside to get your car from Toronto to Vancouver.
The drive from Toronto to Vancouver offers breathtaking natural scenery, but it’s hard to enjoy it after 45 hours (or more) in the car. No thank you!
Don’t worry, there’s another solution to that exhausting drive to Vancouver. We will go over all the details.
Here’s what you need to know about shipping a car from Toronto to Vancouver.
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Why ship your car from Toronto to Vancouver?
1. Saves time
Don’t feel like making a days-long road trip? Shipping your vehicle saves considerable time on your end.
2. No wear and tear
Making the drive to Vancouver will add nearly 4,400 kilometres to your car’s odometer. Additionally, the long trip can take a toll on your vehicle, increasing the risk of damage.
3. Cost-efficiency
Yes, there’s a cost to ship a car from Toronto to Vancouver. But it also costs money to pay for the meals, lodging, and gas you’ll need during your trip across Canada.
4. Less stress
Driving your vehicle to Vancouver requires you to plan a route across multiple provinces and navigate various terrain. Shipping your vehicle takes those worries away and minimizes your stress.
Shipping a car from Toronto to Vancouver
Have questions about how to ship a car from Toronto to Vancouver? Here’s a step-by-step overview of how car shipping works with Reindeer Logistics.
Step 1:
Get a free quote.
Start by contacting us to get a free quote for your upcoming move. When requesting a quote, you’ll need to provide the following:
- Your vehicle size, make, and model
- Vehicle condition
- Postal codes of your pickup and drop-off locations
- Desired pickup and delivery dates
- Preference for open or enclosed transportation
- Other special considerations or requests
Step 2:
Connect with a relocation coordinator.
Once you’ve chosen Reindeer for your shipping needs, you’ll connect with a relocation coordinator to plan your move, including the pickup and drop-off dates. Your relocation coordinator will be your contact person throughout the shipping process. When you have a question about paperwork or need a delivery update, they’ll be the person you call.
Our relocation team has extensive experience arranging vehicle transportation in Canada, including cross-country moves between Toronto and Vancouver. We’ve handled thousands of Canadian car shipments over the last 20 years, and we’re a proud member of the Canadian Association of Movers.
Step 3:
Prepare your vehicle for shipping.
After arranging the pickup date with your relocation coordinator, it’s time to prepare your vehicle for its journey to British Columbia. We provide helpful vehicle relocation checklists for you to follow, whether you’re shipping a car, motorcycle, or boat. In general, here are a few steps for your car shipping preparation:
Wash your car:
Your vehicle will have an exterior inspection before it’s loaded onto the trailer for transport. It’s easier to conduct this inspection if your car is clean and free of snow, mud, and other debris.
Check the gas level:
For a move across Canada, your car’s gas tank needs to be no more than one-quarter full. That’s enough to load and unload your vehicle without adding extra weight.
Charge your EV:
If you drive an electric vehicle, make sure it’s charged to at least 80% and leave the charger in your vehicle.
Lower antennas:
Before shipping, remove or retract the antennas on your vehicle.
Remove accessories:
Anything not permanently attached to your vehicle, such as bike racks, spoilers, bug shields, or tonneau covers, should be removed.
Disable alarms:
Check to make sure you’ve disabled the alarm system before loading day.
Climatize your vehicle:
Weather in Canada can be unpredictable, and your car may experience various climates during its trip from Ontario to British Columbia. Check the fluids, including coolant and antifreeze, before transport.
Remove items inside the car:
Check under the seats and in the trunk to make sure there are no personal belongings inside the vehicle, including snow tires. Storing these items in your vehicle is generally prohibited during transport. They can also increase the car’s weight, resulting in added fees.
Step 4:
Get updates throughout the move.
We know it’s stressful to leave your car in someone else’s hands. To give you peace of mind, we provide updates throughout the move. Your dedicated relocation coordinator will notify you about the shipping progress as your vehicle moves across the Great White North.
If you have questions, you can contact your coordinator directly to get quick, reliable answers. For example, if you notice road closures in Vancouver that may affect delivery, you can call or email your coordinator for more information. We also have 24/7 on-call staff to take your questions at any time of the day or night.
Step 5:
Complete an inspection in Toronto.
After its cross-country journey, your vehicle will arrive at its final destination in Vancouver. You will receive a phone call or text from the driver at least one hour before delivery, so you can arrange to pick up your car.
If you prefer, you can also choose door-to-door service, where we bring the vehicle directly to your home, business, or other convenient location. This option eliminates the need to pick up your car at a terminal, saving you some time.
We deliver seven days a week during daylight hours, so you’re able to inspect your vehicle properly. Just like you did in Toronto, you’ll check your vehicle’s exterior and sign an inspection form in Vancouver.
Once your vehicle has passed inspection, that’s it! Your car has completed its move across Canada.
Shipping time from Toronto to Vancouver
The distance between Toronto and Vancouver is massive. Following the Trans-Canada Highway, it’s around 4,400 kilometres between the two cities. While it might make for a fun road trip over several weeks, it’s an inefficient way to transport a vehicle by yourself. When you move your vehicle with Reindeer Logistics, it saves you the time and hassle of making the long drive on your own.
The exact shipping time can depend on several factors, including some beyond our control, such as road conditions and weather. You’ll receive a transit window at the time of booking, along with delivery updates from your relocation coordinator during the shipment.
Open vs enclosed vehicle carriers
Truck transport is the most common way to move a car from Toronto to Vancouver. At Reindeer Logistics, we offer two forms of truck transportation: open and enclosed vehicle carriers. You can work with your relocation coordinator to understand your options and choose the right method for your move.
Open vehicle carriers
Open-air hauling involves using a trailer without sides or a roof to haul multiple vehicles, usually on two levels. It’s a fuel-efficient method of transportation because the trailer has less drag. In most cases, it’s the cheapest way to ship a car from Toronto to Vancouver. Drivers can also visually inspect the vehicles during transportation.
While open-air hauling has many advantages, it leaves vehicles more exposed to the elements, such as bad weather and road debris. It’s also a less secure transportation method than using an enclosed trailer.
Enclosed vehicle carriers
For complete protection from the elements, choose enclosed shipping for your vehicle. An enclosed vehicle carrier has solid walls and a roof to keep vehicles sealed off from the outside. It offers increased protection, making it a good choice for people who need to transport specialty vehicles, antique or vintage cars, and luxury models.
Like all shipping methods, there are some things to consider when choosing enclosed shipping. It’s less fuel-efficient than open-air hauling, and it usually costs more. Also, it’s harder for drivers to do visual inspections with enclosed carriers.
Why choose us
Over 500,000 vehicles moved in the United States, Canada & worldwide.
01
real.
When you work with Reindeer Logistics you will never encounter a maze of computer recordings or an automated telephone system. No matter when you call, you will talk with a real, live person who is trained to guide you through the auto relocation process.
02
personal.
All our customers are assigned a relocation coordinator whose main objective is to anticipate and accommodate your every need. Your coordinator will be dedicated to you from pick up to delivery, ensuring that your car is where you want it, when you want it.
03
service.
Reindeer’s commitment to constant product and service improvement is the ultimate demonstration of our promise of delivery, quality, predictability and status.