Buying a Car Online? How Shipping Works With Carvana, Bring a Trailer and More

When buyers search nationally instead of locally, they find better prices, rarer trims and exact color combinations — often in another state. Every one of those purchases needs transport. Online buying has steadily expanded the distance between buyer and car, and car shipping has grown with it.

Carvana: Offers delivery across the contiguous U.S. Fees and timing depend on where the car is.

CarMax: Offers transfers between locations, sometimes for a fee, and home delivery in some areas.

Bring a Trailer and Cars & Bids: Enthusiast auction sites. The buyer usually arranges shipping. Many of these cars are worth protecting with enclosed transport.

eBay Motors: The buyer usually arranges shipping. See our eBay car shipping FAQ.

Facebook Marketplace and private sellers: The buyer arranges everything. Read our Facebook Marketplace car shipping guide.

Dealerships: Many will help coordinate shipping, or release the car to a carrier you hire.

Most delays happen before the car reaches a carrier:

• Paperwork and payment: A few days to two weeks, especially with financing or title transfers.
• Seller preparation: Dealers and platforms may need time to inspect and release the vehicle.
• Carrier assignment: Usually one to five days.
• Transit: One to ten days depending on distance.

Plan for roughly two to four weeks from purchase to delivery on a long-distance online purchase.

• Check what delivery is included before you commit.
• Save the original listing, including photos and description.
• Get the exact pickup address in writing, plus hours and a contact name.
• Compare a few shipping quotes. See compare car shipping quotes.
• Pick the right transport type: open for most cars, enclosed for collectible or high-value cars.
• Plan for a two- to four-week delivery.
• Make sure the car is documented at pickup on the Bill of Lading.
• Inspect it against the listing at delivery before signing.

Before buying, read questions to ask when buying a used car.

We coordinate with the dealer, platform or private seller, schedule the pickup and keep you updated through delivery. See door-to-door auto transport.

Private sales are where shipping takes the most planning, because no dealer handles the logistics:

• Agree on payment first: Use a secure method, and don't book transport until payment is settled.
• Get the title signed correctly: Mistakes on an out-of-state title can delay registration.
• Confirm the seller can release the car: Someone needs to be there for the pickup inspection.
• Ask about condition: Does it start, steer and brake? Is the battery healthy?

Our Facebook Marketplace shipping guide covers private sales step by step.

You can't test-drive a car 1,000 miles away, but you can reduce the risk:

• Ask for a live video walk-around, including a cold start.
• Book an independent pre-purchase inspection near the seller.
• Run a vehicle history report and check for open recalls.
• Request photos of the tires, underbody and dashboard warning lights.

See questions to ask when buying a used car.

When comparing an out-of-state car to a local one, add shipping to the price. ShipMyCar US open-carrier pricing typically runs about $700–$1,050 for 500–1,000 miles and $1,100–$1,500 for 1,500–2,000 miles. A car that's $2,000 cheaper 1,500 miles away is still a good deal after shipping; one that's $500 cheaper usually isn't.

Online retailers have made home delivery part of the pitch, but the details vary.

Carvana delivers to most addresses in the contiguous U.S. The delivery fee and timing depend on how far the car is from you, and Carvana sometimes offers pickup at one of its locations instead. If the car you want is across the country, the delivery window can stretch to a couple of weeks.

CarMax can transfer cars between its stores, sometimes for a fee, and offers home delivery in some markets. Transfers let you inspect the car at a store near you before you buy.

Dealer websites and online marketplaces like Autotrader, Cars.com and CarGurus connect you with dealers who may or may not offer delivery. Many dealers will release the car to a carrier you hire, which can be faster or cheaper than their own delivery.

Before you commit, ask three questions: Is delivery included? How long will it take? Can I use my own carrier if I want?

Enthusiast auction sites have a different rhythm. The auction ends, payment and title paperwork move between buyer and seller, and then the buyer arranges transport. A few tips:

• Contact the seller right after the auction to agree on a pickup window and who will be present.
• Ask about the car's exact condition at pickup — battery, tires and any known issues.
• Choose enclosed transport for collectible and low-mileage cars. Paint and condition drive value, and an enclosed trailer protects both.
• Confirm the title is ready before the truck arrives, or plan for the title to follow by mail.
• Get the car photographed at pickup so you have a record that matches the listing.

See enclosed car transport and exotic car transport.

Nearly every car shopper now starts online, comparing prices, history reports and photos across multiple sites before ever visiting a lot. A growing share of buyers complete most or all of the purchase online — financing, trade-in valuation, paperwork and delivery. The result is a market where the right car is often hundreds of miles away, and shipping becomes part of the deal rather than an afterthought.

That's good for buyers. A national search means more choice and more room to negotiate. It just means you need to plan the logistics as carefully as the purchase.

• A price far below market with pressure to pay quickly
• A seller who won't do a video call or allow an inspection
• Requests to pay by wire, gift card or crypto to an individual
• A "shipping agent" the seller insists you use and pay directly
• Title issues — the seller's name doesn't match, or the title is "coming later" with no explanation

A common scam is a fake listing paired with a fake shipping company that "holds" your payment. Always arrange your own licensed transport and verify the company on FMCSA SAFER. Read car shipping scams: 10 warning signs.

• Compare the car to the saved listing photos and description.
• Check the VIN on the car against the title and bill of sale.
• Look for transport damage and note it on the Bill of Lading before signing.
• Check the mileage, warning lights and tire condition.
• Take your own photos for your records.

If the car doesn't match the listing, that's a dispute with the seller or retailer. If it was damaged in transit, that's a claim with the carrier — see car damaged during shipping.

Younger buyers are comfortable buying expensive items online without seeing them in person, and they expect delivery to their door. As that group becomes a larger share of car buyers, more purchases will happen across state lines, and more cars will travel on carriers instead of being driven home from a nearby lot. For dealers, that means offering delivery is becoming part of competing. For buyers, it means knowing how to arrange transport is now part of buying a car.

Does Carvana deliver nationwide?: Carvana delivers across the contiguous U.S., with fees and timing depending on the car's location.

Should I use enclosed transport for a Bring a Trailer purchase?: For many enthusiast and collector cars, yes. Enclosed transport protects paint and condition, which drives value.

Why is my online-purchased car taking so long to ship?: Most delays happen before pickup — paperwork, payment processing and the seller preparing the car.

Who arranges shipping when I buy from a private seller?: Usually the buyer. A broker can coordinate pickup with the seller for you.

Can I hire my own carrier instead of using the retailer's delivery?: Often, yes. Many dealers will release the car to a licensed carrier you hire. Ask before you buy.

Should I pay for shipping before I receive the title?: Ideally, make sure the title transfer is underway before you ship. For private sales, don't ship until payment and title arrangements are settled.

Is enclosed transport worth it for an online purchase?: For collectible, exotic or low-mileage cars, yes. For a daily driver, open transport is usually fine.

How long does it take to get a car I bought online?: Plan for roughly two to four weeks from purchase to delivery on a long-distance online purchase. Paperwork and seller preparation take the most time; transit itself is usually one to ten days.

Do I need to be home when an online purchase is delivered?: Someone needs to receive the car, inspect it and sign the Bill of Lading. It can be you or someone you authorize.