In most cases, Auto Transport companies will arrange to have your vehicle picked up at your home or your place of business (whichever you prefer). This is called door-to-door transport, and it is the most common way of shipping a vehicle that is owned by an individual.
However, there are some instances where you will need to consider other options:
Your street does not permit auto haulers on it. This can occur for a number of reasons: the street is too narrow, the HOA does not permit large trucks, etc. The solution to this issue is typically to have the auto hauler contact you as soon as he arrives and agree on a nearby meeting place, such as a parking lot, where the auto hauler can park his truck.
You are unable to meet the auto hauler on the date of pick-up. If you cannot schedule a pick-up for when you are still in town, or if you need your vehicle up the last minute you are in town, then it can be difficult to get the timing right for a pick-up. Auto Transport Companies typically need a 3-day window for pick-up. In this situation, you could choose to use terminal-to-terminal shipping.
A terminal is simply a storage facility for vehicles. You drop off your vehicle on a date of your convenience before your scheduled pick-up. Your vehicle can be delivered to a similar facility at your final destination or it can be delivered to your home or place of business. You will need to discuss any additional costs associated with using a terminal.