Shipping a car follows a simple, predictable sequence: you request a free quote, confirm your shipment details, get matched with a licensed carrier, hand off your vehicle at pickup, track it during transit, and inspect it at delivery. Most shipments move from booking to delivery within one to two weeks, depending on distance and route.
If you have never shipped a car before, the whole idea can feel vague. Who picks it up? What if something goes wrong? How do you even know the price is fair? The good news is that auto transport is a well-established, routine industry with a process that rarely surprises anyone who understands the steps ahead of time. Here is exactly what happens, from the moment you request a quote to the moment your car rolls off the truck at its destination.
Step 1: Request Your Free Quote
Everything starts with a quote request, and this is the lowest-risk part of the entire process. You share basic information: the vehicle’s year, make, and model, the pickup and delivery locations, and your preferred timeline. ABC Auto Shipping uses this information to calculate a free, no-obligation quote based on distance, vehicle type, route demand, and the season.
You are not committing to anything by requesting a quote, and there is no pressure to book on the spot. Getting your quote from ABC Auto Shipping takes just a few minutes online.
This is also the point where you choose between open and enclosed transport. Open transport is the standard option used for the vast majority of shipments, similar to what you see on multi-car carriers hauling new vehicles. Enclosed transport adds a covered trailer that shields the vehicle from road debris and weather, which owners of classic, luxury, or high-value cars often prefer.
Step 2: Confirm Your Shipment Details
Once you review your quote and decide to move forward, the next step is confirming the specifics of your shipment. This includes finalizing your exact pickup and delivery addresses, your preferred pickup window, and whether you want door to door service, which is the most common and convenient choice since it means the carrier comes as close to your actual addresses as a truck can safely access.
You will also confirm the vehicle’s condition and whether it is running or non-running, since this affects how it gets loaded. Be upfront about any modifications, low ground clearance, or existing damage. Accuracy here matters because it lets the carrier prepare the right equipment and prevents delays on pickup day.
This step is straightforward and typically handled by phone or online, with a member of the ABC Auto Shipping team walking through the details with you so nothing is left ambiguous.
Step 3: Carrier Assignment and Scheduling
After your details are confirmed, your shipment enters the scheduling phase. ABC Auto Shipping works with a network of licensed and insured carriers, and your vehicle is matched to a carrier whose route and timing fit your pickup and delivery locations.
This is the step where a lot of first-time shippers feel uncertain, mainly because they do not know what is happening behind the scenes. In reality, this is standard freight logistics. Carriers run established routes, and your booking is slotted into a route that works for your origin and destination. You will be given a pickup window rather than an exact minute, since carriers handle multiple vehicles and road conditions can shift timing slightly.
You do not need to do anything active during this stage other than stay reachable. Someone will contact you to confirm the pickup date as it gets closer, so keep your phone handy in the days leading up to it.
Step 4: Pickup Day
On pickup day, the carrier’s driver will contact you ahead of arrival, usually within a window you agreed to in advance. When the driver arrives, they will perform a walk-around inspection of your vehicle with you present. This is where a Bill of Lading gets created, a document that notes the vehicle’s condition before it ever leaves your sight.
Take a few minutes to look over the vehicle with the driver and note anything on the inspection report, including existing scratches, dents, or dings. Photos on your phone are a smart backup, not because problems are common, but because having your own record gives you peace of mind. Once the inspection is signed off, the vehicle is loaded onto the truck and secured for transport.
Before pickup day, make sure the car is reasonably clean (so marks are visible), has roughly a quarter tank of gas, and that personal items are removed from the interior, since carriers generally do not transport belongings inside the vehicle.
Step 5: Transit and Tracking
Once your vehicle is loaded, it is officially in transit. Depending on the distance, transit can take anywhere from a day or two for shorter regional routes to a week or more for coast-to-coast, state-to-state shipments. Carriers typically make multiple stops along their route to pick up and drop off other vehicles, so the route is rarely a straight line from your driveway to the destination.
During this stage, you can expect updates on your shipment’s progress, and you can always reach out to check status if you want more specifics. This is the part of the process that feels the most out of your hands, but it is also the most routine part for the carrier. Long-haul vehicle transport happens every day across the country, and drivers are experienced at managing multi-stop routes safely and on schedule.
Step 6: Delivery and Final Inspection
When your vehicle arrives at its destination, the driver will contact you to coordinate the drop-off, just as they did for pickup. You or your designated recipient should be present for the final inspection, where you compare the vehicle’s condition against the original Bill of Lading created at pickup.
Walk around the car, check it against your notes or photos from pickup day, and confirm everything matches before you sign the delivery paperwork. This inspection step is your opportunity to catch and document any concerns immediately, which is exactly why the pickup inspection matters so much. Once you sign off, the shipment is complete and the vehicle is yours to drive away.
That is the entire journey, six clear steps with nothing hidden in between. If you have been putting off shipping a car because the process felt like a black box, hopefully it now feels like what it actually is: a routine, well-managed service. The best way to see how it works for your specific situation is to request a free quote from ABC Auto Shipping and get real numbers and a real timeline in front of you, with no obligation to book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the entire auto transport process take?
From requesting a quote to delivery, most shipments take about one to two weeks total, though this depends heavily on distance and route. Shorter regional shipments can move faster, while long coast-to-coast routes take longer due to the distance the carrier has to cover.
Do I need to be present for pickup and delivery?
Yes, you or someone you designate needs to be present at both pickup and delivery to complete the vehicle inspection and sign the paperwork. This person does not have to be you personally, as many customers arrange for a family member, friend, or dealership representative to handle it.
What is the difference between door to door and terminal to terminal service?
Door to door service means the carrier picks up and delivers as close to your actual addresses as a truck can safely reach, which is the most convenient and commonly chosen option. Terminal to terminal service requires dropping off and picking up your vehicle at a storage facility instead, which is less common and generally only used for specific scheduling needs.
Can I put personal items in the car during shipping?
It is best not to, since carriers generally are not equipped or insured to transport personal belongings inside the vehicle. Remove valuables and loose items before pickup day to keep the process simple and avoid any confusion at inspection.
What happens if my pickup or delivery date needs to change?
Contact your ABC Auto Shipping representative as soon as you know about the change, and they will adjust the scheduling with the assigned carrier. Because pickup and delivery are given as windows rather than fixed appointments, there is usually some flexibility already.
Is open or enclosed transport better for my vehicle?
Open transport is the standard, widely used option and works well for the vast majority of everyday vehicles. Enclosed transport adds protection from weather and road debris, making it a common choice for classic cars, exotic cars, or other high-value vehicles where extra protection is worth it.
