Skip to main content

Auto Shipping Costs To Boca Raton, FL in Late-November

Auto Shipping Costs To Boca Raton, FL in Late-November 2024

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Aerial photo view of Boca Raton Florida inlet auto shipping costs

Auto Shipping Costs To Boca Raton, FL in Late-November 2024

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Related Topic Resources

We are tracking auto shipping costs to Boca Raton, FL from numerous major cities throughout the country during the Snowbird Season in late-Nov 2024. 

Snowbirds are people who migrate to Florida from the colder northern states during the winter months. It is usually cheaper to ship a car to Florida, rather than rent one. This blog article and the others related to it are a good way to gauge the auto shipping costs from your area. 

An auto transport snowbird service to Boca Raton, FL will likely ship your car promptly and securely for the right carrier fee. During the busy snowbird season, any given week will likely see tens of thousands of vehicle shipment orders to Florida from around the country, mostly in the East and Midwest. Over 22 million people reside in Florida according to the 2020 census, which means 1 in 15 Americans are Floridians.

Boca Raton in particular, is a popular destination for car transport companies in the winter. So are the surrounding communities such as Delray Beach, Highland Beach, Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Kings Point, and more. 

Key Takeaways: 

  • Auto Shipping Costs gradually rise higher and higher during Snowbird Season to Boca Raton, FL starting in November through January
  • The southern and western states do not participate nearly as much in the winter season auto transport migration to Boca Raton, Florida
  • The New England, Eastern Seaboard, and Midwest states make up the overwhelming majority of snowbird car transport service to Boca Raton, FL
  • The highest paying car transport orders during the busy snowbird season to Boca Raton, FL always ship first
  • The car shipping quotes calculator greatly reduces the price on the reverse direction backhauls from Boca Raton, FL during the winter

In This Blog Article:

Auto Shipping Costs Calculator To Boca Raton, FL During Snowbird Season in late-November 2024

Direct Express Auto Transport, with over 20 years of experience in calculating auto shipping costs to Boca Raton, FL, provides the following late-November 2024 market pricing guide to help you make the best decision on when to ship your car.

Scroll down to see auto shipping costs in your area to Boca Raton, FL during the late-November 2024 snowbird season. We include the average temperatures in late-November for each starting city. Use the Direct Express Auto Transport car shipping costs calculator for a precise quote for your vehicle shipment order. 


Car Shipping Quotes To Boca Raton, FL From New England Cities in late-November 2024

The New England states are very busy during Snowbird Season car shipping to Boca Raton, FL. As everyone knows, it can get very cold with heavy snow in the winter. 

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, Florida, with average late-November temperatures in each starting city:  

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan.

Boston, MA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $967
  • Driving Distance: 1,465 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-95 South through New York, New Jersey, and along the East Coast to Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 50°F, lows near 35°F.

Manchester, NH to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $950
  • Driving Distance: 1,440 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-93 South to I-495 South, then I-90 West to I-84 West, connecting to I-81 South through Pennsylvania, then I-77 South to I-26 East, and finally I-95 South to Florida, merging onto I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 45°F, lows near 30°F.

New Haven, CT to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $874
  • Driving Distance: 1,324 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-95 South through New York, New Jersey, and along the East Coast to Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 48°F, lows near 34°F.

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer to Boca Raton, FL for a minimum of three days, and more likely four or five days.


Auto Transport Rates To Boca Raton, FL From Eastern Seaboard Cities in late-November 2024

The Eastern Seaboard states are heavily populated and a hotbed for car shipping services to Boca Raton, FL. It can get very cold with heavy snow in the winter. Snowbirds head to Boca Raton, FL for the winter and need to ship a car.

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, Florida, with average late-November temperatures in each starting city: 

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan.

Brooklyn, NY to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $810
  • Driving Distance: 1,266 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-95 South through New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and into Florida; then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 54°F, lows near 41°F.

Hicksville, NY to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $810
  • Driving Distance: 1,266 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-95 South through New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and into Florida; then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 54°F, lows near 41°F.

Newark, NJ to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $801
  • Driving Distance: 1,251 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-95 South through Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and into Florida; then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 54°F, lows near 41°F.

Pittsburgh, PA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Vehicle Shipping Rate: $832
  • Driving Distance: 1,300 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-79 South to I-77 South through West Virginia and Virginia; then I-26 East to I-95 South through the Carolinas, Georgia, and into Florida; finally, I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 50°F, lows near 34°F.

Chevy Chase, MD to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Shipping Quote: $787
  • Driving Distance: 1,230 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-95 South through Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and into Florida; then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 55°F, lows near 38°F.

Wilmington, DE to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Quote: $801
  • Driving Distance: 1,251 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-95 South through Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and into Florida; then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 54°F, lows near 37°F.

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer to Boca Raton, FL for a minimum of two days, and more likely three or four days.


Car Transport Quotes To Boca Raton, FL From Carolina Cities in late-November 2024

The Carolina states have less of a reason for car transport services to Boca Raton, FL. As everyone knows, the climate is much milder in the Carolinas. So there is less activity. 

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, Florida, with average late-November temperatures in each starting city:  

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan. 

Raleigh, NC to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $561
  • Driving Distance: 768 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-95 South through South Carolina and Georgia, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 62°F, lows near 40°F.

Charlotte, NC to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $540
  • Driving Distance: 740 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-77 South to Columbia, SC, then I-26 East to I-95 South through Georgia, and I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 63°F, lows near 41°F.

Wilmington, NC to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $561
  • Driving Distance: 768 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-95 South through South Carolina and Georgia, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 64°F, lows near 43°F.

Charleston, SC to Boca Raton, FL

  • Vehicle Shipping Rate: $481
  • Driving Distance: 659 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-95 South through Georgia, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 67°F, lows near 47°F.

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer to Boca Raton, FL for a minimum of two days, and more likely three or four days.


Vehicle Shipping Rates To Boca Raton, FL From Midwest Cities in late-November 2024

The Midwest states buckle down every winter for some harsh weather. Snowstorms can be brutal. Lots of snowbirds hustle to Boca Raton, FL for the winter.

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, Florida, with average late-November temperatures in each starting city:  

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan.

Janesville, WI to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $785
  • Driving Distance: 1,401 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-39 South to I-74 East through Illinois and Indiana, then I-75 South through Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and into Florida, continuing on I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 43°F, lows near 31°F.

Chicago, IL to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $756
  • Driving Distance: 1,350 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-65 South through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama, then I-10 East through Florida, and finally I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 47°F, lows near 34°F.

Ann Arbor, MI to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $756
  • Driving Distance: 1,350 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-75 South through Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and into Florida, continuing on I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 45°F, lows near 31°F.

Cincinnati, OH to Boca Raton, FL

  • Vehicle Shipping Rate: $700
  • Driving Distance: 1,250 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-75 South through Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and into Florida, continuing on I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 52°F, lows near 35°F.

Lafayette, IN to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Shipping Quote: $728
  • Driving Distance: 1,300 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-65 South through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama, then I-10 East through Florida, and finally I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 48°F, lows near 32°F.

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer to Boca Raton, FL for a minimum of three days, and more likely four or five days.


Auto Shipping Quotes To Boca Raton, FL From Central Plains Cities in late-November 2024

The Central Plains are on the outer edge of the Midwest, and with a much lower population, auto transport services sometimes take a little longer to amalgamate full loads to Boca Raton, FL.

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, Florida with average late-November temperatures in each starting city:  

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan.

Lincoln, NE to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $893
  • Driving Distance: 1,566 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-29 South through Missouri, then I-70 East to St. Louis, I-55 South through Memphis, connecting to I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 51°F, lows near 27°F.

Kansas City, KS to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $874
  • Driving Distance: 1,533 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-70 East to St. Louis, I-55 South through Memphis, connecting to I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 54°F, lows near 34°F.

Tulsa, OK to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $850
  • Driving Distance: 1,491 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-40 East through Arkansas, connecting to I-55 South through Memphis, then I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 58°F, lows near 37°F.

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer to Boca Raton, FL for a minimum of four days, and more likely five or six days.


Vehicle Transport Rates To Boca Raton, FL From Big Sky & Dakota Cities in late-November 2024

The Big Sky state, Montana, and Dakotas, are so spread out that it sometimes takes car transport services a while to put together full loads to Boca Raton, FL. 

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, Florida, with average late-November temperatures in each starting city:  

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan.

Butte, MT to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $1,739
  • Driving Distance: 2,635 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-90 East through Montana and South Dakota, then I-29 South through Iowa and Missouri, connecting to I-55 South through Memphis, I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 38°F, lows near 19°F.

Bozeman, MT to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $1,726
  • Driving Distance: 2,614 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-90 East through Montana and South Dakota, then I-29 South through Iowa and Missouri, connecting to I-55 South through Memphis, I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 40°F, lows near 20°F.

Bismarck, ND to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $1,595
  • Driving Distance: 2,416 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-94 East through Minnesota, then I-35 South through Iowa and Missouri, connecting to I-55 South through Memphis, I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 35°F, lows near 19°F.

Sioux Falls, SD to Boca Raton, FL

  • Vehicle Shipping Rate: $1,409
  • Driving Distance: 2,135 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-29 South through Missouri, then I-70 East to St. Louis, I-55 South through Memphis, connecting to I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 43°F, lows near 24°F.

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer to Boca Raton, FL for a minimum of six days, and more likely seven or eight days.


Car Shipping Rates To Boca Raton, FL From Pacific NW Cities in late-November 2024

Fortunately, the Pacific Northwest has three major cities, Seattle, Portland, and Boise, that make it somewhat easier to amalgamate a full load to Boca Raton, FL. Even still, it may take time for a car shipping service to do that.

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, Florida, with average late-November temperatures in each starting city:  

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan.

Tacoma, WA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $1,387
  • Driving Distance: 3,227 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-90 East through Washington, Idaho, and Montana, then I-94 East through North Dakota, connecting to I-29 South through South Dakota and Missouri, I-70 East to St. Louis, I-55 South through Memphis, I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 50°F, lows near 38°F.

Salem, OR to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $1,354
  • Driving Distance: 3,150 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-5 South through Oregon and California, then I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, connecting to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 53°F, lows near 38°F.

Boise, ID to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $1,236
  • Driving Distance: 2,875 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-84 East through Idaho and Utah, then I-80 East through Wyoming and Nebraska, connecting to I-29 South through Missouri, I-70 East to St. Louis, I-55 South through Memphis, I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 45°F, lows near 30°F.

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer to Boca Raton, FL for a minimum of seven days, and more likely eight to ten days.


Auto Transport Quotes To Boca Raton, FL From Rocky Mountain Cities in late-November 2024

The Rocky Mountain states are difficult for auto transport services to Boca Raton, FL because of the rugged terrain and huge land area. Vehicle shipping from Denver, Colorado is the safest bet to secure a carrier for the long haul to Boca Raton.

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, Florida, with average late-November temperatures in each starting city:  

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan.

Denver, CO to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $869
  • Driving Distance: 1,975 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-70 East through Kansas and Missouri, then I-55 South through Memphis, connecting to I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 50°F, lows near 29°F.

Boulder, CO to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $869
  • Driving Distance: 1,975 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-70 East through Kansas and Missouri, then I-55 South through Memphis, connecting to I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 50°F, lows near 29°F.

Provo, UT to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $1,012
  • Driving Distance: 2,300 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-15 South through Utah and Arizona, then I-40 East through New Mexico, Texas, and Arkansas, connecting to I-55 South through Memphis, I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 48°F, lows near 28°F.

Cheyenne, WY to Boca Raton, FL

  • Vehicle Shipping Rate: $880
  • Driving Distance: 2,000 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-80 East through Nebraska, then I-29 South through Missouri, connecting to I-70 East to St. Louis, I-55 South through Memphis, I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, and finally I-85 South to I-75 South into Florida, continuing to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 45°F, lows near 25°F.

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer to Boca Raton, FL for a minimum of four days, and more likely five or six days.


Car Transport Rates To Boca Raton, FL From Southwest Cities in late-November 2024

The Southwest states make it easier for car transport services to move cars to Boca Raton, FL because the weather is less of an issue in the Southwest region.

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, Florida, with average late-November temperatures in each starting city:  

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan. 

Phoenix, AZ to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $1,204
  • Driving Distance: 2,272 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and into Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 70°F, lows near 49°F.

Mesa, AZ to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $1,204
  • Driving Distance: 2,272 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and into Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 70°F, lows near 49°F.

Henderson, NV to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $1,166
  • Driving Distance: 2,200 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-515 South to I-11 South, then I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and into Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 65°F, lows near 45°F.

Rio Rancho, NM to Boca Raton, FL

  • Vehicle Shipping Rate: $1,166
  • Driving Distance: 2,200 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-25 South to Las Cruces, then I-10 East through Texas, Louisiana, and into Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 60°F, lows near 35°F.

Your car is likely to be on a car transport carrier for a minimum of five days, and probably six or seven days.


Vehicle Shipping Quotes To Boca Raton, FL From California Cities in late-November 2024

One out of every eight Americans is Californian. With nearly 39 million people, located primarily along the coastal cities from San Diego to the San Francisco Bay Area, it is no surprise that there are numerous car shipping services every week from California to Boca Raton, FL. Especially in the Los Angeles Basin.

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, Florida, with average late-November temperatures in each starting city:  

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan. 

Los Angeles, CA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $1,058
  • Driving Distance: 2,644 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 69°F, lows near 50°F.

San Diego, CA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $1,049
  • Driving Distance: 2,623 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-8 East to I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 68°F, lows near 51°F.

Santa Ana, CA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Vehicle Shipping Rate: $1,055
  • Driving Distance: 2,637 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 69°F, lows near 50°F.

San Bernardino, CA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Shipping Quote: $1,052
  • Driving Distance: 2,631 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 68°F, lows near 49°F.

Indian Wells, CA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $1,048
  • Driving Distance: 2,620 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 70°F, lows near 48°F.

San Luis Obispo, CA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Vehicle Transport Cost: $1,085
  • Driving Distance: 2,712 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: US-101 South to I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 67°F, lows near 45°F.

Santa Clara, CA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Cost: $1,098
  • Driving Distance: 2,745 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-5 South to I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 64°F, lows near 46°F.

Pleasanton, CA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Quote: $1,087
  • Driving Distance: 2,718 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-5 South to I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 63°F, lows near 45°F.

San Francisco, CA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Shipping Cost: $1,092
  • Driving Distance: 2,730 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-5 South to I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 62°F, lows near 48°F.

Davis, CA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Vehicle Shipping Price: $1,111
  • Driving Distance: 2,778 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-5 South to I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 61°F, lows near 43°F.

Napa, CA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $1,104
  • Driving Distance: 2,760 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: I-5 South to I-10 East through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 63°F, lows near 44°F.

Your vehicle is likely to be on a car shipping carrier for a minimum of six days, and probably seven to nine days.


Auto Shipping Rates To Boca Raton, FL From Texas Cities in late-November 2024

Eastern Texas, in what is called the Lone Star State, is heavily populated and bristling with large metropolitan areas, and many mid-size and smaller towns too. It is not difficult for vehicle shipping services to put together full carrier loads to Boca Raton, FL.

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, Florida, with average late-November temperatures in each starting city:  

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan. 

Dallas, TX to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $562
  • Driving Distance: 1,224 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-20 East from Dallas to Jackson, MS; then I-55 South to Hammond, LA; connect to I-12 East to Slidell, LA; merge onto I-10 East through Mobile, AL, and continue into Florida; finally, take I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 67°F, lows near 48°F.

Katy, TX to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $552
  • Driving Distance: 1,200 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-10 East from Katy through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama into Florida; then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 70°F, lows near 50°F.

San Antonio, TX to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $552
  • Driving Distance: 1,200 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-10 East from San Antonio through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama into Florida; then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 70°F, lows near 50°F.

Georgetown, TX to Boca Raton, FL

  • Vehicle Shipping Rate: $552
  • Driving Distance: 1,200 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-35 South to San Antonio; then I-10 East through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama into Florida; finally, I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 67°F, lows near 48°F.

Midland, TX to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Shipping Quote: $644
  • Driving Distance: 1,400 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-20 East from Midland to Jackson, MS; then I-55 South to Hammond, LA; connect to I-12 East to Slidell, LA; merge onto I-10 East through Mobile, AL, and continue into Florida; finally, take I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 65°F, lows near 40°F.

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle shipping carrier for a minimum of three days, and probably four or five days to Boca Raton, FL.


Vehicle Transport Quotes To Boca Raton, FL From Southern Cities in late-November 2024

Most of the Southern states are relatively close to Boca Raton, FL which makes it far easier for an auto transport service.

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, FL Car Shipping Costorida, with average late-November temperatures in each starting city:  

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan.

Atlanta, GA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $414
  • Driving Distance: 575 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-75 South directly from Atlanta to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 64°F, lows near 41°F.

Nashville, TN to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $648
  • Driving Distance: 900 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-24 East to Chattanooga, then I-75 South through Atlanta to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 57°F, lows near 38°F.

Birmingham, AL to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $576
  • Driving Distance: 800 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-65 South to Montgomery, then US-231 South to I-10 East, and finally I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 63°F, lows near 42°F.

New Orleans, LA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Vehicle Shipping Rate: $648
  • Driving Distance: 900 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-10 East through Mississippi and Alabama into Florida, then I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 68°F, lows near 50°F.

Louisville, KY to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Shipping Quote: $936
  • Driving Distance: 1,300 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-65 South through Nashville and Birmingham to Montgomery, then US-231 South to I-10 East, and finally I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 52°F, lows near 35°F.

Knoxville, TN to Boca Raton, FL

  • Vehicle Transport Cost: $774
  • Driving Distance: 1,075 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-75 South through Chattanooga and Atlanta directly to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 57°F, lows near 37°F.

Fayetteville, AR to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Quote: $1,008
  • Driving Distance: 1,400 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-49 South to I-40 East through Little Rock, then I-55 South through Memphis, connecting to I-22 East to Birmingham, I-65 South to Montgomery, US-231 South to I-10 East, and finally I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 56°F, lows near 36°F.

Oxford, MS to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Cost: $774
  • Driving Distance: 1,075 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take MS-7 South to I-55 South through Jackson, then I-10 East through Alabama into Florida, and finally I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 60°F, lows near 39°F.

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer to Boca Raton, FL for a minimum of two days, and more likely three or four days.


Car Shipping Rates To Boca Raton, FL From Upper Midwest Cities in late-November 2024

Because of the sparse population in the Upper Midwest relative to the huge geographic size, it is more difficult for car shipping services. It sometimes takes longer to amalgamate full loads to Boca Raton, FL.

Here are the late-November 2024 market auto shipping costs and best trucking routes from each starting city to Boca Raton, Florida, with average late-November temperatures in each starting city:  

Auto Shipping Costs are based on a regular-size sedan.

St. Paul, MN to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Shipping Cost: $863
  • Driving Distance: 1,692 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-94 East from St. Paul to Madison, WI; then I-39 South to Bloomington, IL; connect to I-74 East to Indianapolis, IN; merge onto I-65 South through Louisville, KY, and Nashville, TN; continue on I-65 South to Montgomery, AL; take US-231 South to I-10 East in Florida; finally, take I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 41°F, lows near 27°F.

Des Moines, IA to Boca Raton, FL

  • Auto Transport Quote: $765
  • Driving Distance: 1,500 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-35 South from Des Moines through Kansas City, MO, to Oklahoma City, OK; then I-44 East to Tulsa, OK; continue on I-44 East through Missouri to St. Louis; take I-55 South through Memphis, TN, to Jackson, MS; then US-49 South to Hattiesburg, MS; connect to US-98 East through Mobile, AL, into Florida; finally, take I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 48°F, lows near 30°F.

