Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping Your Vehicle

Start by filling out the quote form on this pagefilling out the quote form on this page or calling 1‑800‑590‑6492. Quotes are free, and you're under no obligation to book. Have the vehicle's year, make, and model handy, along with the pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the date you'd like it picked up, and whether it runs. Your request is shared with up to ten auto transport companies, and each one contacts you directly with its price. To get a feel for typical prices first, see our auto transport rates page.

No. SouthWest Auto Transport is a quote-matching service. It doesn't own trucks, set prices, schedule pickups, or collect payments. Your quote request goes to up to ten auto transport companies, which may be carriers or brokers. Each one quotes its own price, and you book directly with the company you choose. From then on, that company handles your shipment, your payment, and any questions about either.

A carrier owns the trucks and has the drivers who actually haul your car. A broker doesn't haul cars itself. It takes your order, finds a carrier already running your route, and coordinates the shipment. Most car shipments in the U.S. are arranged through brokers, because a broker can offer your car to many carriers instead of waiting for one company's truck to come through your area. Both have to be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and brokers must also keep a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund on file.

Your request goes out to up to ten auto transport companies, so you'll likely hear from several of them by phone, text, or email soon after you submit it. That's normal, and it works in your favor. Lining up a few quotes side by side is the fastest way to see what your route really costs right now. Once you've booked with one company, let the others know so they stop following up.

For a standard sedan on an open carrier, most quotes land somewhere between about $450 and $2,000. Short trips of a few hundred miles cost the most per mile, around $2, but the total stays low. A move of 1,000 to 1,500 miles commonly runs $950 to $1,300. Coast-to-coast shipments usually come in between about $1,350 and $1,900, or roughly 55 cents a mile, and can run higher in busy season. SUVs, pickups, enclosed transport, and non-running vehicles all cost more. Prices move with fuel costs and demand, so treat these as ballpark figures and see our auto transport rates page for more detail.

Distance matters most, but it's far from the only thing. Price also depends on the vehicle's size and weight, whether it runs, and whether you choose open or enclosed transport. Route matters too. A car going between two big cities on a major interstate usually costs less than one headed to a small town far off the highway, because more trucks already travel that way. Fuel prices, the time of year, and how flexible you are on dates also play a part. Summer and the snowbird season, when retirees send cars south in the fall and back north in the spring, are usually the busiest and most expensive times.

Carriers choose which cars to haul based on what each load pays. If a quote is well below what other companies are charging, there's a real chance no carrier will take your car at that price. It sits waiting for pickup, and you may be asked to pay more later to get it moving. When one quote is far under the rest, ask that company whether the price is guaranteed and what happens if no carrier accepts it.

Transport companies charge extra for vehicles bigger or heavier than a standard sedan, such as full-size SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and lifted or dually trucks. A large vehicle can take up the space of more than one car on the trailer and adds weight, so the carrier can haul fewer vehicles on that trip. How much extra depends on the vehicle and the company.

Yes, usually about 25% to 50% more for the same route, and the gap grows on longer trips. An open carrier, the two-level trailer you see on the highway, typically hauls 7 to 10 cars at once. An enclosed trailer holds fewer and keeps the vehicle out of the weather, road grime, and flying debris. Most everyday cars ship open without any trouble. Enclosed transport is the usual pick for classic, exotic, luxury, and show cars.

Try to book 2 to 3 weeks before you need the car picked up, and earlier than that in summer or around the holidays. That gives the transport company time to find a carrier at a fair price. Last-minute shipments can be arranged, but they usually cost more.

Most transport companies offer expedited pickup for an extra fee. The higher price makes your car more attractive to carriers, so it usually gets picked up within a day or two instead of waiting out a normal pickup window. It won't make the truck drive any faster once your car is on board.

There are two parts to it: waiting for pickup and time on the road. Most companies give you a pickup window of 1 to 5 business days. Once the car is loaded, drivers typically cover about 400 to 500 miles a day. That works out to roughly 1 to 3 days for trips under 500 miles, about 3 to 6 days for 500 to 1,500 miles, and around 7 to 10 days coast to coast. Weather, other pickups and drop-offs along the way, and federal limits on driver hours can stretch those times. Our guide to how long it takes to ship a car breaks it down by distance.

Not usually. Standard pickup and delivery dates are estimates, since weather, traffic, breakdowns, and the carrier's other stops can all cause delays. The transport company or driver should let you know if the schedule changes. Some companies sell guaranteed pickup dates for an added fee. If you need one, ask for it when you book and get the terms in writing.

You can ask for one, but most companies schedule a pickup window rather than an exact day. The more flexible you are, the easier it is to find a carrier, and the better the price tends to be. If you need a set date, tell each company when they quote you.

