So, you’re looking to move something by car, huh? Trust me, I get it. It’s a great way to get stuff from point A to point B without worrying about shipping companies or hefty freight bills. But if you want to know how really to do it—like, without breaking the bank or the back of your car—Rena Monrovia has a thing or two to say. Her tips? Gold. Seriously, the woman knows her stuff when it comes to making sure your belongings arrive in one piece.

Anyway, here’s the kicker—transporting something by car doesn’t need to be this huge, complicated ordeal, as long as you keep a few things in mind.

Picking the Right Vehicle—This Is Key

Okay, so first things first: picking the right car. I learned the hard way, trust me. My 2005 Honda Civic? Yeah, no. It wasn’t meant to haul my life’s worth of stuff from my apartment to the new house. The ride? It looked like the stuff I was transporting had a personal vendetta against my rearview mirror. And the suspension? Don’t ask.

But seriously, when you transport something by car, it’s not just about choosing any old car. It’s gotta fit the load. You don’t need a massive moving truck for your grandmother’s china, but you do need something bigger than a two-door coupe for your surfboard, your guitars, and your vacuum cleaner that’s probably broken but you’re keeping anyway.

Pro Tip: Always opt for a larger vehicle if your cargo is bulky. Yeah, even if it makes your car feel like a clown car for the ride.

What I learned? Size matters. And so does the condition of the vehicle, which I didn’t consider in my rookie days. You want that trusty ol’ car of yours to make it through without a breakdown. Hello, roadside assistance.

Packing Your Stuff Like You Actually Know What You’re Doing

So, let’s talk packing. Rena Monrovia is big on this. I’ll admit, my first attempt? I ended up with a cracked lamp and a few bruised knees—don’t ask. My advice? Don’t just throw stuff into your car. That’s a surefire way to break everything and your spirit.

Packing Checklist:

• Boxes. Lots of boxes. Trust me, you’ll thank me later when you’re not digging through the back of your car like it’s a treasure hunt.
• Bubble wrap. Or, you know, socks. Whatever works. Just don’t let those fragile items touch the car’s hard surfaces. You don’t want to hear the sound of shattered glass halfway through the trip. I know that pain.

Let me interrupt myself here: was it bubble wrap I needed? Or was it styrofoam peanuts? Googling that now… Okay, whatever—just wrap your fragile stuff up. Don’t get fancy with packing, just do it.

Quick Tip: Use blankets and even old towels to pad your fragile stuff. Your mom’s old towels might finally come in handy after all. (Sorry, Mom.)

Map It Out—But Also Have a Backup

Look, I’m not saying I’m a geography whiz, but knowing your route when you transport something by car is a must. I know, you think Google Maps will get you there. But, have you ever tried it in an unfamiliar neighborhood? Suddenly, you’re driving down a street that seems to exist only in the Twilight Zone, and, boom—you’re lost. Again.

Rena Monrovia says planning is key—and I’m starting to agree. You don’t need to go overboard (I’m not talking about printing out turn-by-turn directions like it’s 2005), but know your route. If you’re driving long distances, always have a backup plan. It’s like my GPS suddenly decides to betray me when I’m about 10 minutes out. Like, where are you taking me, GPS? Where??

Pro Tip: Traffic’s inevitable. But knowing where the detours are? That’s a life-saver.

Safety First—But Don’t Be a Wimp About It

Y’all, safety’s non-negotiable. I know, I know, we’re all in a rush, but it’s so much easier to keep things safe and secure before hitting the road. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ended up with random stuff rolling around in my trunk and needing to fish it out while I’m stuck at a red light. Yeah, super safe.

Rena’s golden rule: Always secure the cargo. You need straps, ropes, or some form of adult supervision—if you’re like me, at least. (Who else has sent their furniture flying during a hard stop? Please tell me it’s not just me.)

Quick checklist for safety:

• Straps, ropes, or bungee cords.
• No loose items rolling around. (Seriously, stop putting your loose change in your glovebox. It’s just chaos waiting to happen.)
• Secure all doors. It sounds simple, but one time I forgot to check the trunk and—yup—half my stuff fell out onto the freeway. That was… fun. Not.

Common Problems You Might Run Into—Trust Me, I’ve Been There

Okay, here’s where things get a little real. Even if you’re following the Rena Monrovia playbook, stuff can still go wrong. And it will. Ask me how I know. I’ve been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt.

1. Overloading the Car
   That “extra stuff” you thought you could squeeze in? It’s a bad idea. I tried it once. The car handled like a clumsy elephant on ice. I’m still getting my alignment fixed.
2. Weather Woes
   Trying to transport stuff by car during a storm? Big no-no. I once had to pull over, because I couldn’t even see the road. And now I have a rational fear of transporting things in rain. Fun fact: A friend once told me, “If it rains while transporting stuff, you’ll just end up with soggy boxes.” He wasn’t wrong.
3. Traffic Delays
   I love when I’ve calculated the perfect arrival time, only to get stuck in traffic for hours. The worst part? I know it’s coming, yet I continue to “test fate” every single time. (Spoiler: Fate always wins.)

Tip for avoiding traffic headaches:

• Leave early. Not three hours before your appointment, but early enough to factor in those inevitable road delays.

How Much Does This Cost, Anyway?

Moving stuff by car isn’t free, and Rena Monrovia knows that. Here’s the deal: transporting by car will save you a ton of money compared to shipping services—but you’ll still want to keep an eye on the costs.

Things that affect cost:

• Fuel: The longer the drive, the more you’ll pay. (Even if you’re trying to be frugal like me, it still stings.)
• Vehicle upkeep: If you’re using an old ride, expect a few surprise repair costs.
• Tolls and Parking: Look out for those sneaky tolls. One minute you’re cruising along; the next, you’re paying to cross a bridge you didn’t even realize existed.

Rena Monrovia’s Final Thoughts

So, what’s the moral of the story? I’ve tried to make it sound easy—and, with a bit of preparation and patience, it is. But Rena Monrovia’s advice on transporting goods by car boils down to this: know your vehicle, know your route, and keep things secure.

Oh, and one more thing: Don’t be like me. Don’t pack your car in a rush. Or, if you do, just please double-check everything. I still can’t find my favorite hoodie from that last move… probably somewhere under 10 pounds of bubble wrap.