On average, shipping a car across the U.S. takes fewer than 14 days. Regional moves take about three days, while interstate auto transport takes around seven days, depending on the distance. Keep in mind that circumstances vary by situation, so your specific time frame will vary.
Shipping a car might sound like an overwhelming task, especially when you’re trying to figure out the logistics. Whether you’re moving to a new home, sending a classic car to a show, or buying a vehicle from overseas, it’s important to understand the time frame for the car shipping process.
Check out this guide to learn how quickly auto transport providers ship cars. We’ll also share expert tips for shipping your car to your destination more quickly.
Why Trust FreightWaves?
Our mission at FreightWaves is to provide readers with data-driven, unbiased car shipping information and company reviews.
Using our own unique rating system, we evaluated 2,400 car shipping companies nationwide based on key factors like pricing, services, availability, and customer satisfaction. We also dig deep into online consumer reviews to pinpoint what real people have to say about each company and identify recurring pain points and areas of praise.
Our in-house team of experts fully fact-checks all content to ensure our content is up-to-date, accurate, and relevant to what you want and need to know.
Key takeaways:
- It takes anywhere from one to three days to ship a car under 500 miles or as long as 14 days for distances over 1,500 miles.
- Factors like route, time of year, weather, carrier type, and availability ultimately affect the amount of time it takes to ship a car.
- You can speed up your delivery date by paying more for expedited delivery, avoiding peak season, booking quickly, opting for open transport, and being as flexible as possible with shipping locations.
How Long Will It Take to Ship My Car?
Generally, you can expect an average transit time of one to two weeks for cross-country car shipping. However, shorter distances usually have faster delivery times, often as fast as a few days.
Remember that these are just estimates, though, and several factors ultimately determine how long it will take for the auto transport company to move your vehicle.
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Times
Auto transport companies work diligently to meet your pickup and delivery dates, but they also have to navigate a range of variables. Understanding these factors can help you set realistic expectations and prepare you for a smoother car shipment experience.
Several elements come into play when determining how long it will take to transport your vehicle, including:
- Distance: The longer the shipping route, the more time it will take to transport your vehicle.
- Pickup and drop-off locations: Shipping to rural areas can add time to the delivery, while shipments to popular metropolitan areas are typically faster.
- Type of transport: Enclosed transport usually takes longer than open transport because fewer enclosed carriers are available, and they tend to cover specific routes.
- Time of year: Demand, weather conditions, and other seasonal fluctuations affect shipping times. For example, bad weather delays are par for the course in winter, while busy summertime road conditions mean more delays for car shipping companies and their customers.
- Carrier availability: The speed of car shipping often depends on the availability of car carriers and truck drivers. Requesting door-to-door delivery or enclosed trailers offers convenience and additional security, but these options may require longer waiting times due to lower availability.
How Car Shipping Works
A lot of logistics happen behind the scenes for your vehicle to get from point A to point B. Understanding the car shipping process can demystify the questions you might have.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how typical car shipping services work, from the moment you decide to ship your car to the time it arrives at its destination:
- Request a quote. First, contact at least three auto shipping companies. Most allow you to request an instant quote online. Provide details on pickup and delivery locations, type of vehicle, car shipping method (enclosed transport or open transport), and anticipated timeline. Keep in mind that the timeline you request in the quote is not set in stone.
- Schedule pickup. Once you agree on the quote, you’ll schedule a pickup date. Some companies offer guaranteed pickup and delivery dates for an additional fee, but most will give you a window of time for when they can pick up your vehicle. Many car shipping companies will charge you a deposit or upfront fee to reserve your date at this step.
- Prepare your vehicle. Before the pickup date, prepare your car for transport. Document any existing damage, fill the tank to a quarter-full, and remove personal items.
- The carrier picks up your car. The truck driver will arrive with a hauler to your front door or an agreed-upon shipping terminal on the scheduled date. They inspect the car and note its condition on the bill of lading (BOL).
- Sit back and relax. The carrier will transport your car to its delivery location. The transit time depends on factors like distance and road conditions. Generally, the process will take no longer than two weeks.
