Auto transport: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What auto transport is

An auto transport company moves a vehicle between locations on a carrier truck or an enclosed trailer, picking it up and delivering it to the address you choose. You need it when a car must travel a long distance, when you are moving away, or when you cannot drive the car yourself.

Signs you need it

  • You are moving to another city or state and do not want to drive the car
  • You bought a vehicle from a seller far away and need it delivered
  • The car cannot be driven because of a breakdown or a long distance
  • You want a collector car or a valuable car moved in an enclosed trailer
  • You are shipping a car for a family member or a business

What the pro does

  • Confirms the pickup and delivery addresses, the dates and the vehicle details
  • Assigns a carrier truck or enclosed trailer that fits the vehicle
  • Inspects the car at pickup and records its condition with photos
  • Loads and secures the car on the carrier, then moves it on the agreed route
  • Delivers the car, inspects it at drop off and records any change in condition

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The distance between the pickup and the delivery addresses
  • The type of carrier, open or enclosed
  • The size and weight of the vehicle, and whether it runs and rolls
  • The season and the route, since some periods are busier
  • Whether the delivery needs a specific date or an open window
  • Whether the car needs special handling, such as a lift or a winch

What a written quote should spell out

  • The pickup and delivery addresses and the date window
  • The carrier type, open or enclosed
  • Whether the car runs and rolls, and how it is loaded
  • The insurance coverage and the company's responsibility
  • The deposit and the balance due at delivery, and the cancellation terms

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the carrier registered and insured for interstate or commercial cargo transport?
  • What insurance covers the car during transport, and what does it not cover?
  • Is my car going on an open or enclosed carrier?
  • How is the car inspected at pickup and delivery?
  • What is the delivery window, and what happens if it is missed?
  • Do you take a deposit, and how is the balance paid?

Red flags

  • Quotes a very low price and asks for a large deposit up front
  • Will not show registration, insurance or a carrier's authority
  • Refuses to put the insurance coverage in writing
  • Says the delivery date is certain when it depends on the route and the load

What you can do yourself

Remove personal items, aside from the spare tire and jack if they are standard, and take photos of the car from all sides with any existing damage noted. Ask the company how much fuel to leave in the tank, since many carriers want it low, and tell them if the car does not run or roll. Ask for the insurance and inspection terms in writing before you hand over the keys.

Licenses and permits

Commercial cargo transport commonly needs state or federal registration and insurance, and a company moving vehicles for pay across state lines commonly needs federal registration. Check with the state or federal authority that oversees motor carriers, and ask the company to show its registration and insurance.

Auto transport questions

Is an open carrier safe for my car?

Open carriers are common and widely used. An enclosed carrier offers more protection from weather and road debris, and the choice depends on the car and your budget.

What if the car is damaged during transport?

Report the damage at delivery, note it on the inspection report, and follow the claim process in the company's insurance terms.

Can I ship personal items in the car?

Ask the company. Many carriers limit personal items, and the insurance may not cover them.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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