Quick answer: Yes, you can ship several vehicles at once, and it usually costs less per car than booking them one by one. With ABC Auto Shipping, two or more cars on the same carrier, from the same origin to the same destination, qualify for a multi-car discount of up to 15 percent on every car, including the first. Book two to three weeks ahead so one truck has room for them all.
Shipping one car takes a little planning. Shipping two, three or a whole fleet takes a bit more. Whether you are a family moving house with two cars, a snowbird couple heading south, a dealer moving stock or a business moving company vehicles, sending them together is often simpler and cheaper than sending them separately. This guide covers how multi-car shipping works, what it costs, how to plan a household move with several cars, and how to prepare each vehicle.
Can You Ship Multiple Vehicles at Once?
Yes. An open car carrier usually holds seven to ten vehicles, so two or three cars from the same household often travel on the same truck. When they do, you get one pickup, one delivery and one schedule to plan around. Enclosed trailers carry fewer cars, often two to seven, but can still take a pair or a small collection.
Carriers handle multi-car bookings every day for families, collectors, dealers and fleet managers. Booking three cars is not much more work than booking one, as long as you give the company every vehicle’s details up front.
Multi-Car Discounts at ABC Auto Shipping
| Discount | Who qualifies | How much |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple cars | Two or more cars on the same carrier, from the same origin to the same destination | Up to 15 percent on each car, including the first, depending on the route and the type of car |
| Returning customers and referrals | Past customers, and people they refer | $50 to $200 per car (about 5 to 15 percent), depending on the number and type of cars and the route |
| Other groups | Seniors, active and retired military, disabled veterans, students and single parents | 5 to 10 percent, depending on the group |
To use a discount, request a quote and tell your agent which one applies; they will apply it and update your quote. Discounts depend on market rates for your route, so the maximum is not guaranteed. See the full list on our discounts page.
How Multi-Car Pricing Works
The saving comes from the carrier filling more of the truck with one pickup and one delivery. Your total still depends on:
- Distance. Car shipping is priced by the mile, and the rate per mile drops on longer trips.
- Number and size of vehicles. Trucks, large SUVs and vans take more space and weight than sedans.
- Open or enclosed. Enclosed usually costs 40 to 60 percent more.
- Same or different addresses. The multi-car discount applies to cars sharing an origin and destination. Separate addresses can still be booked together, but each stop adds cost.
- Running condition. A car that does not run needs a winch to load. See how to ship a non-running car.
- Season. Summer moves and snowbird season are the busiest times.
For typical prices by distance, see our car shipping cost guide.
How to Ship Multiple Vehicles in 5 Steps
1. List Every Vehicle and Address
For each vehicle, note the year, make and model, whether it runs, and any changes such as a lift kit or lowered suspension. Then confirm the pickup and delivery addresses. Several cars on the same route, for example three cars from Los Angeles to Dallas, is the ideal case because they can all ride together.
2. Choose a Carrier Type for Each Car
| Option | Best for | Cars per truck | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open transport | Everyday cars, families, dealers | Usually 7 to 10 | Lowest |
| Enclosed transport | Classic, luxury and high-value cars | Often 2 to 7 | Highest |
| Top load on an open carrier | One more valuable car in a mixed group | Upper deck spot | A little more than open |
If one car needs enclosed auto transport and the rest are fine on an open trailer, they will usually travel on different trucks. A cheaper middle ground for one special car is top load car shipping, which keeps it on the upper deck of the same open carrier. Our comparison of open vs enclosed car shipping explains the trade-offs.
3. Book Early and Ask for One Truck
A carrier needs enough open spaces on one truck for your whole group, so book two to three weeks ahead if you can, and earlier in summer. Tell the company up front that you are shipping several vehicles and want them on the same carrier, and ask whether they will travel together or be split. With ABC Auto Shipping there is no deposit to book, and you pay once your carrier is secured. Get a free quote for all your vehicles in one request.
4. Prepare Each Vehicle
Prepare every car on its own rather than assuming they are all the same:
- Wash each car and take a separate set of dated photos for each one.
- Remove personal items and toll tags from all of them. See what you can leave in your car.
- Run the fuel down to about a quarter tank in each.
- Check the tires and battery so each car can be driven on and off the trailer.
