How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car?

Quick Answer

1–2 weeks is the typical domestic car shipping timeline within the US, while international transport takes 2–6 weeks depending on the destination. Coast-to-coast routes (e.g., New York to Los Angeles) average 7–14 days, and shorter distances of 500 miles or less can be completed in 2–5 days.

Domestic Shipping Time by Distance

Distance	Transit Time	Example Routes
Under 500 miles	2–4 days	Atlanta to Nashville, LA to Phoenix
500–1,000 miles	4–7 days	Chicago to Dallas, Miami to Charlotte
1,000–2,000 miles	6–10 days	New York to Miami, Seattle to Denver
2,000–3,000 miles	7–14 days	New York to Los Angeles, Boston to Seattle
Hawaii	10–21 days	Mainland to Honolulu (ocean freight)
Alaska	10–21 days	Seattle to Anchorage (ocean or overland)

International Shipping Timeline

Destination	Transit Time (Ocean)	Notes
Canada	3–7 days	Overland transport; customs adds 1–2 days
Mexico	5–10 days	Overland; border crossing adds 1–3 days
United Kingdom	14–21 days	Ocean freight from East Coast ports
Western Europe	14–28 days	East Coast ports; add 1 week from West Coast
Australia	28–42 days	Longest ocean route; from West Coast ports
Japan/South Korea	21–35 days	West Coast ports; container or RoRo ship
Middle East (UAE)	21–35 days	East Coast ports

Open vs. Enclosed Transport

Feature	Open Transport	Enclosed Transport
Cost	$700–$1,500 (coast-to-coast)	$1,200–$2,500 (coast-to-coast)
Speed	Standard (no difference)	May be 1–2 days longer (fewer carriers)
Protection	Exposed to weather and road debris	Fully enclosed; protected from elements
Availability	Most common (90% of carriers)	Limited availability; book 2–3 weeks ahead
Best for	Standard vehicles, daily drivers	Luxury, classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles

The Shipping Process Step by Step

Step	Timeline	What Happens
Get quotes and book	1–3 days	Compare 3–5 carriers; confirm dates and price
Carrier assignment	1–7 days	Broker matches your car with an available driver
Vehicle pickup	Scheduled day	Driver inspects and loads the vehicle; you receive a Bill of Lading
Transit	2–14 days	Driver follows the route; you may get tracking updates
Delivery	Scheduled day	Inspect the vehicle upon arrival; note any damage on the Bill of Lading

How to Prepare Your Car for Shipping

• Wash the exterior so you can document existing scratches and dents with photos.
• Remove personal items. Carriers are not liable for belongings inside the car, and extra weight can affect pricing.
• Leave only a quarter tank of gas to reduce weight and shipping cost.
• Disable the alarm to prevent it from going off during transport.
• Check for leaks. Carriers may refuse vehicles that leak fluids.
• Note existing damage. Take timestamped photos of all four sides, the roof, and interior before pickup.
• Provide one set of keys to the driver. Keep a spare.

Factors That Affect Shipping Time

• Season: Summer and January are peak seasons; carrier availability is tighter and transit may take longer.
• Route popularity: Major corridors (I-95, I-10, I-80) have more carriers and faster pickup times. Rural or less-traveled routes may add 2–5 days.
• Pickup flexibility: Offering a wider pickup window (3–5 days) helps carriers fit you into their schedule faster.
• Vehicle condition: Inoperable vehicles require a winch to load and may take longer to schedule.
• Weather: Winter storms, hurricanes, and road closures can cause delays of 1–3 days.

Cost Factors

• Distance is the primary cost driver, followed by vehicle size and transport type.
• Expedited shipping (guaranteed pickup within 24–48 hours) costs 20–40% more.
• Door-to-door service costs slightly more than terminal-to-terminal, but saves you trips to a depot.
• Get at least 3 quotes and be cautious of prices that seem too low – they often result in delayed pickup as the broker struggles to find a driver at that rate.