Key takeaways
- $400–$1,550 open, $650–$2,250 enclosed.
- 1–9 days transit + a pickup window (5–7 days for Standard).
- Yes, it's safe — millions of vehicles ship every year.
- Pay-at-pickup with $200K insurance is the safest setup.
If you've never shipped a car before, it's normal to feel uncertain. Most people ship a vehicle once or twice in their lives — there's no reason you'd already know how it works. Here's the straightforward truth.
What it actually costs
$400–$1,550 for open transport. $650–$2,250 for enclosed. Price depends on distance. Short routes (under 500 mi) start at $400. Cross-country (2,000+ mi) runs $950–$1,550 open.
How long it takes
1–9 days of transit after pickup. Short routes: 1–3 days. Medium: 3–5 days. Cross-country: 6–9 days. Add your pickup window (5–7 days Standard) for total time.
Is it safe?
Yes. Millions of vehicles ship every year. Damage risk is low. Legitimate companies carry cargo insurance, verify carriers, and provide GPS tracking.
Insurance
Every carrier must carry a minimum of $100K in cargo insurance. The best companies add $200K+ in third-party coverage. Confirm the amount in writing before booking.
Tracking
Real-time GPS is standard. You should not have to call for updates. Look for proactive milestone notifications: carrier assigned, picked up, in transit, approaching delivery, delivered.
Payment
Pay-at-pickup is the safest model — card kept on file at booking, charged only when the carrier picks up your vehicle. Avoid companies that demand a large deposit before a carrier is assigned.
What to expect
- Get a quote (60 seconds).
- Book — card authorized, not charged.
- Carrier matched in 24–72 hours.
- Pickup with digital photo inspection and BOL.
- Transit with GPS and milestone alerts.
- Delivery: inspect, sign BOL, card is charged.
Get your first-shipment quote — no commitment, no calls.
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Place your order in 60 seconds with zero upfront payment. We keep a card on file and only charge once the carrier picks up your vehicle.