COST OF SHIPPING VARIES DEPENDING ON MANY FACTORS:
-DISTANCE
-TIME OF YEAR
-TYPE AND SIZE OF VEHICLE (IF THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING OR NOT)
-TYPE OF CARRIER (OPEN OR ENCLOSED)
-LOCATION
-HOW FAST YOU WANT YOUR VEHICLE TO BE SHIPPED
-ETC.

WHEN COMPARING PRICE, BE SURE THAT YOU’RE COMPARING THE SAME SERVICE (DOOR-TO-DOOR VS. TERMINAL-TO-TERMINAL OR OPEN VS. ENCLOSED FOR EXAMPLE). SOME COMPANIES TRY TO “BAIT AND SWITCH” YOU WITH A LOW QUOTE AND THEN ASK FOR MORE MONEY ONCE YOU HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED WITH THEM VIA A DEPOSIT. WITH VALET, THE PRICE WE QUOTE YOU IS THE PRICE YOU PAY AND NEVER A PENNY MORE.

​MOST COMPANIES WILL PROVIDE A SEVERAL DAY WINDOW IN WHICH YOUR CAR WILL BE PICKED UP OR DELIVERED. YOU CAN ALSO REQUEST A “PICKED UP BY” OR “DELIVERED AFTER” DATE. BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF AUTO SHIPPING, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE EXACT DATES. IF A COMPANY DOES PROVIDE AN EXACT DATE, IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO GET IN WRITING THE GUARANTEE AND REMEDY IF THEY DO NOT PICK IT UP ON THE PROMISED DATE.

MOST AUTO HAULING COMPANIES PROHIBIT THE INCLUSION OF PERSONAL ITEMS IN VEHICLES BEING SHIPPED. THE THREE MAIN REASONS ARE:
-EXTRA WEIGHT IN THE CAR COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE DURING LOADING AND UNLOADING.
-NEITHER THE AUTO HAULER’S INSURANCE AND LICENSE NOR THE CAR OWNER’S INSURANCE TYPICALLY COVER ANY PERSONAL POSSESSIONS INCLUDED IN A VEHICLE BEING SHIPPED.
– AUTO HAULERS HAVE STRICT LIMITS ON THE WEIGHT OF LOADED TRUCKS AND TRAILERS. ADDITIONAL, UNANTICIPATED WEIGHT OF PERSONAL ITEMS COULD CAUSE THEM TO BE OVERWEIGHT. IN THIS SITUATION, THE AUTO HAULER HAS TO MAKE A CHOICE TO DRIVE OVERWEIGHT (RISKING FINES AND SIGNIFICANT DELAYS) OR NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE.

WHERE POSSIBLE, AUTO HAULERS WILL PICK UP YOUR VEHICLE AT YOUR FRONT DOOR OR DRIVEWAY. HOWEVER, SOME RESIDENTIAL AREAS MAY RESTRICT ACCESS FOR MULTI-CAR TRANSPORT CARRIERS. IN THIS SITUATION, YOU WILL TYPICALLY BE ASKED TO BRING YOUR VEHICLE TO A NEARBY OPEN PARKING LOT OR A WIDER STREET WHERE THE AUTO HAULER CAN PARK.

YOUR VEHICLE COULD BE TRANSPORTED ON A CAR CARRIER THAT HAULS ANYWHERE FROM 1-10 VEHICLES. THE MOST COMMON ARE CAR CARRIERS WITH SPACE FOR 8-10 VEHICLES – THE SAME TYPE OF TRUCKS USED TO DELIVER NEW VEHICLES TO LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. ENCLOSED CARRIERS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.

OPEN TRANSPORT IS THE MOST COMMON WAY OF SHIPPING A VEHICLE AND THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE SHIPPING A CAR CHOOSE OPEN TRANSPORT. IT IS THE LESS EXPENSIVE WAY OF SHIPPING A CAR. ENCLOSED TRANSPORT IS TYPICALLY PRICED HIGHER, AND IT PROTECTS YOUR VEHICLE FROM DUST, RAIN, SNOW AND OTHER ELEMENTS. ENCLOSED TRANSPORT IS A GOOD CHOICE IF YOU DESIRE ADDITIONAL PROTECTION FOR A LUXURY OR ANTIQUE CAR.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO LET THE AUTO TRANSPORT COMPANY KNOW WHEN CONTACTING THEM FOR A QUOTE. THE VEHICLE CAN STILL BE TRANSPORTED BUT IT WILL REQUIRE A TRUCK THAT CAN HANDLE INOPERABLE VEHICLES. SOMETIMES THERE IS A SMALL ADDITIONAL FEE FOR VEHICLES WHICH DO NOT RUN.

SHIPPING TIME DEPENDS ON THE AUTO TRANSPORT COMPANY AND THE ACTUAL TRUCK THAT WILL BE TAKING YOUR VEHICLE. BELOW ARE SOME IDEAS OF TYPICAL TIME RANGES.

EAST COAST TO WEST COAST – TYPICALLY 5 TO 14 DAYS
MIDWEST TO EAST COAST – TYPICALLY 3 TO 8 DAYS
MIDWEST TO WEST COAST – TYPICALLY 3 TO 8 DAYS
SOUTH TO THE NORTH – TYPICALLY 3 TO 8 DAYS