Ship a Car from Northern California to South Plainfield, NJ by train or truck?

We need to ship a car from Northern California to South Plainfield, NJ. Is it possible to ship by train, or just truck?

Answer. Both are possible but both have advantages and disadvantages. Here are what I can come up and then you weigh which one works for you. Shipping a car by train has two limitations.

One, your car goes only as far as there are rail tracks. So, if the train station in South Plainfield is far from your place, then you might have a few more problems driving it from the station to your home. If it’s close by, then that could work for you.

Second, you have to be there in the train traveling with your car. Trains are run by rail companies not car shippers. You have to drive your car onto the rail and then off when it’s time to get off. No one will do it for you. The advantage is that rail shipping is cheaper. So, if you’re taking that trip anyway and don’t mind driving from the drop-off point to the final destination, then go by rail.

Car shipping by truck is so far the most practical and typical thing to do. Unless the road to your house is too narrow or too crowded, the truck can come pick up your car and then drop it off door-to-door. The rail can’t do that. Another advantage is that car movers are more experienced doing this than, say Amtrak for instance, which means truck shipping is your best bet.

Shipping a car by train or truck. Which one would you get?