Car Shipping Guides
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Browse guides by topic
- Getting startedHow shipping works and who to book · 9 guides
- Cost and savingWhat drives price and how to pay less · 11 guides
- Transport optionsOpen, enclosed and specialty transport · 6 guides
- PreparationGet your car ready for the truck · 7 guides
- Safety and insuranceCoverage, claims and avoiding scams · 9 guides
- Buying a carDealership and online purchases · 4 guides
- Timing and seasonsWhen to ship and how long it takes · 6 guides
- Special situationsNon-running and hard-to-ship cars · 12 guides
Featured guides
- How to Ship a Car: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to ship a car from start to finish: getting quotes, choosing a company, preparing your vehicle, pickup, transit and delivery inspection.
4 min read
- What Affects Car Shipping Cost? 10 Factors Explained
The 10 factors that decide what it costs to ship a car, from distance and vehicle size to season, transport type and pickup location, and how to lower each.
3 min read
- Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping: Which Is Right for You?
Compare open and enclosed car shipping: protection, price difference, availability and which vehicles need an enclosed trailer.
4 min read
- How to Prepare Your Car for Shipping: Complete Checklist
A step-by-step checklist to prepare your car for shipping: cleaning, photos, personal items, fuel, maintenance checks, documents and pickup day.
3 min read
- How to Avoid Car Shipping Scams
A checklist to avoid car shipping scams: verify the company, spot fake quotes, pay safely, protect your car at pickup and act fast if things go wrong.
3 min read
- The Best Time to Ship a Car (and When to Avoid)
When to ship a car for the best price and fastest pickup: cheapest months, peak seasons to avoid, snowbird timing and how far ahead to book.
3 min read
Most important guides
- How to Ship a Car: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
- What Affects Car Shipping Cost? 10 Factors Explained
- How Long Does Car Shipping Take?
- How to Prepare Your Car for Shipping: Complete Checklist
- Car Shipping Insurance: What's Covered and How to File a Claim
- How to Avoid Car Shipping Scams
- Auto Transport Broker vs. Carrier: Which Should You Book?
- Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping: Which Is Right for You?
- Door-to-Door vs. Terminal-to-Terminal Car Shipping
- Shipping an Electric or Hybrid Car
All guides by topic
Getting started
How shipping works and who to book
- How to Ship a Car: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
- Auto Transport Broker vs. Carrier: Which Should You Book?
- How to Choose a Car Shipping Company
- Should You Tip a Car Transport Driver?
- How to Register Your Car in a New State After You Move
- Car Shipping Terms: A Plain-English Glossary
- How Car Shipping Companies Find Carriers
- How to Track Your Car During Shipping
- How to Ship a Car Across the Country: Step by Step
Cost and saving
What drives price and how to pay less
- What Affects Car Shipping Cost? 10 Factors Explained
- The Cheapest Way to Ship a Car: 9 Proven Ways to Save
- Is It Cheaper to Drive or Ship Your Car?
- Car Shipping Deposits and Payment: What's Normal
- Why Car Shipping Quotes Differ So Much
- The Car Shipping Price Went Up After You Booked. What Now?
- Is Car Shipping Tax Deductible?
- How to Cancel a Car Shipping Order
- How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car Per Mile?
- State to State Car Shipping Cost: Full Breakdown
- Cheapest Pickup Date for Car Shipping: How to Save
Transport options
Open, enclosed and specialty transport
Preparation
Get your car ready for the truck
- How to Prepare Your Car for Shipping: Complete Checklist
- Can You Put Items in Your Car When Shipping It?
- Moving With a Car: A Checklist From Planning to Plates
- Car Shipping Checklist: Pickup and Delivery (Printable)
- Can Someone Else Release or Receive My Car?
- Should You Take Your Toll Pass Out Before Shipping Your Car?
- What Documents Do You Need to Ship a Car?
Safety and insurance
Coverage, claims and avoiding scams
- Car Shipping Insurance: What's Covered and How to File a Claim
- How to Avoid Car Shipping Scams
- How to Read an FMCSA Record Before You Book
- Car Shipping Bill of Lading: What to Check Before You Sign
- How to File a Car Shipping Damage Claim
- Is Car Shipping Safe? Risks, Protections and How to Lower Them
- Does Shipping a Car Add Miles to It?
- How to File a Complaint About a Car Shipping Company
- Your Car Shipping Damage Claim Was Denied. What Now?
Buying a car
Dealership and online purchases
Timing and seasons
When to ship and how long it takes
Special situations
Non-running and hard-to-ship cars
- Shipping a Car to Puerto Rico
- Shipping a Car to Canada from the US
- Moving a Car You Inherited in Another State
- How to Ship a Non-Running Car
- Shipping a Leased or Financed Car: What to Check First
- How to Ship a Car to Hawaii: Ports, Rules and Timing
- How to Ship a Car to Alaska: Ship, Ferry or Drive
- How to Ship a Motorcycle: Methods, Prep and Paperwork
- Shipping a Car Without a Title or Without Keys
- Does a Car Need to Be Registered or Insured to Ship?
- Shipping a Lifted, Lowered or Modified Vehicle
- Shipping a Car to Mexico from the US
State car shipping guides
Local rates, routes and registration tips.
Tools to use with these guides
About our guides
Where should I start if I've never shipped a car?
Start with the step-by-step guide to shipping a car, then check the cost factors guide before you request quotes.
Who writes Haulwide guides?
Guides are written and reviewed by the Haulwide editorial team and updated when rules, prices or common practices change.
Editorial policy
Do you have guides for my state?
Yes. Each state page has shipping guides with local rates, routes and registration tips.
Car shipping by stateWhat if my question isn't answered?
Check the FAQ and help center, or contact our team.
Help center
Ready to ship your car?
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