The Best Options for Car Storage while You're Away

Going on vacation, or just out of town, can take a lot of preparation. Reservations are usually necessary, you have to plan your outfits and cosmetic needs days or weeks in advance to pack adequately, and having your mail held by the post office can be a hassle. Of course, usually the vacation makes up for all the inconveniences, but they are still just that: inconvenient.

Another thing many travelers have to think about ahead of time is car storage options. If you don't own a car, obviously you have no need to consider them. But car owners should plan out what they will do with their car ahead of time. Here are a few ideas.

Leave your car at home. Okay, maybe this sounds obvious. If you have a driveway or a parking spot that you either don't pay for or already paid for, it makes sense to leave your car there. But that means you will not be driving yourself to the airport. Airport parking is expensive - you might want to avoid it. Instead, you can either take public transport, call a cab, or ask a friend for a ride. Let your car stay home.

Leave your car at a friend's house. If your regular routine involves parking your car on the street, you probably realize that that is not a good plan for while you are out of town. Parking rules usually restrict that kind of parking, forcing you to park on alternate sides depending on the day and/or time. So find a friend or family member with a large garage or driveway and ask if you can leave your car there. (Make sure it's a close friend since this can be an imposition. And make sure you bring them home a souvenir from your travels.)

Consider a car storage facility. Unlike the last two options, this one involves spending a bit of money. But you usually get what you pay for: security. Your car won't be damaged by the weather if you pay for an indoor lot. Burglars will be thwarted by the security the lot offers. And you won't come home to a friend who decided to go for a joy ride in your car.

If a car storage facility sounds like the right option for you, be sure to do some research and carefully consider all of your options. There is a range of prices, depending on your needs. Some facilities are outside, others are indoors and temperature controlled. Some have round the clock security, others have it only during specific hours. If you can afford to pay for car storage, you may want to look for a parking lot that provides a shuttle to the airport.

It is also a good idea to read online reviews of each potential facility and to do some basic Internet searching. Make sure there are no recent horror stories of missing vehicles or damaged property. Because there are a number of differences between facilities, you should be sure to do a thorough search before committing to any of them. When you do commit, read the contract carefully and learn your rights!

Guest Post: Marty Reardon covers Next Door Storage. In his free time he freelance writes about all things storage and transportation-related.