Planning a temporary move—whether it’s a seasonal job, a semester abroad, or a winter escape—often comes with a dilemma: what to do with your car? Driving it yourself might burn time and gas, while leaving it behind isn’t always practical. Shipping it can feel pricey, especially for a short-term stint. At Rapid Auto Shipping, we’ve helped countless customers find the cheapest way to ship a car for temporary moves without the stress or sticker shock. Here’s how we make it affordable when your stay isn’t permanent.

Why Temporary Moves Call for Smart Shipping

Unlike a forever relocation, a temporary move doesn’t justify splurging on door-to-door service or long-term planning. You need your car there and back without draining your savings—twice the shipping, half the commitment. Standard rates might run $600-$1,000 one-way, doubling for the round trip. But Rapid Auto Shipping knows temporary moves are different, and we’ve got strategies to keep costs low for the short haul.

Ship One-Way, Drive Back

Why pay to ship both ways when you can handle one leg yourself? For a three-month gig in Florida, ship your car from New York for $700, enjoy it during your stay, then drive it home when you’re done. Gas and a motel might add $300-$400, but that’s still cheaper than $1,400 for round-trip shipping. Rapid Auto Shipping can set up the outbound leg at the lowest rate, leaving you flexibility for the return.

Tap Into Short-Term Carrier Deals

Carriers sometimes offer discounted “filler” rates for quick, one-off trips to balance their loads. These are perfect for temporary moves—no long contracts, just a cheap slot. Say you’re headed to Colorado for ski season. We’ve snagged rates as low as $500 for a last-minute Denver run by filling a carrier’s empty spot. Rapid Auto Shipping stays plugged into these opportunities, matching your move with real-time bargains.

Share the Ride with a Friend

Got a buddy moving too? Splitting a carrier’s space can cut costs dramatically. For two cars heading from Texas to California, a solo ship might cost $800 each, but together, it could drop to $1,200 total—or $600 apiece. It’s like carpooling with a truck. Rapid Auto Shipping can coordinate this for you—just let us know who’s in on the ride, and we’ll crunch the numbers.

Skip the Frills

Temporary moves don’t need deluxe treatment. Expedited shipping or enclosed carriers jack up the price—$200-$500 extra—for no real gain when you’re only staying a few months. Stick to basic open transport, the cheapest way to ship a car for most scenarios. Rapid Auto Shipping defaults to this for temporary jobs, keeping your sedan or SUV safe and your wallet intact at $600-$700 cross-country.

Use a Drop-Off Hub

For the return trip, why not leave your car at a carrier’s hub instead of shipping it all the way home? If you’re in Arizona for a summer internship, drive your car to a Phoenix hub when you’re done, fly back, and let Rapid Auto Shipping bring it to you later for $550 instead of $800 door-to-door. We’ve got hub locations nationwide—pick one, and we’ll handle the rest at a discount.

Real-Life Wins

Last fall, we helped Alex, a grad student, ship his hatchback from Ohio to Oregon for a four-month research stint. He shipped one-way with us for $650 using a filler rate, then drove it back with a friend, spending $350 on the road. Total: $1,000—way under the $1,300 he’d have paid for round-trip shipping elsewhere. At Rapid Auto Shipping, we turn temporary moves into budget victories like this every day.

Why Rapid Auto Shipping Gets It

We know temporary moves aren’t about settling in—they’re about staying nimble. Our team’s built for that. We scout short-term deals, sync with your timeline, and cut out the fluff other companies pile on. Whether it’s a one-way trip or a clever hub drop-off, we’ll tailor the cheapest way to ship a car to your temporary adventure. Plus, our quotes are free and fast—no haggling, just honest savings.

Move Light, Ship Smart

A temporary move shouldn’t mean a permanent dent in your finances. With Rapid Auto Shipping, options like one-way shipping, shared rides, and hub drop-offs make car transport affordable for any short-term stay. Ready to get your car where you’re going—without overpaying? Contact us today for a free quote, and let’s find the cheapest way to ship your car for your next chapter. Temporary doesn’t have to mean pricey—not with us in your corner!