Is My Driveway Suitable for Auto Transport Trucks?
Door-to-door car shipping sounds simple. Truck pulls up. You hand over keys. Gone. Reality hits hard. Most residential driveways can't handle a full car hauler. These rigs are big. 70-80 feet long. Weigh 40 tons loaded. Tight turns. High clearance needs. I've seen pickups scrapped on the spot. Delays pile up. Costs climb. As Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker, I deal with this daily. We broker nationwide vehicle shipping door to door. But we flag issues upfront. No surprises. Save yourself grief. Check your setup now.
What Clearance Height Do Auto Transport Trucks Require?
Car haulers need 13 feet 6 inches minimum. That's federal max for highways. Most run 12-13 feet tall unloaded. Loaded? Closer to 13'6\". Low roofs kill deals. Tree branches snag. Garage overhangs block. One inch too low? Driver walks.
How Do I Measure My Driveway Clearance Accurately?
Grab a ladder. Measure from ground to lowest point overhead. Do it at entrance. Check full length. Account for slope. Use a string level for true height. Smartphone apps work too. Measure twice. Street to house. Note power lines. We verify this during quotes at AMG. Honest quotes. No hidden fees.
What If My Driveway Has Low Branches or Overhangs?
Trim them. Period. Drivers won't risk damage. Insurance fights ensue. Call arborist if big limbs. Or face denial. We've turned down Texas jobs over oaks. Better safe. Prep now.
Are There Turn Radius or Weight Limits I Need to Know?
Haulers turn wide. 45-55 foot diameter minimum. Residential streets cramp that. Cul-de-sacs help. Straight shots best. Weight? 80,000 lbs gross. Bridges crack under less.
How Tight Can a Hauler Turn in Residential Areas?
Not tight. 90-degree driveway corner? Forget it. Needs 50 feet clear radius. Backing up? Rare skill. Test drive a semi if you doubt. Or ask neighbors who've shipped.
What Street Restrictions Affect Pickup?
Check local codes. Many suburbs ban trucks over 10 tons. HOAs stricter. No-parking zones block. Verify with city hall. Texas spots like Houston suburbs hit this hard. We scout via Google Earth first.
What Happens If My Driveway Isn't Accessible?
Plan B kicks in. Street parking. You meet driver there. Common fix.
Here's a quick comparison:
| Scenario | Time Impact | Cost Impact |
|----------|-------------|-------------|
| Full Driveway Access | On schedule | Standard rate |
| Street Pickup/Shuttle | +1-2 hours | +$50-200 fee |
| Terminal-to-Terminal | +1-2 days | Saves $100-300 |
No access? No panic. But it changes things.
Can the Driver Park Nearby and Shuttle My Car?
Yes. Driver stages on street. You drive vehicle out. Or we arrange shuttle. 1-5 miles typical. Non-running cars? Flatbed tow extra.
Will This Add Fees or Delay My Pickup?
Fees? Often. $75 average access charge. Delays? 24-48 hours if reschedule. Our 72-hour pickup windows flex. Vetted insured carriers only. Stripe deposits secure spot. VIN scans confirm details.
How Can I Prepare My Property for Smooth Pickup?
Clear the path:
- Park other cars on street.
- Move trash bins, toys, obstacles.
- Trim branches over 13 feet.
- Sweep loose gravel.
- Notify neighbors day before.
- Ensure 10 feet width minimum.
Test run if possible. Walk the route as truck. Photo it. Send to broker. At AMG Transport Co., we walk you through this. Door pick-up and delivery car transport service nationwide. From Texas to California or cross-country.
Relocating? Shipping SUV or sedan? We handle. Open carrier pros: cheap. Enclosed for luxury: safe. Multi-car discounts for families.
Bottom line: Bad access wastes time and money. Good brokers spot it early. Carriers hate surprises too. They drive. We coordinate frontend sales and backend systems. Keep rates reasonable. Fraud-free.
Pick AMG Transport Co. Texas based auto transport broker nationwide. Experienced. Trusted. No BS. Get your quote now.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.