Usually by phone. Get the driver's name and number at pickup, and keep the transport company's number handy too. Some carriers also offer GPS tracking or text updates, so ask about it before you book if it matters to you.

Most transport companies offer door-to-door service, which means the driver gets as close to your address as is legal and safe. Full-size car carriers are long and heavy, and some neighborhoods ban them or have narrow streets, low trees, or tight turns. In that case you may be asked to meet the driver at a nearby open spot, like a store parking lot. Some companies also offer terminal service, where you drop off or pick up the car at a storage lot.

You or an adult you trust needs to be there both times. At pickup, you and the driver walk around the car together, note any existing damage on the Bill of Lading, and both sign it. At delivery, you do the same walk-around before signing, so any new damage gets written down while the driver is still there.

The Bill of Lading, or BOL, is the inspection report and receipt for your shipment. It records the car's condition at pickup, the pickup and delivery addresses, and the shipment details. At delivery, any damage you find should be written on the BOL before you sign it. If it isn't noted there, an insurance claim is much harder to win. Keep your copy until everything is settled.

Yes. If you can't be there, a friend, relative, or coworker can stand in for you. Let the transport company know who it will be, and make sure that person is ready to inspect the car with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading.

Usually just a set of keys, including any for the gas cap, trunk, or wheel locks. For most shipments within the lower 48 states you don't have to hand over the title or registration, although some carriers ask to see them. Shipments to Hawaii, Alaska, or outside the U.S., and cars bought at auction, often need extra paperwork, so ask the transport company what it requires.

Leave about a quarter tank of gas or less. Take out personal items, loose parts, and anything mounted on the outside, like bike racks. Wash the car so scratches and dents are easy to spot, then take dated photos of every side, the roof, and the odometer. Check the battery, tires, and fluid levels, and fix any leaks, since some carriers won't load a car that's dripping. If it's headed somewhere cold, make sure the antifreeze is good for winter. Our guide to preparing your vehicle for transport goes into more detail.

Many carriers allow up to about 100 pounds of personal items, packed in the trunk or below the window line. Some don't allow any at all. Either way, items left in the car aren't covered by the carrier's cargo insurance, which covers the vehicle only. Check the transport company's policy before you pack anything, and never leave valuables, important papers, or electronics inside.

No. Non-running vehicles can be shipped, but the carrier needs a winch to load and unload them, which adds to the cost. Tell every company the vehicle doesn't run when you ask for quotes. In most cases it still needs to roll, steer, and brake so it can be winched on and tied down. If it can't, ask the transport company before booking, because it may need different equipment.

Yes. Turn off any car alarm and take out or deactivate toll tags and parking passes before pickup. A toll tag left on the windshield can rack up charges as the truck passes through toll plazas, and an alarm going off on the trailer can drain the battery.

Usually, yes, but mention any modifications when you get quotes. A lowered car can scrape on a standard ramp and may need extra ramps or an enclosed trailer with a liftgate. Lift kits and oversized tires can make a vehicle too tall or wide for some spots on a trailer, which can raise the price. The more the transport company knows up front, the fewer surprises on pickup day.

That depends on the company you book with, so get the payment terms in writing before pickup. A common setup is a deposit charged to your card once a carrier is assigned, with the balance paid to the driver at delivery. Drivers usually want that balance in cash, a cashier's check, or a money order, and some take electronic payments. Be cautious about wiring the full amount before a carrier has even been assigned.

Yes, through the carrier. Federal rules require carriers to carry liability insurance, at least $750,000 for most car-hauling trucks. Cargo insurance is what covers damage to your car itself, and legitimate carriers carry it, though the limits and deductibles vary from one carrier to the next. Ask the transport company for the carrier's certificate of insurance before pickup so you know what's covered. Personal items left in the car are not.

Yes. Don't cancel or pause your policy while the car is in transit. The carrier's insurance is the main coverage if your car is damaged on the truck, but your own policy may help with gaps, such as a high carrier deductible or a disputed claim. Call your insurance agent to find out what your policy covers while someone else is hauling the car.

Damage is uncommon, but if it happens, write it on the Bill of Lading before you sign at delivery and take clear photos while the driver is still there. Then contact the transport company right away to start a claim with the carrier's insurance. Many companies set short deadlines for reporting damage, so don't wait. Your before-and-after photos and the signed BOL are your best evidence.

Ask for the company's USDOT number and look it up on the FMCSA's SAFER website, linked below. The record shows whether the company is registered as a carrier, a broker, or both, and whether its operating authority is active. Many companies also list an MC number, which the FMCSA has proposed phasing out in favor of the USDOT number. Beyond that, read recent customer reviews, get every price and policy in writing, and be wary of any quote far below the others.