Car Shipping Knowledge Base

Car shipping prices vary based on distance, vehicle size and weight, operating condition, open vs enclosed transport, route demand, fuel costs, seasonality, and how flexible your pickup and delivery schedule is. Because every shipment is different, the most accurate price comes from a personalized quote based on your specific route and vehicle.

Transit time depends on distance, route, weather, traffic, and carrier scheduling. Regional shipments may take only a few days, while cross-country transport generally takes about 7 to 10 days or more.

Open transport moves vehicles on an uncovered multi-vehicle trailer and is the most common and economical method. Enclosed transport carries vehicles inside a covered trailer, protecting them from weather and road debris, and is popular for luxury, exotic, classic, and collector vehicles. Enclosed generally costs more.

Motor carriers should maintain the insurance required for their operations. You should verify the assigned carrier's coverage, limits, deductibles, and exclusions before pickup, and carefully document the vehicle's condition at both pickup and delivery.

You generally need the pickup and delivery locations, vehicle year, make, and model, operating condition, preferred transport type (open or enclosed), and approximate shipping dates.

Remove personal belongings, check for leaks, keep the fuel tank around a quarter full, charge the battery, disable alarms, provide keys, and note any existing damage. A clean vehicle also makes the inspection easier.