St. Louis, MO to Boca Raton, FL

  • Car Transport Price: $714
  • Driving Distance: 1,400 miles
  • Best Trucking Route: Take I-55 South from St. Louis through Memphis, TN, to Jackson, MS; then US-49 South to Hattiesburg, MS; connect to US-98 East through Mobile, AL, into Florida; finally, take I-75 South to Boca Raton.
  • Average Late November Temperature: Highs around 54°F, lows near 36°F.

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer to Boca Raton, FL for a minimum of four days, and more likely five or six days.

Bottom Line: Snowbird Auto Shipping Costs To Boca Raton, FL

Snowbird car transport services to Boca Raton, FL will generally see escalating costs at the end of the year and beginning of January. Tens of thousands of snowbird car shippers are flocking to Florida for the winter. The demand for auto transport carrier space is high, and that raises the cost significantly. 

An auto transport service will likely ship your car promptly and securely for the right carrier fee. We provide three options, which depend on the size, route, timeframe, and season. 

An experienced car shipping broker should be able to factor all those things properly for the customer.

As a consumer, it is important to understand the services involved in vehicle shipping from your region of the country to Boca Raton, FL.

The Original Auto Shipping Costs Calculator To Boca Raton, Florida For Snowbirds

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping costs calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping quote estimates to Boca Raton, Florida.

The Standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote. Use the Standard rate if you can be patient. 

The Expedited rate, or tier as we call them, is the most recommended and best auto transport quote. We have countless satisfied Expedited rate customers because the vehicle shipping process tends to go quicker. 

The Rush rate is our highest level of car transport quotes and service, and many customers are glad they went with that method too. If in a hurry, go Rush rate. 

Car Transport Cost: FAQ

  • Should You Ship Your Car Open or Enclosed?

    About 97% of all vehicle shipments are shipped on an Open Trailer. It’s proven to be a very safe method with statistically very few problems. You may notice new cars being delivered to dealerships in an open trailer, and that’s because it’s safe. If you have a collector car or really expensive automobile, say around $75,000 or more, then we recommend shipping it in an Enclosed Trailer. Expect to pay about 33-50% more for an Enclosed transport. Our auto shipping costs calculator automatically adds the extra enclosed car transport estimate to your quote, so you can experiment with the quotes if you like.
  • How Long Will It Take To Pick Up My Vehicle?

    Over 90% of our orders ship inside of one week. That could be anywhere from 1 to 7 days. Most of the U.S. population lives in a major metropolitan area and is shipping to another well populated area, and that makes a big difference. Cars usually ship in a very regular manner, almost half within just a few days.

    If either your origination or destination locations are away from population centers, in other words, in a remote area, then you might consider meeting a driver in a nearby big city or town to increase your chances of shipping timely. Or adding money to the carrier fee may entice a carrier. Remember, anyone you choose can serve as your point of contact, which takes the stress out of shipping your vehicle.

  • How Do I Prepare My Vehicle For Shipment?

    Clean out your vehicle of all loose items as much as possible. Leave nothing of value in the vehicle. It’s very rare that any items are stolen during transport, but we recommend extra caution to prevent loss.

    Keep extra items as previously discussed to a minimum and place in the trunk or out of sight. Have only about a quarter tank of gasoline. Give the auto transport carrier a set of keys and advise them of any special instructions for your vehicle, like difficulty starting, steering, braking, etc.

    Driver Consideration: Being a truck driver can be a thankless job. They work long hours and are away from their families for weeks at a time. Please be friendly and considerate to our drivers, and they will treat you in the same manner.

  • How Are Car Shipping Quotes Calculated?

    The first factor used to calculate car shipping cost is the transport distance. Next are the length, height and weight of the vehicle, followed by running condition and type of trailer (Open or Enclosed). Finally, seasonal fluctuations may impact the overall cost.

  • Non-Running Vehicles Cost More

    Maneuvering non-operational vehicles on and off a car transport trailer is a big challenge. Car shipping companies much prefer operational (running) vehicles because it gives them an easier option to reposition their entire load. Non-running vehicles take considerably more time to get on and off the trailer. So the car shipping quote must reflect the higher cost. Many auto transporters don’t have a winch and cannot accommodate non-running vehicles. That is one reason it takes longer on average to ship non-operational vehicles. Fewer do it. If at all possible, fixing your vehicle before trying to ship it will save on the non-running car transport cost, and make the process go faster.

  • How Long Does It Take To Deliver My Vehicle?

    Delivering is final step in the process, and also the simplest part. Once your vehicle has been assigned and picked up, not too much can go wrong. Once the vehicle is picked up, you can estimate that it will take roughly 1 day of transit time for every 500 miles distance. Delivery Time Estimate Guide 100-500 miles takes 1 or 2 days 500-1000 miles takes 2 or 3 days 1000-1500 miles takes 3 or 4 days 1500-2000 miles takes 4 or 5 days 2000-2500 miles takes 5 or 6 days 2500-3000 miles takes 6 or 7 days Depending on the distance, weather conditions and population centers it could be a few days or weeks until a vehicle reaches its destination. The carriers usually estimate about 10 days on coast to coast trips, but they frequently arrive earlier.

  • Can I Put Stuff In My Car When I Ship It?

    Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it’s rarely enforced. However, the drivers do estimate the weight of each vehicle that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. So they must keep the personal items to a minimum. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, but some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage.

Related Articles

  • Open vs Enclosed Car Transport Service

    Read more

Continue reading

Car Transport Service To Pasadena, CA

Car Transport Service To Pasadena, CA

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

a photo of Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade car transport services

Car Transport Service To Pasadena, CA

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Related Topic Resources

A car transport service to Pasadena, CA will likely ship your car promptly and securely for the right carrier fee. We provide three options, which depend on the size, route, timeframe, and season. An experienced car shipping broker should be able to factor all those things properly for the customer.

One in eight Americans are Californian. With nearly 39 million people, based mainly along the coastal metropolitan areas of San Diego, the Los Angeles Basin, and the San Francisco Bay Area (including Oakland and San Jose), it is no surprise that numerous auto transport carriers will ship your car to Pasadena.

Pasadena, CA is located in the Los Angeles Basin, which has an enormous freeway system to accommodate car shipping services from every region in the country.

Direct Express Auto Transport, with over 20 years of experience in car shipping to Pasadena, CA, explains in this blog the hurdles, shipping routes, and likely number of days it will take for your vehicle to get there.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Most vehicle shipments to Pasadena, CA are considered long distance, over 1,000 miles.
  • Because of its proximity to Los Angeles, Pasadena benefits by making it easier for carriers to amalgamate full loads.
  • The Los Angeles Basin, and Pasadena by extension, is one of the biggest car shipping hubs in the country.
  • A good rule of thumb for car transport services is to factor every 500-mile distance as one day on the road in transit. 

In This Blog Article:

Car Shipping Service From All Regions To Pasadena, California

The timeframe, cost, and logistics change from every region of the country when you are shipping a car to Pasadena, CA.

Ship Your Car To Pasadena From Northern California

The Pacific Coast Highway and I-5 get a workout from the San Francisco Bay Area to Pasadena, CA in the L.A. Basin. It is only a 400-mile trip and usually takes only one day. Sometimes two days, and rarely more. Both Los Angeles and San Francisco are major port cities, and that also creates lots of car shipping activity between southern and northern California. 


Vehicle Shipping To Pasadena From The Southwest

The Southwest states (AZ, NM, NV) are so much easier for car shipping services to Pasadena, CA than in the Mountain states or even the Pacific NW. There are roughly 12 million people in those three states, which means 1 in 27 Americans live in the Southwest states.

For starters, the weather is less of an issue in the Southwest region. And there are major cities (Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque) that make amalgamating full loads much quicker. 

The largest city in the Southwest is Phoenix, which is about 400 miles drive to Pasadena, California. A car mover carrier from Phoenix to Pasadena would almost certainly follow I-10. 

Your vehicle shipment is likely to take only one day in transit, and maybe two days.


Car Transport To Pasadena, CA From The Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest states (WA, OR, ID), like Pasadena, CA, are on the left side of the country, which is to say the west side. There are roughly 14 million people in those three states, which means 1 in 25 Americans live in the Pacific Northwest. 

Fortunately, the Pacific Northwest has three major cities, Seattle, Portland, and Boise, that make it somewhat easier to amalgamate a full load of 10 vehicles to Pasadena, CA. We have found that western Washington (think Spokane), southern Oregon (think Eugene), and almost all of Idaho tend to take longer.

The route from the Pacific Northwest’s largest city, Seattle, to Pasadena, CA, is about 1,200 miles. The most common route from Seattle to Pasadena is a straight shot down I-5. So easy. No Google Maps is required for that. 

Your car is likely to be on an automobile shipping carrier for a minimum of three days, and possibly four days.


Auto Transport To Pasadena From The Mountain States

The Mountain states (CO, MT, WY, UT) are wide open and have an enormous geographic territory relative to a small population. The four Mountain states combined have about 11 million people, according to the 2020 census. That means 1 in 33 Americans live in the Mountain states. 

Denver and Salt Lake City stand out as the major cities, which makes car transport services timely. 

Everywhere else in the Mountain States, it is hit-and-miss and may take longer. The Mountain states can be difficult for car shipping to Pasadena, CA because of the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains and huge land area. 

The route from Denver to Pasadena, for instance, is about 1,000 miles and your auto transport carrier would most likely traverse I-70, I-15 to I-10. 

Your vehicle is likely to be on a car shipping carrier for a minimum of two days, and probably three or four days.


Ship A Car To Pasadena From The Upper Midwest

The Upper Midwest states (MN, IA, MO, OK, KS, NE, SD, ND) have combined a sparse population relative to their expansive geographic size. It is more difficult, and thus typically longer, to amalgamate full loads to Pasadena, California. 

The eight Upper Midwest states, sometimes called The Plains, together tally about 26 million people, according to the 2020 census. That means 1 in 12 Americans are from the Upper Midwest.

The largest city in the Upper Midwest, Minneapolis, is almost 1,900 miles from Pasadena. From Minneapolis, for instance, your vehicle is likely to follow routes down I-35, I-80, I-76, I-70, and I-15 to I-10, before reaching Pasadena. 

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer for a minimum of four days, and more likely five to six days.


Vehicle Transport Services To Pasadena From Texas

Texas, the Lone Star State, has over 30 million people. That means 1 in 10 Americans are Texans. 

East Texas and West Texas differ dramatically in terms of population, climate, geography, and even culture. East Texas is very green with many forests and coastal plains. The overwhelming majority of vehicle transport services are destined for East Texas. 

West Texas, on the other hand, is not nearly as populated or busy as the eastern part of the state. In many respects, West Texas has more in common with the nearby southwestern states of New Mexico and Arizona. 

Dallas and Houston are the biggest cities in Texas. To ship your car from Dallas to Pasadena is about 1,400 miles. The easiest route is the southern one, and a carrier would follow I-30, and I-20 to I-10 to Pasadena, CA.

A vehicle transport service would likely take a minimum of three days, and probably four or five days to complete the journey.


Auto Shipping Services To Pasadena From The South

The Southern states (GA, TN, KY, AL, MS, AR, LA) are a relatively straight shot west for car shipping services to Pasadena, CA. Because it is an almost exclusively southern route, weather conditions are normally good year-round. 

The seven Southern states together tally about 38 million people, according to the 2020 census. That means 1 in 9 Americans are from the deep South. And that’s not counting the Carolinas, Florida, and Virginia. 

Atlanta, Georgia, is the biggest southern city and about 2,200 miles from Pasadena. From Atlanta, the car shipping service would take I-22, I-20, I-40, and I-15 to I-10 before arriving in Pasadena, CA.

Nashville is about 2,000 miles from Pasadena, CA, which is about 200 miles closer than Atlanta. A car shipping service does even less thinking about the route and can just jump on I-40 leaving Nashville to arrive in Pasadena on I-10 four or five days later.


Automobile Shipping To Pasadena, CA From The Midwest

The Midwest states (IL, MI, OH, IN, WI) are heavily populated with large cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee. It makes the Midwest ideal for car shipping services by having so many large hubs. 

The Midwest also has an abundance of medium size towns. Think Springfield, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Toledo, Akron, Youngstown, Dayton, Lafayette, and Madison. Those towns also make it easier to ship a car to Pasadena, CA.

The five Midwest states together tally about 47 million people, according to the 2020 census. That means 1 in 7 Americans are from the Midwest.

Chicago is about 2,000 miles from Pasadena. A car shipping service would likely take I-88, I-80, I-76, I-70, I-15 to I-10.

Your vehicle is likely to be on an auto transport trailer from Chicago to Pasadena, CA for a minimum of four days, and probably five or six days. 


Ship Your Car To Pasadena, CA From Florida

Over 22 million people reside in Florida. Many more if you count the Snowbirds who flock there by the hundreds of thousands every winter. So it ebbs and flows. Florida’s 22 million people, according to the 2020 census, means 1 in 14 Americans are Floridians.

About one-quarter of Floridians, or over 6 million people, reside in Greater Miami, which is roughly 2,700 miles away from Pasadena, CA. 

From Miami, the vehicle shipping service is likely to travel on I-75 to I-10, and then stay on I-10 for thousands of miles to Pasadena, CA. 

Your car shipper will probably take a minimum of six days, and more likely seven or eight days to reach Pasadena from Miami.


Car Shipping To Pasadena From The Carolinas

The Carolina states (NC, SC) are a long way from Pasadena, CA as well. The two Carolina states together tally about 16 million people according to the 2020 census. That means 1 in 20 Americans are from the Carolinas. 

The largest NC city is Charlotte, which is about 2,400 miles away. An auto shipping service starting in Charlotte would likely take I-85, I-22, I-20, I-40, and I-15 to I-10 before arriving in Pasadena.

Your vehicle is likely to be on a car shipping trailer for about five days. But more likely six or seven days. 


Shipping A Car To Pasadena, CA From The Eastern Seaboard

The Eastern Seaboard states (NY, PA, NJ, DE, MD, DC, VA, WV) together are about 60 million people according to the 2020 census. That means almost 1 in 6 Americans live on the eastern seaboard. An enormous auto transport hub. 

New York City and Philadelphia are both about 2,800 miles from Pasadena, CA. A car transport service is likely to take I-80, I-76, I-70, and I-15 to I-10 to arrive in Pasadena, CA.

Your vehicle is likely to be on a car shipping trailer for a minimum of six days, and more likely seven to eight days.


Car Transport Services To Pasadena From New England

The New England states (MA, RI, CT, NH, ME, VT) combined are about 15 million people according to the 2020 census. That means almost 1 in 20 Americans live in New England.

From New England’s biggest city, Boston, a car transport carrier is likely to travel about 3,000 miles and take routes I-84, I-71, I-70, and I-15 to I-10 before arriving in Pasadena, CA.

Your vehicle is likely to be on a car shipping trailer for a minimum of six days, and more likely seven or eight days.


Bottom Line: Car Transport Service To Pasadena, CA

A car transport service to Pasadena, CA will likely ship your car promptly and securely for the right carrier fee. We provide three options, which depend on the size, route, timeframe, and season. An experienced car shipping broker should be able to factor all those things properly for the customer.

As a consumer, it is important to understand the service involved in vehicle shipping from your region of the country to Pasadena, CA.


The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator To Pasadena, California

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping quote calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping quote estimates to Pasadena, California.

The Standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote. Use the Standard rate if you can be patient. 

The Expedited rate, or tier as we call them, is the most recommended and best auto transport quote. We have countless satisfied Expedited rate customers because the vehicle shipping process tends to go quicker. 

The Rush rate is our highest level of car transport quotes and service, and many customers are glad they went with that method too. If in a hurry, go Rush rate. 

Car Transport Cost: FAQ

  • Should You Ship Your Car Open or Enclosed?

    About 97% of all vehicle shipments are shipped on an Open Trailer. It’s proven to be a very safe method with statistically very few problems. You may notice new cars being delivered to dealerships in an open trailer, and that’s because it’s safe. If you have a collector car or really expensive automobile, say around $75,000 or more, then we recommend shipping it in an Enclosed Trailer. Expect to pay about 33-50% more for an Enclosed transport. Our auto shipping costs calculator automatically adds the extra enclosed car transport estimate to your quote, so you can experiment with the quotes if you like.
  • How Long Will It Take To Pick Up My Vehicle?

    Over 90% of our orders ship inside of one week. That could be anywhere from 1 to 7 days. Most of the U.S. population lives in a major metropolitan area and is shipping to another well populated area, and that makes a big difference. Cars usually ship in a very regular manner, almost half within just a few days.

    If either your origination or destination locations are away from population centers, in other words, in a remote area, then you might consider meeting a driver in a nearby big city or town to increase your chances of shipping timely. Or adding money to the carrier fee may entice a carrier. Remember, anyone you choose can serve as your point of contact, which takes the stress out of shipping your vehicle.

  • How Do I Prepare My Vehicle For Shipment?

    Clean out your vehicle of all loose items as much as possible. Leave nothing of value in the vehicle. It’s very rare that any items are stolen during transport, but we recommend extra caution to prevent loss.

    Keep extra items as previously discussed to a minimum and place in the trunk or out of sight. Have only about a quarter tank of gasoline. Give the auto transport carrier a set of keys and advise them of any special instructions for your vehicle, like difficulty starting, steering, braking, etc.

    Driver Consideration: Being a truck driver can be a thankless job. They work long hours and are away from their families for weeks at a time. Please be friendly and considerate to our drivers, and they will treat you in the same manner.

  • How Are Car Shipping Quotes Calculated?

    The first factor used to calculate car shipping cost is the transport distance. Next are the length, height and weight of the vehicle, followed by running condition and type of trailer (Open or Enclosed). Finally, seasonal fluctuations may impact the overall cost.

  • Non-Running Vehicles Cost More

    Maneuvering non-operational vehicles on and off a car transport trailer is a big challenge. Car shipping companies much prefer operational (running) vehicles because it gives them an easier option to reposition their entire load. Non-running vehicles take considerably more time to get on and off the trailer. So the car shipping quote must reflect the higher cost. Many auto transporters don’t have a winch and cannot accommodate non-running vehicles. That is one reason it takes longer on average to ship non-operational vehicles. Fewer do it. If at all possible, fixing your vehicle before trying to ship it will save on the non-running car transport cost, and make the process go faster.

  • How Long Does It Take To Deliver My Vehicle?

    Delivering is final step in the process, and also the simplest part. Once your vehicle has been assigned and picked up, not too much can go wrong. Once the vehicle is picked up, you can estimate that it will take roughly 1 day of transit time for every 500 miles distance. Delivery Time Estimate Guide 100-500 miles takes 1 or 2 days 500-1000 miles takes 2 or 3 days 1000-1500 miles takes 3 or 4 days 1500-2000 miles takes 4 or 5 days 2000-2500 miles takes 5 or 6 days 2500-3000 miles takes 6 or 7 days Depending on the distance, weather conditions and population centers it could be a few days or weeks until a vehicle reaches its destination. The carriers usually estimate about 10 days on coast to coast trips, but they frequently arrive earlier.

  • Can I Put Stuff In My Car When I Ship It?

    Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it’s rarely enforced. However, the drivers do estimate the weight of each vehicle that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. So they must keep the personal items to a minimum. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, but some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage.

Related Articles

  • Open vs Enclosed Car Transport Service

    Read more

Continue reading

Auto Transport Logistics To Garland, TX

Auto Transport Logistics To Garland, TX

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

auto transport route, timeframe, and logistics to Garland, TX downtown photo

Auto Transport Logistics To Garland, TX

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Related Topic Resources

The auto transport logistics to Garland, TX, including route, timeframe, and total cost, are the most important factors for any region. A car transport service will likely ship your vehicle there promptly, safely, and securely. Planning will save you money.

Garland is located in East Texas near Dallas. The east side of Texas is a huge hub for vehicle shipping services. Auto transport logistics to Garland, TX is very favorable from almost every region in the country. 

