Quick answer: Car shipping works in seven stages. You get a quote, book, a carrier is assigned, the driver inspects and loads your car, the car travels on the truck, and you inspect it at delivery before you sign. With ABC Auto Shipping there is no deposit, and you pay once a carrier is secured. Most shipments take one to two weeks from booking to delivery. To see real numbers for your route, get a free car shipping quote.
If you have never shipped a car before, the process can feel like a black box. Who picks the car up? Where does it go between pickup and delivery? When do you pay, and what should you check before you sign? This guide answers those questions in order, from the first quote to the moment you drive away, so you know what to expect at each step.
What Is Auto Shipping?
Auto shipping, also called car shipping or auto transport, means moving a vehicle on a truck instead of driving it. A licensed carrier loads your car onto a trailer, usually alongside other cars, and delivers it to the address you choose. Most people book through a broker, which finds a carrier running your route and manages the shipment for you.
People ship cars for many reasons:
- Moving to a new state for work, family or retirement
- Buying a car online or from a seller far away
- Spending winters in the South, often called snowbird travel
- Sending a car to a student at college
- Military moves, and dealers moving stock between lots
- Moving classic, luxury or exotic cars without adding miles
Car Shipping Timeline at a Glance
| Stage | What happens | Typical timing | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Quote | You share your route and vehicle, and get a price | A few minutes | Give accurate details |
| 2. Booking | You confirm addresses, dates and options | Same day | Choose open or enclosed, and a pickup window |
| 3. Carrier assignment | Your car is matched with a licensed, insured carrier | Scheduling starts the next business day; pickup usually within 1 to 5 business days | Stay reachable by phone |
| 4. Pickup | The driver inspects, records and loads your car | On your pickup date | Inspect with the driver and sign the bill of lading |
| 5. Transit | Your car travels with the truck’s route | 1 to 3 days for nearby states, 7 to 10 days coast to coast | Check status with your broker if needed |
| 6. Delivery | The driver calls ahead and unloads your car | Within the delivery window | Inspect the car before you sign |
| 7. Sign-off | You sign for the car and get your keys | At delivery | Note any new damage on the bill of lading first |
How Car Shipping Works, Step by Step
Step 1: Get a Quote
Everything starts with a quote. You share the vehicle’s year, make and model, the pickup and delivery ZIP codes, whether it runs, and when it needs to move. The price depends mainly on distance, vehicle size, open or enclosed transport, the season and how busy the route is. A quote costs nothing and does not commit you to anything. With ABC Auto Shipping there is no payment and no card needed at this stage.
Compare two or three quotes. Be careful with a price far below the others: it is often a rate no carrier will accept, which leads to delays or a higher price later. Our guide to what car shipping costs shows typical prices by distance.
Step 2: Book Your Shipment
When you are ready, you confirm the details: exact pickup and delivery addresses, your first available pickup date, open or enclosed transport, and door-to-door or terminal service. Tell the company whether the car runs, and about anything unusual, such as a lowered suspension, a lift kit, oversized tires or existing damage. Accurate details mean the right truck is sent and pickup day goes smoothly.
ABC Auto Shipping does not ask for a deposit to book. You pay only once a licensed, insured carrier has been secured for your shipment. Our post on no-deposit auto shipping explains how that works.
Step 3: Carrier Assignment and Dispatch
After you book, ABC Auto Shipping starts scheduling a truck the next business day. Your car is matched with a carrier whose route and timing fit your pickup and delivery locations. Carriers run regular routes and fill each truck with several cars going the same way, which is why you get a pickup window rather than an exact time.
Most cars are picked up within 1 to 5 business days of the first available date. You do not need to do anything during this stage except stay reachable. You will be contacted to confirm the pickup date, and the driver will usually call ahead on the day.
Step 4: Pickup Day
When the driver arrives, you walk around the car together and note its condition on the bill of lading. This document is your receipt and the record of how the car looked when it left you, so check every mark the driver writes down before you sign. Take your own dated photos as well.
Then the driver loads the car onto the trailer and secures it with wheel straps or chains so it cannot move. You hand over a set of keys, and the car is on its way. Before pickup day:
- Wash the car so existing marks are easy to see.
- Remove valuables, toll tags and parking passes. See what you can leave in your car.
- Run the fuel down to about a quarter tank.
- Disable the alarm, or leave clear instructions for the driver.
- Tell the company about any leaks or mechanical problems.
Our car shipping checklist covers every step.
Step 5: Transit
Once loaded, your car travels with the truck along its route. The truck usually stops to pick up and drop off other cars on the way, so the route is rarely a straight line. A loaded truck covers roughly 400 to 500 miles a day, because federal rules limit drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour shift. Typical transit times are 1 to 3 days between neighboring states, 3 to 5 days for a few states away and 7 to 10 days coast to coast. Weather, traffic and road closures can add time, and drivers will slow down or stop when conditions are unsafe.
While your car is in the carrier’s care, it is covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance. If you want an update, contact your broker rather than calling the driver while they are on the road. For details by distance, see how long shipping takes.
