Car Shipping Services
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Our car shipping services
Each option fits a different vehicle, timeline and budget. Open a service for prices, steps, pros and cons and FAQs.
The most common and affordable way to ship a car, on a multi-car carrier open to the air.
- Lowest price per mile
- Most trucks and pickup dates
- Fine for everyday cars
A covered trailer that shields the car from weather, road debris and view.
- Protection from weather and debris
- Suited to luxury, classic and exotic cars
- Liftgate loading on many trailers
The driver picks up and delivers as close to your addresses as a large truck can safely reach.
- No trips to a terminal
- Standard with most carriers
- Nearby meeting point on tight streets
Priority dispatch that shortens the wait for pickup when you have a firm deadline.
- Priority or date-specific pickup
- Fewer stops on some loads
- Useful for tight move dates
Transport for cars that don't start, steer or brake, loaded with a winch or forklift.
- Winch-equipped carriers
- Project, salvage and auction cars
- Wheels must roll and steer
Ship two or more vehicles on the same truck, often for a lower price per car.
- Per-car savings on shared loads
- One pickup and one delivery
- Families, dealers and fleets
Long-distance moves of roughly 1,500 miles or more across several states.
- Lowest price per mile
- About 7–14 days in transit
- Interstate corridor routes
Any move that crosses a state line, from a short regional trip to a cross-country haul.
- Priced by distance and demand
- Licensed interstate carriers
- Registration rules differ by state
Shipping between the East and West Coasts, typically 2,500 to 3,000 miles.
- I-10, I-40 and I-80 corridors
- About 7–10 days in transit
- Book early in summer
Snowbird, college and summer shipments that follow predictable yearly demand peaks.
- Snowbird routes fall and spring
- Book ahead of peak weeks
- Return trips planned in advance
Rules every car shipping service follows
Federal requirements and industry norms that apply whichever service you choose.
Open trucks carry more cars
A typical open car carrier holds about 7 to 10 vehicles, limited by size and an 80,000-pound weight cap, while enclosed trailers often carry 1 to 7.
Source: Car carrier trailerCarriers must carry liability insurance
Most for-hire interstate carriers must file at least $750,000 in liability coverage with the FMCSA. Cargo coverage for the cars on the truck is set by the carrier, so ask for the certificate.
Source: 49 CFR 387.9Brokers must be bonded
Auto transport brokers need FMCSA broker authority and $75,000 in financial security, usually a BMC-84 surety bond or a BMC-85 trust fund.
Source: 49 CFR 387.307Drivers have daily driving limits
Truck drivers may drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, which is why long routes are measured in days, not hours.
Source: FMCSA hours of service
Which service is right for you?
Relative cost against open transport. Your quote depends on route, vehicle and dates.
| Service | Cost | Transit | Covered | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Lower cost | Standard | No | Everyday cars, SUVs and trucks |
| Enclosed | Higher cost | Standard | Yes | Luxury, classic and exotic cars |
| Door-to-door | Lower cost | Standard | No | Most home moves |
| Expedited | Moderate cost | Faster pickup | No | Fixed deadlines |
| Inoperable | Moderate cost | Standard | No | Non-running vehicles |
| Multi-car | Lower cost | Standard | No | Families and dealers |
| Cross-country | Lower cost | Longest transit | No | Long-distance moves |
| State-to-state | Lower cost | Standard | No | Relocations |
| Coast-to-coast | Lower cost | Longest transit | No | Coast-to-coast moves |
| Seasonal | Moderate cost | Varies by season | No | Snowbirds and students |
Quick recommendations
Shipping by vehicle type
What changes for larger, valuable or specialty vehicles.
SUVs
Pickup trucks
Luxury cars
Classic cars
Modified carsShipping for your situation
Guides and services built around common reasons to ship a car.
- Military car shippingPCS moves and deployments
- Snowbird car shippingSeasonal trips north and south
- College car shippingGetting a car to campus
- Online car purchasesDelivery after buying online
- Auction car shippingPickup from auction lots
- Dealer car shippingInventory and customer deliveries
- Corporate relocationEmployee vehicle moves
- Fleet shippingCompany and rental fleets
- Moving company partnersAdd car shipping to a move
- All solutions
Booking a service: broker or carrier?
Every service can be booked directly with a carrier or arranged through a broker. Here's the difference.
Carrier
Owns the trucks and employs or contracts the drivers who move your car.
- You deal directly with the company moving your car
- Limited to the routes and dates its own trucks run
- Must hold FMCSA operating authority and carry insurance
Broker
Arranges your shipment with carriers in its network.
- Can search many carriers for your route and dates
- The carrier may be named only after you book
- Must hold FMCSA broker authority and a surety bond or trust fund
Ask before you book
- Who will pick up my car, and when will I know?
- Can I see the carrier's USDOT number and insurance certificate?
- Who do I contact if something goes wrong?
Car shipping service FAQs
What is the cheapest car shipping service?
Open transport is usually the lowest-cost option because one truck carries several cars and splits the cost between them. A flexible pickup window and avoiding peak summer weeks can lower the price further.
Cheapest way to ship a carShould I choose open or enclosed transport?
Open transport suits most everyday cars. Choose enclosed transport for luxury, classic, exotic or freshly restored cars, or when the car can't be exposed to weather and road debris.
Open vs. enclosed car shippingIs door-to-door shipping standard?
Most carriers offer door-to-door service by default. If a full-size truck can't legally or safely reach your street, the driver will arrange to meet you at a nearby open lot.
Can I ship a car that doesn't run?
Yes. Tell the company when you request a quote so it sends a carrier with a winch. The car usually needs to roll, steer and brake, and inoperable shipments often cost more.
Ship a non-running carHow much faster is expedited shipping?
Expedited service mainly shortens the wait for pickup. Time on the road is still limited by federal hours-of-service rules, which cap truck drivers at 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
How long car shipping takesIs it cheaper to ship more than one car?
Often, yes. Shipping several cars on the same truck shares the dispatch and loading costs, so many companies price each additional car lower. Ask for one combined quote.
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