Key Takeaways: 

  • Most out-of-state auto transport shipments to Texas are to East Texas, and that includes Garland.
  • Garland, TX is a most popular vehicle shipping destination from California, Florida, and the Midwest region. 
  • The farther away from Garland, the harder it becomes to amalgamate a full car transport load of 8-10 vehicles.  
  • A good rule of thumb for auto transport logistics is to factor every 500-mile distance as one day on the road in transit. 

In This Blog Article:

Car Shipping From Every State To Garland, Texas

The timeframe and logistics change from every region of the country when you are vehicle shipping to Garland, TX. Use this blog to plan your vehicle shipment to Garland.

Garland has a large population of about 240,000 people, and its proximity to Dallas in particular, makes car shipping services popular. 

Texas, the Lone Star State, probably should be two different states. Texas has over 30 million people. 

East Texas and West Texas differ drastically in terms of population, climate, geography, and even culture. East Texas is very green with many forests and coastal plains. The overwhelming majority of auto transport logistics takes place in East Texas. 

West Texas, on the other hand, is so very different, with hundreds of miles in every direction of desert, grasslands, and ominous mountains. Suffice it to say West Texas is the land of cowboys. It is not nearly as populated or busy as the east part of the state. In many respects, West Texas has more in common with the nearby southwestern states of New Mexico and Arizona. 

This article, however, is about auto transport logistics to Garland, TX. Direct Express Auto Transport, with over 20 years of experience in car shipping to Garland, explains the hurdles from every corner of the country, and the number of days it will take for your vehicle to get there.


Vehicle Shipping To Garland From New England

The New England states (MA, RI, CT, NH, ME, VT) are usually vehicle shipping to the east side of Texas far more than the wide open west side. 

From New England’s biggest city, Boston, a car transport carrier is likely to weave his way through several interstate freeways (I-90, I-84, I-287, I-78) to I-81. The carrier driver will likely stay on I-81 for over 500 miles to I-40, then I-30 to Garland. 

The trip is roughly 1,800 miles. Your vehicle is likely to be on a car shipping trailer for a minimum of four days, and more likely five or six days. 


Auto Shipping To Garland, TX From The Eastern Seaboard

The Eastern Seaboard states (NY, PA, NJ, DE, MD, DC, VA, WV) also prefer auto shipping to East Texas more so than West Texas. New York City and Philadelphia are both about 1,500 miles to Garland. A car transport driver is likely to take I-81, I-40 and I-30 to get there.

Your vehicle is likely to be on an auto-shipping trailer for a minimum of three days, and more likely four days.


Ship A Car To Garland, TX From The Carolinas

The Carolina states (NC, SC) are a relatively quick car transport haul on I-85 and I-20 to Garland, TX. The largest NC city, Charlotte, is about 1,000 miles away, and Charleston, SC is roughly 1,100 miles. 

Your vehicle is likely to be on a car shipping trailer from the Carolinas for about two days to Garland. But more likely three days. 


Auto Transport To Garland From The Midwest

The Midwest states (IL, MI, OH, IN, WI) use auto transport services to Garland frequently. 

From Chicago, it is about 900 miles down I-55 and I-44. Detroit, on the other hand, is a tad farther at almost 1,200 miles and to do that an auto transport driver would take I-94, I-80, I-55, and finally I-44 to Garland. 

Your vehicle is likely to be on an auto transport trailer from either Chicago or Detroit for two or three days, and maybe four.


Vehicle Transport To Garland From The Upper Midwest

The Upper Midwest states (MN, IA, MO, OK, KS, NE, SD, ND) have combined a sparse population relative to their huge geographic size. It is more difficult, and thus typically longer, to amalgamate full loads to Garland, Texas. That said, we sometimes are surprised. 

The largest city in the Upper Midwest, Minneapolis, is almost 900 miles to Garland. From Minneapolis, for instance, your vehicle is likely to follow routes down I-35, I-49, and I-49, before reaching Garland. 

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer for a minimum of two days, and more likely three to four days.


Car Shipping To Garland From The Mountain States

The Mountain states (CO, MT, WY, UT) are also wide open and have an enormous geographic territory relative to a small population. Denver and Salt Lake City stand out as the major cities, which makes car shipping services timely. Everywhere else in the Mountain States, it is hit-and-miss. 

The Mountain states are difficult for car shipping to Garland, TX because of the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains and huge land area. 

The route from Denver to Garland, for instance, is about 800 miles and your carrier would most likely travel I-25, US-87, US-287, I-380, and I-35. 

Your vehicle is likely to be on a car shipping carrier for a minimum of two days, and probably three or four days. 


Ship A Vehicle To Garland From The Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest states (WA, OR, ID) are more likely to ship a vehicle to East Texas (including Garland) than they are to West Texas. Because even though East Texas is farther away, there are three times more people in East Texas than there are in West Texas.

Fortunately, the Pacific Northwest has three major cities, Seattle, Portland, and Boise, that make it somewhat easier to amalgamate a full load of 10 vehicles to Garland, TX. But it still takes time to do that.

We have found that western Washington (think Spokane), southern Oregon (think Eugene), and almost all of Idaho are especially difficult.

The route from the Pacific Northwest’s largest city, Seattle, to Garland, is about 2,100 miles. The most common route from Seattle to Garland are I-90, I-82, I-84, I-80, I-25, I-70, US-87, US-287, I-380, and I-35 to Garland. 

Your car is likely to be on a vehicle shipping carrier for a minimum of four days, and probably five to six days.


Ship Your Car To Garland From California

The Pacific Coast has a state membership of one – California (CA). One out of every eight Americans is Californian. With nearly 39 million people, based mainly along the coastal metropolitan areas of  San Diego, the Los Angeles Basin, and the San Francisco Bay Area (including Oakland and San Jose), it is no surprise that there is an abundance of auto transport carriers who will ship your car to Garland from California quickly.

California is so big it should be two states. We will break it into Southern & Northern California.

In southern California, greater Los Angeles has roughly 18 million people and is the biggest hub for auto shipping to Garland, TX. The route would most likely be on I-10 and I-20. Los Angeles to Garland, TX is about 1,400 miles. Your vehicle is likely to be on a car transport carrier for a minimum of three days, and probably four or five days. It would be similar transport from greater San Diego. 

In northern California, the greater San Francisco Bay Area has about 7.5 million people, a little less than half of greater Los Angeles. But still, 7.5 million people is huge in its own right and an incredible hotbed for car shippers. The route would most likely be I-5, I-10, and I-20. San Francisco to Garland, TX is about 1,800 miles. To ship your car to Garland from San Francisco on a vehicle transport carrier would take a minimum of four days, and probably five or six days.


Car Moving To Garland From The Southwest

The Southwest states (AZ, NM, NV) are so much easier for car moving to Garland, TX than in the Mountain states or Pacific NW. 

For starters, the weather is less of an issue in the Southwest region. And there are major cities (Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque) that make amalgamating full loads much quicker. 

The largest city in the Southwest is Phoenix, which is about 1,100 miles drive to Garland, Texas. A car mover carrier from Phoenix to Garland would almost certainly follow I-10 to I-20. 

Your car move is likely to take a minimum of two days in transit, and probably three or four days.


Automobile Shipping To Garland From The South

The Southern states (GA, TN, KY, AL, MS, AR, LA) are easy automobile shipping to Garland, TX from the South. The proximity to Garland, TX from the South is much closer than most out-of-state regions.

Atlanta, Georgia is the biggest southern city and only about 800 miles to Garland, which would take an auto transport carrier only about two days to get there, three at most. Atlanta is a straight shot across I-20 to Garland.

Nashville is even closer at about 650 miles away, which is two days of car transport to Garland. It is conceivable that a driver could do it in one day, but he really shouldn’t as it would probably run afoul of DOT regulations. A carrier leaving Nashville would also take I-40 to I-30 to arrive at Garland. 


Ship A Car To Garland, TX From Florida

Over 22 million people are living in Florida, and even more, if you count the Snowbirds who flock there by the hundreds of thousands every winter. The freeways between Florida and Texas get a workout both ways. There are plenty of vehicle transporters to ship a car to Garland, TX from Florida.

About one-quarter of Floridians or over 6 million people, reside in Greater Miami, which is roughly 1,300 miles away from Garland, TX. The carrier driver is likely to travel on I-95, US 441, US 27, I-75, I-10, US 98, US 49, and I-20. Your car will probably take a minimum of three days, and probably four to five days to reach Garland from Miami.

On the Gulf Coast side of Florida is Tampa, which is a tad closer to Garland. Tampa is about 1,100 miles away and would take two or three days to reach Garland, TX. 


Bottom Line: Auto Transport Logistics To Garland, TX

The auto transport logistics to Garland, TX, including route, timeframe, and total cost, should be considered first before shipping a car there. A car transport service will likely ship your vehicle promptly, safely, and securely. 

As a consumer, it is important to understand the logistics involved in vehicle shipping from your region of the country to Garland.

The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator To Garland, Texas

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping quote calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping quote estimates to Garland, Texas.

The Standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote. Use the Standard rate if you can be patient. 

The Expedited rate, or tier as we call them, is the most recommended and best auto transport quote. We have countless satisfied Expedited rate customers because the vehicle shipping process tends to go quicker. 

The Rush rate is our highest level of car transport quotes and service, and many customers are glad they went with that method too. If in a hurry, go Rush rate. 

Blog Banner Photo at top of page attribution: By Randy Colborn – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59860814

Car Transport Cost: FAQ

  • Should You Ship Your Car Open or Enclosed?

    About 97% of all vehicle shipments are shipped on an Open Trailer. It’s proven to be a very safe method with statistically very few problems. You may notice new cars being delivered to dealerships in an open trailer, and that’s because it’s safe. If you have a collector car or really expensive automobile, say around $75,000 or more, then we recommend shipping it in an Enclosed Trailer. Expect to pay about 33-50% more for an Enclosed transport. Our auto shipping costs calculator automatically adds the extra enclosed car transport estimate to your quote, so you can experiment with the quotes if you like.
  • How Long Will It Take To Pick Up My Vehicle?

    Over 90% of our orders ship inside of one week. That could be anywhere from 1 to 7 days. Most of the U.S. population lives in a major metropolitan area and is shipping to another well populated area, and that makes a big difference. Cars usually ship in a very regular manner, almost half within just a few days.

    If either your origination or destination locations are away from population centers, in other words, in a remote area, then you might consider meeting a driver in a nearby big city or town to increase your chances of shipping timely. Or adding money to the carrier fee may entice a carrier. Remember, anyone you choose can serve as your point of contact, which takes the stress out of shipping your vehicle.

  • How Do I Prepare My Vehicle For Shipment?

    Clean out your vehicle of all loose items as much as possible. Leave nothing of value in the vehicle. It’s very rare that any items are stolen during transport, but we recommend extra caution to prevent loss.

    Keep extra items as previously discussed to a minimum and place in the trunk or out of sight. Have only about a quarter tank of gasoline. Give the auto transport carrier a set of keys and advise them of any special instructions for your vehicle, like difficulty starting, steering, braking, etc.

    Driver Consideration: Being a truck driver can be a thankless job. They work long hours and are away from their families for weeks at a time. Please be friendly and considerate to our drivers, and they will treat you in the same manner.

  • How Are Car Shipping Quotes Calculated?

    The first factor used to calculate car shipping cost is the transport distance. Next are the length, height and weight of the vehicle, followed by running condition and type of trailer (Open or Enclosed). Finally, seasonal fluctuations may impact the overall cost.

  • Non-Running Vehicles Cost More

    Maneuvering non-operational vehicles on and off a car transport trailer is a big challenge. Car shipping companies much prefer operational (running) vehicles because it gives them an easier option to reposition their entire load. Non-running vehicles take considerably more time to get on and off the trailer. So the car shipping quote must reflect the higher cost. Many auto transporters don’t have a winch and cannot accommodate non-running vehicles. That is one reason it takes longer on average to ship non-operational vehicles. Fewer do it. If at all possible, fixing your vehicle before trying to ship it will save on the non-running car transport cost, and make the process go faster.

  • How Long Does It Take To Deliver My Vehicle?

    Delivering is final step in the process, and also the simplest part. Once your vehicle has been assigned and picked up, not too much can go wrong. Once the vehicle is picked up, you can estimate that it will take roughly 1 day of transit time for every 500 miles distance. Delivery Time Estimate Guide 100-500 miles takes 1 or 2 days 500-1000 miles takes 2 or 3 days 1000-1500 miles takes 3 or 4 days 1500-2000 miles takes 4 or 5 days 2000-2500 miles takes 5 or 6 days 2500-3000 miles takes 6 or 7 days Depending on the distance, weather conditions and population centers it could be a few days or weeks until a vehicle reaches its destination. The carriers usually estimate about 10 days on coast to coast trips, but they frequently arrive earlier.

  • Can I Put Stuff In My Car When I Ship It?

    Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it’s rarely enforced. However, the drivers do estimate the weight of each vehicle that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. So they must keep the personal items to a minimum. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, but some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage.

Related Articles

  • Open vs Enclosed Car Transport Service

    Read more

Continue reading

When To Ship A Car To Los Angeles

When To Ship A Car To Los Angeles

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Photo of sunset downtown Los Angeles when to ship a car

When To Ship A Car To Los Angeles

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Related Topic Resources

The four seasons greatly affect Los Angeles car shipping quotes, overall cost, and level of service. Here is when to ship a car to Los Angeles. Depending on the season, your approach to shipping a vehicle to Los Angeles should change.

We include in this blog savvy tips and strategies that will help you have a successful experience. We have learned the best time to ship a car to Los Angeles, California in all four seasons.

OUR METHODOLOGY:

Direct Express Auto Transport has over twenty years of experience shipping cars to Los Angeles, California. We track daily the number of single-vehicle Sedans, SUVs, Pickup Trucks, and Vans system-wide that are available to ship on an auto transport load board. 

We omit here in our study multiple vehicle orders, those that are anywhere from 2 to 10 vehicles on the car transport trailer because we are better able to assess market volume changes. The numbers tell the story of car shipping to Los Angeles, and we share the past year’s results in this blog.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Car shipping to Los Angeles is affected greatly by the seasons.
  • The highest vehicle shipping cost to Los Angeles is during the Christmas & New Year’s holidays, and the Autumn Season months of October and early November.
  • The cheapest auto transport quotes TO Los Angeles are from May through August. The Summer Season.
  • Conversely, the most expensive car shipping quotes FROM Los Angeles are also from May through August. The Summer Season.
  • The late Winter Season and early Spring reach a level of pricing parity and are a good time to ship a car to Los Angeles.

In This Blog Article:

Shipping A Car To Los Angeles In The Winter Season

We start with the hard part first, shipping a car to Los Angeles in the winter season. Specifically, over the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays. 

When we talk about seasonality in the vehicle transport industry, late December and early January are big reasons. It is hectic, expensive, and stressful during the holidays shipping a car to Los Angeles. 

Direct Express Auto Transport has over twenty years of experience shipping cars to Los Angeles, California. We track daily the number of single-vehicle Sedans, SUVs, Pickup Trucks, and Vans system-wide that are available to ship on the auto transport load board. 

We omit here in our study multiple vehicle orders, those that are anywhere from 2 to 10 vehicles on the car transport trailer because we are better able to assess market volume changes. 

The numbers tell the story of car shipping to Los Angeles, and we share the past year’s California results in this blog. 

Here is what typically happens to the sheer number of vehicles car shipping to California on any given day in the Winter Season from December to February.

Winter Season Auto Transport To Florida Avg. Daily Single Vehicles Avail. To FL Ratio Of Vehicles Shipping To/From FL Comments About Winter Season Car Shipping To Florida
1st Week of December 3288 1.3:1 Thanksgiving causes a mini-backlog
2nd Week of December 2056 1.6:1 Early December mirrors November volume
3rd Week of December 3306 1.5:1 The snowbird rush to FL begins in earnest
4th Week of December 4085 1.8:1 Carriers want to be home for Xmas too
1st Week of January 6785 2.1:1 And New Year’s … busiest week of the year
2nd Week of January 5400 2.2:1 Highest priced orders ship first
3rd Week of January 3770 1.6:1 2nd highest priced orders ship next
4th Week of January 3417 1.6:1 Eventually all the snowbirds ship a vehicle
1st Week of February 2153 1.3:1 It took a month for a return to normalcy
2nd Week of February 2311 1:1 February is so calm compared to January
3rd Week of February 1711 1:1 Crickets … nothing but crickets
4th Week of February 1627 1:1.3 Late February is a very good time to ship
End of February / Begin March 1791 1:1.5 An ideal time to ship a car to Florida

When Is The Best Time To Ship A Car To Los Angeles In The Winter?

If at all possible, you should avoid the last two weeks of December and the first two weeks of January to ship a car to Los Angeles. It is hectic for everybody. Just look at the chart and see how the number of vehicles available to ship skyrockets fourfold around the holidays. It is more than the car transportation system can handle. 

During the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays, the vehicle transport carriers and brokers, and most of all the customers, are stressed. The carriers and brokers understand what is happening … why some orders ship and others that are priced too cheap – don’t. 

But not all customers understand the auto transport industry, and why the order they placed weeks ago is still languishing in their cold driveway.


Do Not Book A Vehicle Shipment To Los Angeles Too Soon

The car shipping industry is not first come, first served. Once Christmas arrives, the vehicle shipping cost rises incrementally almost daily for four weeks. If a customer booked too early, he will likely have too low a price when the time comes to ship his car. He will have to wait. Or add money to rectify the dilemma. 

The carriers are not concerned with when any particular order was booked. What matters to them is maximizing their profit, as anyone would be. The carriers quite naturally choose to haul the highest-paying vehicles available. For them, it is a feeding frenzy. Kind of like Piranha. 

Fortunately, as you may observe from the ratios in the Winter Season table, there is near parity with the number of vehicles coming and going in California. That helps keep pricing and timeframes stable in Los Angeles.


Book Your Car Shipment Order To Los Angeles About One Week Prior

A good rule of thumb is to book your vehicle shipment to Los Angeles about 7 days before availability. The overwhelming majority of auto transport carriers will not commit to picking up a car shipment more than three days in advance of the vehicle availability. 

So why book much earlier than that? It is almost always best to have current auto transport market pricing. If it’s high, then there’s no way around it, you gotta pay it to get your car shipped. Because other cars will ship and yours won’t.


How To Select The Best Car Shipping Rate To Los Angeles, CA

Direct Express Auto Transport uniquely has three levels of service on every route, including shipping a car to Los Angeles. The customers who choose the highest Rush rate are typically happiest with the service. 

The customers who choose the Expedited rate are often satisfied with the results. 

Those who book the Standard rate to Los Angeles during the busy season are sometimes frustrated waiting their turn. 

We are writing this blog to give good advice to unaware customers. The smartest thing to do if you are in a hurry is to ship your car with the higher Rush or Expedited rates. 


Transporting A Vehicle To Los Angeles In The Spring Season

Almost all of March is kind of slow shipping either to or from Los Angeles. But starting in late April, and throughout all of May, significantly more vehicles are shipping from Los Angeles than to it. Well then, the auto transport cost becomes lower to Los Angeles in the Spring Season and it is a great time to ship there. You picked a good time to ship a car to the City of Angels.

Spring Season Auto Transport To Florida Avg. Daily Single Vehicles Avail. To FL Ratio Of Vehicles Shipping To/From FL Comments About Spring Season Car Shipping To Florida
1st Week of March 3593 1:1.3 March is generally calm
2nd Week of March 3708 1:1.4 Normal low activity in March to FL
3rd Week of March 3102 1:1.6 A great time to ship to Florida
4th Week of March 2226 1:2 Snowbirds leaving
1st Week of April 2716 1:2 Snowbirds leaving Florida
2nd Week of April 2228 1:2.5 The best time to ship a car to Florida
3rd Week of April 1950 1:3 Cheap car shipping period to Florida
4th Week of April 2659 1:2.7 Snowbirds leaving is great for the reverse
1st Week of May 3230 1:2.9 May is ideal for shipping to FL
2nd Week of May 2181 1:4.3 Vehicles ship to Florida quickly because …
3rd Week of May 2262 1:3.7 There are fourfold cars leaving Florida
4th Week of May 1886 1:3.4 May is cheapest month to ship to Florida
End of May / Begin June 3166 1:2.1 Memorial Day

After the Winter Season, there are a couple of months of relatively normal vehicle shipping activity to Fort Lauderdale and the rest of Florida.


