Hi Everyone,
I recently had a cake disaster because it fell in someone's car as she was driving. ( or so she says...hummm..... 
) Anyway, I would like to hear what tips or hints you all have for traveling with any size cake in a vehicle.
Antonia mentioned in a reply to my cake disaster post that she tells people to hold the cakes on their laps. And I am curious as to why because I tell them just the opposite- Never put it on your lap. I was told ( although I have no idea now by whom) that the cake would be much safer traveling on the floor of the car than in anyone's lap because the tires would absorb bumps much better than a lap. But now I'm second guessing this.
I've actually written up some tips on how to travel with a cake in the car but I'd love to read what everyone else suggests. Feel free to add your replies here.
Here's mine:
*All cakes will be in a cake box. Some cakes will be quite large and in a big box which will need to fit in your car, on the floor or in the back area if it's big enough. Not the trunk.
*Never tilt cake boxes. Not even a little bit.
* Always support the box flat from underneath, never by the sides to prevent the cake from cracking in multiple places or sliding inside the box.
*Never put the cake on the seat of the car or in someone's lap. It's much safer this way as the car's wheels will absorb the bumps much better than the seat or a lap.
*Be sure to place the cake box carefully so it won't slide around in your car. You may want a blanket to set the box on or something else to help prevent it from sliding.
*Drive CAREFULLY! Take turns slowly, avoid fast stops or slamming on the brakes and watch out for uneven road surfaces.
KimAZ
Hi Kim,
I always tell people to sit the cake on a flat surface... As far as someone holding the cake, it all depends on the cake. Smaller sheet and round cakes are ok, but larger cakes, sculpted cakes or tiered cakes belong on a flat surface.
All my cakes are boxed except wedding cakes. I deliver them completely assembled and I'm not risking anything by putting it in a box. They go from my refridgerator to the car and then to the venue.
All my cakes are chilled for delivery...I think this makes a huge difference on how well the cake travels.. They don't wiggle and jiggle when the are chilled.
That's all I can think of right now... 
The no-slip rug liners that come in a roll work great for traveling. If the box is a little big you can line it with these and there will be no moving and the nice thing is that they are not sticky. They also work well in the floor of the car,so that the box doesn't move either.
ml
And I'm curious, how many tiers stacked have you ever transported safely in a car? I've done 3 tiers stacked, unboxed, on the floor of the back of a suburban with no problem, (with me riding next to it just in case--like I'm going to be able to do anything if it starts to jiggle?! hmm), but my last one was all transported in boxes for each tier, then assembled at the venue, which also worked great, as it was 4 tiers and had to be perfect, and I didn't trust the stack/transport idea for that particular cake.
I haven't had someone else transport except DH, and he does great, but I can imagine the disasters that can happen...
Someone said the only person you should trust to transport the cake are the person who baked it and the person who paid for it...
I'll be very interested to see what other tips people give here...
When I transport cakes I use one of those great big storage tubs. I place the board on the lid with non-slip mat between the two surfaces, thencarefully place the tub over the cake- that way it is easy to get out. I clear my boot/trunk and place more non-slip matt in there and place the container in the middle. You can even then put pillows around so there is no chance of anythig moving. It works great! I have transported 3 tiers in this way without any problems.
I always transport my wedding in the back of our mini van (bought with my cakes in mind). If someone picks up a cake _ I will strongly suggest to them that they also transport flat - on the floor with the air on if it's hot. If it's cool out in the trunk is the very best place to ride. It nice and flat. What give the car has is better because the flat surface is larger.
I strongly suggest no one holding a cake. As a person holding a cake moves more than the flat surface of the car. IF someone insists on holding then I let them know that it is at their own risk. They saw how the cake was when they picked it up - what happens after it leaves my control - against my suggestions - I can not be liable for. I also let my clients know that the seats is not a good place for the cakes to ride. The seats are not level - they all slope and this will allow the cake to bend & crack. If they insist _ again I let them know it is against my suggestion.
I look it a person picking up my cakes as letting one of my "kids" growing up - you have to let them go - do the best you can with them while in your control. What happens after is beyond my control. Hope this makes sense.
I have a Honda Element and transport my cakes in the back area behind the back seat. I have purchased a bathroom rug to put on the floor behind the seats because the floor is a utility-type floor. I chose the bathroom rug because it has a non-stick surface on the back. I transport all tiered cakes in their own seperate boxes and assemble on site. I have transported stacked cakes as high as three layers all put together.
I tell them to travel on their laps because when I say "flat surface", clients open up their trunks or put the box on the slanted back seats. Who has a flat surface in their car that is 14" or 16" square? Not many.
If they bring me an SUV, of course the cake goes in the back area, with the usual warnings.....but tiered cakes? Nope, always the passenger's lap with me. I even put it in the car on their lap for them and give them the old "pretend you're holding a glass of water and DON'T let the box tilt" speech.
I go to WalMart or Family Dollar ( cheaper) and buy rubber mesh liner for your cabinets. it comes in a roll (it's the liner you put in your cabinets under your dishes, similar to when we use contact paper) Cut off a piece and place it whereever there is a flat space, place your cake on it and it Blazer at all times. I even set my milk on it when coming from the grocery store and it never moves. Hope this helps!
Well, since I only have a VW Jetta, I transport on the front seat. I "build up" the seat with rolled up bath towels so it's level and put a piece on non-skid on top. I either use a large rubbermaid tub or cake box depending on the size and I've never had a problem. If it's a really heavy cake, I might use a piece of Masonite for more support. Plus since the cake is right beside me, I can see it the whole time. I've also used the trunk once with nonskid under it and it was fine. Once I had a 3 tier stacked on my lap while DH drove and I almost lost it! 
After that, I never suggest someone hold it.
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