Car shipping services,
matched to your vehicle.

01 / MATCH THE VEHICLE

Which car shipping service should I choose?

Start with open transport for an everyday vehicle; consider enclosed transport when protection from weather and road exposure matters more. Vehicle condition, ground clearance, size, and the route can change the equipment needed. A car that starts but cannot steer or brake should not be described simply as “running.”

SHIP SMARTER

Open transport for cars, SUVs, and pickups

Open car shipping is a practical option when you want your vehicle transported without driving it yourself. The vehicle travels on an open carrier rather than inside a covered trailer. It is not protected from rain, dust, or road exposure.

Give the full make, model, and year. A compact sedan, a long-bed pickup, and a large SUV take up different space. Include aftermarket tires, a lift kit, a roof rack, or other changes that affect dimensions.

Example: For a standard sedan going from Dallas to Atlanta, start with the route and preferred pickup window. If it has a roof cargo box or mechanical problem, disclose that before equipment is discussed.

SHIP SMARTER

Enclosed transport for classics, luxury cars, and low-clearance vehicles

A covered trailer adds shelter. That can matter for a restored classic, a collectible, or a vehicle whose owner wants less exposure during a long move. Enclosed transport does not mean damage is impossible or that every trailer is suitable for every car.

Tell us the ground clearance and any modifications. A lowered sports car may need a different loading approach from an unmodified SUV. Ask about loading equipment, securing methods, the transporting company’s cargo coverage, and the written terms for your shipment.

Compare options for the same route and dates. Do not assume an enclosed quote includes a fixed pickup date, faster transit, or a particular insurance limit.

SHIP SMARTER

Can you ship a car that does not run?

You can request non-running vehicle shipping, but the exact condition determines whether suitable transport can be arranged. Tell us whether the vehicle starts, moves under its own power, rolls freely, steers, and brakes. Mention locked wheels, missing keys, leaks, collision damage, or parts hanging below the vehicle.

A car with a dead battery is a different loading problem from a vehicle with a seized wheel. A winch is not a solution to every condition. Provide dimensions and describe where the vehicle sits: on a level driveway, in a garage, in an auction yard, or somewhere with limited access. Never attempt unsafe recovery just to make the pickup possible.

SHIP SMARTER

Motorcycles, RVs, boats, oversized vehicles, and electric cars

These are specialized requests. Include dimensions, approximate weight if known, operational condition, and accessories. For a boat, explain whether it is on a roadworthy trailer. For an RV, provide length, height, and whether it is drivable or towable. For a motorcycle, tell us about fairings, luggage, and whether it rolls.

For an electric vehicle, identify the exact model, battery condition, and any damage or warning messages. Follow the assigned transport provider’s charging and shipping instructions. Hawaii ocean-carrier acceptance is especially important: do not assume the rules for a gasoline car apply to an EV or plug-in hybrid.

We review requests for these vehicle types, but equipment and route availability must be confirmed. The form is not an acceptance guarantee.

SHIP SMARTER

Does door-to-door mean pickup at my driveway?

Only where the truck can legally and safely reach and load the vehicle. Narrow streets, low branches, steep grades, parking restrictions, gated entries, or an apartment complex’s rules can require a nearby meeting point. Discuss an accessible location with the driver or service contact; do not choose a highway shoulder.

For a Manhattan pickup or a condo in Miami Beach, the useful detail is the actual street and access—not just “New York” or “Miami.” Hawaii may also involve terminal handoff, so clarify which legs of the shipment include road transport.

SHIP SMARTER

Shipping for a move, a purchase, or a seasonal stay

For an out-of-state purchase, confirm the seller has released the vehicle and will be available at pickup. An auction may need a release number, appointment, or specific collection deadline. Ask about storage charges before the release date passes.

For seasonal travel between New York and Florida, share both your departure date and when someone can receive the car. For a student move or military relocation, disclose campus access, base access, and any fixed reporting date. We do not publish unverified military discounts or guaranteed expedited service.

See the shipment process and compare the details that affect a quote.

I need to ship a vehicle—what should I decide first?

Start with the actual vehicle, its condition, the route, and the dates you can work with. Then choose the transport and handoff requirements. “Door-to-door,” “enclosed,” and “snowbird” describe different aspects of a shipment; one request can involve all three. You do not need to know the trailer specification to ask for advice, but accurate details help identify the options.

For an ordinary sedan moving from Dallas to Atlanta, consider whether open travel meets your needs and whether both handoffs are accessible. A low-clearance collectible from Scottsdale to Naples adds loading and protection questions. An EV bound for Honolulu needs an ocean acceptance check as well as a mainland plan. These are examples, not fixed routes or completed jobs.

Which service page answers my situation?

If protection is the concern, compare open and enclosed transport. If access is the concern, read door-to-door shipping. If it cannot move safely, read inoperable transport and describe the problem.

If the deadline is the concern, use the expedited guide. For a campus move, assignment, PCS, or seasonal stay, the customer-specific guides explain receiving contacts and date dependencies. For a yacht, RV, oversized unit, or freight, the specialist pages explain the measurements and handling scope needed before availability can be assessed.

What makes a route quote useful instead of just a low headline price?

A useful quote describes the same job you actually need. Confirm pickup and delivery locations, vehicle configuration, condition, transport method, ready date, and receiving availability. Ask what is estimated, what is confirmed, and which extra requirements are included. Compare the transporting company’s coverage, payment, change, and cancellation terms.

An open-car estimate to a city ZIP code should not be compared directly with enclosed delivery to a restricted address or with a Hawaii shipment that includes road and ocean legs. The cost guide helps you compare the scope, rather than interpreting the lowest total as the best fit.

What if I do not know my final address, dates, or vehicle condition yet?

Say what is known and identify what is still undecided. A planning inquiry is useful, but a booking needs sufficiently clear requirements. Use the current ZIP codes, likely date window, and known vehicle details, then flag any uncertainty. Do not guess that a car runs or that a truck can reach the property.

The callback can clarify those details and what still needs checking. If your apartment, seller release, or travel plans change later, update the request before booking. If already booked, contact the provider promptly and review the change terms. An inquiry is not a price lock, reserved truck, or acceptance guarantee.

What happens after I submit the form?

The form requests contact; it does not take payment or confirm a shipment. We call to clarify the route, vehicle or cargo, dates, and requirements before discussing available arrangements and the quote. For specialized or overseas requests, the scope and suitability must be reviewed before a booking can be confirmed.

Provide a reachable contact and a preferred callback time with your time zone. Use notes for the real obstacle: a narrow Brooklyn street, auction release hours, a locked wheel, or a flight before pickup. Do not send payment information or sensitive documents. Once a plan is proposed, review the written shipment terms rather than relying on a service name alone.