Auto Transport To Los Angeles In The Summer Season

Auto transport to Los Angeles in the Summer Season is far busier than in the Spring Season. The ratios can be deceiving relative to the volume of activity. The reason there appear to be fewer cars on any given day being shipped to Los Angeles in the Summer is only because what becomes available doesn’t stay on the load board very long. 

Because there are often two or three times more cars shipping from Los Angeles in the Summer, it creates a high demand for vehicles shipping there. Rest assured that there are still plenty of orders being placed every day in the Summer to Los Angeles and gobbled up quickly. 


Avoid Shipping Your Vehicle Around The 4th of July

Car transport carrier drivers enjoy being home as much as you do for the 4th of July festivities. The hometown parade. The barbecue with family and friends. A mid-summer rest with the people you love. 

That means fewer vehicles are getting shipped right in the middle of the busy Summer Season. Orders get backlogged. When the carriers get back to work in early July, they transport to Los Angeles the highest-paying freight first with no regard to how long a customer has been waiting. For about two weeks thereafter, many customers find it both more expensive and frustrating.

The thing to do, and here is your tip, is to avoid vehicle shipping to Los Angeles the last week of June and the first two weeks of July. That is not a good time to ship a car. 


College Students Create A Spike In Car Shipping Every August

There is a very discernible car shipping spike every year in the late Summer Season shipping from California. While California has many popular universities and colleges that attract students from all over America, still there are far more California college students leaving the state for universities out-of-state.

That helps make car shipping to California in late August both cheaper and faster.

Auto transport costs to Los Angeles in the Summer Season are less than from Los Angeles. It occasionally costs about 20-30% more to ship from the entire state of California in the Summer Season than it does going there. 


Vehicle Shipping To Los Angeles, CA In The Autumn Season

Vehicle shipping to Los Angeles in the Autumn Season is the only time of year when slightly more cars are being shipped to there than from there. In every other season, it is either the opposite or at minimum, parity. 

Autumn is generally considered a slow time of year in the car shipping industry. Auto transport costs remain relatively stable and more affordable throughout most of the Autumn Season. It is a good time of year to ship your car to Los Angeles. 

Summer Season Auto Transport To Florida Avg. Daily Single Vehicles Avail. To FL Ratio Of Vehicles Shipping To/From FL Comments About Summer Season Car Shipping To Florida
1st Week of June 3228 1:1.9 Snowbird season FROM FL continues
2nd Week of June 2973 1:1.6 Early June is ideal car shipping TO FL
3rd Week of June 2483 1:1.5 It is cheap auto transport to Florida
4th Week of June 2834 1:1.2 A transition starts to happen in Florida
1st Week of July 2440 1:1.3 The 4th of July creates a mini backlog
2nd Week of July 3328 1:1.1 A week of parity shipping TO and FRO
3rd Week of July 2331 1.3:1 Suddenly it is more costly car shipping to FL
4th Week of July 2075 1.2:1 But only slightly more expensive TO Florida
1st Week of August 3287 1.4:1 August is not a good month shipping TO FL
2nd Week of August 3419 2.1:1 College kids shipping cars to Florida
3rd Week of August 3062 2.1:1 Families relocating to Florida before school
4th Week of August 2901 2.1:1 A horrible time to ship a car to Florida
End of August / Begin September 2610 2:1 Because more than twice the vehicles are shipping TO Florida than FROM Florida

Thanksgiving Can Cause Transport Delays To Los Angeles

September, October, and the first half of November are fairly tranquil months for car shipping services just about anywhere in the country. That certainly holds for Los Angeles.

However, toward the end of November comes Thanksgiving. Like everybody else, auto transport carrier drivers would like to be home for Turkey Day too. 

Because Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November, drivers are usually home by the Wednesday before and don’t return to the road until the Monday after Thanksgiving. Essentially a five-day break for many. It takes about one week afterward for the vehicle shipping system to recover and return to equilibrium.


The Toughest Time Of Year To Ship Your Car To Los Angeles

Other than the New Year’s holiday, the most prolonged and toughest time of year for auto transport pricing to Los Angeles, California occurs in the Autumn Season. 

In Autumn, more vehicles are shipping to Los Angeles, and fewer leaving. October and November are the only two months in the year when it is harder and more expensive to ship a car to Los Angeles.

Autumn Season Auto Transport To Florida Avg. Daily Single Vehicles Avail. To FL Ratio Of Vehicles Shipping To/From FL Comments About Autumn Season Car Shipping To Florida
1st Week of September 2302 1.9:1 Extremely high ratio of 2-1 car shipping to FL
2nd Week of September 2295 1.6:1 Shipping to FL is very high cost early Sept
3rd Week of September 3601 1.4:1 Higher than normal throughout September
4th Week of September 4005 1.4:1 The high ratio to FL continues
1st Week of October 2139 1.8:1 Pricing remains high due to the imbalance
2nd Week of October 3254 1.5:1 Car shipping cost to FL is still very high
3rd Week of October 2700 2.7:1 Ratios are way out of whack to Florida
4th Week of October 2568 2.9:1 Car shipping costs to Florida skyrocket
1st Week of November 2622 2.5:1 Pricing remains high due to the imbalance
2nd Week of November 2008 2.1:1 Early November is a bad time to ship to FL
3rd Week of November 1518 1.4:1 mid-November starts to calm down
4th Week of November 2243 1.3:1 Vehicle shipping interrupted by Turkey Day
End of November / Begin December 2422 1.7:1 Thanksgiving causes car shipment backlogs to Florida for a week or more

Bottom Line: When To Ship A Car To Los Angeles

When is the best time to ship a car to Los Angeles? Probably the Spring and Summer seasons. Car shipping quotes tend to be lower and service faster. The Autumn and Winter Seasons are more costly. 

As far as car shipping to Los Angeles goes, some seasons are much easier than others. The Winter season is the hardest and most expensive around the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays. The Spring Season is an ideal time for vehicle shipping to L.A. 

The Summer Season is a difficult time shipping from Los Angeles, but that makes it ideal for transport to Los Angeles. Finally, the Autumn Season is good for car shipping to Los Angeles at the beginning (in September) and at the end (November), but is more expensive in October.


The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator To Los Angeles, California

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping quote calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping quote estimates to Los Angeles, CA.

The Standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote. Use the Standard rate if you can be patient. 

The Expedited rate, or tier as we call them, is the most recommended and best auto transport quote. We have countless satisfied Expedited rate customers because the vehicle shipping process tends to go quicker. 

The Rush rate is our highest level of car transport quotes and service, and many customers are glad they went with that method too. If in a hurry, go Rush rate. 

Car Transport Cost: FAQ

  • Should You Ship Your Car Open or Enclosed?

    About 97% of all vehicle shipments are shipped on an Open Trailer. It’s proven to be a very safe method with statistically very few problems. You may notice new cars being delivered to dealerships in an open trailer, and that’s because it’s safe. If you have a collector car or really expensive automobile, say around $75,000 or more, then we recommend shipping it in an Enclosed Trailer. Expect to pay about 33-50% more for an Enclosed transport. Our auto shipping costs calculator automatically adds the extra enclosed car transport estimate to your quote, so you can experiment with the quotes if you like.
  • How Long Will It Take To Pick Up My Vehicle?

    Over 90% of our orders ship inside of one week. That could be anywhere from 1 to 7 days. Most of the U.S. population lives in a major metropolitan area and is shipping to another well populated area, and that makes a big difference. Cars usually ship in a very regular manner, almost half within just a few days.

    If either your origination or destination locations are away from population centers, in other words, in a remote area, then you might consider meeting a driver in a nearby big city or town to increase your chances of shipping timely. Or adding money to the carrier fee may entice a carrier. Remember, anyone you choose can serve as your point of contact, which takes the stress out of shipping your vehicle.

  • How Do I Prepare My Vehicle For Shipment?

    Clean out your vehicle of all loose items as much as possible. Leave nothing of value in the vehicle. It’s very rare that any items are stolen during transport, but we recommend extra caution to prevent loss.

    Keep extra items as previously discussed to a minimum and place in the trunk or out of sight. Have only about a quarter tank of gasoline. Give the auto transport carrier a set of keys and advise them of any special instructions for your vehicle, like difficulty starting, steering, braking, etc.

    Driver Consideration: Being a truck driver can be a thankless job. They work long hours and are away from their families for weeks at a time. Please be friendly and considerate to our drivers, and they will treat you in the same manner.

  • How Are Car Shipping Quotes Calculated?

    The first factor used to calculate car shipping cost is the transport distance. Next are the length, height and weight of the vehicle, followed by running condition and type of trailer (Open or Enclosed). Finally, seasonal fluctuations may impact the overall cost.

  • Non-Running Vehicles Cost More

    Maneuvering non-operational vehicles on and off a car transport trailer is a big challenge. Car shipping companies much prefer operational (running) vehicles because it gives them an easier option to reposition their entire load. Non-running vehicles take considerably more time to get on and off the trailer. So the car shipping quote must reflect the higher cost. Many auto transporters don’t have a winch and cannot accommodate non-running vehicles. That is one reason it takes longer on average to ship non-operational vehicles. Fewer do it. If at all possible, fixing your vehicle before trying to ship it will save on the non-running car transport cost, and make the process go faster.

  • How Long Does It Take To Deliver My Vehicle?

    Delivering is final step in the process, and also the simplest part. Once your vehicle has been assigned and picked up, not too much can go wrong. Once the vehicle is picked up, you can estimate that it will take roughly 1 day of transit time for every 500 miles distance. Delivery Time Estimate Guide 100-500 miles takes 1 or 2 days 500-1000 miles takes 2 or 3 days 1000-1500 miles takes 3 or 4 days 1500-2000 miles takes 4 or 5 days 2000-2500 miles takes 5 or 6 days 2500-3000 miles takes 6 or 7 days Depending on the distance, weather conditions and population centers it could be a few days or weeks until a vehicle reaches its destination. The carriers usually estimate about 10 days on coast to coast trips, but they frequently arrive earlier.

  • Can I Put Stuff In My Car When I Ship It?

    Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it’s rarely enforced. However, the drivers do estimate the weight of each vehicle that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. So they must keep the personal items to a minimum. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, but some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage.

Related Articles

  • Open vs Enclosed Car Transport Service

    Read more

Continue reading

When To Ship A Car To Dallas

When To Ship A Car To Dallas

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

When To Ship A Car To Dallas

When To Ship A Car To Dallas

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Related Topic Resources

After over 20 years in the auto transport business, we’ve learned the best time to ship a car to Dallas, Texas in all four seasons. Depending on the season, your approach to shipping a vehicle to Dallas should change. Seasonality has a dramatic effect on Dallas car shipping quotes, overall costs, and level of service. 

We include in this blog savvy tips and strategies that will help you have a successful experience.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Car shipping to Dallas is affected by the seasons.
  • The highest vehicle shipping cost to Dallas is around the Christmas and New Year holidays during the snowbird Winter season.
  • The cheapest auto transport quotes to Dallas are in the Autumn season, particularly from late October to mid-December.
  • The car shipping cost to Dallas is elevated, higher than most routes, for the Winter, Spring, and Summer seasons.
  • Year-round, vehicle shipping to Dallas normally costs more than the reverse.

In This Blog Article:

Shipping A Car To Dallas In The Winter Season

We start with the hard part first, shipping a car to Dallas in the winter season. Specifically, over the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays. 

When we talk about seasonality in the vehicle transport industry, late December and early January are the big reasons. No other time is as hectic, expensive, and stressful as that period shipping a car to Dallas. 

Direct Express Auto Transport has over twenty years of experience shipping cars to Dallas, Texas. We track daily the number of single-vehicle Sedans, SUVs, Pickup Trucks, and Vans system-wide that are available to ship on the auto transport load board. 

We omit here in our study multiple vehicle orders, those that are anywhere from 2 to 10 vehicles on the car transport trailer because we are better able to assess market volume changes. The numbers tell the story of shipping to Dallas, and we share the past year’s results in this blog. 

Here is what typically happens to the sheer number of vehicles car shipping to Texas on any given day in the Winter Season from December to February. It is often called Snowbird season as well.

Winter Season Auto Transport To Texas Avg. Daily Single Vehicles Avail. To TX Ratio Of Vehicles Shipping To/From TX Comments About Winter Season Car Shipping To Texas
1st Week of December 1890 1.1:1 The lull from November continues
2nd Week of December 1883 1.1:1 Early December is ideal to ship a car
3rd Week of December 2679 1.4:1 The snowbird rush to TX begins in earnest
4th Week of December 4189 1.2:1 Carriers want to be home for Xmas too
1st Week of January 4822 1.1:1 The busiest week of the year is New Year’s
2nd Week of January 3234 1.2:1 Highest priced orders ship first
3rd Week of January 3071 1.3:1 2nd highest priced orders ship next
4th Week of January 2232 1.3:1 The number winnows down
1st Week of February 1923 1.4:1 A period of stability takes over
2nd Week of February 2411 1.5:1 Car transport prices remain elevated …
3rd Week of February 2357 1.4:1 Because there are more car shipping to TX
4th Week of February 2946 1:4.1 It stays that way until October
End of February / Begin March 2901 1.8:1 Twice as many vehicles are shipping to TX

When Is The Best Time To Ship A Car To Dallas In The Winter?

If at all possible, you should avoid the last two weeks of December and the first three weeks of January. It is hectic for everybody. Just look at the chart and see how the number of vehicles available to ship skyrockets fourfold around the holidays. It is more than the car transportation system can handle. 

During the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays, the auto transport carriers and brokers, and most of all the customers, are stressed. The carriers and brokers understand what is happening … why some orders ship and others that are priced too cheap – don’t. 

But not all customers understand the auto transport industry, and why the order they placed weeks ago is still languishing in their cold driveway.


Do Not Book A Vehicle Shipment To Dallas Too Soon

The car shipping industry is not first come, first served. Once Christmas arrives, the vehicle shipping cost rises incrementally almost daily for four weeks. If a customer booked too early, he will likely have too low a price when the time comes to ship his car. He will have to wait. Or add money to rectify the dilemma. 

The carriers are not concerned with when any particular order was booked. They are only concerned with maximizing their profit, as anyone would be. The carriers quite naturally choose to haul the highest-paying vehicles available. For them, it is a feeding frenzy. Kind of like Piranha. 

The car shipping carriers have a dilemma to contend with once in Dallas. There is very little freight leaving Dallas. Because there are so many competing car transport carriers swarming to Dallas, and elsewhere in Texas, in late December and all of January, chances are high that a carrier returns home with a half-empty trailer. That means he must make money on the trip to Dallas. He doesn’t have the luxury of transporting cheap orders. 


Book Your Car Shipment Order To Dallas About One Week Prior

A good rule of thumb is to book your vehicle shipment to Dallas about 7 days before availability. The overwhelming majority of auto transport carriers will not commit to picking up a car shipment more than three days in advance of the vehicle availability. 

So why book much earlier than that? It is almost always best to have current auto transport market pricing. If it’s high, then there’s no way around it, you gotta pay. Because other cars will ship and yours won’t.


How To Select The Best Car Shipping Rate To Dallas

Direct Express Auto Transport uniquely has three levels of service on every route, including shipping a car to Dallas. The customers who choose the highest Rush rate are typically happiest with the service. 

The customers who choose the Expedited rate are often satisfied with the results. 

Those who book the Standard rate to Dallas during the busy snowbird season are frustrated while waiting their turn. 

We are writing this blog to give good advice to unaware customers. The smartest thing to do if you are in a hurry to ship a car is to go with the higher Rush or Expedited rates. 


Transporting A Vehicle To Dallas In The Spring Season

When the Dallas snowbirds return home in the Spring season, starting in late April, throughout all of May, and into early June, the above scenario repeats itself in reverse.

This blog, however, is about shipping a vehicle to Dallas during the four seasons. We are advising you on the best strategy during each season. 

Spring Season Auto Transport To Texas Avg. Daily Single Vehicles Avail. To TX Ratio Of Vehicles Shipping To/From TX Comments About Spring Season Car Shipping To Texas
1st Week of March 3289 1.6:1 The ratio is nearly 2-1 cars shipping to TX
2nd Week of March 3730 1.6:1 It stays that way for several weeks
3rd Week of March 3339 1.6:1 College Spring Break in Texas
4th Week of March 4212 1.9:1 Spring Break to Texas creates demand
1st Week of April 4462 1.8:1 More Spring Break shipments
2nd Week of April 4117 1.9:1 The 2-1 ratio to TX elevates quote prices
3rd Week of April 3914 1.8:1 It is more expensive car shipping to TX …
4th Week of April 4213 1.7:1 Than shipping from Texas in the Spring
1st Week of May 4027 1.9:1 Car shipping is nearly twice as costly to TX
2nd Week of May 4193 1.5:1 There is not much let up in May
3rd Week of May 4513 1.3:1 There is also a spike in cars leaving TX
4th Week of May 4086 1.4:1 But there are still more coming than leaving
End of May / Begin June 4254 1.4:1 Memorial Day creates more backlog

In the Spring Season, the volume of orders to Dallas is higher than normal. The Spring Season in Texas is nothing like the Spring Season in Florida. The ratios stay elevated car shipping to Dallas in the Spring. It is close to two to one the entire season.


The Toughest Time Of Year To Ship Your Car To Dallas

Other than the New Year’s holiday, the most prolonged and toughest time of year for auto transport pricing to Dallas, Texas occurs in in the Spring Season. 

With so many vehicles shipping to Dallas, and so few leaving, the reverse route from Dallas becomes incredibly cheap. Enjoy it while you can. 

However, car shipping quotes to Dallas skyrocket as demand for car transport carrier space is very high. Available carrier space is in short supply.


Auto Transport To Dallas In The Summer Season

Auto transport to Dallas in the Summer Season is not as busy as in the Spring. But the ratio of those shipping cars to Dallas is still much higher than those leaving. Which keeps vehicle shipping costs higher.

College Students Create A Spike In Car Shipping Every August

There is a very discernible car shipping spike every year in the late Summer Season. Texas has many popular universities and colleges that attract students from all over America. For many, it is an ideal place to go to college. 

Texas colleges on the semester system create a mid-August boost in auto transport to Dallas that lasts until the end of the month.

Summer Season Auto Transport To Texas Avg. Daily Single Vehicles Avail. To TX Ratio Of Vehicles Shipping To/From TX Comments About Summer Season Car Shipping To Texas
1st Week of June 4296 1.4:1 Summer is a busy time shipping to Texas
2nd Week of June 3384 1.4:1 Pricing stays stable & high in May, June, July
3rd Week of June 3629 1.3:1 It is much cheaper shipping FROM Texas
4th Week of June 3676 1.4:1 Because more are shipping cars to Texas …
1st Week of July 3193 1.5:1 Auto transport quotes remain higher to TX
2nd Week of July 3091 1.5:1 The 4th of July holiday created more pressure
3rd Week of July 2630 1.4:1 No break in pricing shipping to Texas
4th Week of July 2389 1.7:1 The imbalance shipping to TX gets worse
1st Week of August 3408 2:1 There are twice the cars shipping to TX
2nd Week of August 3751 1.9:1 College kids shipping cars to Texas
3rd Week of August 3378 2.2:1 Families relocating to Texas before school
4th Week of August 3402 2.4:1 A horrible time to ship a car to Texas
End of August / Begin September 3164 2.2:1 Because more than twice the vehicles are shipping TO Texas than FROM Texas

Auto transport to Dallas in the Summer Season is fairly steady and predictably higher than normal. Auto transport costs remain elevated throughout most of the Summer.


