Whenever you need to transport your vehicle, you must wonder how long it takes to ship a car. Well, it’s a matter of too many variables that can vary delivery times. But you can get an approximation with this guide, so let’s start there. This is the right place for you to learn about the time it takes to ship a car regionally or cross-country.
The time for transportation by truck is subject to numerous factors. For example, the estimation of our car transport delivery time depends on the distance traveled and the congestion in the area. Approximately, it takes a day or two to onboard any vehicle that is near a major city and is picked up. On the contrary, off-the-beaten path generally takes longer than a day or two to get picked up.
How Does Car Shipping Work?
While some cheap auto shipping offers between one and ten days for car transportation, this time duration also depends on a few factors. You should first be aware of the process of car shipping to figure out the time it takes to ship your car. We’ve broken it down into easily understandable steps below.
Get A Quote
You should consider the following aspects before getting a quote:
- The life and condition of the vehicle, its model and operability.
- Decide on the desired pickup window.
- Choose pickup and drop-off locations.
- Select mode of transportation (open or enclosed).
To get a free quote from the preferred luxury auto shipping company, you can call or email to speak to an auto transport expert.
Payment Structure
Upon receiving the quote, review it carefully. Many companies offer you to book auto transport online with just a few clicks. After they secure a carrier for your transport, you can make an initial payment. On the completion of the vehicle shipment, pay the remaining balance as per the terms to the carrier.
Prepare Your Vehicle
When you get the confirmation of the pickup date, prepare the vehicle for shipment. Follow the checklist below to ready your car for shipment:
- Do a detailed inspection of the car for dings and dents.
- Keep the limit of personal belongings to less than 100 lbs.
- Store all such items in the trunk.
- Charge your car battery and ensure that all fluids are at proper levels.
- Reduce the gas tank to a quarter full.
- Detach all loose parts and EZ Pass/toll collectors.
- Don’t forget to provide a set of keys to the carrier.
Track Your Shipment
Track your shipment via the company’s frequent and regular updates. Keep a check on the status of your shipment. Additionally, ask for the direct contact information of the contracted carrier company and the driver for communication during transit.
Vehicle Delivery
If you’ve chosen Door to Door Auto Transport, the assigned carrier will bring your vehicle close to your specified address. When the vehicle is delivered, it’s your responsibility to do a detailed inspection of the vehicle again for any damage that may have occurred during transit. Then, you’ll sign a Bill of Lading and pay the remaining balance to the carrier.
6 Key Factors Affecting Car Shipment Time
You need to be aware of some factors that affect the time it takes to ship a car. They are:
1. Route Distance
The longer the route, the more time it takes to deliver a car. The minute your vehicle is onboard, only a route of a few hundred miles can be covered in a day or two. While shipping a vehicle across the country takes from 5-7 days.
2. Pick-up and Drop-off Locations
The location of the vehicle or being picked up and delivered can affect the transporting time. It will take much longer time if these locations are in remote areas.
3. Traffic and Season
Traffic and weather conditions are both unavoidable. Thereby the drivers must drive with more caution to keep their vehicles safe and avoid accidents. May to September is the peak season. In this duration, transit times are likely to be shorter due to the auto transport heightened demand, of follow-on more vehicle transportation gathering on the road.
4. Road Conditions
The condition of the road is highly unpredictable. Vehicle transport travels a long way. It may have to encounter some damaged or under-construction roads, so anticipate an additional delay. Unforeseen issues such as traffic congestion, temporary detours, road closures for construction, or accidents can cause further delays in shipment.
5. Additional Stops
On average, a car transport carrier can carry up to 9 automobiles at the same time. It simply means that the vehicle driver has to make several stops to drop off shipments along the way, and the time of the total car shipping will increase.
6. Time of Year
The warmer months are the peak season for car shipping, and motorcycle transportation companies. During this peak time, all transport companies are full of activity. So, shipping a car during this period is better because it may be picked up sooner. As the number of car haulers goes across the U.S., conversely, in the winter months, transporting your car may take longer to deliver your vehicle.
How to Ship Your Car Faster
Let’s get some tips to reduce the total car transport time frame.
Plan Ahead
An auto transport company about two weeks before the scheduled pickup date to avoid delays. Last-minute arrangements can complicate the process. If fortunate, you might find a top-rated company that can pick up your car within five days, speeding up the process.
Do Your Homework
Research multiple car shipping companies and read customer reviews to find the best service. Thorough research ensures you choose a reliable company that meets your needs and offers quality service.
Use Open Car Transport
Open auto transport is generally faster and cheaper than enclosed shipping. Fewer enclosed carriers are available, making open transport easier and quicker to book for interstate shipping.
Guaranteed and Express Car Shipping
Guaranteed pickup ensures timely arrangements, with bookings possible within a 24-hour window. Express auto transport picks up your vehicle within 1-2 business days. Both options cost more but significantly reduce shipping time.
Wrap Up
A flexible shipping timeframe helps with other aspects of your shipment. It’s great to take advice from experts in vehicle transport across the country. They will guide you best when you are willing to pay a bit extra for an expedited pickup window or want to meet the carrier at the nearest pickup or delivery location. The auto transport experts provide a customized solution to best meet your priorities for vehicle shipment.
FAQs
Q1: What factors influence the shipping time of a car?
A1: Several factors influence car shipping time, including route distance, pick-up and drop-off locations, traffic and season, road conditions, additional stops, and time of year.
Q2: What are the different methods of shipping a car and how do they affect delivery times?
A2: The two main methods of car shipment are open transport (faster and more affordable) and enclosed transport (limited and time-consuming but greater protection).
Q3: How long does it typically take to ship a car locally within the same state?
A3: Typically, local shipping takes a few days, as per the distance and carrier schedules.
Q4: How long does cross-country car shipping usually take?
A4: Usually, cross-country shipping takes 5-7 days but it can vary depending on factors like weather and route.
Q5: Are there ways to expedite the shipping process for a car?
A5: Consider the following aspects to expedite the process;
- Booking in Advance a carrier to increase availability.
- Choose open transport for faster delivery.
- An additional fee is charged for guaranteed pickup or express shipping.
- Being flexible with delivery dates can cause you a good fortune in the process.
