Buying the right car often means buying it in another state. You can drive it home yourself, or pay a company to ship it. This guide explains the options, what affects the cost, and how to avoid the common mistakes and scams.
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Key takeaways
- Open carriers cost less; enclosed carriers protect better and suit valuable or classic cars.
- Price depends on distance, vehicle size, season, the type of carrier and whether the car runs.
- Check the company's registration, insurance and reviews before you pay, and be wary of very low quotes.
- Inspect and photograph the car at pickup and delivery, and sign the condition report only when it is accurate.
In this guide
Should I ship the car or drive it home?
Short answer Driving it home can be cheaper on short trips, but adds mileage, fuel, lodging and breakdown risk. Shipping suits long distances, valuable or classic cars, cars that are not road-legal, and buyers short of time. Finish the paperwork first either way.
Driving it home can be cheaper for short trips, but you add mileage, fuel, lodging and the risk of a breakdown in a car you do not know yet. Shipping makes sense for long distances, for valuable or classic cars, for cars that are not road-legal, and when you cannot take the time. Whichever you choose, finish the paperwork first: see our guide on transferring the title and registering a car.
What are the transport options?
Short answer An open carrier costs less but exposes the car to weather and road debris; an enclosed carrier costs more and suits classic, exotic and high-value cars. Door-to-door delivery is more convenient than terminal-to-terminal, and expedited delivery costs more.
The main choices are:
- Open carrier: the common double-decker truck. It costs less, but the car is exposed to weather and road debris.
- Enclosed carrier: the car travels inside a covered trailer. It costs more and is the usual choice for classic, exotic and high-value cars.
- Door-to-door or terminal: door-to-door delivery is more convenient; terminal-to-terminal can be cheaper but means you collect the car yourself.
- Expedited or standard: faster delivery costs more.
What affects the price?
Short answer Quotes depend on distance and route, vehicle size and weight, open or enclosed transport, delivery speed, the season, whether the car runs, and access to the addresses. Get at least three written quotes and be wary of one far lower than the rest.
There is no single price. Quotes depend on the distance and route, the size and weight of the vehicle, open or enclosed transport, how fast you want delivery, the time of year, whether the car runs, and how easy it is for a truck to reach the pickup and delivery addresses. Get at least three written quotes and compare what each includes, such as insurance and fees. Be suspicious of a quote that is far lower than the others: it may rise later, or the job may never be picked up.
Carrier or broker: how do I check the company?
Short answer Carriers own trucks and brokers arrange the job with a carrier, and both need federal registration for interstate work. Ask for the USDOT and MC numbers, look them up, and read recent reviews. Avoid companies that want a large payment before a carrier is assigned.
Some companies own trucks (carriers), and others arrange the job with a carrier (brokers). Both need federal registration for interstate work. Ask for the company's USDOT and MC numbers and look them up on the federal motor carrier safety database, and read recent customer reviews. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration explains how to check a company and report problems on its Protect Your Move page, which is aimed at household moves but covers the same warning signs.
Avoid companies that ask for a large payment up front before a carrier is assigned, and get everything in writing.
What about insurance?
Short answer Ask for proof of the carrier's cargo insurance, what it covers and the deductible, and check with your own insurer whether your policy covers the car in transit. Do not leave personal items in the car unless the company agrees in writing.
Ask for proof of the carrier's cargo insurance and what it covers, including the deductible. Check with your own insurer too, because your policy may or may not cover the car while it is being transported. Do not leave personal items in the car unless the company agrees in writing, since they are usually not covered.
How do I prepare the car for pickup?
Short answer Wash the car and take dated photos of every side, the roof, wheels, interior and odometer, note existing damage on the inspection report, keep the tank about a quarter full, check the battery and tires, remove toll tags and personal items, and give the driver one set of keys.
Before the truck arrives:
- Wash the car and take dated photos of every side, the roof, the wheels, the interior and the odometer.
- Note any existing damage on the inspection report.
- Keep the fuel tank around a quarter full, and make sure the battery and tires are in good shape.
- Remove toll tags and personal items, and give the driver one set of keys.
- Disable or explain any alarm.
What should I do at pickup and delivery?
Short answer At pickup, walk around the car with the driver and agree the condition report before signing. At delivery, inspect the car in good light and compare it with your photos. Note any new damage on the report before the driver leaves, then contact the company and your insurer.
At pickup, walk around the car with the driver and agree on the condition report (often called the bill of lading) before signing. At delivery, inspect the car carefully, in good light, before you sign. Compare it with your photos. If there is new damage, write it on the report before the driver leaves and take photos, then contact the company and your insurer straight away. Signing a clean report with damage unnoted makes a claim much harder.
Is it safe to pay before I see the car?
Short answer Be careful when you buy a car you cannot see: never pay by wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency, and be wary of a seller who offers to arrange shipping through a company you do not know. Use a verified payment and an independent inspection near the car.
Be careful when you buy a car you cannot see: never pay a seller by wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency, and be wary of any seller who offers to arrange shipping through a company you do not know. A genuine deal can be done with a verified payment and an independent inspection near the car. Our guide on checking a car's history and our guide on buying a used car safely explain the checks to do before any money moves.
Sources and further reading
How this guide was prepared
This guide is written from official and industry sources, which are listed above, and checked against how Motor Mania Club works. We aim to review our guides every few months and change the date when something is updated.
This guide gives general information and is not legal, financial or mechanical advice. Rules differ by state, so check your state agency for the exact requirements.
About the author
Elie Haddad, Founder, Smart Net 360 and Motor Mania Club. Elie Haddad is the founder of Smart Net 360 and of Motor Mania Club, the US automotive marketplace and directory that connects dealers, parts suppliers, garages and car enthusiasts. 15 years in business management and a car enthusiast.
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