Vehicle Shipping To Dallas In The Autumn Season

Vehicle shipping to Dallas in the Autumn Season is easy. It is considered a slow time of year in the car shipping industry. Car shipping costs remain stable and more affordable throughout most of the Fall or Autumn Season. It is the cheapest and best time of year to ship your car to Dallas.

Hurricanes & Thanksgiving Can Cause Interruptions

National weather forecasters can see hurricanes forming in the Gulf of Mexico days in advance. Car transport carriers know how long they have to get out of Texas, and they avoid entirely any route there. They wait it out, which usually takes but a few days, a week at most. 

September and October are the two most susceptible months for hurricanes, but of course, there are exceptions. Hurricanes create a backlog of vehicle shipments to Dallas that are usually overcome within a week after the event. 

At the end of November comes Thanksgiving. Like everybody else, auto transport carriers like to be home for Turkey Day too. 

Because Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November, drivers are usually home by the Wednesday before and don’t return to the road until the Monday after Thanksgiving. Essentially a five-day break for many. It takes about a week for the vehicle shipping freight system to recover and return to equilibrium. 

Autumn Season Auto Transport To Texas Avg. Daily Single Vehicles Avail. To TX Ratio Of Vehicles Shipping To/From TX Comments About Autumn Season Car Shipping To Texas
1st Week of September 3165 2:1 Extremely high ratio of 2-1 car shipping to TX
2nd Week of September 2720 2.3:1 Shipping to TX is very high cost early Sept
3rd Week of September 2308 2:1 Higher than normal throughout September
4th Week of September 2260 1.7:1 The almost 2-1 ratio to Texas continues
1st Week of October 1817 1.8:1 Pricing remains high due to the imbalance
2nd Week of October 2372 1.4:1 Ratios are a big deal to car shipping quotes
3rd Week of October 2294 1.3:1 Car Shipping Quotes start to come down
4th Week of October 2593 1.2:1 There is almost parity in the market
1st Week of November 2461 1:1 Best time to ship a car to Texas is now
2nd Week of November 1893 1:1 Early November is a great time to ship a car
3rd Week of November 1565 1.2:1 November is okay for car shipping to Texas
4th Week of November 2514 1.1:1 Vehicle shipping interrupted by Turkey Day
End of November / Begin December 2832 1.1:1 Thanksgiving causes a minor backlog

The Autumn Season is perhaps the best time of year to ship a car to Dallas, or anywhere else for that matter. 


Bottom Line: When To Ship A Car To Dallas

As far as car shipping to Dallas goes, some seasons are much easier than others. The Winter season is by far the toughest, especially around the auto transport snowbird migration to Dallas in late December and January, as shipping costs soar. 

The Autumn season is a good time to ship a car to Dallas. The Autumn season is ideal weather, and car transport quotes tend to be lower than average. 


The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator To Dallas

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping quote calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping quote estimates to Dallas, Texas.

The Standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote. Use the Standard rate if you can be patient. 

The Expedited rate is the most recommended and best auto transport quote. We have many very satisfied Expedited rate customers because the vehicle shipping process tends to go quicker. 

The Rush rate is our highest level of auto transport quotes and service, and many customers are glad they went with that method too. If in a hurry, go Rush rate. You will be glad you did. 

Car Transport Cost: FAQ

  • Should You Ship Your Car Open or Enclosed?

    About 97% of all vehicle shipments are shipped on an Open Trailer. It’s proven to be a very safe method with statistically very few problems. You may notice new cars being delivered to dealerships in an open trailer, and that’s because it’s safe. If you have a collector car or really expensive automobile, say around $75,000 or more, then we recommend shipping it in an Enclosed Trailer. Expect to pay about 33-50% more for an Enclosed transport. Our auto shipping costs calculator automatically adds the extra enclosed car transport estimate to your quote, so you can experiment with the quotes if you like.
  • How Long Will It Take To Pick Up My Vehicle?

    Over 90% of our orders ship inside of one week. That could be anywhere from 1 to 7 days. Most of the U.S. population lives in a major metropolitan area and is shipping to another well populated area, and that makes a big difference. Cars usually ship in a very regular manner, almost half within just a few days.

    If either your origination or destination locations are away from population centers, in other words, in a remote area, then you might consider meeting a driver in a nearby big city or town to increase your chances of shipping timely. Or adding money to the carrier fee may entice a carrier. Remember, anyone you choose can serve as your point of contact, which takes the stress out of shipping your vehicle.

  • How Do I Prepare My Vehicle For Shipment?

    Clean out your vehicle of all loose items as much as possible. Leave nothing of value in the vehicle. It’s very rare that any items are stolen during transport, but we recommend extra caution to prevent loss.

    Keep extra items as previously discussed to a minimum and place in the trunk or out of sight. Have only about a quarter tank of gasoline. Give the auto transport carrier a set of keys and advise them of any special instructions for your vehicle, like difficulty starting, steering, braking, etc.

    Driver Consideration: Being a truck driver can be a thankless job. They work long hours and are away from their families for weeks at a time. Please be friendly and considerate to our drivers, and they will treat you in the same manner.

  • How Are Car Shipping Quotes Calculated?

    The first factor used to calculate car shipping cost is the transport distance. Next are the length, height and weight of the vehicle, followed by running condition and type of trailer (Open or Enclosed). Finally, seasonal fluctuations may impact the overall cost.

  • Non-Running Vehicles Cost More

    Maneuvering non-operational vehicles on and off a car transport trailer is a big challenge. Car shipping companies much prefer operational (running) vehicles because it gives them an easier option to reposition their entire load. Non-running vehicles take considerably more time to get on and off the trailer. So the car shipping quote must reflect the higher cost. Many auto transporters don’t have a winch and cannot accommodate non-running vehicles. That is one reason it takes longer on average to ship non-operational vehicles. Fewer do it. If at all possible, fixing your vehicle before trying to ship it will save on the non-running car transport cost, and make the process go faster.

  • How Long Does It Take To Deliver My Vehicle?

    Delivering is final step in the process, and also the simplest part. Once your vehicle has been assigned and picked up, not too much can go wrong. Once the vehicle is picked up, you can estimate that it will take roughly 1 day of transit time for every 500 miles distance. Delivery Time Estimate Guide 100-500 miles takes 1 or 2 days 500-1000 miles takes 2 or 3 days 1000-1500 miles takes 3 or 4 days 1500-2000 miles takes 4 or 5 days 2000-2500 miles takes 5 or 6 days 2500-3000 miles takes 6 or 7 days Depending on the distance, weather conditions and population centers it could be a few days or weeks until a vehicle reaches its destination. The carriers usually estimate about 10 days on coast to coast trips, but they frequently arrive earlier.

  • Can I Put Stuff In My Car When I Ship It?

    Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it’s rarely enforced. However, the drivers do estimate the weight of each vehicle that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. So they must keep the personal items to a minimum. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, but some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage.

Related Articles

  • Open vs Enclosed Car Transport Service

    Read more

Continue reading

Auto Transport Logistics To Pompano Beach

Auto Transport Logistics To Pompano Beach

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Auto Transport Logistics To Pompano Beach

Auto Transport Logistics To Pompano Beach

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Related Topic Resources

The auto transport logistics to Pompano Beach, FL, including route, timeframe, and total cost, are the most important factors for any region. A car transport service will likely ship your vehicle to there promptly, safely, and securely. Planning will save you money.

Fortunately, Pompano Beach has a large population and is a favored destination for auto transport customers from every region in the country.

The logistics of auto transport to Pompano Beach varies from region to region. Direct Express Auto Transport, with over 20 years of experience in car shipping to Pompano Beach, explains the hurdles from every corner of the country, and the number of days it will take for your vehicle to get there.

Key Takeaways: 

  • The eastern states tend to favor car shipping to the Atlantic Coast side of Florida.
  • The midwestern states gravitate toward vehicle shipping to the Gulf Coast side of Florida.
  • The rest of the country is not fussy about which side of Florida to ship a car.
  • The farther away from Pompano Beach, the harder it becomes to amalgamate a full car transport load of 8-10 vehicles.  
  • Regardless, Pompano Beach is a popular destination for auto transport. 

In This Blog Article:

Vehicle Shipping From Every State To Pompano Beach, Florida

The timeframe and logistics change from every region of the country when you are vehicle shipping to Pompano Beach. Use this blog to plan your vehicle shipment to Pompano Beach.

Vehicle Shipping To Pompano Beach From New England

The New England states (MA, RI, CT, NH, ME, VT) tend to favor vehicle shipping to the Atlantic coast side of Florida more so than the Gulf Coast. It is a straight shot about 1,500 miles down Interstate 95 from New England’s biggest city, Boston, to Pompano Beach. Your vehicle is likely to be on a vehicle shipping trailer for a minimum of three days, and more likely four or five days. 


Auto Shipping To Pompano Beach From The Eastern Seaboard

The Eastern Seaboard states (NY, PA, NJ, DE, MD, DC, VA, WV) also prefer the Atlantic coast side of Florida more so than the Gulf Coast. New York City is about 1,300 miles, and Philadelphia is roughly 1,200 miles down Interstate 95 to Pompano Beach. Your vehicle is likely to be on an auto-shipping trailer for a minimum of three days, and more likely four days. However, it is possible a carrier can make the drive in two days. 


Car Transport To Pompano Beach From The Carolinas

The Carolina states (NC, SC) are a quick car transport haul down I-95 to Pompano Beach. The largest NC city, Charlotte, is about 725 miles away, and Charleston, SC is roughly 640 miles. The weather in the Carolinas is so temperate and pleasant nearly year-round, that there is less reason to migrate to Pompano Beach. Your vehicle is likely to be on a car shipping trailer for about two days, maybe only one. 


Auto Transport To Pompano Beach From The Midwest

The Midwest states (IL, MI, OH, IN, WI) tend to favor car transporting to the Gulf Coast side of Florida more so than the eastern Atlantic coast, which includes Pompano Beach. But obviously, there are still many midwesterners who are shipping cars to Pompano Beach. 

It is about 1,400 miles down I-65, I-75, and I-95 from the Midwest’s two largest cities, Chicago and Detroit, to Pompano Beach. Your vehicle is likely to be on an auto transport trailer from either Chicago or Detroit for a minimum of three days, and more likely four or five days.


Vehicle Transport To Pompano Beach From The Upper Midwest

The Upper Midwest states (MN, IA, MO, OK, KS, NE, SD, ND) tend to favor transporting to the Gulf Coast side of Florida more so than the eastern Atlantic coast, which includes Pompano Beach. Nevertheless, there are still many upper midwesterners who transport vehicles to Pompano Beach. 

Because of the sparse population in the Upper Midwest relative to the huge geographic size, it is more difficult, and thus longer, to amalgamate full loads to Pompano Beach. 

From the largest city in the Upper Midwest, Minneapolis, it is almost 1,800 miles to Pompano Beach. From Minneapolis, for instance, your vehicle is likely to follow routes down I-35, I-380, I-24, I-75, and I-95 before reaching Pompano Beach. Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport trailer for a minimum of four days, and more likely five or six days.


Car Shipping To Pompano Beach From The Mountain States

The Mountain states (CO, MT, WY, UT) also tend to favor transporting cars to the Gulf Coast side of Florida more so than the eastern Atlantic coast, which includes Pompano Beach. There are still those who prefer car shipping to Pompano Beach. 

The Mountain states are difficult for car shipping to Pompano Beach, because of the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains and huge land area. Even vehicle shipping from Denver, Colorado might take time to secure a carrier for the long 2,100-mile haul to Pompano Beach. The route most likely would be on I-70, I-75, and I-95. Your vehicle is likely to be on a car transport carrier for a minimum of four days, and probably five or six days. 


Ship A Vehicle To Pompano Beach From The Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest states (WA, OR, ID) are just as likely to ship a vehicle to the Atlantic Coast side of Florida (including Pompano Beach) as they are to the Gulf Coast side. 

It is hard to get farther apart in the continental USA. The route from Seattle to Pompano Beach, for instance, is about 3,300 miles. Most people fly instead of drive, which is why they use vehicle shipping services to get their car there. From Seattle, the most common route is I-90, I-29, I-70, I-75, and finally I-95 to Pompano Beach. 

Fortunately, the Pacific Northwest has three major cities, Seattle, Portland, and Boise, that make it somewhat easier to amalgamate a full load to Pompano Beach. It still takes time to do that. 

We have found that western Washington (think Spokane), southern Oregon (think Eugene), and almost all of Idaho are especially difficult. Your car is likely to be on a vehicle shipping carrier for a minimum of seven days, and probably eight to ten days.


Car Moving To Pompano Beach From The Southwest

The Southwest states (AZ, NM, NV) make it easier to move cars to Pompano Beach than in the Mountain states or Pacific NW. For starters, the weather is less of an issue in the Southwest region. And there are major cities (Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Albuquerque) that make amalgamating full loads more timely. 

From Phoenix, the auto transport haul to Pompano Beach would almost certainly follow I-10 to I-75 before finishing on I-95. That route is almost 2,400 miles. Your car is likely to be on a car transport carrier for a minimum of five days, and probably six or seven days.


Ship Your Car To Pompano Beach From California

The Pacific Coast has a state membership of one – California (CA). One out of every eight Americans is Californian. With nearly 39 million people, ranging primarily from San Diego and the Los Angeles Basin to the San Francisco Bay Area (including Oakland and San Jose), it is no surprise that there are numerous auto shipments every week from California to Pompano Beach. 

California is so big it should be two states. We will break it into Southern & Northern California.

In southern California, sprawling Los Angeles is a huge hub for auto shipping to Pompano Beach. The route would most likely be on I-10, I-75, and I-95 and is about 2,800 miles. Your vehicle is likely to be on a car transport carrier for a minimum of six days, and probably seven to nine days.

In northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area is also a large metropolis and a favorite car shipping destination is Pompano Beach, which is about 3,000 miles away. From San Francisco, the most common route is I-880, I-5, I-40, I-20, US 287, US 49, US 98, I-10, I-75 and finally, I-95 to Pompano Beach.


Ship A Car To Pompano Beach From The Lone Star State

Texas, the Lone Star State, is deserving of special attention. And like California, it is almost like two very different states rolled into one. 

West Texas is more akin to the New Mexico desert than the much greener eastern half of Texas. It is so wide open and sparsely populated that it is difficult to amalgamate full car transport loads to Pompano Beach. Patience is required. 

El Paso, on the Mexican border, is about 2,000 miles car shipping to Pompano Beach. Your vehicle is likely to traverse I-10, I-75, and I-95. Your car is likely to be on a vehicle transport carrier for a minimum of four days, and probably five to six days.

East Texas, on the other hand, is heavily populated and teaming with large metropolitan areas and plenty of mid-size and smaller towns. It is far easier to ship a car to Pompano Beach and put together full carrier loads. Dallas is about 1,300 miles away from Pompano Beach, a significantly shorter distance than El Paso. 

From Dallas, the auto transport haul to Pompano Beach would almost certainly follow I-10, US 49, I-59, I-65, I-10 to I-75 before finishing on I-95. Your car is likely to be on a car transport carrier for a minimum of three days, and probably four or five days.


Automobile Shipping To Pompano Beach From The South

The Southern states (GA, TN, KY, AL, MS, AR, LA) don’t favor either side of Florida. Both the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast destinations are fairly easy for an auto transport haul. The proximity to Pompano Beach is much closer than anywhere else, save the Carolinas.

Atlanta is the biggest southern city and only about 700 miles to Pompano Beach, which would only take an auto transport carrier about two days to get there, three at most, and possibly only one day. We have seen that happen. Atlanta is a straight shot down I-75 to I-95 to Pompano Beach.

Nashville is almost just as easy, though a tad farther at about 950 miles, which is a full two days away from Pompano Beach. It might take three days on the road. A car transport carrier leaving Nashville would also take I-75 to I-95 to Pompano Beach. 


Bottom Line: Auto Transport Logistics To Pompano Beach

The auto transport logistics to Pompano Beach, FL, including route, timeframe, and total cost, should be considered first before shipping a car there. A car transport service will likely ship your vehicle promptly, safely, and securely.

But as a consumer, it is important to understand the logistics involved in vehicle shipping from your region of the country to Pompano Beach.


The Original Car Shipping Quote Calculator To Pompano Beach

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant car shipping quote calculator in 2004. It is still the best, most sophisticated, reliable tool available online. We offer three options that we call tiers of car shipping quote estimates to Pompano Beach, Florida.

The Standard rate is the cheapest car shipping quote. Use the Standard rate if you can be patient. 

The Expedited rate, or tier as we call them, is the most recommended and best auto transport quote. We have countless satisfied Expedited rate customers because the vehicle shipping process tends to go quicker. 

The Rush rate is our highest level of car transport quotes and service, and many customers are glad they went with that method too. If in a hurry, go Rush rate. 

Car Transport Cost: FAQ

  • Should You Ship Your Car Open or Enclosed?

    About 97% of all vehicle shipments are shipped on an Open Trailer. It’s proven to be a very safe method with statistically very few problems. You may notice new cars being delivered to dealerships in an open trailer, and that’s because it’s safe. If you have a collector car or really expensive automobile, say around $75,000 or more, then we recommend shipping it in an Enclosed Trailer. Expect to pay about 33-50% more for an Enclosed transport. Our auto shipping costs calculator automatically adds the extra enclosed car transport estimate to your quote, so you can experiment with the quotes if you like.
  • How Long Will It Take To Pick Up My Vehicle?

    Over 90% of our orders ship inside of one week. That could be anywhere from 1 to 7 days. Most of the U.S. population lives in a major metropolitan area and is shipping to another well populated area, and that makes a big difference. Cars usually ship in a very regular manner, almost half within just a few days.

    If either your origination or destination locations are away from population centers, in other words, in a remote area, then you might consider meeting a driver in a nearby big city or town to increase your chances of shipping timely. Or adding money to the carrier fee may entice a carrier. Remember, anyone you choose can serve as your point of contact, which takes the stress out of shipping your vehicle.

  • How Do I Prepare My Vehicle For Shipment?

    Clean out your vehicle of all loose items as much as possible. Leave nothing of value in the vehicle. It’s very rare that any items are stolen during transport, but we recommend extra caution to prevent loss.

    Keep extra items as previously discussed to a minimum and place in the trunk or out of sight. Have only about a quarter tank of gasoline. Give the auto transport carrier a set of keys and advise them of any special instructions for your vehicle, like difficulty starting, steering, braking, etc.

    Driver Consideration: Being a truck driver can be a thankless job. They work long hours and are away from their families for weeks at a time. Please be friendly and considerate to our drivers, and they will treat you in the same manner.

  • How Are Car Shipping Quotes Calculated?

    The first factor used to calculate car shipping cost is the transport distance. Next are the length, height and weight of the vehicle, followed by running condition and type of trailer (Open or Enclosed). Finally, seasonal fluctuations may impact the overall cost.

  • Non-Running Vehicles Cost More

    Maneuvering non-operational vehicles on and off a car transport trailer is a big challenge. Car shipping companies much prefer operational (running) vehicles because it gives them an easier option to reposition their entire load. Non-running vehicles take considerably more time to get on and off the trailer. So the car shipping quote must reflect the higher cost. Many auto transporters don’t have a winch and cannot accommodate non-running vehicles. That is one reason it takes longer on average to ship non-operational vehicles. Fewer do it. If at all possible, fixing your vehicle before trying to ship it will save on the non-running car transport cost, and make the process go faster.

  • How Long Does It Take To Deliver My Vehicle?

