How Long Does It Take To Ship A Car?

Key Points:

• Most car shipping services take between one and seven business days to complete.
• Many car shipping brokers and carriers offer expedited shipping for an additional fee.
• Plan your car shipping needs in advance to get the fastest and most efficient service possible.

Typically, you don’t receive a guaranteed time frame when shipping a car because several factors can influence how long a truck driver spends on the road. However, when you’re planning to ship your car, it’s important to know what time frame to expect. So, in general, how long does it take to ship a car?

We’ll break down the factors that impact vehicle transport times and what you can expect when shipping your car. To get started, reach out to auto transport companies to see if they offer guaranteed pickup or expedited shipping. By comparing the best car shipping companies, you’ll be able to find the service and timeline that best fit your needs.

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How Long Does Car Shipping Take?

Once a car carrier picks a vehicle up, it typically takes one to seven days to arrive at its destination, depending on shipping distance and barring any unexpected delays. According to quotes we received from multiple car shipping brokers, vehicle pickup windows can be as long as five days, and longer shipping routes could take up to 10 days. This means some car shipping services can take as long as two weeks.

Ultimately, there are many factors involved in the shipping process that can impact the amount of time it takes to get your car from point A to point B.

Factors That Affect Car Shipping

Certain factors can affect car shipping times, including:

Distance

The longer the distance between pickup and delivery locations, the more time it will take for your car to arrive. Shipping your car a few hundred miles will typically only take a day or two, but shipping your car cross-country can take between seven and ten days.

Delivery Location

Regardless of which type of shipping method you choose, it can take longer to ship a vehicle to a rural area. Areas near major cities like New York have more shipping terminals and accessible delivery locations.

Time Of Year

Bad weather can affect transportation timelines, especially during winter when ice and snow result in road closures. Car haulers are also busier during the summer due to demand, so it may be more expensive and harder to find a truck driver to transport your car.

Transportation Method

Open car shipping uses specialized trailers that can carry multiple vehicles at a time, meaning this transport type is more cost-effective for carriers. Using an enclosed trailer to ship your vehicle will not only cost more but can take longer. The cost goes up primarily because the trailers that are used carry fewer vehicles at once. 

Type Of Vehicle

While enclosed carriers offer peace of mind, it may also take longer to find a carrier that offers enclosed transport or ships oversized vehicles such as RVs or ATVs. This type of transport requires drivers who specialize in hauling these vehicles.

Road Conditions

Road conditions can either help or hinder shipping times. If your trucker experiences major construction on a freeway and slower speed limits, it will slow them down and possibly delay your vehicle’s delivery date.

If you don’t experience delays due to any of the factors above, you can expect your shipment to take no more than six to twelve days when shipping across the continental United States. Shipping a car to Hawaii or Alaska can sometimes take up to three weeks because there are different shipping rules and regulations involved.

Expedited Car Shipping

Many car shipping companies offer expedited car shipping for an additional fee. In many situations, expedited car shipping services offer same-day vehicle pickup. Once your vehicle is picked up, carriers process the shipping order as quickly as possible. Note that weather and other road hazards can still delay expedited car shipping services.

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What To Expect During The Car Shipping Process

To help you fit car shipping into your schedule, we’ve outlined how to ship a car below. However, it’s important to note that some car shippers may require additional steps, so use this as a starting guide for what to expect.

#1 Choose A Car Shipping Company

It’s best to start searching for an auto shipping company at least two weeks in advance. You can choose between two main types of car transport companies:

• Brokers: that connect customers with carriers in their network.
• Carriers: that transport vehicles from one location to another.

Whether you choose a broker or a carrier, ensure the company you choose is fully licensed and insured. You can do this most effectively by checking to see if it has a Motor Carrier (MC) and Department of Transportation (USDOT) number.

#2 Provide Your Information

Auto transporters will ask for details about your vehicle, pickup location, and destination to determine which service is best for your needs. Most companies ask for:

• Vehicle make, model, age, and operability
• Pickup location and drop-off location
• Preferred time frame for shipment
• Name, email, and phone number

Using this information, the company will offer you a free quote for your car shipment. Your final car shipping cost will likely be higher than the original quote you receive, as initial quotes often don’t include service fees, additional carrier charges, or insurance costs.

#3 Select Your Auto Transport Service

When shipping your car, you can choose from service options such as open or enclosed transport and door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping. Note that enclosed transport may take longer than open transport because there are fewer carriers available.

In addition to these services, some companies offer specialty services such as expedited shipping, international shipping, guaranteed pickup dates, and single-car shipping.

#4 Book Your Shipment

After you’ve selected a service, time frame, and location, you can book your car shipment. Depending on the company, you may pay the full amount for the service up front or pay part of the balance up front and the rest once your vehicle has been delivered.

#5 Remove All Personal Items From Your Car

Most vehicle shipping companies don’t let you ship personal items inside your car. This ensures your valuables are kept safe, and since some companies weigh your vehicle before shipping, it also lowers your car transport costs.

#6 Inspect Your Vehicle

A car hauler will typically be dispatched within 10 days of booking. Before the carrier picks your vehicle up, they will inspect it with you to account for any existing damage. Take photos of your car in case any damage occurs during shipping.

#7 Check In With The Car Shipping Company

Many companies provide GPS tracking information through an app, website, or phone service. This helps keep you informed about any delays that could affect the pickup date or drop-off date of your vehicle.

#8 Pick Your Car Up

Depending on the service you choose, your vehicle will be delivered to either your door or a predetermined terminal. You should inspect your vehicle for any signs of damage when it arrives. You’ll then sign a bill of lading, which acts as a receipt of your car’s condition and is presented to you at drop off to verify that your car was delivered. If necessary, you’ll pay your remaining balance at this time.

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How Long Does It Take To Ship A Car: Our Take

In this review, we went over how long it will take to ship a car. There are many factors that will change the overall delivery time so it is good to get as much information from the car shipping provider as you can. Below are some of our picks for the best car shipping companies:

Best Car Shipping Companies

We recommend getting several car shipping quotes before booking your shipment so you have a better chance of finding cheap car shipping.

Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall

Montway Auto Transport is a popular auto broker that works with a vetted network of over 15,000 car carriers. The company is known for its wide range of services, including guaranteed pickup dates, expedited shipping, and open, enclosed, and door-to-door transport. Montway Auto Transport holds accreditation and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Read more about the car shipper in our Montway Auto Transport review.

Sherpa Auto Transport: Positive Customer Experience

Unlike most auto transport companies, Sherpa Auto Transport offers locked-in prices, meaning you’ll never pay more than the price you’re initially quoted. The company provides open, enclosed, and door-to-door car shipping services. Sherpa holds an A+ rating on the BBB and a customer rating of 4.9 out of 5.0 stars.

Learn the ins and outs of the company in our Sherpa Auto Transport review.

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How Long Does It Take To Ship A Car: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about how long it takes to ship a car:

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How We Rate Auto Shipping Companies

Our review team extensively researches car shipping providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: Providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have a long history in the auto transport industry score well in this category.
• Services: We take a look at what types of transport services are available through each company, including open and enclosed transport, door-to-door shipping, and more. Those with wider service selections are more likely to meet consumers’ needs.
• Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis to get quotes for a variety of shipping routes and services. We compare each company’s costs to industry average prices to see how it stands up to the competition.
• Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot to better understand the consumer experience. Car shipping companies with convenient quote processes also perform well in this category.

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