How Does Car Shipping Work? (2024 Guide) (2024)

Key Points:

• The two most popular methods of auto shipping are open car transport and enclosed carrier shipping.
• Based on our extensive quote research, car shipping costs between 39 cents and $2.34 per mile depending on the distance and carrier.
• Factors such as the shipping distance, pickup and delivery locations, and chosen type of transport will all affect car shipping costs.

If you’re planning to make a long-distance move, shipping your vehicle with a car transport company could remove the hassle of a long drive. Auto shipping is a great way to avoid wasting time on the road, especially if you’re moving more than a few hundred miles away.

Our team spent more than 300 hours researching how to ship a car and we’ll use this article to explain how car shipping works. In doing so, we’ll provide cost estimates, explain whether it’s worth it, and offer recommendations on the industry’s best car shipping companies.

The process for shipping a car isn’t all that difficult, but it still takes a bit of explaining. Below, you’ll find some details on the steps for moving a vehicle using an auto transport service.

1. Choose An Auto Transport Method

The most popular types of car shipping are open and enclosed trailer transport. If you own a luxury vehicle or sports car, you may want to consider the extra protection of enclosed trailers. If you’re more concerned about car shipping costs, you should pick open trailer transport.

2. Compare Car Shipping Quotes

Once you’ve chosen your shipping method, start getting car shipping quotes online from various reputable auto haulers. You’ll find providers with online marketplaces as well as auto shipping companies that work as transport brokers, so decide which one you’re more comfortable with. Most providers have free quote tools and car shipping calculators on their websites to simplify the process.

The best way to vet carriers is by looking at customer reviews on platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, and Google. Another method is by looking up motor carrier numbers given out to reputable providers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

3. Book The Best Shipping Option

Once you’ve found a provider that suits your needs, it’s time to book the transport. If you settle on a broker, it’ll take care of posting your bid and finding the right car carrier. Those who go with an online auto transport marketplace, like uShip, will deal directly with the winning carrier throughout the car shipping process.

4. Prepare Your Vehicle For Shipment

After booking a vehicle moving service, you’ll need to prepare the car for transport. Remove all personal items from your car and take pictures of it in case you need to file a damage claim. It’s also recommended that you leave no more than a quarter tank of gas in your car.

5. Drop Your Car Off

On the dropoff date, you’ll need to meet your trucker at an agreed-upon location. Both of you will inspect the car and record any preexisting dents or damage on the bill of lading, which acts as a form of proof that your car was picked up and delivered to its destination. At that point, you’ll sign the bill of lading and your vehicle will be ready to get loaded for transport.

6. Pick Your Car Up

If you selected door-to-door shipping, your car will head right to its intended destination. If you chose to have your car shipped to a terminal instead, you’ll need to meet the hauler at a predetermined terminal on the pickup date. Inspect it again for new damages if everything looks alright, sign off on the bill of lading, and get your car.

If you’re someone who loves a good road trip, then you may want to drive your car to its final destination. However, those looking to simplify their moves and reduce time, hassle, and stress may want to learn how car shipping works.

Shipping your car can protect the vehicle from the wear and tear that comes with a long drive. You’ll also avoid the risk of being involved in a car accident or the vehicle suffering a mechanical breakdown. Ultimately, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of your situation before making a decision.

How Soon Will My Car Arrive?

Patience is key when it comes to vehicle transport. If you’re shipping a car cross-country, you can expect the vehicle’s delivery time frame to be anywhere between seven and 10 days. If you’re shipping a car internationally or to either Hawaii or Alaska, prepare for a longer shipment. Carriers can run into bad weather, heavy traffic, and even road closures, all which may affect how long it takes for your car to travel.

Many shipping providers offer online tracking, so it’s worth using the tool if you’re looking for peace of mind and a set arrival date.

CEO of SGT Auto Transport, Jack Savov, encourages customers to, “Request frequent updates from the car carrier and ask for a notice before pickup and delivery to ensure a smooth and seamless transaction.” He also suggests “providing multiple phone numbers or contact methods … as it can help to avoid communication issues.”

What If My Car Gets Damaged?

If you’re worried about damage to your vehicle during transport, know that providers are legally required to carry insurance to protect the car. The federal government issues minimum-liability insurance requirements for auto carriers, though higher levels of protection can typically be purchased as add-ons.

Take the time to check out what a carrier’s insurance policy will and won’t cover. Once your car reaches its destination, inspect it carefully for damages and have the provider note any issues on your bill of lading. You’ll then need to contact the shipping company to file a claim.

Our research team found that price per mile is the most common way that vehicle transport rates are calculated. According to quotes we received during our research, the cost to ship a car is anywhere from 39 cents to around $2.34 per mile.

