Resources
How auto transport actually works.
Plain guides for dealers, auctions and buyers: what a shipment costs and why, how long it takes, what the paperwork means, and where an instant quote fits in the sale.
Dealer playbook
- How dealers ship a car to an out-of-state buyerSelling to a buyer in another state is routine now, but the delivery is where many of those deals feel the strain. A clear process protects the sale, the vehicle and the review that follows.
- How to add shipping quotes to your dealer websiteRemote shoppers want to know what a car costs delivered, not just what it costs on your lot. Putting a live shipping price where they already look answers that question without a phone call.
Auction playbook
Shipping basics
- How auto transport works, from quote to deliveryEvery professional car shipment moves through the same six stages, from the first price to the final signature. Knowing what happens at each one helps you set expectations and protect the vehicle.
- Open vs. enclosed car transportOpen trailers carry the bulk of everyday car shipments because they hold more vehicles per load. Enclosed transport buys extra protection at a higher price and with fewer trucks to choose from.
- How much does it cost to ship a car?Published industry ranges put most open-carrier car shipments in the U.S. between roughly $500 and $1,800, depending mainly on distance. Here is what drives the number and how to get an accurate quote.
- How long does it take to ship a car?Total delivery time has two parts: the wait for a truck and the drive itself. Short regional moves often take a few days on the road, and coast-to-coast moves commonly take a week or more.
- Shipping an inoperable vehicleA car that does not start can still be shipped, but it needs the right truck. The most important step is describing its condition accurately before a carrier is assigned.
- How to prepare a car for transportGood preparation takes about an hour and prevents most pickup delays and damage disputes. Here is what to do a week out, the day before, and when the truck arrives.
- Shipping your car to another state when you moveShipping a car to a new state is routine, but it runs on its own timeline and ends with paperwork at your new motor vehicle agency. Plan both alongside the household move and the car becomes one less thing to worry about.
- Shipping a car for snowbird seasonSeasonal residents often ship a car twice a year, and they all tend to do it at the same time. Knowing when the rushes hit, and booking around them, keeps the trip south and the trip home predictable.
- Shipping a car during a military PCS moveOn a PCS move, who pays to move the family car depends mostly on where the orders send you. Overseas moves usually include one government-shipped vehicle; moves between stateside bases usually mean driving it. Confirm your own entitlement with your transportation office first.
- Shipping an electric vehicle on a car carrierElectric vehicles ride on the same car carriers as gas cars, and most shipments are routine. The differences show up at loading: EVs are heavy, many cannot roll or shift to neutral without power, and the key is often a phone. Plan for those three things and the rest is a normal shipment.
- How motorcycle shipping worksA motorcycle rides the same carrier network as cars, but it is lighter, narrower and easy to tip over. The right restraints, a little prep and an accurate description of the bike make the difference between a routine delivery and a damage claim.
Compliance
- The bill of lading in vehicle transportThe bill of lading is the receipt, the condition record and the delivery proof for a shipped vehicle. How carefully it is filled out at both ends decides how easy any damage question is to resolve.
- Auto transport broker vs. carrierA carrier moves the car. A broker arranges the move with a carrier. Both must be registered with FMCSA for interstate work, and both can be checked in a few minutes.
Put a live shipping quote on your pages.
Free to apply and embed. Every quote and booking from your key is attributed to your account.