Car shipping FAQ — everything you need to know
Direct answers from our shipping specialists. No hedging, no fluff.
Pricing & Costs
7 answers
Car shipping costs between $400 and $1,800 for most domestic US routes. The average for a standard sedan on open transport is around $950. Distance, vehicle size, transport type, and seasonal demand are the main drivers.
Open transport on a flexible pickup window booked 3–4 weeks in advance. January and February are the lowest-demand months.
Price is a function of route distance, vehicle size and weight, transport type (open vs enclosed), and current carrier supply on that lane. Our AI matches you to the lowest available carrier in real time.
Yes. A full-size truck or SUV costs 15–30% more than a standard sedan on the same route because it takes more carrier space.
No. CarShippers.ai shows all fees in the quote before you book. The quoted price is the price paid.
Yes. June through August is peak season — demand drives prices 15–25% above average. Book 3–4 weeks early.
Enclosed transport costs 30–50% more than open. For most routes: $700–$1,200 short haul, $1,500–$2,500 coast-to-coast.
Timing & Process
7 answers
Transit time depends on distance: 1–3 days under 500 mi, 4–6 days for 500–1,500 mi, 7–10 days for cross-country routes. We show estimated transit on every quote.
Book 3–4 weeks ahead for the best price and pickup window. Last-minute bookings (under 3 days) typically pay a 20–40% premium.
Within 30 minutes a shipping specialist verifies the carrier match and locks the price for 7 days. You then confirm online and we dispatch.
Door-to-door in nearly all locations. The driver calls 24 hours before pickup with an arrival window. We send them as close to your address as is safe and legal for a 75-foot truck.
The BOL is the legal document signed at pickup and delivery that records vehicle condition. Inspect carefully and note any damage before signing.
Yes. Real-time GPS tracking via your dashboard from the moment your car is loaded until delivery.
We monitor every shipment. If a carrier hits an issue we proactively rebook or compensate per your booking terms.
Safety & Insurance
6 answers
Yes. We only dispatch FMCSA-licensed, insured carriers vetted against a 47-point operator scorecard. Damage rates are well under 1% across our network.
Every shipment is covered by the carrier's cargo insurance (typically $100,000–$250,000 per vehicle). Top-up coverage is available for high-value vehicles.
Document damage on the Bill of Lading at delivery before signing, photograph it, and notify us within 24 hours. We file the claim with the carrier insurance on your behalf.
Take timestamped photos from all four corners plus close-ups of any existing scratches or dents. The driver does a parallel inspection on the BOL.
Insurance carried by the trucking company covering damage to vehicles in their care, custody, and control during transit.
Yes. We never dispatch a carrier without a current insurance certificate on file. We re-verify every 30 days.
Transport Types
7 answers
An open multi-car carrier, the standard for moving most vehicles. Cheapest option, fully insured, but exposed to weather.
A fully covered trailer, used for luxury, classic, exotic, EV, or high-value vehicles. 30–50% more than open.
Pickup and delivery as close to your address as the truck can safely reach. Default for nearly all routes on our platform.
An older model where you drop off and pick up at depots. We don't typically use this — door-to-door is faster and easier.
Guaranteed pickup within 1–2 days at a premium rate. Available on most lanes for time-sensitive moves.
Yes. We have carriers with winches and forklifts. Add 'inoperable' on the quote — the surcharge is typically $150–$300.
Yes. EVs ship the same as ICE vehicles. Motorcycles use specialised crating or open trailers depending on volume.
Preparing Your Car
6 answers
Wash it (so damage is visible), keep the fuel tank ¼ full, remove personal items, disable toll tags and alarms, and document existing damage with photos.
Up to 100 lbs of soft items in the trunk only. Carriers are not licensed to transport household goods and items above the limit are not covered by cargo insurance.
Roughly ¼ tank. Enough to drive on and off the trailer without adding unnecessary weight.
Yes — a clean car makes the pre-pickup inspection accurate, which protects your damage claim if anything happens in transit.
Either you or an authorised representative (18+) needs to be there to sign the BOL.
Lift kits, lowered suspension, roof racks, oversized tires, and any non-stock dimensions. Affects clearance and trailer fit.
Dealer & Business
6 answers
Yes. Tiered volume rate cards based on monthly units. Custom contracts available at 100+ units/month.
Yes. Upload a CSV or paste a VIN list. Quotes return in seconds, dispatch happens in parallel.
We integrate directly with Manheim, Copart, IAA, and ADESA. Submit gate pass → we dispatch within hours.
Yes. Native integrations with the major DMS and TMS platforms, plus REST API and webhooks for custom workflows.
Net 30 terms, monthly consolidated billing, dedicated AP contact, and per-PO line items.
Yes — every business account gets a named AM from day one.
Military & Specialist
6 answers
Yes. Active-duty, reserves, and veterans receive a standing 10% discount with valid ID. PCS shipments are eligible for additional flexibility.
Yes. We coordinate with base gate staff for pickup and delivery on most installations.
Get a quote with your orders, lock the rate in advance, schedule around your move date. We handle changes if your timeline shifts.
Yes via port consolidation in CA/WA. Allow 14–28 days door-to-door including ocean transit.
Enclosed trailer, soft tie-downs, two-driver verification at pickup and delivery. Often a single-vehicle dispatch for collector pieces.
Yes. Climate-controlled enclosed trailers with timed delivery windows for show staging.
About CarShippers.ai
6 answers
We are a licensed transportation broker. We arrange transport with vetted independent carriers; we do not operate the trucks ourselves.
Our system continuously scores every carrier on price, capacity, lane preference, on-time history, and damage record. It surfaces the best match for your route in real time.
10,000+ vetted FMCSA-licensed US carriers. Each runs through our 47-point operator scorecard before joining the network.
FMCSA license check, insurance certificate, safety scores, customer feedback history, and a 30-day re-verification cycle.
Yes. 1624892, 4208679, BMC-84 surety bond on file with the FMCSA.
MC #1624892 · DOT #4208679 — displayed in the site footer and on every quote.
Didn't find your answer?
Our shipping specialists are available 24/7. Have a dealer or fleet question? Talk to our business team.