    Delivering is final step in the process, and also the simplest part. Once your vehicle has been assigned and picked up, not too much can go wrong. Once the vehicle is picked up, you can estimate that it will take roughly 1 day of transit time for every 500 miles distance. Delivery Time Estimate Guide 100-500 miles takes 1 or 2 days 500-1000 miles takes 2 or 3 days 1000-1500 miles takes 3 or 4 days 1500-2000 miles takes 4 or 5 days 2000-2500 miles takes 5 or 6 days 2500-3000 miles takes 6 or 7 days Depending on the distance, weather conditions and population centers it could be a few days or weeks until a vehicle reaches its destination. The carriers usually estimate about 10 days on coast to coast trips, but they frequently arrive earlier.

  • Can I Put Stuff In My Car When I Ship It?

    Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it’s rarely enforced. However, the drivers do estimate the weight of each vehicle that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. So they must keep the personal items to a minimum. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, but some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage.

Related Articles

  • Open vs Enclosed Car Transport Service

    Read more

Continue reading

Why You Should Not Book Car Shipping Services Too Far In Advance

Why You Should Not Book Car Shipping Services Too Far In Advance

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Why You Should Not Book Car Shipping Services Too Far In Advance

Why You Should Not Book Car Shipping Services Too Far In Advance

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Related Topic Resources

One of the most important questions we get from customers is when should they book their car shipment. Everybody’s situation is just a little bit different, but the short answer is not to do it too soon. Because there is absolutely no advantage to booking early. Here is why you should not book car shipping services too far in advance.

Key Takeaways:

  • Car transport carriers rarely commit to picking up orders more than three days in advance. So there is no reason to book early, especially many weeks early.
  • Knowing that carriers don’t commit early, most auto transport brokers will not even look for a carrier until about three days before the first date available. Doing so earlier than that is risky for the customer.

The prudent thing for any car shipping customer is to have the most current market pricing. Too low and your car won’t go. Too high and you wasted your money. Current pricing solves that problem. So don’t book car shipping services too far in advance.

In This Blog Article:

Why Do Most Auto Transport Broker Sites Recommend Early Booking?

So why do most auto transport broker websites recommend booking an order far in advance of the ship date? We think there are two main reasons: 

First, like most businesses, they would prefer to book your order before you find someone else.

And secondly, it may have something to do with AI, artificial intelligence. For some reason, AI writing programs like Chat GPT and others, have a knee-jerk answer as to when is the best time to book car shipping. AI gives the same answer that they would if you were booking a seat on an airline flight. Which is early, of course. But it is the wrong answer for an auto transport customer. 

The big difference between an airline flight seat and a car transport carrier spot is that you’re reserving a seat on the former, but not a spot on the latter. It is easy for a car shipping customer to make the wrong assumption that they are all set, have reserved a spot on a vehicle transport carrier, have locked in the price, and needn’t worry anymore. So that is why we are writing this blog, to correct that wrong assumption, and steer people in the right direction. 

Folks, you don’t have a reserved spot on a car transport carrier until you’ve received a car shipping assignment email with the name of the carrier and his phone number.


Auto Transport Carriers Do Not Commit Early

Here’s the thing folks, most auto transport carriers are not sure what they’re doing later this week. They might have a rough idea, but they know that circumstances can change quickly and their schedule upended entirely. 

Now imagine that they have any idea whether they’ll be in Chicago in three weeks or San Francisco. Most of them have no idea. And certainly cannot predict that they will be able to pick up your vehicle on any particular date three weeks in advance. Or two weeks. Or even one week. 

Because of that uncertainty in their schedule, almost all carriers are loath to commit to an order weeks in advance. Dear readers, most auto transport carriers are reluctant to commit four or five days in advance. They know that they can easily be off by a day or two, and maybe more. 

If a car transport carrier won’t commit early, why would a customer?


When Do Car Shipping Brokers Look For A Carrier?

Once burned, twice shy, as the saying goes. For most auto transport brokers, it’s getting burned more often than that before getting wise. Most car shipping brokers who have made an order available a week or more early, have had carriers cancel on them just as the shipping date arrives. The reason could be quite honest, that the Carrier truck broke down, or their schedule changed.

But more likely, the car transport carrier had so much time to beat the carrier fee on that particular broker order and was able to replace it with something that paid better. They don’t say that of course. But the thought comes quickly to mind. The vehicle shipping carrier simply found a better payday and came up with some lame excuse not to come through on their commitment.

So every broker lives and learns not to act too quickly. We have noticed at Direct Express Auto Transport, that most carriers will come through on their commitment to pick up a vehicle order within three days of the available date to ship. We have learned the hard way, not to count on carriers more than three days in advance.

The good thing about car transport carriers is that they generally pick up a vehicle within one or two days of it being assigned to them. Sometimes a carrier will pick it up the same day it’s assigned. Rarely do they say that they want to pick it up in three days. We rarely hear a carrier say that they’ll pick up a vehicle in four days, for the very reasons we articulated above.

So looking for a carrier to ship a vehicle three days in advance, is kind of the sweet spot when it comes to searching for an auto transport carrier to commit to a customer order.


Booking Vehicle Shipping Too Early May Backfire

We have noticed that many snowbirds like to be organized and book their car shipments weeks in advance. It makes sense in many ways, to get your ducks in a row, cross that off your to-do list, and feel that they have secured a spot on a car transport carrier. 

They might book in October or November, for a spot around Christmas time heading to Florida like tens of thousands of other snowbirds. They are surprised when what they thought was a sure thing, turned out to be nothing of the sort. 

There is no better time to ship a car than in October or early November. Pricing tends to be low. By the time Christmas comes around, with a huge influx of customer orders, and people trying to get to Florida and elsewhere warm for the winter, the car shipping rates tend to skyrocket to the highest levels of the year. So within just a few weeks, the market goes from the lowest pricing to the highest.


If You Are Priced Too Low – Your Car Might Not Ship

The only way any auto transport broker could even begin to guarantee a price is if it is way way too high. Because you cannot guarantee what you cannot control. And as auto transport prices skyrocket, every auto transport broker is along for the ride.

So an order that was booked too far in advance, and priced at that time properly, but many weeks later is too low for the current market, most car transport brokers will likely go back to the customer and say things have changed. Because they have. And then the customer will be informed of the much higher price. Which is a conversation that never goes well.

So in that instance, there was absolutely no advantage to the customer by booking his car shipping order so early. It gives the customer a false sense of security and leaves him scrambling at the last minute, at considerable expense.

What happened to that early booking customer, was that many others who booked after him in the interim at the higher rate, will certainly ship first. It is not first come first served when it comes to the auto transport industry. And that comes as a rude awakening to many nice people caught unaware.

At Direct Express Auto Transport, we try to warn our customers about that very thing. And we do it here in this blog. Frankly, we haven’t seen any competitor write this way and give such clear and good advice about not booking early.


Booking Too Far In Advance Might Lock In too High A Rate

Oh but wait, most auto transport brokers will honor an early car shipping order booked many weeks in advance if the price is too high.

How might that happen? Let’s continue with the snowbird example. Imagine a customer who booked their order during the busiest season, the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, but didn’t want to ship until February. The pricing when he booked was very high.

By February, however, it rivals October in its low pricing. Unfortunately, the customer has locked into the higher price and if he only waited until February to book, he would’ve enjoyed a nice savings. Ouch.

So you see once again, it was not in the customer’s best interest to have booked his order many weeks in advance.


The Optimal Advance Period To Book A Vehicle Shipment

The best time to book your car shipment is anywhere between three and 10 days before you make your vehicle available to ship.

A smart and savvy broker, such as Direct Express auto transport, won’t start looking for a carrier for many reasons, before three days from the first available ship date. Generally speaking, pricing won’t fluctuate very much one week before that, which would be 10 days before the first available day to ship.

You can probably get away with booking your car shipment two weeks in advance, but it gets more and more dicey the farther out you go. There is no good reason for booking an order more than two weeks in advance. None.


The Bottom Line On Advance Booking of Car Shipping

The overwhelming majority of carriers will not commit to picking up a car shipment more than three days in advance of the vehicle availability. So why book earlier than that? It is almost always best to have current auto transport market pricing. If it’s high, then there’s no way around it you gotta pay. Because others will ship and you won’t. However, if the price is low, you should enjoy that.

Car Transport Cost: FAQ

  • Should You Ship Your Car Open or Enclosed?

    About 97% of all vehicle shipments are shipped on an Open Trailer. It’s proven to be a very safe method with statistically very few problems. You may notice new cars being delivered to dealerships in an open trailer, and that’s because it’s safe. If you have a collector car or really expensive automobile, say around $75,000 or more, then we recommend shipping it in an Enclosed Trailer. Expect to pay about 33-50% more for an Enclosed transport. Our auto shipping costs calculator automatically adds the extra enclosed car transport estimate to your quote, so you can experiment with the quotes if you like.
  • How Long Will It Take To Pick Up My Vehicle?

    Over 90% of our orders ship inside of one week. That could be anywhere from 1 to 7 days. Most of the U.S. population lives in a major metropolitan area and is shipping to another well populated area, and that makes a big difference. Cars usually ship in a very regular manner, almost half within just a few days.

    If either your origination or destination locations are away from population centers, in other words, in a remote area, then you might consider meeting a driver in a nearby big city or town to increase your chances of shipping timely. Or adding money to the carrier fee may entice a carrier. Remember, anyone you choose can serve as your point of contact, which takes the stress out of shipping your vehicle.

  • How Do I Prepare My Vehicle For Shipment?

    Clean out your vehicle of all loose items as much as possible. Leave nothing of value in the vehicle. It’s very rare that any items are stolen during transport, but we recommend extra caution to prevent loss.

    Keep extra items as previously discussed to a minimum and place in the trunk or out of sight. Have only about a quarter tank of gasoline. Give the auto transport carrier a set of keys and advise them of any special instructions for your vehicle, like difficulty starting, steering, braking, etc.

    Driver Consideration: Being a truck driver can be a thankless job. They work long hours and are away from their families for weeks at a time. Please be friendly and considerate to our drivers, and they will treat you in the same manner.

  • How Are Car Shipping Quotes Calculated?

    The first factor used to calculate car shipping cost is the transport distance. Next are the length, height and weight of the vehicle, followed by running condition and type of trailer (Open or Enclosed). Finally, seasonal fluctuations may impact the overall cost.

  • Non-Running Vehicles Cost More

    Maneuvering non-operational vehicles on and off a car transport trailer is a big challenge. Car shipping companies much prefer operational (running) vehicles because it gives them an easier option to reposition their entire load. Non-running vehicles take considerably more time to get on and off the trailer. So the car shipping quote must reflect the higher cost. Many auto transporters don’t have a winch and cannot accommodate non-running vehicles. That is one reason it takes longer on average to ship non-operational vehicles. Fewer do it. If at all possible, fixing your vehicle before trying to ship it will save on the non-running car transport cost, and make the process go faster.

  • How Long Does It Take To Deliver My Vehicle?

    Delivering is final step in the process, and also the simplest part. Once your vehicle has been assigned and picked up, not too much can go wrong. Once the vehicle is picked up, you can estimate that it will take roughly 1 day of transit time for every 500 miles distance. Delivery Time Estimate Guide 100-500 miles takes 1 or 2 days 500-1000 miles takes 2 or 3 days 1000-1500 miles takes 3 or 4 days 1500-2000 miles takes 4 or 5 days 2000-2500 miles takes 5 or 6 days 2500-3000 miles takes 6 or 7 days Depending on the distance, weather conditions and population centers it could be a few days or weeks until a vehicle reaches its destination. The carriers usually estimate about 10 days on coast to coast trips, but they frequently arrive earlier.

  • Can I Put Stuff In My Car When I Ship It?

    Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it’s rarely enforced. However, the drivers do estimate the weight of each vehicle that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. So they must keep the personal items to a minimum. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, but some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage.

Related Articles

  • Open vs Enclosed Car Transport Service

    Read more

Continue reading

How To Use The Best Car Transport Quote Calculator

How To Use The Best Car Transport Quote Calculator

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

How To Use The Best Car Transport Quote Calculator

How To Use The Best Car Transport Quote Calculator

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Related Topic Resources

Shipping your car may mean moving it thousands of miles across the country, or simply transporting it a shorter distance in-state or to a neighboring state. Knowing what it will cost can be made easier by using the car shipping calculator that Direct Express Auto Transport first originated in 2004. In this forum, or blog article, we will inform you on how best to apply our unique and best in class car transport quote calculator to your situation.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Avoid online car shipping calculators that require personal information. Don’t let your mobile phone light up or your email inbox fill up. Use a good car transport rate calculator that offers quotes with no personal information.
  • Understand what goes into the pricing of your vehicle shipment. A sedan will be cheaper than a pickup truck, for example.
  • Decide ahead of time if your vehicle should be protected from the elements and go Enclosed. Or if it is no big deal if it gets dirty and can go Open-Air Transport like the overwhelming majority of cars. 
  • Do not order your vehicle shipment too early. A couple weeks in advance is ideal.

In This Blog Article:

How Much Does Car Shipping Cost?

According to our company records, it can cost as little as $300 for small cars going a short distance, to as much as $3,000 for a big pickup going across the country. It all depends. 


The Main Factors That Affect Car Shipping Costs

Because we invented the car transport quote calculator, nobody knows better what goes into calculating instant quotes. Other car shipping companies use a common third rate calculator software that indeed produces a price. But how reliable is another question. And maddeningly, the other competitors often won’t reveal that car shipping cost without you first giving up personal information such as  your email address, phone number, and name.

We don’t do that. Ever. Ours is truly a no personal information instant car transport quote calculator.

We factor certain metrics, including distance, size of vehicle, seasonal fluctuations, operational status, running condition, type of trailer and much more.


Shipping Distance

All car transport companies charge by the mile. You’ll receive a lower rate per mile for vehicle shipments at longer distances, though the overall cost will be higher.

Size of Vehicle

Larger vehicles like pickup trucks, vans, large SUVs and RVs are more expensive to ship than sedans and smaller SUVs. The size of your vehicle is a big factor in the quote engine.

Origination & Destination Locations

Big cities are easier and therefore cheaper than rural areas. It is an important factor.

Type of Trailer – Open or Enclosed

Enclosed transport offers your vehicle more protection during the shipment but at a higher price point than open transport. An enclosed car carrier is often a good choice for shipping luxury and classic cars. However, about 97% of all car shipments go Open-Air Transport because it is cheaper and still safe. The vehicle may arrive a little dirty from the road, but otherwise in the same condition. Just take it to the car wash.

Seasonality

The auto transport industry typically sees higher demand for truck space during the summer, and again briefly in January, which leads to higher prices. Why? Because car shipping is a seasonal business, with higher rates in the summer months (when many families relocate) and in January (when snowbirds fly south for the winter). There is a spike in car shipping demand that gets loaded into the calculator.

Vehicle Condition

Inoperable vehicles are more expensive to ship since they require more resources to transport than those that are in working order. A running car is much easier to load and unload. The carrier driver often needs to reposition his group of vehicles, so if a vehicle is non-running, that’s an issue that needs compensating. Usually $150 to $200 extra for non-operational vehicles.

When Best To Get Car Shipping Estimates

It is not first come … first serve, in the auto transport industry. No, not at all. It is who is paying the most for your size vehicle that gets a spot on the trailer first. Being too early to book might cause problems that you had not anticipated.

Do Not Book Too Far in Advance

One of the biggest mistakes we see are customers who think they are reserving a spot on a trailer, as if they were a seat on a plane, and think ordering their shipment a month in advance is wise. It is not. Nothing actually begins to happen with 99% of vehicle shipments until the week your order is made available. Booking a week or two in advance is ideal.

Get Current Rates For Car Shipping

Some car shipping companies offer guaranteed pricing, but usually at inflated rates so that if the market changes, they won’t get hurt. Most brokers do not guarantee prices because they can’t guarantee what they can’t control.

For instance, car transport pricing spikes dramatically shipping to Florida in December and January. It may even double on some routes. If you book that Florida shipment in October for a December ship date, the price will be likely too low and carriers will be filling their trailers with other higher paying freight, often booked just days in advance. You may sit wondering why your car hasn’t moved? The reason is that you booked too early.


An Auto Transport Broker With Great Google Reviews

An ethical car transport broker will give you the above advice. You can have a pleasant car shipping experience if somebody honest steers you in the right direction. The great thing about Google reviews is that you publicly know who the reviewer is, and that it probably isn’t a competitor taking cheap shots. The BBB is much the same way. Find a broker with outstanding reviews. Like Direct Express Auto Transport.

Car Transport Quote Calculator: The Bottom Line

Direct Express Auto Transport originated the instant quote calculator in 2004. It was nearly four years before a knockoff appeared. We have refined and perfected our quote engine and say confidently that it is by far the best in the car shipping industry.

Car Transport Cost: FAQ

  • Should You Ship Your Car Open or Enclosed?

    About 97% of all vehicle shipments are shipped on an Open Trailer. It’s proven to be a very safe method with statistically very few problems. You may notice new cars being delivered to dealerships in an open trailer, and that’s because it’s safe. If you have a collector car or really expensive automobile, say around $75,000 or more, then we recommend shipping it in an Enclosed Trailer. Expect to pay about 33-50% more for an Enclosed transport. Our auto shipping costs calculator automatically adds the extra enclosed car transport estimate to your quote, so you can experiment with the quotes if you like.
  • How Long Will It Take To Pick Up My Vehicle?

    Over 90% of our orders ship inside of one week. That could be anywhere from 1 to 7 days. Most of the U.S. population lives in a major metropolitan area and is shipping to another well populated area, and that makes a big difference. Cars usually ship in a very regular manner, almost half within just a few days.

    If either your origination or destination locations are away from population centers, in other words, in a remote area, then you might consider meeting a driver in a nearby big city or town to increase your chances of shipping timely. Or adding money to the carrier fee may entice a carrier. Remember, anyone you choose can serve as your point of contact, which takes the stress out of shipping your vehicle.

  • How Do I Prepare My Vehicle For Shipment?

    Clean out your vehicle of all loose items as much as possible. Leave nothing of value in the vehicle. It’s very rare that any items are stolen during transport, but we recommend extra caution to prevent loss.

    Keep extra items as previously discussed to a minimum and place in the trunk or out of sight. Have only about a quarter tank of gasoline. Give the auto transport carrier a set of keys and advise them of any special instructions for your vehicle, like difficulty starting, steering, braking, etc.

    Driver Consideration: Being a truck driver can be a thankless job. They work long hours and are away from their families for weeks at a time. Please be friendly and considerate to our drivers, and they will treat you in the same manner.

  • How Are Car Shipping Quotes Calculated?

    The first factor used to calculate car shipping cost is the transport distance. Next are the length, height and weight of the vehicle, followed by running condition and type of trailer (Open or Enclosed). Finally, seasonal fluctuations may impact the overall cost.

  • Non-Running Vehicles Cost More

    Maneuvering non-operational vehicles on and off a car transport trailer is a big challenge. Car shipping companies much prefer operational (running) vehicles because it gives them an easier option to reposition their entire load. Non-running vehicles take considerably more time to get on and off the trailer. So the car shipping quote must reflect the higher cost. Many auto transporters don’t have a winch and cannot accommodate non-running vehicles. That is one reason it takes longer on average to ship non-operational vehicles. Fewer do it. If at all possible, fixing your vehicle before trying to ship it will save on the non-running car transport cost, and make the process go faster.

  • How Long Does It Take To Deliver My Vehicle?

    Delivering is final step in the process, and also the simplest part. Once your vehicle has been assigned and picked up, not too much can go wrong. Once the vehicle is picked up, you can estimate that it will take roughly 1 day of transit time for every 500 miles distance. Delivery Time Estimate Guide 100-500 miles takes 1 or 2 days 500-1000 miles takes 2 or 3 days 1000-1500 miles takes 3 or 4 days 1500-2000 miles takes 4 or 5 days 2000-2500 miles takes 5 or 6 days 2500-3000 miles takes 6 or 7 days Depending on the distance, weather conditions and population centers it could be a few days or weeks until a vehicle reaches its destination. The carriers usually estimate about 10 days on coast to coast trips, but they frequently arrive earlier.

