If you’re planning the logistics of a big move, you may be wondering how to ship a car and whether the service is right for you. Fortunately, shipping a car or truck is typically a very straightforward process with a number of benefits. Though you can’t move personal items in your car if you ship it, it’ll reduce your drive time, prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle, and give you extra peace of mind.
Once you’ve determined the when and how of your shipping needs, you can research companies, request quotes, and work with your carrier to inspect your vehicle during pickup and delivery. With this method, you can find the best car shipping company with the right shipping and delivery methods for your vehicle.
How do you ship a car?
Shipping seems daunting and difficult, but it boils down to six easy steps. As long as you start early and cover all your bases, you should be able to ship your car and have it delivered at your destination without any hitches. The process starts with getting a clear idea of the services that are available and which ones suit your needs best.
Determine your shipping needs
Several shipping methods and delivery options should be considered while making sure the process fits within your move’s time frame and budget. Before you research car shipping companies and request quotes, you should have a solid idea of what you’re looking for.
The most commonly used type of car shipping is open transport, though shipping options like enclosed or single-car transport may be available.
Open carriers transport several vehicles at once, secured on specially designed open-air trailers. This leaves vehicles exposed to weather and road debris. This method is inexpensive, efficient and has the highest carrying capacity.
Enclosed auto transport trailers come in varying sizes but have one thing in common: protection from the elements and road debris. The secure, closed-in trailers typically cost more per mile and move fewer vehicles than open transport trailers and are a great choice for luxury or classic cars.
As the name implies, single-car transport moves just one car at a time. This makes it a highly expensive option but may be necessary due to the increased flexibility in pick-up and drop-off locations. The trailers are low and compact, allowing them to travel narrow or winding roads and other places that larger trailers simply can’t. Single-car transport is usually reserved for short trips or unique needs.
If you’re shipping your vehicle to Hawaii, Alaska or internationally, your car shipping methods may include a combination of open or enclosed trailers, airplanes, trains and boats.
Pick a delivery option
In addition to determining how you want your vehicle shipped, you also need to consider where you want it picked up and dropped off at. The two most common vehicle shipping delivery options are terminal-to-terminal delivery and door-to-door delivery. Completing vehicle drop-off and pick-up at shipping terminals saves money and offers more flexibility with shipping dates, but it requires traveling to designated shipping terminal locations.
With door-to-door delivery, shipping carriers will get as close as possible to your preferred vehicle pick-up and delivery locations. However, this option will cost more overall.
Choose the dates you want your vehicle shipped
We recommend choosing an acceptable two-week time frame for shipping your vehicle before vetting quotes from car shipping companies. Based on quotes we received from several car shipping brokers, it takes one to seven business days to pick up a vehicle for shipping and another one to eight business days for transit.
While most car shipping companies won’t take a full two weeks, it’s wise to set this time aside until shipping details are confirmed, especially for longer trips.
Research shipping companies
Once you have an idea of your shipping dates, preferences and budget, it’s time to research car shipping companies. Evaluate any auto transport company, broker or carrier you’re considering working with based on these attributes:
- Available transport methods
- Customer reviews
- Department of Transportation (DOT) registration
- Industry ratings, including the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Insurance policy options
- Perks or service benefits
- Prices
- Service area
- Service record
We know that sounds like a lot. The best way to get to know auto shippers is to request quotes.
Compare shipping quotes and choose a provider
After you choose a few reputable car shippers, request car shipping quotes from them. You’ll need to provide accurate details about your vehicle, your preferred shipping and delivery methods and your desired pick-up and delivery dates, if applicable. If you’re concerned about the cost of shipping, explore quotes for both enclosed and open shipping to get a full picture of what you can expect to pay.
Remember, the cheapest quote shouldn’t automatically be your first choice. Review the company’s policies, insurance offerings and customer feedback again to make sure you’re getting the services you need. Once you’ve chosen your preferred company, it’s time to prepare your vehicle for the shipping process.
Prep your car for shipping
We recommend removing all personal belongings from your vehicle prior to shipping. “I can tell you anything left inside the vehicle is not insured. So if you put a television in there, and it breaks, or it disappears magically because, you know, somebody broke into the trailer, it’s not going to be covered,” said Steve Yariv, owner of Dealers Choice Auto Transport.
