What to Expect During the Car Shipping Experience

Shipping a car is something most of us have to do at some point.

It might be for a move, a road trip, or a sale.

Whatever the reason, there are a lot of details to handle when preparing for transport. Pickup windows, delivery estimates, carrier type, insurance, etc. It’s a lot to remember!

The good news? Shipping a car does not have to be stressful.

Once you know what to expect and the process is broken down into simple steps, it becomes very manageable. Car shipping services have been around for decades and the industry has fine-tuned how vehicles travel from A to B.

Here is your complete guide to the car shipping experience…

What You’ll Learn:

• How The Car Shipping Process Works
• What Affects Your Delivery Timeline
• Choosing The Right Carrier Type
• Preparing Your Vehicle For Transport
• What To Do At Pickup And Delivery

How The Car Shipping Process Works

Shipping a car is actually a pretty straightforward process.

It all starts with getting quotes from transport companies.

Quote forms typically ask for basic details like vehicle make and model, the pickup location, and destination. Once that info is submitted, the company uses the mileage matrix and available carriers to calculate a price.

From there, a booking is made and the transport company assigns a carrier to the vehicle.

This is where it gets interesting. Carriers do not always go directly from Point A to Point B. They often pickup vehicles along the way, which means several cars on the same truck.

For example, someone moving to a state like Texas would benefit from working with one of the more reliable auto shipping solutions to make the whole relocation process as easy as possible. Car shipping companies operating along high-volume corridors have access to more carrier inventory and often schedule faster pickups.

Fun fact…

The car shipping booking process typically takes 2 weeks for best results. If you wait until the last minute, you severely limit your options and will likely have to pay more money.

What Affects Your Delivery Timeline

Delivery timing is one of the main concerns among vehicle owners.

After all, how long does it take to ship a car?

Shipping time varies considerably by route and other factors.

According to industry data, coast-to-coast deliveries average 7 to 10 days. Shipments less than 500 miles take 3 to 7 days on average.

Those are averages. Several variables can increase or decrease the time it takes to deliver.

Distance is the primary factor. The farther a vehicle must travel, the more time the shipment will take. The natural laws of distance apply. A car going from Florida to California will take longer than one going from Texas to Oklahoma.

Pickup and delivery location are also important. Urban areas are easier for carriers to access than rural or otherwise hard-to-reach locations. Loading and unloading vehicles off main highway routes adds time to shipments.

Seasonal demand changes. Peak season for car shipping runs from May through September when more people move. This is when carriers are busiest but when routes are most frequent.

Weather can cause delays. Snow, rain, or severe storms make it difficult for drivers to get through safely. They must slow down or even stop completely.

The moral of the story? Have some flexibility in your schedule. Expecting an exact delivery date to the hour is unrealistic. Delivery windows are much more reliable.

Choosing The Right Carrier Type

The two main types of carriers are open and enclosed.

Open transport is the most popular and least expensive option. Vehicles are loaded onto an open trailer alongside other cars. This method works fine for everyday vehicles and will suit most situations.

The only downside is the fact cars are exposed to the elements and road debris during transit.

Enclosed transport provides a higher level of protection. Vehicles travel inside a covered trailer. This protects them from the weather and road hazards.

Enclosed carriers are used for:

• Classic and antique vehicles
• Luxury and high value vehicles
• Sports cars
• Motorcycles

Enclosed transport is more expensive. This is a premium service and carriers that can perform it charge more. It is also slightly less common than open transport, which can increase wait times.

For the majority of people shipping a standard vehicle, open transport is just fine. Over 90% of cars shipped nationwide do so safely without any problems.

Preparing Your Vehicle For Transport

Doing a few things before the carrier arrives is a good idea.

Here are some simple tips for making the process as smooth as possible.

Clean the vehicle inside and out. Wash the car, then wipe down the interior. Dust and dirt on surfaces can hide scratches and dings, which is why it’s better to clean first. Document any visible damage with photos.

Remove personal items and belongings. Most car shipping services have weight and personal items are usually not covered by insurance. Remove any loose valuables and keep them at home.

Check fluids and tire pressure. Fluid levels and tire pressure should be at normal levels. The car does not have to be in pristine condition, but it must be driveable. Loading and unloading the vehicle means the car must be able to move short distances.

Fill the gas tank with about a quarter of fuel. It is not necessary to have a full tank of fuel since the car will not be driven during shipment. Extra weight is bad.

Disable toll tags, parking passes, etc. These can incur charges during transport and should be disabled.

Record any mechanical issues. If the vehicle is inoperable for any reason, or has known issues starting/stopping, let the transport company know in advance. Inoperable vehicles are loaded and unloaded using special equipment.

This is all standard information most carriers will provide at some point anyway.

What To Do At Pickup and Delivery

Pickup and delivery have a few details that should not be missed.

At pickup:

The carrier driver will perform a Bill of Lading inspection. The driver and vehicle owner walk around the car and note any existing damage on the document.

Retain a copy of the Bill of Lading. This paper trail is necessary if there are any questions about the car’s condition when it was picked up.

At delivery:

Inspect the vehicle thoroughly before signing off. Compare it to the original Bill of Lading. Note any new damage that may have occurred during transit on the delivery receipt.

Photos are even better evidence if the situation calls for it.

As with most things, a little common sense goes a long way. Carriers do their best to ensure vehicles are delivered in the same condition when they left, after all.

Delivery goes smoothly in most cases. According to industry estimates, about 75-80% of all shipments are delivered within the estimated window without incident.

Conclusion

Shipping a car should not be stressful.

The process can be broken down into simple steps to make it as easy as possible. Most uncertainty about the experience evaporates once you understand how everything works.

To recap:

• Get quotes, compare, and book at least 2 weeks in advance
• Delivery windows are more reliable than specific dates
• Choose open transport for standard vehicles
• Prepare the car properly before pickup
• Inspect the vehicle at both pickup and delivery

Millions of vehicles are shipped across the country each year. The process is not a mystery to the companies performing it.

Follow the tips above and the entire car shipping experience becomes straightforward. The vehicle arrives safely, on time, and ready to drive.

Just the way it should be.