Check driveway access for car haulers before booking. Avoid delays, extra fees, or terminal shipping by preparing for truck dimensions and restrictions.

driveway access car hauler dimensions pickup restrictions terminal vs door-to-door transport preparation booking tips auto transport broker Texas door-to-door car shipping

Will the Auto Transport Truck Fit in My Driveway?

Plenty of folks book auto transport without thinking about their driveway. Then the truck shows up. It doesn't fit. Delays hit. Fees pile up. Or worse, your car ends up at a terminal miles away. Don't be that guy. Check access upfront.

As a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker, I've seen it all. We handle nationwide vehicle shipping door-to-door. Our vetted, insured carriers expect clear paths. Brokers like us do the frontend sales and coordination carriers hate. We guide you through fraud-filled waters and keep rates reasonable. But even we can't make physics bend.

Will the Auto Transport Truck Fit in My Driveway?

Most people assume door-to-door means pull right in. Wrong. Car haulers are big rigs. They need space.

What Are the Standard Dimensions of Open and Enclosed Car Haulers?

Open carriers dominate. Cheaper. Common for standard cars. Enclosed ones protect luxury or classics.

Here's a quick breakdown:

|---------------|--------|-------|--------|----------|

| Open Trailer | 80 ft | 8.5 ft | 13.5 ft | 7-10 cars |

| Enclosed Trailer | 53-80 ft | 8.5 ft | 13 ft | 4-6 cars |

| Full Car Hauler Semi | 70-80 ft | 8.5 ft | 13.5 ft | 8-11 cars |

Lengths vary by load. Turns are tight. Overhangs swing wide. Low branches snag tops.

Texas roads to California? Same rules apply. Open car carrier transport costs less. Enclosed auto transport for luxury cars runs higher. Know your rig.

How Do I Measure My Driveway Clearance and Turning Radius?

Grab a tape. Measure.

Width: Gate or entrance. Needs 10 ft clear minimum. Trucks are 8.5 ft wide. Mirrors add 2 ft.
Length: Driveway to street. 100 ft straight shot ideal. Curves kill it.
Height: Trees, wires, roofs. 14 ft clearance top to bottom.
Turning Radius: Stand at street. Swing an 80 ft imaginary truck. Mark the arc. Practice with a long car first.

Slope matters. Steep inclines? Drivers balk. Gravel? Mud? Forget it.

Use Google Maps Street View. Zoom in. Spot issues early.

What Common Driveway Issues Prevent Car Hauler Access?

Happens daily.

Narrow gates or alleys under 10 ft.
Low-hanging trees or power lines.
Steep driveways over 15% grade.
Dead-end streets with no turnaround.
HOA rules banning trucks.
Parked cars, RVs, or boats blocking.

Urban spots worst. Suburbs better. Rural? Wide open usually.

What Happens If the Truck Can't Reach My Address?

Driver calls. "Can't get in." Now what?

Expect hassle. Delays. Your schedule wrecked.

Will I Pay Extra Fees for Street Pickup or Terminal Service?

Street pickup? Often free if legal and safe. But check local laws. No-parking zones bite.

Terminal service? Extra. $100-300 each way. Your car sits in a lot. You fetch it. Door-to-door vanishes.

Carriers push terminals to save time. Brokers fight for you. At AMG, we quote honest rates upfront. No hidden fees. Stripe deposits secure it. VIN scans verify.

Cross-country? How much does it cost to ship a car cross country adds up with detours.

How Can I Arrange an Alternative Nearby Pickup Location?

Plan ahead.

Neighbor's house. Wider drive.
Business lot nearby. Get permission.
Church or school. Off-hours.
Public street with space.

Tell your broker. We coordinate. Our 72-hour pickup windows stay tight.

How Can I Prepare My Property for Smooth Auto Transport Pickup?

Don't wait.

1. Trim trees. Raise lines if possible.

2. Move obstacles. Park elsewhere.

3. Clear 100 ft path.

4. Warn neighbors. Reduce drama.

5. Confirm with broker. Send photos.

AMG Transport Co. asks for pics during booking. We flag issues early. Vetted carriers only. Full insurance. No fly-by-nights.

Shipping from Houston to Los Angeles? Relocating to Florida from Texas? We do door pick-up and delivery car transport service right.

Open carrier pros: cheap, fast. Cons: weather exposure. Enclosed: safe for exotics. Pricier.

SUV vs sedan? Minimal difference. Non-running? Tell us upfront.

Best auto transport company for out-of-state moves? Experience counts. We're a Texas-based auto transport broker nationwide. Parent company AMG Endeavors runs carriers too. We know both sides.

Why Choose AMG Transport Co. for Your Auto Transport?

Industry's rough. Fraud everywhere. Carriers dodge people. Skip payments or jack prices. Brokers buffer that.

We handle sales, systems, problems. Carriers drive. Simple.

Honest quotes. No games. 72-hour pickups. Vetted fleets. Door-to-door when possible.

Don't risk driveway disasters. Get your free quote today at AMG Transport Co.. We'll check access. Make it smooth.

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.