- Receive your vehicle. The driver delivers the car and inspects it again to ensure it’s in good condition. You inspect the vehicle as well and sign the BOL. If there is damage, note it on the BOL and start the damage claims process.
- Pay the balance. After delivery, you pay the remaining balance due.
Tips for Shipping Your Car Faster
So many factors affect the length of time it will ultimately take to relocate your vehicle. While you can’t control most of these factors, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process.
Follow these tips for a quicker auto transport experience:
Choose Open Transport
Open carriers are more readily available and usually accommodate faster shipping. Plus, they tend to be cheaper.
Ask for Expedited Shipping
Not all carriers offer it, but they can put you at the front of the line for an added fee. Guaranteed pickup dates or rush shipping will fast-track the shipping process. This is ideal if you’re in a rush, but might not be a fit for those on a tight budget.
Be Flexible with Location
Carriers can access terminals and metropolitan areas more quickly than door-to-door or rural areas. If you’re willing to drive further, this option could deliver your car more quickly.
Book ASAP
Booking car shipping in advance gives you a better shot of securing a time slot that aligns perfectly with your schedule, especially during the busy season (spring through summer).
Avoid Summer Shipping if Possible
Summer is the most convenient time to move for many people. However, this leads to a surge in demand for car shipping that creates longer wait times. Try to ship your car outside of peak season to avoid delays.
Respond Quickly
If your car transport company has questions, answer them right away. Prompt replies speed up the process.
Our Recommendations
While you can’t control all factors related to shipping timelines, the auto shipping company you hire is the biggest factor in turnaround time. Go with a reputable provider with proven experience in car transport service to enjoy greater peace of mind and faster turnaround times.
SGT Auto Transport
SGT Auto Transport has a price-matching guarantee that makes them a popular choice for affordable high-quality auto transport. Their network of more than 25,000 carriers increases the odds that a shipper will pick up your job quickly.
However, SGT doesn’t offer guaranteed dates for shipping your car cross-country and only offers limited international shipping options.
Easy Auto Ship
Worried about your car arriving on time? If it takes longer than two weeks for your car to arrive, Easy Auto Ship will provide a free rental car.
Available in all 50 states and internationally, Easy Auto Ship offers a simple online booking system for stress-free shipping. They also can’t give you guaranteed delivery dates, and some customers mention issues tracking their vehicles during transit. We recommend placing an Apple AirTag in your vehicle so you can track it at all times.
Montway Auto Transport
Montway Auto Transport leverages a network of over 15,000 carriers to deliver vehicles both domestically and internationally. They ship a wide variety of vehicles and don’t require an upfront deposit.
However, they do charge a $249 cancellation fee for dispatched carriers and don’t ship RVs. Their quotes also expire within one week, so you need to be willing to move quickly.
FAQ
How long does it take to ship a car 1,000 miles?
It takes anywhere from three to five days to ship a car 1,000 miles. Factors like shipping routes, weather conditions, traffic, and demand affect the precise timeline. Auto transport companies have to plan multiple stops along their route, which can also influence the delivery time.
How long does it take to ship a car across the country?
For coast-to-coast car transport — which is roughly 2,800 to 3,200 miles — the average transit time is usually between seven to 14 days. This extended period accounts for the long distance, legally mandated rest stops for the truck driver, and variations in shipping routes and road conditions.
How long does it take for a car to arrive once it has shipped?
Once your car is on the move, the arrival time depends on the total distance, the specific shipping route, and external factors like weather and road conditions.
Typically, for shorter distances (under 500 miles), it may take one to three days. It will take about two to four days for medium distances (500–1,000 miles), and longer distances (1,000+ miles) may take anywhere from five to 14 days.
Why does it take so long to ship a car?
Shippers aren’t transporting just your car — they’re juggling deliveries for multiple customers on a single carrier. Auto transport carriers may have several pickups and deliveries along a route, which influences overall transit times. Other factors like distance, carrier type, and distance also affect delivery timelines.
