How to Transport a Mattress in a Car

Sometimes moving is easy. Other times, you find yourself having to transport a mattress in a car. There is a right and a wrong way to transport a mattress in a car. Do it right, and it’s actually a rather efficient way to get your mattress from point A to point B. Do it wrong, and you could end up with damage to your mattress, your car, or both. Worse still, you could cause an accident. It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that it’s worth the time that it takes to study up on how to safely transport a mattress in a car so that you can avoid any of the common issues that could arise.

A mattress is a big investment—and a big piece of furniture. Whether you’re moving in a car or using a truck rental, you’ll need to have a plan in place for how you’re going to transport it. Below, we’ll go over each step that you need to know in order to safely and efficiently transport a mattress in a car. You can find some additional mattress moving tips here.

Make Sure Your Vehicle Will Work

Gather Your Supplies

Prepare Your Mattress for Travel

Transporting a Mattress in a Car

Transporting a Mattress On a Car

Tips for Safe Driving with a Mattress on Your Car

Follow these tips to protect yourself and other drivers on the road.

Go for a test drive before embarking on your trip. Drive around the block with your mattress strapped to the top of your car to test for sturdiness. If you notice any shifting going on, you’ll need to pull over and adjust your ropes or straps.

Avoid the highway. The slower you drive with a mattress on the roof of your car, the better. Stick to back roads as much as you can, even if it adds time on to your trip. Between 2011 and 2014, there were 39,000 injuries and more than 500 deaths caused by road debris, according to AAA, with 37% of those deaths occurring because a car was swerving to avoid the debris. If you’re driving slower and on a less populated road, your mattress is much more likely to stay in place and not cause any accidents.

Get out and check your mattress. Wind and other elements can cause the rope or straps on your mattress to loosen during travel. Check on your mattress regularly during your drive to make sure it’s staying in place.

Not up for the task of having to transport a mattress in a car? Hire professional movers instead! Use our free moving company directory to find reputable movers in your area.