When you need to transport a vehicle across the country, one of the first questions you’ll likely ask is: How long does it take to ship a car? Whether you’re moving to a new state, buying a car from across the country, or relocating for work, understanding the typical time frames for cross-country car transport can help you plan your move more effectively.
In this article, we’ll explore the factors that influence car shipping time, give you an idea of what to expect for your specific situation, and offer tips to ensure your vehicle arrives as quickly as possible.
- Average Time to Ship a Car Cross-Country
On average, it takes 7 to 10 days to ship a car cross-country. This timeframe covers standard coast-to-coast shipments across the U.S., such as from California to New York or Florida to Washington. However, this is just an estimate. The exact car shipping time can vary based on several factors, including the distance, route, and type of shipping service you choose.
For shorter cross-country routes, such as from Texas to Florida or New York to Illinois, the transport time could be slightly less, ranging from 4 to 7 days.
- Factors That Affect Car Shipping Time
Several factors influence how long it takes to ship a car cross-country. Understanding these factors can help you better estimate the total time for your specific shipment.
- Distance
The most obvious factor is the distance between the pick-up and delivery locations. The farther the distance, the longer the transport time. Shipping a car from the East Coast to the West Coast or vice versa typically takes 7 to 10 days, while shipping within the same region (such as East Coast to Midwest) could take between 4 to 7 days.
- Type of Transport (Open vs. Enclosed)
The type of transport method you choose—open car shipping or enclosed car shipping—can also affect the cross-country car transport time. Open carriers, which are more common and carry multiple vehicles at once, tend to be faster because they’re widely available and follow regular routes. Enclosed carriers, which provide extra protection, may take longer since they carry fewer cars and may need to make more stops along the way.
- Open transport is typically the faster option, and it’s more widely available.
- Enclosed transport may take longer due to the specialized nature of the service and fewer vehicles on the road.
- Pick-Up and Delivery Locations
Your pick-up and delivery locations also play a significant role in the shipping time. If your vehicle is being picked up or delivered in a major metropolitan area, the process is typically faster because transport companies have more frequent routes to and from these locations. However, if you’re shipping your car to or from a rural or remote area, the carrier may have to go off their main route, which can add extra time to the shipping process.
- Urban areas: Faster pick-up and delivery due to frequent routes.
- Rural areas: Slower shipping times due to limited accessibility and fewer available routes.
- Time of Year
The time of year also affects car shipping time. The summer months (May through September) and major holiday seasons tend to be busier for auto transport companies due to higher demand for moving and vehicle shipping services. During these peak times, you may experience delays in both pick-up and delivery, extending the overall transport time.
In contrast, shipping during the off-peak season (fall and winter) may result in faster shipping times due to reduced demand. However, winter weather conditions, such as snowstorms or icy roads, can occasionally cause delays.
- Peak season (summer and holidays): Longer wait times and potential delays due to high demand.
- Off-peak season (fall and winter): Faster shipping times, but potential weather-related delays.
- Carrier Schedules and Routes
The carrier’s schedule and route availability can also impact how long it takes to ship a car. Transport companies typically operate on fixed routes, picking up and dropping off multiple vehicles along the way. The more vehicles they need to pick up or deliver, the longer the overall transport time may be.
If you’re shipping your car along a busy, well-traveled route, your vehicle may be picked up and delivered more quickly because the carrier has a full load and doesn’t need to make as many detours. However, if the route is less common, the carrier may need to wait to fill their trailer, which could delay your shipment.
- Popular routes: Faster shipping due to frequent trips and more carriers available.
- Less common routes: Slower shipping if the carrier needs to fill their trailer or make additional stops.
- Expedited Shipping Options
If you’re working with a tight deadline or need your vehicle to arrive as quickly as possible, many auto transport companies offer expedited shipping or guaranteed pick-up services. These services prioritize your vehicle over others, ensuring faster pick-up and delivery times.
- Expedited shipping: Your car is picked up and delivered as quickly as possible, often within a guaranteed timeframe.
- Guaranteed pick-up: The transport company guarantees a specific pick-up date, usually within 24 to 48 hours of booking.
While these services are convenient, it’s important to note that they come at a premium. Expedited shipping can increase the overall cost by 20% to 50%, depending on how quickly you need your car transported.
- What You Can Do to Speed Up the Process
While some factors affecting shipping time are beyond your control, there are a few things you can do to help speed up the process:
- Book early: Plan your shipment well in advance to give yourself more flexibility in choosing a pick-up date and carrier. Booking early also increases your chances of securing a faster transport option.
- Be flexible with your dates: If you’re flexible with your pick-up and delivery dates, you may be able to find a carrier more quickly, resulting in faster transport times.
- Choose door-to-door service: If you opt for door-to-door car shipping, the carrier will pick up and deliver your vehicle directly to your locations, which can save time compared to terminal-to-terminal shipping, where you drop off and pick up your car from a transport terminal.
In general, it takes 7 to 10 days to ship a car across the country, though the exact timeframe can vary based on factors such as distance, transport method, location, time of year, and carrier availability. By understanding these factors and planning ahead, you can better estimate the cross-country car transport time and ensure a smooth shipping experience.
If time is of the essence, consider opting for expedited shipping or guaranteed pick-up services to speed up the process. Ultimately, being informed and prepared will help ensure your car arrives at its destination as quickly and safely as possible. Search for insurance that is right for your needs.