You may also want to thoroughly clean the inside and outside of your vehicle before shipping to document its current condition more clearly.
Document your car’s condition
Your shipping carrier will inspect your vehicle on your scheduled vehicle pick-up or drop-off date. Write down any notes on damages, the current odometer and fuel gauge reading. Take photographs to accompany these notes. Ensure these damages are documented in the bill of lading — which is the contract between an auto transport broker and shipping company that spells out the quantity, type and destination of cars being shipped — before the carrier takes your vehicle.
Pick up and inspect your car
Once your vehicle arrives at its destination, inspect both the interior and exterior for any damages or changes in condition. Confirm the mileage is unchanged, and use photographs for reference. As long as everything checks out, you’re good to go and can sign for the delivery.
If you notice an issue with your vehicle’s condition, you’ll need to document it on the bill of lading. If your vehicle’s condition before and after shipping isn’t thoroughly documented on the bill of lading, you may not have standing to make a claim.
In most cases, you’ll work with your carrier to determine damages and payout. In some cases, damages caused by road debris or weather during transit may not be covered by your shipping carrier, so make sure to review your own insurance coverage as well as the shipping company’s policies before shipping your car.
How much should it cost to ship a car?
Car shipping costs can vary based on several factors. We contacted top shipping brokers for quotes to ship a 2019 Toyota Camry over a variety of distances from 571 to 2,363 miles using both open and enclosed transport with door-to-door shipping. Based on these quotes, shipping a vehicle can cost anywhere between $400 and $2,700.
Open car shipping is cost-effective for carriers and typically the cheapest way to ship a vehicle. If you’re shipping a vehicle 600 miles or less using open carrier shipping, expect to pay on the low end of the range above. If your move distance is more than 1,500 miles, you may pay less per mile but expect a higher overall cost. Enclosed auto shipping will cost more per mile than open carrier shipping, regardless of total miles.
Additional fees you should be aware of
You may also want to leave room in your budget for additional service fees your chosen provider may impose. Some shipping carriers may charge additional fees for:
- Loading and unloading at ports
- Special equipment use for shipping inoperable vehicles
- Driving fees, typically for deliveries to rural areas
- Shipping terminal storage fees
Tip
When shopping around, ask up front about hidden fees so you don’t have surprises down the road.
What are car shipping tips for a smoother experience?
Make the most of your car shipping experience by requesting quotes as early as possible, thoroughly vetting all shipping companies, understanding how vehicle tracking works and setting the right expectations for pickup and delivery.
Start early
The earlier you start requesting quotes from shipping brokers, the higher your chances are of receiving affordable offers. We recommend starting your search a month or more in advance of your expected ship date.
Most car companies are shipping brokers, meaning they work with multiple shipping carriers to provide vehicle transport services. Not only that, but they’re shipping vehicles other than yours in the same trailer, which makes exact time frames hard to pin down.
When you request a quote, the company or broker lets carriers bid on your job and provides you with the best offers. The longer carriers can bid on your shipping job, the more competitive the process is.
Know the company you work with
Never work with a shipping company you haven’t thoroughly reviewed and vetted. Always check industry ratings on platforms such as BBB, browse customer reviews and read in-depth company reviews from industry experts.
Vehicle tracking varies
Not every company offers vehicle tracking during transit, though some may offer GPS services or telephone updates. Know which, if any, tracking services are available before you commit to a car shipping contract.
Some methods take longer
Some car shipping methods will take longer than others. If you’re shipping your car cross-country, internationally, or to Hawaii or Alaska, expect a longer shipping time. Similarly, using enclosed car shipping or door-to-door delivery may impact your total shipping time.
What’s next?
Shipping a car doesn’t have to be a difficult process. As long as you research companies, compare quotes, and choose the best shipping method for your vehicle, you can rest easy knowing your vehicle is in good hands and delivered in a timely manner.
Now that you’re more familiar with how to ship a car, you can start vetting and requesting quotes from dependable car shipping companies.
If you want a place to start, get quotes from top car shipping companies below:
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