This December, we organized the coast-to-coast transport of this beauty from the technological capital of Los Altos, California, to the sun-kissed side of Miami Beach, Florida. This covered almost 3,000 miles through different zones and climatic regions while ensuring that the high-performance vehicle was delivered to the prospective customer in showroom condition.
The Challenge: Transporting British Luxury Across America
The 2019 Aston Martin DB11 is not simply a vehicle; it is a statement piece costing over $200,000 that brings together high-quality craftsmanship and advanced performance features. It takes a lot more than a truck and a driver to move this piece from Silicon Valley in California to the most renowned beach in Florida.
Coast-to-coast driving distance: From Los Altos to Miami Beach is about 3000 miles. That means driving through California, then Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and ultimately Florida. Every new state entails a variety of driving environments and challenges.
December timing: Booking during the holiday season, particularly on November 29th, means dealing with peak freight demand. December is when everyone moves everything: holiday moves, year-end business moves, and Snowbirds heading to Florida. Finding an enclosed trailer during this time is not easy.
High-value vehicle protection: The DB11’s artisan-built 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine, Italian leather interior, and exquisite Jet Black paint finish call for enclosed transportation. One piece of road debris, a single exposure to temperature variance, or a sudden change in the weather could lead to costly repairs in the thousands of dollars. This vehicle required climate-controlled, hard-sided enclosed transportation all the way.
California to Florida route complexity: This is more than a straight line down the highway. There are mountain passes, plains, and climate regions along the route. You’ll go from the cool coastal air of California, then on into the arid heat of Arizona, then through the unpredictable storms of Texas, and finally the muggy heat of Florida. It takes a seasoned carrier to get through all that.
Why the Aston Martin DB11 Requires Special Care
All aspects of this luxury grand tourer from Great Britain call for special care when being transported.
Crafted-by-hand assembly: Every DB11 features semi-crafted assembly at the Aston Martin plant in Gaydon, England. The paintwork requires numerous stages of painting and hand-polishing. The leather interior features craftsmanship through manual stitching. This is automotive art. One wrong move when loading the car could impact the craftsmanship that requires weeks to complete.
Ground clearance: The DB11 is low. Common loading ramps will rub against the nose splitter intake, exhaust components, or underside panels. Professional enclosed car haulers employ hydraulic rear loading racks or ultra-gentle ramps intended for handling exotic car ground clearance. Not recommended. Required.
Paint perfection: Aston Martin paint requires six layers of clear coats. This paint offers no hide: it reveals every flaw, every scratch, every chip. Open transport allows this paint to be exposed to road debris, rocks, and dirt. Enclosed transport protects the paint from damage.
Climate-sensitive interior: The DB11’s interior has Bridge of Weir leather, Alcantara, and wood or carbon-finished materials. These materials respond differently to temperature and humidity. When exposed to high temps, materials dry and crack. When exposed to low temps, materials are stiff. When exposed to high humidity, materials damage electronic devices. Climate-controlled transportation maintains constant interior conditions during transit.
Advanced Electronics: Modern Aston Martin cars are equipped with sophisticated electronics; infotainment, assistance systems, and performance electronics, which do not respond to high temperatures or moisture. Enclosed transport shields the car’s electronics, which are valued at more than $20,000, from environmental factors.
Wheels and tires protection: The DB11 comes with a standard wheel and tire package worth over $3,000. Competition tie-down straps are used, and they are firmly attached to the body points. No carrier uses chains or hooks, which may scratch high-performance wheels.
Insurance coverage: Insurance coverage for an Aston Martin has to be of premium quality. Standard insurance for automobile transport has limits of $100,000-$250,000. For a DB11, coverage of $250,000+ has to be arranged, including additional insurance for full value protection. Such cars should be transported by reputable transport firms that can provide adequate insurance protection.
The Route: Los Altos, CA to Miami Beach, FL
Transporting a high-performance car from one coast of the country to the other is not an easy procedure that one can undertake without utmost care and planning on the part of the journey.
Day 1-2: Los Altos, CA to Arizona: Leaving Los Altos, the aircraft passed through California’s Central Valley and into the state of Arizona. During this phase, the aircraft passed through the Mojave Desert, where there are extreme temperature changes on the outside of the aircraft.
Day 3 (AZ to NM/TX): Across Arizona and into NM. This is where the landscape shifts from high desert to the rolling plains of West Texas.
Day 4-5 (Texas): Texas is very large. The Air Force had to share almost 900 miles of Texas, from El Paso to San Antonio, and then towards Houston. Weather tracking was very important in Texas, as Texas is always full of unexpected storms.
Day 6: From Louisiana into Alabama. From here on, the weather becomes more and more humid; this affects the trailer’s climate control system, which is a major asset in maintaining the interior of the car, since it is made of leather.
Day 7 (Delivery Day – Florida): The final push from the Panhandle of Florida down to Miami Beach. The humidity in Florida demands special attention to climate controls.
Communication during transportation:
- The carrier offered very good updates on:
- GPS tracking link sent to customer on departure
- Location updates were sent daily via text message/ email or call.
- Weather condition reports impacting the route and time
- Revised ETA updates as the journey progresses.
- Photos are available upon request for the rest stops
- Direct communication link to the driver for any queries
No problems in transit: It should be noted that this is an unusual situation. There was no mechanical issue, inclement weather that forced route detours, or an accident. Nor were there any issues related to carrying cargo. For every mile of its almost 3000 miles, the Aston Martin was safe, sound, and temperature-controlled.
A period of seven days may appear rather long for cross-country transportation; however, it is a very good period for transporting luxury cars. Hurrying up is hazardous. Skilled drivers focus more on safety and car protection rather than speed. They get enough rest, don’t drive in bad weather conditions, and drive in smooth patterns.
Delivery Day, December 16th: The Aston Martin DB11 pulled into Miami Beach just as it had departed Los Altos.
Transport Summary
Vehicle: 2019 Aston Martin DB11
Route: Los Altos, CA 94024 to Miami Beach, FL 33139
Distance: 3000 miles (coast-to-coast)
Primary Routes: I-5 S → I-10 E → I-75 S
Service: Hard-side enclosed trailer for 6 cars
Cost: $1,800 ($0.6 per mile)
Season: Winter
