Table of contents
Quick answer
Most car shipments take about one to two weeks in total: typically one to five days to assign a truck and schedule pickup, then roughly one to three days for short trips and about a week or a bit more for cross-country routes.
Two separate waits: pickup and transit
When people ask how long shipping takes, they usually mean the time until the car arrives. That's two different periods: the wait for a carrier to fit your car onto a truck, and the time the car spends on the road.
Pickup window
Usually one to five days after you're ready. Busy routes and flexible dates shorten it.
Transit time
Depends on distance, the carrier's other stops and daily driving limits.
Typical transit times by distance
| Distance | Typical transit | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | 1–3 days | Within a region, such as Los Angeles to Phoenix |
| 500–1,000 miles | 2–5 days | Neighboring regions, such as Dallas to Atlanta |
| 1,000–1,500 miles | 3–6 days | Half the country, such as California to Texas |
| 1,500–2,000 miles | 5–8 days | Chicago to the West Coast |
| 2,000+ miles | 7–10+ days | Coast to coast |
Under 500 miles
- Typical transit
- 1–3 days
- Example
- Within a region, such as Los Angeles to Phoenix
500–1,000 miles
- Typical transit
- 2–5 days
- Example
- Neighboring regions, such as Dallas to Atlanta
1,000–1,500 miles
- Typical transit
- 3–6 days
- Example
- Half the country, such as California to Texas
1,500–2,000 miles
- Typical transit
- 5–8 days
- Example
- Chicago to the West Coast
2,000+ miles
- Typical transit
- 7–10+ days
- Example
- Coast to coast
Drivers typically cover roughly 400 to 500 miles on a full driving day, but loading and unloading other cars along the way means real-world progress is often less.
What can cause delays
- Weather: snow and ice on northern and mountain routes, hurricanes on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts
- Remote pickup or delivery locations far from major highways
- Peak seasons when trucks fill up, such as summer and snowbird months
- A price set below the going rate, which makes carriers pass on the load
- Mechanical problems or delays at other stops on the truck's route
- Nobody available to hand over or receive the car
How to get your car sooner
- Book early, especially for summer and holiday weeks
- Keep a pickup window of three to five days
- Offer a pickup spot near an interstate
- Price at the market rate rather than the lowest possible quote
- Choose expedited service if a date truly can't move
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to ship a car across the country?
Coast-to-coast shipments usually spend about 7 to 10 days in transit, plus a few days to schedule pickup.
Can I track my car during shipping?
Many companies offer updates by phone, text or an online tracker. Ask how you'll get updates before you book.
Can I get a guaranteed delivery date?
Some companies sell guaranteed or date-specific service for an extra fee. Standard shipments use estimated windows.
Does winter slow down car shipping?
It can. Storms may close highways and passes, so northern and mountain routes can take longer between December and March.
Sources
Written and reviewed by the Haulwide editorial team. Editorial policy
