How to ship a car, start to finish
A plain English walkthrough from getting a quote to handing over the keys at delivery. No jargon, no surprises.
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Shipping a car is simpler than you think
Most people ship a car for the first time when they move for a job, send a kid off to college, buy a vehicle from out of state, or take the family on a long trip and need the car waiting on the other end. The process feels mysterious because the trucking industry uses a lot of inside language, but at the customer level it is straightforward.
You get a quote. You lock the rate with a $99 deposit. A driver shows up at your driveway in a 1 to 3 day pickup window, loads the car onto an open or enclosed trailer, and drives it to the destination. Transit takes a few days to about a week for mainland routes. You pay the balance to the driver on delivery, inspect the car, and you are done.
The two things people get wrong are pickup timing and prep. Pickup is a window, not a clock appointment, because the driver is routing other cars on the same trailer. Prep is mostly about removing valuables and getting the car ready for a loaded inspection. Both are covered below.
The 4 step shipping process
From quote to delivery in plain English.
1. Get a quote
Enter pickup ZIP, delivery ZIP, vehicle, and dates. You get a real number from the live carrier load board in seconds.
2. Lock the rate
$99 deposit holds your carrier and freezes the price. The rest is due to the driver on delivery, cash or card.
3. Pickup
Driver calls 24 hours before pickup. Loads the car at your driveway. Walk around inspection signed at origin.
4. Delivery
Driver calls 24 hours ahead. Inspect the car at delivery, sign off, pay the balance, and you are done.
Pre pickup prep checklist
Do these before the driver shows up and the loading goes smoothly.
- 1Wash the exterior so an honest inspection is possible at pickup and delivery.
- 2Remove all personal items from the interior and the trunk.
- 3Take the car down to a quarter tank of fuel.
- 4Photograph all four sides, the roof, and any existing damage.
- 5Disable toll tags, dash cams, and aftermarket alarms.
- 6Hand the driver one set of keys, keep a spare for yourself.
- 7Top off the battery and check that the parking brake releases cleanly.
- 8Note any leaks or mechanical quirks so the driver can plan for them.
What most people get wrong
Three traps that turn an easy ship into a stressful one.
Treating pickup like an airline flight
Pickup is a 1 to 3 day window, not a 9:15 AM appointment. Drivers route 6 to 10 cars on one trailer, so they call you 24 hours out, not 7 days out.
Chasing the lowest quote
If a quote is hundreds below everyone else, the broker is fishing. No carrier will accept that load, your car sits unassigned, and you end up paying more later. Pay the market rate the first time.
Skipping the inspection
The walkaround inspection at pickup and delivery is your damage protection. Take photos, mark anything pre existing, and never skip the delivery walkaround.
Open transport vs enclosed transport
Most cars ship on an open trailer. Enclosed is for high value or rare cars.
Open transport
- Lower cost, around 30 to 40 percent cheaper than enclosed.
- Faster pickup, 90 percent of trailers on the road are open.
- Standard for daily drivers, family cars, and most SUVs and trucks.
- Vehicle is exposed to weather and road grime during transit.
- Industry standard for new car deliveries from the factory.
Enclosed transport
- Higher cost, premium for the covered trailer.
- Pickup can take a few days longer because there are fewer trucks.
- Recommended for exotics, classics, low clearance, and high value cars.
- Vehicle is fully protected from weather, road debris, and prying eyes.
- Liftgate loading available for very low clearance vehicles.
Pro tips from the dispatchers
Book 5 to 7 days out
Booking a week ahead gives carriers time to plan their routes around your pickup ZIP.
Flexible dates save money
A 3 day window costs less than a same day pickup. If you can flex, tell us.
Driveway pickup is fine
Most pickups happen at the curb in front of your house. Tight cul de sacs may need a nearby parking lot.
Bring cash or a card for the balance
Drivers take cash, certified check, or a card swipe. Personal checks are not accepted.
Keep the receipts
Inspection forms and the BOL (bill of lading) are your proof of condition. Keep them until the car is safely home.
Call the dispatcher, not the driver
If something changes, call Shelly and the team. We can reroute, reschedule, or get answers faster than the driver can.
What customers say
Verified shipments. Real names. Real routes.
“First time shipping a car and I was nervous. Whipshipper walked me through the prep, the driver called the day before, and the price was exactly what they quoted.”
“Got a real quote in seconds. $99 deposit and that was it until the truck rolled up. Smooth shipment.”
“Driver was a pro. Quarter tank, photos at pickup, photos at delivery. Everything matched and the price was locked.”
Frequently asked questions
Ready to ship?
Pick the path that fits how you want to move.
Lock your rate today.
$99 deposit holds the carrier, balance on delivery.