Online car buying has grown into a normal way to purchase a vehicle. Buying across the country is fine. Buying from a private seller three states away is fine. Buying at auction without seeing the car in person is increasingly common. The part people figure out after the transaction clears is how to actually get the car home.
Here’s how the shipping process works, and what to do to make sure it goes smoothly.
How car shipping works when you’re not at pickup
The fundamental difference between shipping a car you bought online versus one you’re moving locally: you’re probably not going to be present when the carrier loads it. A private seller, a dealer, or an auction lot is handing your vehicle to the driver. That changes the inspection process — and makes documentation more important.
Before pickup, either request photos of the vehicle from whoever is releasing it, or arrange an independent pre-purchase inspection that documents condition. The driver and the release contact will complete a Bill of Lading — an inspection report that notes the vehicle’s condition before loading. Whatever’s on that form is your baseline for any damage claim at delivery.
You won’t be there to flag a chip that gets missed. The better your pre-shipment documentation, the better position you’re in if something comes up.
Private seller, dealer, or auction: the logistics differ
- Online dealers (Carvana, Vroom, CarMax, and similar platforms) often handle their own logistics. Before you book a separate carrier, check whether delivery is included or available through the dealer. If it is, compare that cost and timeline against an independent carrier.
- Private sellers require the most coordination. The seller may not have worked with a car carrier before, may have a schedule that limits when the carrier can come, and may be at a residential address that creates access complications for a large commercial truck. Give the carrier the seller’s direct phone number and confirm they’re aligned on timing before you book.
- Auction purchases from platforms like Copart, IAAI, or Manheim come with specific release procedures. Most auction lots require payment confirmation and title documentation before releasing a vehicle to a carrier. They also charge storage fees that start accruing after a grace period — often just a few business days. Book a carrier as soon as your payment clears.
Timing: how long does it take?
After booking, most carriers dispatch a driver within 1 to 5 business days. Transit time depends on the route: a few days for regional moves, 7 to 10 days for coast-to-coast.
If the seller has a deadline or the auction lot has a storage fee clock running, time that against the dispatch and transit window before you commit. A cross-country move booked the same day you win an auction is cutting it close.
What to inspect at delivery
At delivery, inspect the vehicle against your pre-shipment photos before signing anything. Note every difference on the delivery report — new scratches, chips, dents — before the driver leaves. This is not the time to be quick about it. Signing a clean delivery report significantly limits your options if you notice damage an hour later.
What the shipping actually costs
Costs vary by distance, vehicle size, and transport type:
- Under 500 miles: $400 to $700
- 500 to 1,500 miles: $700 to $1,100
- Cross-country (2,000+ miles): $900 to $1,400
Enclosed transport — relevant for high-value vehicles, classics, or anything you wouldn’t want exposed to weather and road debris — runs $300 to $700 more on most routes.
How to find a reliable company
Quotes for the same route from different companies can vary by $200 to $400. The lowest quote isn’t always the best outcome: some companies lowball to win the booking and adjust pricing later, or dispatch slower because they prioritize carriers willing to work at a lower rate.
Look for companies with transparent upfront pricing, no deposit required at booking, and an in-house team actively managing the dispatch rather than simply posting your vehicle to a shared marketplace and waiting.
RoadRunner Auto Transport has been shipping vehicles for 30 years and requires no deposit at booking — you pay only when a carrier is confirmed. Instant quotes are available at roadrunnerautotransport.com.
If you want a broader look at how the top car shipping companies compare before you decide, TopCarShippers.com publishes independent side-by-side rankings.