--- title: How car shipping works - from **quote** to delivery meta_title: "How Car Shipping Works - Step-by-Step | CarShippers.ai" description: "How car shipping works: quote to delivery. AI-matched carriers, expert-verified quotes, and real-time tracking." robots: "index, follow" publisher: Carshippers AI language: en-US og_title: How Car Shipping Works - Step-by-Step Process og_description: "Every step explained: quote, carrier match, confirmation, prep, pickup, transit, delivery. No surprises." og_type: website og_url: "https://www.carshippers.ai/how-car-shipping-works" twitter_card: summary_large_image twitter_title: How Car Shipping Works - Step-by-Step Process twitter_description: "Every step explained: quote, carrier match, confirmation, prep, pickup, transit, delivery. No surprises." canonical: https://www.carshippers.ai/how-car-shipping-works format: agent-markdown source: strapi generated: 2026-07-23T12:06:56.726Z breadcrumbs: Home > How it works --- breadcrumbs: Home > How it works # How car shipping works - from **quote** to delivery > Most of our customers have never shipped a car before. Here is exactly what happens at every step - so there are no surprises. *HOW IT WORKS* (image url: https://cdn.carshippers.ai/car-shippers-ai-website/images/20260504-125001-qlxwd6-loading-bay.webp) ### Process steps - **01 Get your quote** *(icon: filetext) (lucide-file-text)* - 90 seconds (link-#step-1) - **02 Carrier matching** *(icon: cpu) (lucide-cpu)* - 30 minutes (link-#step-2) - **03 Booking & confirmation** *(icon: clipboardcheck) (lucide-clipboard-check)* - Same day (link-#step-3) - **04 Prepare your vehicle** *(icon: wrench) (lucide-wrench)* - 15 minutes (link-#step-4) - **05 Pickup & inspection** *(icon: truck) (lucide-truck)* - 30 minutes (link-#step-5) - **06 In transit & tracking** *(icon: navigation) (lucide-navigation)* - 1-10 days (link-#step-6) - **07 Delivery & inspection** *(icon: packagecheck) (lucide-package-check)* - 30 minutes (link-#step-7) ### Trust highlights - AI-matched carrier network *(icon: check) (lucide-check)* - Expert-verified quotes *(icon: check) (lucide-check)* - Real-time GPS tracking *(icon: check) (lucide-check)* - FMCSA-verified carriers *(icon: check) (lucide-check)* **01** *STEP 1* ## Tell us about your shipment - takes**90 seconds** Enter pickup city, delivery city, vehicle year/make/model, preferred pickup dates, and transport preference (open or enclosed). No account, no credit card, no commitment. | title | body | | --- | --- | | What's in the quote | Origin & destination | vehicle details | transport type | starting price (no range - a real price) | estimated transit days | pickup window | all fees included. | | What's NOT in the quote | No credit card required | no account needed | no commitment | price is held for 7 days (standard). | | Why 30 minutes? | AI matches the route instantly. The 30-minute window is the human specialist review - every quote is checked by a person before it reaches you. Speed of AI, accuracy of human expertise. | *STEP 2 | CARRIER MATCHING* ## The AI finds your match - a human**verifies**it What happens between your quote request and the price landing in your inbox. ### Live carrier scan *(icon: cpu) (lucide-cpu)* Our system pings 10,000+ FMCSA-verified carriers active on your route - looking at availability, capacity, equipment type, and route history in real time. ### Best-match scoring *(icon: clipboardcheck) (lucide-clipboard-check)* Carriers are ranked by safety score, on-time rate, customer rating, and pricing - not just who's nearest or cheapest. ### Specialist review *(icon: phone) (lucide-phone)* A human shipping specialist verifies the AI match against route conditions, seasonal factors, and any vehicle specifics before sending the quote. **03** *STEP 3* ## Book your shipment - **same-day**confirmation Approve your quote, place a small deposit, and we lock the carrier. You receive everything you need within minutes. | title | body | | --- | --- | | Booking confirmation | Email with all shipment details, total price breakdown, and your dedicated specialist's direct line. | | Carrier assignment | Carrier name, MC#, driver direct contact number, and a 2-day pickup window. | | Pre-ship checklist | Vehicle-specific preparation guide sent to your email - tailored to your make and model. | | Tracking link | Activates the moment the carrier confirms pickup. GPS updates every 4 hours during transit. | *STEP 4 | PREPARE YOUR VEHICLE* ## 15 minutes of prep prevents the**#1 cause**of pickup problems | what | why | notes | | --- | --- | --- | | Fuel level: 1/4 tank or less | Fuel adds weight; full tanks can cause loading refusals. | EVs: charge to 20-50%. | | Remove personal items over 100 lbs | Cargo insurance does not cover personal items; carriers can refuse over-limit loads. | Lock all valuables in the trunk if kept. | | Document existing damage | Photographs become your reference if disputes arise at delivery. | Wash car first. Photo all sides + close-ups. | | Disable toll tags & alarms | Prevents accidental charges and false alarms during transit. | Remove EZ-Pass / SunPass devices. | | Provide a working set of keys | Carrier needs them to load and unload. | Bring the spare to delivery, not pickup. | **05** *STEP 5* ## Pickup day - inspection, photos, and signed**Bill of Lading** Be present (or arrange a representative). The driver inspects the vehicle, photographs every panel, and you both sign the Bill of Lading recording the vehicle's exact condition. | title | body | | --- | --- | | Bill of Lading | The legal condition record. Review carefully before signing - note any pre-existing damage. | | If the carrier doesn't show | Contact your specialist immediately. We reassign within 24-48 hours at no cost. | | Door-to-door access | Tell us at booking about narrow streets, gates, or low clearance - we'll arrange the closest accessible point. | *STEP 6 | IN TRANSIT* ## You always know where your**car is** ### What you'll receive - Real-time GPS tracking, active from the moment of pickup. *(icon: check) (lucide-check)* - Carrier location updates every 4 hours during active transit. *(icon: check) (lucide-check)* - Automated SMS/email at: pickup confirmed | halfway point (long routes) | within 24 hrs of delivery | delivered. *(icon: check) (lucide-check)* - Direct driver phone number - call them anytime. *(icon: check) (lucide-check)* - Proactive delay alerts - we contact you before you have to ask. *(icon: check) (lucide-check)* ### Transit times - **Under 500 mi:** 1-3 days - **500-1,500 mi:** 3-5 days - **1,500-2,500 mi:** 5-7 days - **Cross-country:** 7-10 days Active transit only. Add 1-5 days for the pickup window. *STEP 7 | DELIVERY* ## The**most important**30 minutes of the entire shipment Everything you do at delivery determines what protection you have if something is wrong. Read this before you sign Signing the Bill of Lading **without noting damage** waives most damage claims. If you see anything new - even a scratch - write it on the BOL *before* you sign. Then email **damage@carshippers.ai** within 24 hours. ### Checklist 1. Inspect the vehicle before signing - every panel, in good light. 2. Compare to the pickup BOL photos. Note any new damage on the delivery BOL. 3. Photograph everything yourself - even if no damage is visible. 4. Pay the carrier directly (cash, certified check, or app - confirmed at booking). 5. Sign the BOL only after you're satisfied with the vehicle's condition. *CHOOSE YOUR TRANSPORT* ## Open or**enclosed** - which one? ### Open transport *Standard | ~95% of shipments* - **Best for:** Daily drivers, most cars & trucks - **Capacity:** 7-10 vehicles per truck (faster matching) - **Protection:** Exposed to weather & road debris - **Price:** Industry standard **From $0.40/mile** ### Enclosed transport *Premium | luxury, exotic, classic* - **Best for:** High-value, low-clearance, classic, electric vehicles - **Capacity:** 1-6 vehicles per truck (slower matching) - **Protection:** Fully enclosed trailer, weather-sealed - **Price:** 40-60% premium over open **From $0.65/mile** *FOR BUSINESS* ## Shipping vehicles at scale? The process works**differently**for business accounts. Dealer, fleet, and corporate accounts get batch booking (50 vehicles in one portal action), a dedicated account manager, SLA-backed pickup windows, consolidated invoicing. - Dealer accounts (link-/shipping-for/auto-dealers) *(icon: arrow-right) (lucide-arrow-right)* - Fleet & corporate (link-/shipping-for/corporate-relocation) *(icon: arrow-right) (lucide-arrow-right)* *QUESTIONS* ## Everything else you might be**wondering** Direct answers from our dispatch team. ### How long does it take to ship a car? Transit time depends on distance: 1-3 days for routes under 500 miles, 3-5 days for 500-1,500 miles, 5-7 days for 1,500-2,500 miles, and 7-10 days for cross-country. These are active transit days - total time also includes the 1-5 day pickup window. ### How much does car shipping cost? Cost depends on distance, vehicle type, transport type (open vs enclosed), seasonal demand, and current carrier capacity. Most cross-country open transport quotes range from $900-$1,800. Get an exact, expert-verified quote in 30 minutes - no estimates, no ranges. ### Open or enclosed transport - which should I choose? Open transport is the industry standard (~95% of shipments) and works for most vehicles. Enclosed transport costs 40-60% more and is recommended for luxury, exotic, classic, or high-value vehicles that require protection from weather and road debris. ### What is the Bill of Lading? The Bill of Lading (BOL) is the legal document recording your vehicle's condition at pickup and delivery. Review it carefully before signing at both ends - signing without noting damage waives most damage claims. ### What happens if my car is damaged during shipping? Document any damage on the delivery BOL before signing, photograph it immediately, and notify CarShippers.ai within 24 hours. We assist with the carrier insurance claim process. ### Is my car insured during shipping? Yes. All carriers in the CarShippers.ai network carry cargo insurance - minimum $100,000 on open transport and typically $1,000,000 or higher on enclosed. We verify each carrier's policy before every dispatch. ### Can I leave items in my car? Yes, up to 100 lbs total. Items over this limit can cause carrier loading refusals. Personal items are not covered by cargo insurance - they are shipped at your own risk. ### Do I need to be present at pickup and delivery? Yes - you or an authorised representative must sign the Bill of Lading at both pickup and delivery. If you cannot be present, arrange a trusted person with authority to sign on your behalf. ## **Ready when you are.** Get your expert-verified quote in 30 minutes. No credit card. No commitment. - Get my quote (link-/contact) *(icon: arrow-right) (lucide-arrow-right)* - Talk to a specialist (link-/tel:+18885551234) *(icon: arrow-right) (lucide-arrow-right)* ## Sitemap See the full [markdown sitemap](/sitemap.md) (all pages) and [XML sitemap](/sitemap.xml) (search engines).