- Disable alarms and fold in mirrors.
Our car shipping checklist applies to every vehicle in your group.
5. Inspect Each Car at Pickup and Delivery
The driver records the condition of every vehicle on the bill of lading. Walk around each car with the driver and check that the notes match your photos before you sign. At delivery, do the same for each car, in daylight if you can, and write any new damage on the bill of lading before signing. With several cars it is easy to rush this step, so give each one its own check.
Shipping Several Cars With a Household Move
Household moves rarely line up neatly. One car may be at the old house and another at a student’s apartment two states away, or one driver may fly ahead while the other stays to close on the house. A multi-vehicle booking can handle that:
- Separate pickup addresses for each car, even in different cities.
- Separate pickup windows, so one car can ship a week before the other.
- One delivery address, or two if your household is splitting up for a while.
- One point of contact for every car, instead of two companies and two sets of updates.
Two things to plan for. First, cars on the same truck usually arrive together, but cars on different trucks can arrive a day or two apart, so build in a buffer. Second, car carriers are not licensed to move household goods, so your furniture and boxes go with your movers, and the cars ship separately. Time the cars’ pickup around your move-out day, and ask whoever releases and receives each car to inspect it and sign. It does not need to be the same person for every car.
Fleet and Dealer Moves
Dealers, auction buyers, rental companies and businesses moving company vehicles ship in volume all the time. For a fleet, send the company a full list of vehicles, with VINs if you have them, the pickup and delivery addresses, and any dates the vehicles must be in place. Larger groups may be split across several trucks, and it helps to name one contact at each location to release and receive them. See how dealerships move trade-in vehicles for more on dealer moves.
How Long Does It Take to Ship Multiple Vehicles?
Usually no longer than one car, because the cars ride on the same truck along the same route. Most shipments are picked up within 1 to 5 business days, then take 1 to 3 days in transit for nearby states and 7 to 10 days coast to coast. The main extra factor is finding a truck with room for your whole group, which is why booking early helps. Our transit time guide has the full table.
Are All the Vehicles Insured?
Yes. Each vehicle on a licensed carrier is covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance while in its care. Ask for the certificate of insurance and check the per-vehicle limit, especially if one car is worth much more than the others. Your photos and the bill of lading are your record if you need to make a claim. See how car shipping insurance works.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking too late, which can split your cars across trucks and dates.
- Not asking for one truck, and losing the multi-car discount.
- Not mentioning a non-running or modified car, which can mean the wrong truck is sent.
- Rushing the inspections, so damage on one car goes unrecorded.
- Choosing on price alone without checking the company’s USDOT and MC numbers and reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ship multiple cars on the same truck?
Yes. An open carrier usually holds seven to ten vehicles, so two or three cars sharing a route often travel together. Ask for one truck when you book.
Is it cheaper to ship multiple vehicles at once?
Usually, yes. With ABC Auto Shipping, two or more cars on the same carrier from the same origin to the same destination get up to 15 percent off each car, depending on the route and the type of car.
Can I add different types of vehicles to one shipment?
Yes. Cars, SUVs and pickups can share an open carrier. Tell the company about anything oversized, modified or not running, since it may need a different truck.
Can I add a motorcycle to a multi-car shipment?
Often, yes, if the carrier has the right mounts and tie-downs for the bike. Mention it when you book. See our motorcycle shipping page for how bikes are moved.
Can I ship my cars along with my household move?
Yes, alongside it. Car carriers cannot move household goods, so your movers take the furniture and boxes while the cars ship separately. Book the cars for pickup around your move-out date.
Do all my cars have to go to the same place?
No. You can ship cars to different addresses in one booking. The multi-car discount applies to cars sharing an origin and destination, and each extra stop adds cost.
Will my cars arrive on the same day?
If they travel on the same truck, they usually arrive together. If they are on different trucks, for example one open and one enclosed, they may arrive a day or two apart.
How far in advance should I book?
Two to three weeks ahead where possible, and earlier for summer moves, so one truck has room for every vehicle.
Ship Your Vehicles Together
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker that matches your vehicles with insured carriers and coordinates every pickup and delivery from one point of contact. Get a free quote for all your vehicles in one request, and ask your agent about the multi-car discount. There is no deposit to book.