  • Can I Put Stuff In My Car When I Ship It?

    Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it’s rarely enforced. However, the drivers do estimate the weight of each vehicle that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. So they must keep the personal items to a minimum. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, but some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage.

Related Articles

  • Open vs Enclosed Car Transport Service

    Read more

Continue reading

Tips For Shipping A Car Across Country

Tips For Shipping A Car Across Country

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Tips For Shipping A Car Across Country

Tips For Shipping A Car Across Country

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Related Topic Resources

The best tips for shipping a car across country will save you time, money and aggravation. Like most everything else of consequence, careful planning will keep you out of trouble. You should approach shipping a car like you would your travel itinerary, mapping out each step in the process and anticipating contingencies.

Key Takeaways: 

  • You want the most current auto transport pricing. So book your order no sooner than 3 weeks before you want it delivered.
  • The actual transit time on the road is about one day for every 500 miles distance, plus one or two days for carrier loading and unloading. Most cross-country vehicle shipments take 7-10 days, sometimes longer.
  • You are competing with other customers for space on a car transport carrier. The highest paying orders ship first regardless of when the order is placed.

In This Blog Article:

In this blog article, Direct Express Auto Transport shares our expertise, honed over 20 years experience as a leading vehicle transport company, to inform you on what it takes to successfully ship a car across the country.

How Many People Are Shipping A Car Across Country?

Cross country car shipping is something people will do only once or twice in their lifetime, and many not at all. For whatever reason, frequent moves, collecting cars or buying and selling vehicles as a business venture, there are people who ship cars on a regular basis. But they are the minority.

Direct Express Auto Transport researched recent New Jersey vehicle shipments on a popular carrier load board, and found only 14% were shipping a car across country, over 2,000 miles. 

However, the same research for California vehicle shipments revealed that 51% were shipping a car cross country (over 2,000 miles). It makes sense because there are so many more states with higher populations nearer New Jersey than California. On any given day, there are several thousand vehicles shipping across country, and during peak periods it can rise to over ten thousand vehicles.


Best Tips For Shipping A Car Across Country

  • Book your order no sooner than 3 weeks before you want it delivered.

Why? Because you want only current market pricing. Booking too early is often a mistake because auto transport costs change every month. Book your order at too low a price and your order may struggle to ship. 

  • Book your order no later than 2 weeks before you want it delivered.

Why? Because it takes several days in transit to ship your car across the country. But it may also take several days, especially if you opted for the lowest Standard Rate and did not select Expedited Rate, to even find or assign a carrier to haul your vehicle. 

  • Remember that you are competing with other customers for space on a car transport carrier. You have not reserved a spot on a carrier even if booking early. Highest paying orders ship first regardless of when the order is placed. 

Why? Customers place orders with auto transport brokers, who then communicate with vehicle shipping carriers. The carriers have no idea and do not concern themselves with when a customer booked an order, nor how long they have been waiting to ship. Carriers choose the highest paying orders. Period. 

  • Plan on a coast to coast vehicle shipment taking 8-10 days on the road. Also plan on a broker taking 1-8 days to find a carrier to transport your vehicle. 
  1. The fastest time frame might be around 9 days start to finish.
  2. It is not unusual for the time frame to be around 18 days start to finish. 
  3. Most orders are somewhere between 9 and 18 days from start to finish.
  4. Adding money by selecting either the Expedited or Rush rate service usually makes the experience go faster and smoother.

  • Sometimes nothing works to get an order shipped in a timely fashion. Or at all. Here’s why:

  1. Because either the origin or destination location is very remote and no carrier is planning on making that run. 

  2. Because the vehicle is too big and intrudes on a second or even third space and there isn’t enough money to compensate the carrier.
  3. Because sometimes the customer booked way too early at too low a price for the current market. 
  4. Because sometimes the broker made a mistake in pricing, and set the order too low, below current market rates. 
  5. Because sometimes the vehicle is non-running and the carriers are so busy with plenty of running cars that they don’t want to hassle with it. 
  6. Because there is something unusual or too difficult with the vehicle, such as extremely low ground clearance (4 inches or less) and should go Enclosed Transport, not Open-Air Carrier. 
  7. Or is extremely old and might fall apart on the road. 
  8. Or is extremely expensive and the carrier is afraid of the liability. 
  • Have a backup contact at either the origin or destination.

Why? Because shipping a car from yourself to yourself is extremely difficult. Everything has to go perfect for it to work. And the word “perfect” is rarely applied to the unscientific auto transport industry. Having a backup contact at either end helps alleviate stress for everybody. 

  • Speaking of tips, the carrier driver transporting your car will do far more for you than any waiter in a restaurant, whom you probably tip nicely. A car transport driver who takes good care of your vehicle probably deserves a $50-$100 tip, don’t you think?

What Method Do You Ship A Car Coast to Coast?

There are five methods for shipping a car across country, or coast to coast. But really, only two that are popular. The other three are simply possibilities.

By far, the two most popular car shipping methods are by truck – Open Carrier and Enclosed Carrier.

  • Open Car Transport Trucks / Over 95% of all vehicle shipping is done by Open-Air Carrier. The same kind of trucks you see on the highway delivering new vehicles to dealerships. It is relatively safe, which is why car manufacturers use it, and also a cheap and reliable method. 
  • Enclosed Car Transport Trucks / About 3% of all vehicle shipping are done in an Enclosed Carrier. The beauty of that is the protection it affords from inclement weather, storms, hail, dirt and so on. Expensive vehicles or collector cars often use Enclosed Carrier. It is about 35-50% more costly than Open Carrier.
  • Rail Vehicle Shipping / A very small percentage of people ship their car by rail. Think of it as snail mail. It often takes the better part of a month to drop off a car at a rail station for across country car shipping. It is a very cheap method, but can be frustrating for a customer logistically. We don’t recommend it for the general public, but it can be a good economical decision for a business with a fleet of cars.
  • Ocean Car Shipping / Like rail vehicle shipping, ocean car shipping can be an affordable method, but it too can take a long time. If shipping a car to or from Hawaii or Alaska, it makes plenty of sense. Here’s a good tip for a Hawaiian car shipper, Matson

Air Auto Shipping / It probably is not on your radar because the cost of it is so over the top, but some people actually fly their car across country. Must be nice to have the bucks to do that, right? For the general public, it’s hardly worth mentioning.


What Do 5 Car Shipping Methods Cost?

A good example would be Los Angeles, California to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, because both those cities have all five elements available: Open-Air Carrier, Enclosed Car Transport, Rail Vehicle Shipping, a port for Ocean Shipping, and finally a major airport for flying a vehicle. 

Here is the average price for all five car shipping methods:

  • Open Car Transport Trucks / $1,494 total cost 
  • Enclosed Car Transport Trucks / $2,299 total cost 
  • Rail Vehicle Shipping / A very small percentage of people ship their car by rail. Think of it as snail mail. It often takes the better part of a month to drop off a car at a rail station for across country car shipping. It is a very cheap method, but can be frustrating for a customer logistically. We don’t recommend it for the general public, but it can be a good economical decision for a business with a fleet of cars.
  • Ocean Car Shipping / $3,091 total cost / Takes two steps Philadelphia to Honolulu: $1,494 Open-Air Carrier Philadelphia to L.A.. Plus $1,597 Los Angeles to Honolulu, Hawaiian car shipper, Matson.
  • Air Auto Shipping / $5,000 total cost

The Time It Takes To Ship A Car Across The USA?

Waiting for a carrier assignment can sometimes take as long or longer than the actual car shipment. Adding additional sums will likely cut down on the wait time for a carrier. Here is an average: 

Car Shipping Across Country / 3,000 miles

  • 1-8 days for your broker to assign a carrier
  • 2 days for carrier pick up
  • 1 day for carrier to load all his vehicles
  • 7-9 days in transit / on the road
  • 1 day for carrier to unload all his vehicles

Total 10-21 days from start to finish for an average vehicle shipment order. Includes everything.


Prepare Your Vehicle For Shipping

Before your car is shipped, it’s a good idea to clean it thoroughly. It will not only make your vehicle look better, but it will also help to identify any existing damage that may need attention. When cleaning your car, please take photos of any scratches, dents, or other imperfections so you can document their existence before shipping.

Remove Personal Items From Your Car

Remove personal items from your car before it is shipped, including GPS devices, cell phones, and other things you wouldn’t want to leave in your vehicle during transit. 

Additionally, remove any after-market additions, such as spoilers or roof racks, as they can quickly become damaged during transit. 

Do not keep any valuable items in your vehicle. Remember that the carrier is responsible only for your car, not for any additional items you have confined to your trunk. Rarely is anything stolen during car transport, but why tempt?

Secure Loose Parts On the Vehicle

Before vehicle shipping, secure any loose parts on your car. That includes items like antennas, hood ornaments, and mirrors. 

Provide Detailed Vehicle & Contact Information

When preparing for car shipping, it’s crucial to provide your car shipping company with detailed information about your car. That includes information about its make, model, and year, as well as its current condition. Additionally, be sure to provide the company with information about your pick-up and delivery locations and your desired shipping dates.

Only A Quarter Tank Of Gas

Carriers prefer only about a quarter tank of gas in the vehicle, so it’s good to have that in mind upon placing your order. The fuel in your tank is unnecessary extra weight, and too much might spill onto other vehicles.

Vehicle Shipping Contacts Arranged

If you can’t be present at either end of the car shipment, please designate someone else to inspect the vehicle with the driver. 

Disable Alarms and Security Systems

Before shipping your car, disable any alarms and security systems. That will prevent the alarm from sounding during transport and causing a disturbance.

Check Your Vehicle’s Other Fluids

Check your car’s fluids, such as oil and coolant, to ensure they are at the proper levels. If the levels are low, add more liquid to ensure your car runs smoothly during transport.

Check Your Tires

Check the tires on your car to ensure they have the proper air pressure and are in good condition. If the tires are too worn or damaged, replace them before shipping. Loading a car with low air pressure or flat tires is very difficult.


The Bottom Line On Shipping A Car Across Country

  • You want the most current vehicle transport market pricing. Booking your order no sooner than 3 weeks before you want it delivered keeps you from having too low a quote, or on the other hand, from paying too high a price.
  • The actual transit time on the road is about one day for every 500 miles distance, plus one or two days for carrier loading and unloading. Most cross-country vehicle shipments take 7-10 days, sometimes longer. A good average is 14 days, or 2 weeks.
  • Car shipping is not first come, first serve. You are actually competing with other customers for space on an auto transport carrier. The highest paying orders will undoubtedly ship first regardless of when the order is placed. When in doubt, add a little more.

Car Transport Cost: FAQ

  • Should You Ship Your Car Open or Enclosed?

    About 97% of all vehicle shipments are shipped on an Open Trailer. It’s proven to be a very safe method with statistically very few problems. You may notice new cars being delivered to dealerships in an open trailer, and that’s because it’s safe. If you have a collector car or really expensive automobile, say around $75,000 or more, then we recommend shipping it in an Enclosed Trailer. Expect to pay about 33-50% more for an Enclosed transport. Our auto shipping costs calculator automatically adds the extra enclosed car transport estimate to your quote, so you can experiment with the quotes if you like.
  • How Long Will It Take To Pick Up My Vehicle?

    Over 90% of our orders ship inside of one week. That could be anywhere from 1 to 7 days. Most of the U.S. population lives in a major metropolitan area and is shipping to another well populated area, and that makes a big difference. Cars usually ship in a very regular manner, almost half within just a few days.

    If either your origination or destination locations are away from population centers, in other words, in a remote area, then you might consider meeting a driver in a nearby big city or town to increase your chances of shipping timely. Or adding money to the carrier fee may entice a carrier. Remember, anyone you choose can serve as your point of contact, which takes the stress out of shipping your vehicle.

  • How Do I Prepare My Vehicle For Shipment?

    Clean out your vehicle of all loose items as much as possible. Leave nothing of value in the vehicle. It’s very rare that any items are stolen during transport, but we recommend extra caution to prevent loss.

    Keep extra items as previously discussed to a minimum and place in the trunk or out of sight. Have only about a quarter tank of gasoline. Give the auto transport carrier a set of keys and advise them of any special instructions for your vehicle, like difficulty starting, steering, braking, etc.

    Driver Consideration: Being a truck driver can be a thankless job. They work long hours and are away from their families for weeks at a time. Please be friendly and considerate to our drivers, and they will treat you in the same manner.

  • How Are Car Shipping Quotes Calculated?

    The first factor used to calculate car shipping cost is the transport distance. Next are the length, height and weight of the vehicle, followed by running condition and type of trailer (Open or Enclosed). Finally, seasonal fluctuations may impact the overall cost.

  • Non-Running Vehicles Cost More

    Maneuvering non-operational vehicles on and off a car transport trailer is a big challenge. Car shipping companies much prefer operational (running) vehicles because it gives them an easier option to reposition their entire load. Non-running vehicles take considerably more time to get on and off the trailer. So the car shipping quote must reflect the higher cost. Many auto transporters don’t have a winch and cannot accommodate non-running vehicles. That is one reason it takes longer on average to ship non-operational vehicles. Fewer do it. If at all possible, fixing your vehicle before trying to ship it will save on the non-running car transport cost, and make the process go faster.

  • How Long Does It Take To Deliver My Vehicle?

    Delivering is final step in the process, and also the simplest part. Once your vehicle has been assigned and picked up, not too much can go wrong. Once the vehicle is picked up, you can estimate that it will take roughly 1 day of transit time for every 500 miles distance. Delivery Time Estimate Guide 100-500 miles takes 1 or 2 days 500-1000 miles takes 2 or 3 days 1000-1500 miles takes 3 or 4 days 1500-2000 miles takes 4 or 5 days 2000-2500 miles takes 5 or 6 days 2500-3000 miles takes 6 or 7 days Depending on the distance, weather conditions and population centers it could be a few days or weeks until a vehicle reaches its destination. The carriers usually estimate about 10 days on coast to coast trips, but they frequently arrive earlier.

  • Can I Put Stuff In My Car When I Ship It?

    Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it’s rarely enforced. However, the drivers do estimate the weight of each vehicle that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. So they must keep the personal items to a minimum. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, but some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage.

Related Articles

  • Open vs Enclosed Car Transport Service

    Read more

Continue reading

How Long Does It Take To Ship A Car

How Long Does It Take To Ship A Car

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

How Long Does It Take To Ship A Car Mobile

How Long Does It Take To Ship A Car

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Related Topic Resources

In the auto transport industry, it is not who gets in line first, but rather, who is paying the most on the route with a similar sized vehicle? Like everybody else, car transport carriers are running a business and seek to maximize profit, and they cater to the bottom line. Like it or not, every customer is competing for space on a car shipping trailer. There is such a thing as cheap auto shipping, but only if there is nobody else paying more nearby. 

Key Takeaways:

  • How long it takes to ship a car has mostly to do with price. The carrier fee is paramount, with vehicles shipping faster the higher the price. 
  • The actual transit time on the road is about one day for every 500 miles distance, plus one or two days for carrier loading and unloading. 
  • The car shipping price affects how many days it takes to secure a carrier, then add a few days after assignment for the actual pick up.

In This Blog Article:

In this blog article, Direct Express Auto Transport shares our expertise, honed over 20 years experience as a leading car shipping company, to inform you on what it takes to transport a car successfully.

How Long Does Car Shipping Take?

Step one is the right price to get assigned a carrier. It can make a big difference. Generally speaking, auto transport brokers do not know upon receiving an order, which of the nearly 10,000 car transport carriers will be shipping the vehicle. Broker experience and ethics are important when it comes to proper market pricing of vehicles. 

How long car shipping takes starts with the right price in order to get the customer vehicle assigned to a carrier. Priced right and carrier assignment can happen quickly, as in a day or two, or at minimum a few days. Priced too cheap and the customer may wait a week or even longer to be assigned a carrier. 


How Long Does It Take For The Car Transport Carrier Pick Up?

The good news is that once a car transport carrier has been assigned to ship your vehicle, things usually happen quickly. Expect one of the following after assignment:

  1. Most carriers pick up the vehicle one day after assignment..
  2. Sometimes carriers pick up the vehicle in two days.
  3. Sometimes carriers pick up the vehicle the same day as assigned.
  4. Occasionally, carriers pick up the vehicle in three days.
  5. Rarely do carriers pick up the vehicle in four days or more after being assigned.

How Long Does Car Shipping Transit Take?

A single auto transport driver will typically traverse about 500 miles per day. So how far is your vehicle shipment? Do the math and add one or two days for the carrier driver loading and unloading at either end. Here are a few examples, or scenarios, and see if any closely resemble your situation.

Miles

Route

Trailer

Load/Unload

In Transit

Total Days

284

Chi – Det

3-car

1 day

1 day

2 days

754

SF – Pho

5-car

1 day

2 days

3 days

1211

Cin – San A

7-car

2 days

3 days

5 days

1851

Bos – Hou

9-car

2 days

4 days

6 days

2530

Mia – LV

10-car

2 days

5 days

7 days

2716

LA – Phil

10-car

2 days

6 days

8 days

3274

Sea – Ft L

11-car

2 days

7 days

9 days

We are assuming, of course, that there are no hiccups. That everything goes smoothly.

The Car Shipping Carrier Fee Is The #1 Key Factor

Waiting for a carrier assignment can take as long or longer than the actual car shipment. Think of walking, jogging, or running. Here are three vehicle shipment pricing scenarios for an average 1,500 mile route.

Cheap Auto Transport / Low Pricing

  • 7 days for broker to assign a carrier
  • 2 days for carrier pick up
  • 1 day for carrier to load all his vehicles
  • 3 days in transit / on the road
  • 1 day for carrier to unload all his vehicles

Total 14 days from start to finish for Cheap Auto Transport.

Expedited Car Shipping / $100-$200 Additional

  • 3 days for broker to assign a carrier
  • 2 days for carrier pick up
  • 1 day for carrier to load all his vehicles
  • 3 days in transit / on the road
  • 1 day for carrier to unload all his vehicles

Total 10 days from start to finish for Expedited Car Shipping.

Rush Vehicle Shipping / $300-$400 Additional

  • 1 days for broker to assign a carrier
  • 2 days for carrier pick up
  • 1 day for carrier to load all his vehicles
  • 3 days in transit / on the road
  • 1 day for carrier to unload all his vehicles

Total 8 days from start to finish for Rush Vehicle Shipping.

The extra money on the carrier fee hastens the search for assignment. It shortens the wait for assignment, which is really the only part of the car shipping process that can be speeded up. Every other aspect is what it is. You can’t speed up the loading or unloading. The number of days on the road is governed by the FMCSA. The drivers cannot legally go faster in transit. 

That leaves only the time it takes for a broker to find a carrier to assign. Money has a lot to do with the speed of that.


Other Factors That Affect How Long It Takes To Ship A Car

There are other things that may affect how long it takes to ship a car. While the carrier fee, or money, is paramount, here are other considerations.

Car Shipping Route

The unpopularity of a car shipping route can affect the number of days it takes to assign a driver. Think of it this way:

  • Fast Popular Route: Detroit to Dallas
  • Medium Route: Lansing to Dallas
  • Slower Route: Lansing to Lubbock
  • Extremely Slow Route: Cadillac, MI to Lubbock

Involving a rural location on either end of the vehicle shipment will likely slow things down. The remedy is to add more money to entice a carrier. Patience becomes important.

Type of Vehicle

Sedans ship faster than SUVs, which ship faster than Pick-Up Trucks

Smaller SUVs ship faster than big SUVs. 

And smaller Pick-Up Trucks ship faster than big Pick-Up Trucks.

Carrier Driver Hours of Operation

The Department of Transportation correctly keeps drivers safer, and the public too. We share the road with truck drivers, and we all need them to get plenty of rest. No nodding off on the road. Here are the FMCSA rules.

