Car shipping questions.
Practical answers first.

How much does car shipping cost?

There is no single Highroad price for every shipment. The route, vehicle, condition, trailer type, and pickup window are needed to discuss pricing.

Compare the same service and dates, and ask what each figure includes. See the quote comparison guide.

Does requesting a quote book my shipment?

No. The form requests a callback. It does not reserve equipment, take payment, confirm a price, or create a shipment booking.

Can I get a quote while I am still planning?

Yes. Choose “Still planning” and explain the likely route and dates. Choose “Help me decide” if you are unsure about open or enclosed transport.

Let us know which details may change, such as a seller’s release date or the destination ZIP code.

Do I pay a deposit on the Highroad website?

No. The inquiry form takes no online payment. Any deposit, payment schedule, or cancellation terms must be discussed as part of the actual booking.

Do not submit card or banking details in the notes field.

What could change a shipping quote?

A different route, vehicle, condition, service type, pickup window, or access requirement can change the request and its pricing.

Tell us before booking if the car no longer starts, has oversized tires, or cannot be collected from the original address.

How long does it take to ship a car?

There is no one transit time that applies to every route. Ask for a pickup window and a separate delivery estimate for your vehicle and locations.

Distance, available capacity, other stops, road conditions, and weather can affect mainland timing. Hawaii also involves terminal receiving and vessel scheduling.

Can you guarantee a specific pickup or delivery date?

A date entered in the form is a preference, not a guarantee. Any date commitment needs explicit confirmation in the shipment terms.

Share the earliest pickup date, latest workable date, and any day when nobody can receive the vehicle.

How far in advance should I request shipping?

Start when you know your likely route and moving window. If your move is weeks away, you can still request a conversation; if pickup is urgent, explain the deadline.

Requesting early does not itself reserve transport. Confirm the booking status before making plans that depend on the shipment.

What if the car is not ready at the dealership or auction?

Confirm release paperwork, pickup hours, and collection requirements before scheduling. Tell us if release is pending or a storage deadline applies.

An auction may require its own appointment or release number. A transport request does not authorize the seller to release the car.

What if delivery is delayed?

Contact the shipment service contact listed in your booking information for an updated estimate and instructions.

Keep the receiving person informed. If you need to change the address or recipient, discuss the change before redirecting delivery.

Should I choose open or enclosed car transport?

Open transport uses an exposed trailer; enclosed transport adds shelter from weather and road exposure. Your vehicle, protection preferences, ground clearance, and available equipment should guide the choice.

Enclosure does not guarantee damage-free transport or faster delivery. See the service comparison.

Can you ship a non-running car?

You can request non-running transport, but suitable equipment must be confirmed for the actual condition. Tell us whether the car rolls, steers, brakes, and has usable keys.

Locked wheels, missing keys, damage, or restricted access can change what loading equipment is needed.

My car starts but cannot drive. Is it a running vehicle?

Describe the limitation rather than simply marking it as running. Starting, moving under its own power, steering, and braking are different abilities.

Use the notes field to explain the issue, including a transmission problem, flat tire, or steering restriction.

Can I ship a lowered or modified car?

Request a suitability check and provide ground clearance, dimensions, and modifications. The trailer and loading approach need to fit the vehicle.

Mention a lift kit, oversized tires, roof rack, aftermarket bodywork, or other changes that affect clearance or size.

Do you accept motorcycles, RVs, boats, or oversized vehicles?

We accept specialized shipping requests, with equipment and route suitability confirmed before arrangements are agreed.

Provide dimensions, condition, and whether the unit is drivable, towable, or on a trailer. A standard car quote is not an acceptance guarantee.

Can I ship an electric vehicle?

You can request an EV shipment, but acceptance and preparation must be confirmed for the transport provider and route.

Identify the exact model, condition, and any battery damage or warning messages. Hawaii ocean-carrier restrictions can differ substantially.

Will the truck pick up at my driveway?

Only if the location can be legally and safely reached and used for loading. Otherwise, an accessible nearby handoff may be needed.

Describe narrow streets, low branches, gates, steep approaches, and parking restrictions. Never choose a highway shoulder as a meeting point.

Can I leave personal belongings in the car?

Remove valuables and loose belongings. Do not assume other items are accepted; get the assigned carrier’s written instructions before leaving anything inside.

Ocean shipments have their own rules. Items inside the car may not have the same coverage as the vehicle.

How much fuel should I leave in the tank?

Follow the assigned transport provider’s written preparation instructions. Ocean shipments may set specific fuel limits, so confirm the instructions for your actual booking.

For EVs, confirm required battery charge and shipping-mode settings instead of applying gasoline-car instructions.

Do I need to be present at pickup and delivery?

An authorized person needs to handle the vehicle handoff and documentation. If you cannot attend, arrange an approved representative ahead of time.

For a seller, dealership, or terminal, confirm who can release or receive the vehicle and what identification or authorization is needed.

How do I document the car’s condition?

Photograph the vehicle before pickup and review the condition record at both pickup and delivery. Note existing damage clearly and keep copies of the transport documents.

At delivery, compare the vehicle with the pickup record and raise any discrepancy promptly through the provider’s documented process.

Is my vehicle insured while shipping?

Ask for the transporting company’s applicable cargo coverage and review the limits, exclusions, and claim process for your shipment.

A general “insured” phrase does not answer what is covered in your specific circumstances. Do not assume personal belongings or every kind of damage is included.

What should I do if I notice damage at delivery?

Document the concern with clear photos, note it on the delivery paperwork, and contact the transportation provider promptly.

Follow the contract and coverage requirements. Keep your pickup photos and condition record available; deadlines depend on the applicable terms.

Which states do you serve?

We accept shipping requests throughout the contiguous 48 states and Hawaii. Alaska is not currently served.

Specific equipment, access, route, and scheduling availability are confirmed for the request.

Is Hawaii shipping door-to-door?

Not automatically. A Hawaii request includes an ocean leg and may require terminal handoff; clarify which mainland or island road legs are included.

Give the destination island and ask how drop-off and collection work. See the Hawaii planning guide.

Can every electric car or plug-in hybrid ship to Hawaii?

No universal acceptance rule applies. Ocean carriers have different restrictions, and current acceptance must be checked for the exact vehicle and booking.

Do not assume a mainland transport option guarantees an ocean option. Our Hawaii EV section links to current carrier guidance.

What documents are needed for Hawaii shipping?

The required documents depend on direction of travel, ownership, financing or leasing, who drops off or collects the vehicle, and the ocean carrier.

Confirm the booking checklist before terminal delivery. Do not upload sensitive documents into the general quote form.