The shorter the shipping distance, the more likely you are to pay per mile to ship a car. If you’re transporting your vehicle over a long distance, you’ll pay less per mile but more overall. The table below has a breakdown of the average car shipping costs per mile for various distances.

*The table above is based on quotes for an operable 2019 Mazda CX-5.

To learn more about the average cost of car shipping, we led a customer satisfaction survey of 1,000 people who have previously shipped their vehicle. Here’s how much respondents reported paying for their car shipping service:

• 6 percent paid less than $500
• 55 percent paid between $500 and $1,500
• 34 percent paid $1,501 or more

What Changes Car Shipping Rates?

Remember that your actual costs will vary depending on factors like your chosen auto shipper, dropoff and delivery locations, and the shipping services you pick. See below for more details on the factors that affect your vehicle shipping costs.

• Shipping distance: You’ll receive a better rate per mile with long-distance shipping, but your overall costs will be higher than if you shipped the car a shorter distance.
• Pickup and delivery locations: If you live in or are shipping to a rural area, your shipping prices will probably be higher than for someone from a more populous location. In addition, door-to-door transport services will cost more than if you take advantage of terminal-to-terminal shipping.
• Time of year: If you’re choosing to ship a car in January or the summer months, you’ll pay more than if you ship your vehicle during other months of the year that tend to be slower.
• Vehicle condition: The operability of your car influences shipping costs. Vehicles that are inoperable must be winched or forklifted onto the trailer, which costs extra.
• Vehicle size: If you’re shipping a large vehicle such as a truck or SUV, you’ll pay more.
• Vehicle weight: The heavier the vehicle, the more it will cost. Taking all unnecessary items and accessories out of the car and only having a quarter tank of gas in the car will help cut costs.
• Type of transport: Open transport will cost you less than enclosed trailer shipping.
• Shipping speed: if you’ve opted for expedited shipping or a guaranteed delivery window, you’ll end up paying more. Flexibility with the speed of your car shipment and the delivery date can save you money.

There are many different ways that car shipping works, but your specific needs will determine the best method for you. While it’s sometimes possible to ship a car via train, boat, or plane, the most common method is to transport it via either an open or an enclosed carrier.

As with any type of transport, there are pros and cons to enclosed vs. open car shipping. However, our research shows that the most popular method of car transport is open trailer shipping. After surveying 1,000 people who’d previously shipped a car, we found that 36 percent chose open carrier shipping while 29 percent picked enclosed auto transport.

Open Carrier Car Shipping

Open auto transport carriers allow multiple vehicles to be shipped together at once. Vehicles sit outdoors during the shipment, as they travel on an open trailer without a covering. While this shipping method is great for those looking for cheap car shipping, it leaves your vehicle exposed to road debris, bad weather, and other potential hazards during transit.

Enclosed Carrier Car Shipping

Enclosed carrier vehicle transport involves the use of an enclosed trailer rather than an open one. Enclosed carrier shipping services are the safest option to ship your vehicle, as they protect it from potential hazards that could occur. Enclosed shipping usually comes with higher limits from insurance companies, which could benefit owners of luxury vehicles and classic cars.

We’d encourage you to reach out to several auto transport companies for instant quotes once you’ve learned how car shipping works. Online shipping quotes are both free and relatively easy to obtain.

Our team has carefully researched the reputation, costs, car transport services, and customer experience of auto shippers to help you choose the best one for your needs. Two of the industry’s most affordable and high-quality choices are Montway Auto Transport and Sherpa Auto Transport.

Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall

Montway Auto Transport is a major car shipping company that works with over 30,000 carriers across the United States. It boasts an A+ rating with the BBB and has 4.6 out of 5.0 stars from almost than 2,300 customer reviews. All of Montway Auto Transport’s shippers are insured, and the company provides an additional $250,000 of cargo coverage in case your trucker’s policy doesn’t fully cover a valid claim.

With options for door-to-door delivery, expedited shipping, and open and enclosed auto transport, we feel that Montway Auto Transport is one of the best car shippers around. Another benefit is that the company is willing to transport vehicles with up to 100 pounds of personal belongings packed away.

Read more: Montway Auto Transport review

Sherpa Auto Transport: Positive Customer Experience

Sherpa Auto Transport holds an A+ rating and 4.9 out of 5.0 stars from the BBB, revealing its positive customer service reputation. A standout feature of Sherpa is the company’s Price Lock Promise, which makes sure that your initially quoted rate won’t go up mid-shipment.

You can receive either open or enclosed auto shipping to anywhere in the U.S. other than Hawaii or Alaska. Sherpa Auto Transport also offers 24/7 real-time updates on your vehicle during transport, which may ease your nerves as your car makes its way to its destination.

Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport review

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.