Car shipping service
Door-to-Door vs. Terminal Car Shipping
Compare Door-to-Door Car Shipping with the alternatives on price, protection, availability and the vehicles each option suits.
- Estimates clearly labeled
- Independent company rankings
- Free to compare
Door-to-Door Car Shipping at a glance
- Cost per mile
- $0.70–$1.89 per mile
- Typical total
- $875 – $2,365
- Transit time
- 3–5 days
- Best for
- Most home moves
Free · No obligation · About a minute
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Most common
Door-to-door
$0.70–$1.89 per mile
- Pickup and delivery at your addresses
- No terminal storage fees
- In-person inspection at both ends
- Available almost everywhere
Less common
Terminal-to-terminal
- Drop off and collect on your schedule
- Can save a little in some cities
- Storage fees after the free days
- Fewer terminals nationwide
Quick comparison
Feature | Door-to-door | Terminal-to-terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Standard price | Sometimes slightly lower |
| Convenience | Driver comes to you | You travel to the terminal twice |
| Storage | None needed | Car may wait days in a lot |
| Storage fees | None | Common after a few free days |
| Availability | Almost everywhere | Mainly large metro areas |
| Scheduling | Pickup window with a call ahead | Terminal opening hours |
| Inspection | With you at each address | With terminal staff |
| Best for | Most home moves | Very flexible schedules |
Choose door-to-door if:
- You want the car picked up and delivered for you
- You don't live near a terminal
- You want to avoid storage fees
Choose terminal-to-terminal if:
- You can't be available during a pickup window
- A terminal is close to both addresses
- You're comfortable with the car waiting in a lot
Our recommendation
Door-to-door is the better choice for most people. Terminal shipping only makes sense when a terminal is close to both ends and you can't meet a driver.
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