Step 6: Delivery and Inspection
The driver calls ahead to arrange a delivery time. If a large truck cannot reach your street safely, you may meet nearby in a wide, open spot such as a store parking lot. You, or an adult you have named, need to be there to receive the car.
Inspect the car before you sign anything, in good light if you can. Compare it with the bill of lading from pickup and your own photos. Walk around every panel, check the wheels, bumpers and roof, and look inside. Our guide on how to inspect your car at pickup and delivery shows what to look for.
Step 7: Sign Off and Get Your Keys
If everything matches, sign the bill of lading and take your keys and copy of the paperwork. If you find new damage, write it on the bill of lading and photograph it before you sign, with the driver present. Signing a clean bill of lading tells the carrier the car arrived in the same condition, which makes a later damage claim much harder.
Broker or Carrier: Who Actually Moves Your Car?
Two types of companies work in auto transport:
- Carriers own the trucks and employ the drivers. They run set routes and fill each truck with cars going their way.
- Brokers do not own trucks. They find a licensed, insured carrier that is running your route, book your car onto it and manage the shipment for you.
Most people book through a broker, because finding a carrier yourself that runs your exact route on your dates is hard. Both brokers and carriers must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and you can look up their USDOT and MC numbers on its website. ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker, USDOT #2340626 and MC #797279. For more, see our guide to auto brokers vs carriers.
Choices You Will Make When You Book
| Choice | Option | What it means | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier type | Open | Your car rides on an open two-level trailer with other cars | Most everyday cars; the lowest price |
| Enclosed | Your car rides inside a covered trailer, usually for 40 to 60 percent more | Classic, luxury and high-value cars | |
| Service | Door to door | The driver picks up and delivers as close to your addresses as a large truck can safely reach | Most shipments |
| Terminal to terminal | You drop off and collect the car at storage lots | Owners near a terminal with flexible dates |
For a fuller comparison, see open vs enclosed car shipping and what door-to-door auto transport means.
How Much Does Car Shipping Cost?
On an open carrier, a running sedan typically costs $400 to $700 for trips under 500 miles and $1,000 to $1,700 for 2,000 miles or more. Enclosed transport usually costs 40 to 60 percent more. Larger vehicles, cars that do not run, rural addresses and the busiest summer weeks all push the price up, while a flexible pickup window helps bring it down.
Shipping a Car for the First Time? Avoid These Mistakes
- Booking on price alone. A quote far below the rest often means a long wait for a carrier, or a higher price later.
- Skipping the credentials check. Look up the company’s USDOT and MC numbers on the FMCSA website, and read recent reviews.
- Paying the wrong way. Be wary of any company that wants a large upfront payment by wire transfer or a cash app before a carrier is even assigned.
- Not asking about insurance. Ask for the carrier’s certificate of insurance and check the per-vehicle limit against your car’s value.
- Leaving it too late. Book two to three weeks ahead where you can, and earlier in summer.
- Signing without looking. Inspect the car at pickup and delivery, and never sign a clean bill of lading if you see new damage.
Our list of questions to ask before booking helps you compare companies.
What If Something Goes Wrong?
Damage in transit is uncommon, but if it happens, note it on the bill of lading at delivery, photograph it, and keep your copy of the paperwork. Then contact your broker, who will help you start a claim with the carrier’s cargo insurance. If your dates change, tell your broker as soon as you can; because pickup and delivery are set as windows, there is often room to adjust. For more on cover, see how car shipping insurance works.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does car shipping work?
You get a quote and book, a licensed carrier is assigned to your route, and the driver inspects and loads your car at pickup. The car travels on the truck to your delivery address, where you inspect it and sign the bill of lading.
What should I expect during car shipping?
A pickup window of 1 to 5 business days, a walk-around inspection at pickup, then 1 to 10 days in transit depending on distance. The driver calls ahead before delivery, and you inspect the car again before signing.
Do I need to be there for pickup and delivery?
You, or an adult you name, must be there for both. Someone has to inspect the car with the driver, sign the bill of lading and hand over or receive the keys. Give the company their name and phone number in advance.
When do I pay for car shipping?
With ABC Auto Shipping, there is no deposit and no payment at the quote or booking stage. You pay once a licensed, insured carrier has been secured for your shipment.
What should I check before I sign the bill of lading?
That every existing mark is recorded at pickup, and at delivery that the car matches that record. Check every panel, the bumpers, wheels, roof and interior. Write any new damage on the bill of lading before you sign.
How far in advance should I book car shipping?
Two to three weeks ahead is a good rule, and earlier for summer moves and January snowbird routes. Shorter notice is often possible, but expect fewer options.
Is my car insured during shipping?
Yes. Licensed carriers carry cargo insurance that covers your car while it is in their care. Personal items left inside are not covered.
Can I put things in my car?
Most carriers allow up to about 100 pounds in the trunk, below the window line. Those items are not insured, so keep anything valuable with you.
Ready to Ship Your Car?
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker that matches your car with an insured carrier and manages the shipment from quote to delivery. Get a free quote in a few minutes. There is no deposit to book, and you pay only once your carrier is secured.