Seasonality

How long it takes to ship a car is also affected by the time of year, the seasons. In the northern states and Rocky Mountains, the warmer weather months are far easier to car ship than in the winter months. In the winter, in the north, count on it taking longer regardless of the carrier fee.

Stormy Weather

Bad weather will slow car shipments down. Especially hurricanes. Icy conditions in southern states will cause havoc as they are simply not used to it. Tornadoes and arctic storms will also slow things. 

In recent years, global climate change that causes huge fires in the western states will derail car shipping schedules.


The Bottom Line On How Long It Takes To Ship a Car

Shipping a car is not like overnighting a package. It is not nearly as predictable. About the only thing a customer can do is reduce the wait time for a carrier assignment, because everything else is on autopilot. To make vehicle shipments go faster is simple, just add money.

Car Transport Cost: FAQ

  • Should You Ship Your Car Open or Enclosed?

    About 97% of all vehicle shipments are shipped on an Open Trailer. It’s proven to be a very safe method with statistically very few problems. You may notice new cars being delivered to dealerships in an open trailer, and that’s because it’s safe. If you have a collector car or really expensive automobile, say around $75,000 or more, then we recommend shipping it in an Enclosed Trailer. Expect to pay about 33-50% more for an Enclosed transport. Our auto shipping costs calculator automatically adds the extra enclosed car transport estimate to your quote, so you can experiment with the quotes if you like.
  • How Long Will It Take To Pick Up My Vehicle?

    Over 90% of our orders ship inside of one week. That could be anywhere from 1 to 7 days. Most of the U.S. population lives in a major metropolitan area and is shipping to another well populated area, and that makes a big difference. Cars usually ship in a very regular manner, almost half within just a few days.

    If either your origination or destination locations are away from population centers, in other words, in a remote area, then you might consider meeting a driver in a nearby big city or town to increase your chances of shipping timely. Or adding money to the carrier fee may entice a carrier. Remember, anyone you choose can serve as your point of contact, which takes the stress out of shipping your vehicle.

  • How Do I Prepare My Vehicle For Shipment?

    Clean out your vehicle of all loose items as much as possible. Leave nothing of value in the vehicle. It’s very rare that any items are stolen during transport, but we recommend extra caution to prevent loss.

    Keep extra items as previously discussed to a minimum and place in the trunk or out of sight. Have only about a quarter tank of gasoline. Give the auto transport carrier a set of keys and advise them of any special instructions for your vehicle, like difficulty starting, steering, braking, etc.

    Driver Consideration: Being a truck driver can be a thankless job. They work long hours and are away from their families for weeks at a time. Please be friendly and considerate to our drivers, and they will treat you in the same manner.

  • How Are Car Shipping Quotes Calculated?

    The first factor used to calculate car shipping cost is the transport distance. Next are the length, height and weight of the vehicle, followed by running condition and type of trailer (Open or Enclosed). Finally, seasonal fluctuations may impact the overall cost.

  • Non-Running Vehicles Cost More

    Maneuvering non-operational vehicles on and off a car transport trailer is a big challenge. Car shipping companies much prefer operational (running) vehicles because it gives them an easier option to reposition their entire load. Non-running vehicles take considerably more time to get on and off the trailer. So the car shipping quote must reflect the higher cost. Many auto transporters don’t have a winch and cannot accommodate non-running vehicles. That is one reason it takes longer on average to ship non-operational vehicles. Fewer do it. If at all possible, fixing your vehicle before trying to ship it will save on the non-running car transport cost, and make the process go faster.

  • How Long Does It Take To Deliver My Vehicle?

    Delivering is final step in the process, and also the simplest part. Once your vehicle has been assigned and picked up, not too much can go wrong. Once the vehicle is picked up, you can estimate that it will take roughly 1 day of transit time for every 500 miles distance. Delivery Time Estimate Guide 100-500 miles takes 1 or 2 days 500-1000 miles takes 2 or 3 days 1000-1500 miles takes 3 or 4 days 1500-2000 miles takes 4 or 5 days 2000-2500 miles takes 5 or 6 days 2500-3000 miles takes 6 or 7 days Depending on the distance, weather conditions and population centers it could be a few days or weeks until a vehicle reaches its destination. The carriers usually estimate about 10 days on coast to coast trips, but they frequently arrive earlier.

  • Can I Put Stuff In My Car When I Ship It?

    Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it’s rarely enforced. However, the drivers do estimate the weight of each vehicle that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. So they must keep the personal items to a minimum. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, but some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage.

Related Articles

  • Open vs Enclosed Car Transport Service

    Read more

Continue reading

How Much Is Car Transport Cost Per Mile?

How Much Is Car Transport Cost Per Mile?

Each year, countless cars are shipped throughout America on auto transport carriers that you might not even notice on the highway. But how much is car transport per mile? Is it worth it?

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Reliable Car Shipping Fast & Reputable

How Much Is Car Transport Cost Per Mile?

Each year, countless cars are shipped throughout America on auto transport carriers that you might not even notice on the highway. But how much is car transport per mile? Is it worth it?

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Related Topic Resources

Each year, countless cars are shipped throughout America on auto transport carriers that you might not even notice on the highway. But how much is car transport per mile? Is it worth it?

Many of the vehicles being transported are brand new and headed to auto dealerships, while a significant portion are individuals like you and me moving personal vehicles. Surprisingly, the cost of car shipping is not as high as one might think. 

Direct Express Auto Transport meticulously analyzed data from an industry load board to ascertain the cost per mile for car shipping. Our research involved studying numerous vehicle shipments, including those of our competitors. 

With over two decades of experience in the auto shipping sector, we have a keen eye for critical insights within the data. We share that in this article.

Key Takeaways: 

  • The farther the distance, the cheaper the car transport cost per mile. 
  • Enclosed Transport is approximately 33% more than Open-Air.
  • Other factors affect the price of car transport are the length and weight of the vehicle.
  • Operational condition, as in running or not, and seasonality affect car transport rates.

In This Blog Article:

Car Transport Cost

We studied thousands of marketplace vehicle shipments on the number one industry load board for auto transport brokers and car transport carriers. The information on car transport cost per mile is not widely accessible to the public. We have conducted thorough research and are pleased to present our findings in this article.

The Central Dispatch load board excels at providing accurate reports on the types of vehicles that are moving successfully along various routes and the corresponding price per mile. Rest assured, you can rely on the validity of the research data provided. 


Compare Average Car Transport Rates by Distance

  • The car transport route distance is the number one factor when determining the price or rate. 
  • While the cost of car transport per mile is lower the farther the distance, the total price is still cheaper for shorter distances. You would expect that. 
  • What is a tad surprising is that the disparity between shorter and longer distances are not as great as you might have imagined. 
  • Every 500 miles means another day on the road for a car transport driver. And every day matters because it adds to the total carrier expense on the route. 

That is why our study of the car transport industry breaks down the average cost of a car transport per mile in increments of 500 miles. 

When considering the vehicle type, an example is provided, and it is specified whether the shipment will be utilizing Open-Air Transport or Enclosed Transport.


500 Miles / Average Car Transport Cost Per Mile

1-2 Days In Transit Vehicle / Type Carrier Type Total Cost Cost per Mile
500 miles Nissan Altima / Car OPEN-AIR $700 $1.40
500 miles Nissan Altima / Car ENCLOSED $858 $1.72
500 miles Mazda CX-5 / SUV OPEN-AIR $750 $1.50
500 miles Mazda CX-5 / SUV ENCLOSED $925 $1.85
500 miles Ford F-150 / Pickup Truck OPEN-AIR $800 $1.60
500 miles Ford F-150 / Pickup Truck ENCLOSED $994 $1.99

500 Miles Data Highlights: A car (sedan) is generally shorter in length, lower in height, and lighter in weight than an SUV or Pickup Truck. So it will fit more easily on a car transport carrier and is therefore cheaper to ship. 


1000 Miles / Average Car Transport Cost Per Mile

2-3 Days In Transit Vehicle / Type Carrier Type Total Cost Cost per Mile
1000 miles Hyundai Sonata / Car OPEN-AIR $850 $0.85
1000 miles Hyundai Sonata / Car ENCLOSED $1060 $1.06
1000 miles Kia Sportage / SUV OPEN-AIR $900 $0.90
1000 miles Kia Sportage / SUV ENCLOSED $1128 $1.13
1000 miles GMC Sierra 1500 / Pickup Truck OPEN-AIR $950 $0.95
1000 miles GMC Sierra 1500` / Pickup Truck ENCLOSED $1195 $1.20

1000 Miles Data Highlights: Our research shows that for only $150 to $200 more on 1000 mile routes, you can ship your vehicle double the distance. Notice the nominal difference in total car transport cost between 500 miles and that of 1000 miles. That’s remarkable.


1500 Miles / Average Car Transport Cost Per Mile

3-4 Days In Transit Vehicle / Type Carrier Type Total Cost Cost per Mile
1500 miles Honda Accord / Car OPEN-AIR $1000 $0.67
1500 miles Honda Accord / Car ENCLOSED $1263 $0.84
1500 miles Acura MDX / SUV OPEN-AIR $1050 $0.70
1500 miles Acura MDX / SUV ENCLOSED $1330 $0.89
1500 miles Ram 1500 / Pickup Truck OPEN-AIR $1100 $0.73
1500 miles Ram 1500 / Pickup Truck ENCLOSED $1398 $0.93

1500 Miles Data Highlights: Our research shows that a customer saves roughly 22% on the average car transport cost per mile vs. the 1000 mile rate.


2000 Miles / Average Car Transport Cost Per Mile

4-5 Days In Transit Vehicle / Type Carrier Type Total Cost Cost per Mile
2000 miles Toyota Camry / Car OPEN-AIR $1150 $0.58
2000 miles Toyota Camry / Car ENCLOSED $1465 $0.73
2000 miles Lexus RX-350 / SUV OPEN-AIR $1250 $0.63
2000 miles Lexus RX-350 / SUV ENCLOSED $1600 $0.80
2000 miles Toyota Tundra / Pickup Truck OPEN-AIR $1350 $0.68
2000 miles Toyota Tundra / Pickup Truck ENCLOSED $1735 $0.87

2000 Miles Data Highlights: Our research shows that a customer saves another 10-15% on the average car transport cost per mile vs. the 1500 mile rate. The cost per mile steadily goes down the farther the distance.


2500 Miles / Average Car Transport Cost Per Mile

5-6 Days In Transit Vehicle / Type Carrier Type Total Cost Cost per Mile
2500 miles Subaru Legacy / Car OPEN-AIR $1300 $0.52
2500 miles Subaru Legacy / Car ENCLOSED $1650 $0.66
2500 miles BMW X5 / SUV OPEN-AIR $1450 $0.58
2500 miles BMW X5 / SUV ENCLOSED $1853 $0.74
2500 miles Nissan Titan / Pickup Truck OPEN-AIR $1600 $0.64
2500 miles Nissan Titan / Pickup Truck ENCLOSED $2055 $0.82

2500 Miles Data Highlights: Our research shows that a customer saves almost another 10% on the average car transport cost per mile vs the 2000 mile rate. When you consider the cost of gasoline for 2500 miles, hotels for five nights, dining out for six days, and bar tabs along the way, it is probably cheaper to ship your car rather than drive it.


3000 Miles / Average Car Transport Cost Per Mile

6-7 Days In Transit Vehicle / Type Carrier Type Total Cost Cost per Mile
3000 miles Mercedes Benz E-Class / Car OPEN-AIR $1400 $0.47
3000 miles Mercedes Benz E-Class / Car ENCLOSED $1785 $0.60
3000 miles Jeep Grand Cherokee / SUV OPEN-AIR $1500 $0.50
3000 miles Jeep Grand Cherokee / SUV ENCLOSED $1920 $0.64
3000 miles Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / Pickup Truck OPEN-AIR $1700 $0.60
3000 miles Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / Pickup Truck ENCLOSED $2190 $0.73

3000 Miles Data Highlights: Our research shows that the average car transport cost total is only twice as much to ship a car 3,000 miles ($1,400) as it is 500 miles ($700). Think about that. Your vehicle is going six times farther for just double the money. That is a very good deal.


Comparing Car Transport Prices by Vehicle Length & Weight

The table below sheds light on two key factors that greatly influence the cost of car transport per mile: Vehicle Length and Weight. Following the route distance, these variables are among the most significant in determining car shipping quotes. 

* Based on a 2,000 mile car transport route.

Vehicle Length Vehicle Weight Vehicle Example Vehicle Type Total Cost Cost per Mile
170 inches 2,765 lbs. Toyota Prius Car $1164 $0.58
192 inches 3,595 lbs. Toyota Camry Car $1189 $0.59
193 inches 4,750 lbs. Lexus RX450h SUV $1214 $0.61
209 inches 4,898 lbs. Ram 1500 Reg Cab Pickup Truck $1264 $0.63
229 inches 5,687 lbs. Ram 1500 Quad Cab Large Pickup $1429 $0.71
237 inches 6,964 lbs. Ram 2500 Crew Cab  X-Large Pickup $1659 $0.83
259 inches 8,017 lbs. Ram 3500 Crew Cab XX-Large Pickup $2324 $1.16

Key Points

  • Small Cars  /  At 170 inches and only 2,765 lbs, the Prius’ length offers a car transport carrier the chance to fit an oversized vehicle. That makes the Prius a very attractive vehicle to any dispatcher.
  • Average Sedan  /  At 192 inches and 3,595 lbs, the Camry is considered an average length and weight sedan. Perfect as a baseline barometer for auto shipping quotes.
  • Average Size SUV But Heavy  /  At 193 inches and 4,750 lbs, the RX450h SUV is almost identical in length to the Camry, which is great, but it weighs nearly 1,200 lbs more, which is going to cost the carrier extra to haul, hence the slightly higher price than the Camry.
  • Long Pickup  /  At 209 inches and 4,898 lbs, the Ram 1500 Regular Cab pickup truck weighs almost identical to the RX450h SUV, but it is 16 inches longer, which may force a dispatcher to find a shorter vehicle to pair with it. When a vehicle is over 200 inches, the possibility increases that it may limit the number of vehicles that will fit on the carrier. Hence, a little higher price.
  • Even Longer & Heavier Pickup  /  At 229 inches and 5,697 lbs, the Ram 1500 Quad Cab Pickup Truck is 20 inches longer and 800 lbs heavier than the Regular Cab, which will likely limit the number of vehicles that can be amalgamated.
  • Huge Pickup Truck  /  At 237 inches and 6,964 lbs, the Ram 2500 Crew Cab is nearly twice the weight as the Camry and 45 inches longer. The car shipping price is 50% higher than the Camry, probably should be even greater, but it is still possible to fit it and nine other vehicles. But just barely.
  • Enormous Pickup Truck  /  At 259 inches and 8,017 lbs, the Ram 3500 Crew Cab has almost certainly taken two spots on the carrier trailer, eliminating the possibility of fitting ten cars, and therefore the customer should pay for two spots. The car transport cost reflects that reality.

What Affects The Cost Of Car Transport Services?

The pricing for car transport services is determined by several factors, such as distance, vehicle type, and preferred delivery options like standard, expedited, or rush service.

In terms of car transport trailer type, choosing open car transport proves to be more cost-effective compared to enclosed car transport. Similarly, shorter distances for shipping cars are more economical than hauling longer distances.

Other factors that can affect the cost of auto shipping include the time of year, and condition of your vehicle, i.e. whether it is operable or not.


Vehicle Shipping Costs: The Bottom Line

In order, here are the car transport cost biggest factors:

Route Distance

How far your vehicle ships is the top car transport price factor.

Enclosed Transport vs. Open Transport

Shipping your vehicle enclosed over open is the second biggest car shipping rate factor.

Vehicle Length

As the length of your vehicle stretches over 200 inches and longer, you can expect the auto transport cost to increase anywhere from a little to double.

Vehicle Weight

The truck must get through the highway weight scales. There is a limit. As the weight of your vehicle increases over 4,000 lbs and heavier, you can expect the auto shipping rate to increase anywhere from a little to double.

Operational Condition

Wrestling a non-running vehicle on and off an auto transport trailer is no easy task, especially without a wench. The hassle will likely cost you anywhere from $150 to $300 more than a properly running vehicle that also brakes and steers.

Seasonality

The time of year that you are shipping your car will likely affect the vehicle transport price. 

Car Transport Cost: FAQ

  • Should You Ship Your Car Open or Enclosed?

    About 97% of all vehicle shipments are shipped on an Open Trailer. It’s proven to be a very safe method with statistically very few problems. You may notice new cars being delivered to dealerships in an open trailer, and that’s because it’s safe. If you have a collector car or really expensive automobile, say around $75,000 or more, then we recommend shipping it in an Enclosed Trailer. Expect to pay about 33-50% more for an Enclosed transport. Our auto shipping costs calculator automatically adds the extra enclosed car transport estimate to your quote, so you can experiment with the quotes if you like.
  • How Long Will It Take To Pick Up My Vehicle?

    Over 90% of our orders ship inside of one week. That could be anywhere from 1 to 7 days. Most of the U.S. population lives in a major metropolitan area and is shipping to another well populated area, and that makes a big difference. Cars usually ship in a very regular manner, almost half within just a few days.

    If either your origination or destination locations are away from population centers, in other words, in a remote area, then you might consider meeting a driver in a nearby big city or town to increase your chances of shipping timely. Or adding money to the carrier fee may entice a carrier. Remember, anyone you choose can serve as your point of contact, which takes the stress out of shipping your vehicle.

  • How Do I Prepare My Vehicle For Shipment?

    Clean out your vehicle of all loose items as much as possible. Leave nothing of value in the vehicle. It’s very rare that any items are stolen during transport, but we recommend extra caution to prevent loss.

    Keep extra items as previously discussed to a minimum and place in the trunk or out of sight. Have only about a quarter tank of gasoline. Give the auto transport carrier a set of keys and advise them of any special instructions for your vehicle, like difficulty starting, steering, braking, etc.

    Driver Consideration: Being a truck driver can be a thankless job. They work long hours and are away from their families for weeks at a time. Please be friendly and considerate to our drivers, and they will treat you in the same manner.

  • How Are Car Shipping Quotes Calculated?

    The first factor used to calculate car shipping cost is the transport distance. Next are the length, height and weight of the vehicle, followed by running condition and type of trailer (Open or Enclosed). Finally, seasonal fluctuations may impact the overall cost.

  • Non-Running Vehicles Cost More

    Maneuvering non-operational vehicles on and off a car transport trailer is a big challenge. Car shipping companies much prefer operational (running) vehicles because it gives them an easier option to reposition their entire load. Non-running vehicles take considerably more time to get on and off the trailer. So the car shipping quote must reflect the higher cost. Many auto transporters don’t have a winch and cannot accommodate non-running vehicles. That is one reason it takes longer on average to ship non-operational vehicles. Fewer do it. If at all possible, fixing your vehicle before trying to ship it will save on the non-running car transport cost, and make the process go faster.

  • How Long Does It Take To Deliver My Vehicle?

    Delivering is final step in the process, and also the simplest part. Once your vehicle has been assigned and picked up, not too much can go wrong. Once the vehicle is picked up, you can estimate that it will take roughly 1 day of transit time for every 500 miles distance. Delivery Time Estimate Guide 100-500 miles takes 1 or 2 days 500-1000 miles takes 2 or 3 days 1000-1500 miles takes 3 or 4 days 1500-2000 miles takes 4 or 5 days 2000-2500 miles takes 5 or 6 days 2500-3000 miles takes 6 or 7 days Depending on the distance, weather conditions and population centers it could be a few days or weeks until a vehicle reaches its destination. The carriers usually estimate about 10 days on coast to coast trips, but they frequently arrive earlier.

  • Can I Put Stuff In My Car When I Ship It?

    Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it’s rarely enforced. However, the drivers do estimate the weight of each vehicle that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. So they must keep the personal items to a minimum. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, but some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage.

Related Articles

  • Open vs Enclosed Car Transport Service

    Read more

Continue reading