Tips, Costs and Companies (2024 Guide)

The easiest way to arrange a car shipment is to use an auto transport broker. These companies work with large networks of trusted carriers — making it easy for them to find the best rates and the best auto shipper for your job.

You can also use shipping marketplaces, like uShip, to reach out to carriers directly, but this can be more of a hassle. Brokers vet carriers for you, so when you use a marketplace, you have to do all the research and verify providers’ credentials yourself.

But whether you use a broker or an online marketplace — or work with a shipper directly — the process for shipping your car will essentially be the same. Keep reading for instructions on how to ship your car. 

1. Research Companies and Compare Quotes

Whether you decide to work directly with a shipper or find a good broker, you should research the services offered by each company and gather car shipping quotes online before booking your shipment. To get an instant quote, you’ll typically need to provide the following information: 

• Your vehicle’s year, make, model and operability
• Pickup and delivery dates
• Pickup and drop-off locations
• Shipping choices such as open or enclosed transport
• Your contact information

Each broker offers different auto transport services, but most can ship your car via open or enclosed transport. Open shipping means your car will be shipped on an open trailer while enclosed auto transport ensures your car is better protected from hazards like road debris and bad weather. Open transport is more popular and typically less expensive, but enclosed is a better option for shipping classic or luxury cars. 

2. Choose a Carrier and Book Your Transport

Once you’ve posted your shipment to a marketplace, you’ll be able to compare quotes from shippers interested in your job. To finalize your vehicle transport, you’ll need to choose and book a shipper. Most companies will contact you directly to settle details such as the pickup and drop-off times. You may also need to pay a shipping deposit — some companies will give you a discount if you pay the entire amount upfront and others will give a discount if you pay your driver cash on delivery. 

Once you have an assigned carrier, you should receive the contact information and all details regarding your transport.

3. Prepare Your Vehicle

Once your shipment has been scheduled, it’s time to prepare your car for its journey. Remove any personal items and leave no more than a quarter tank of gas to reduce its shipping weight. It’s also good to wash your car so you can easily see any existing damage.

4. Drop Off Your Vehicle

If you choose door-to-door service, the carrier will pick up the vehicle from your desired location (or as close to that location as possible). If you choose terminal-to-terminal, it’ll be up to you to drop off your vehicle at the nearest shipping terminal. 

There are few important things you need to do before your car is loaded onto a trailer:

• You and the transport driver will inspect your vehicle for existing dents, scratches or issues. Make sure to take pictures of the vehicle.
• Your carrier should have a form called the bill of lading to record any damage or issues with the vehicle before it’s shipped. Document any damage as well as any unseen mechanical problems.
• You and your carrier will both sign the bill of lading, which you can think of as the official receipt of your shipment.

It’s important to get a copy of the bill of lading from your carrier because you’ll use it to file a claim if your car arrives with any new damage.

5. Stay Updated on Your Shipment

Many companies offer ways to track your shipment, but these will vary from shipper to shipper. Tracking options may include apps or email alerts — and you can always contact the broker directly if you have questions about where your shipment is currently located. 

Professional drivers can typically travel between 400 and 500 miles per day. Keep in mind that bad weather, car accidents or closings of major highways can all delay the arrival of your vehicle.

6. Meet Your Driver at the Pickup Destination

Your driver should contact you 12 to 24 hours before reaching your delivery destination. If you’ve chosen door-to-door transport, your driver will park as close to your address as they safely can. If your road is tight or has lots of cars, powerlines or trees, they may have to park farther away.

After your car is delivered to its final destination, you’ll inspect it for damages and sign the bill of lading again. If you didn’t pay the entire amount upfront, you’ll need to pay the driver at this point, usually with cash, a money order or a cashier’s check. If you notice any damages, keep your copy of the bill of lading and contact the auto transport company as soon as possible.