How long does car shipping take?

• Under 200 miles: About 1 day
• 200–500 miles: 1–3 days
• 500–1,000 miles: 2–5 days
• 1,000–1,500 miles: 3–6 days
• 1,500–2,000 miles: 5–7 days
• 2,000+ miles (coast to coast): 7–10 days

Carriers typically cover about 400–500 miles a day while following federal hours-of-service rules, and they make other pickups and drop-offs along the way.

• Route: Busy interstate corridors move faster than rural routes
• Weather: Winter storms and mountain passes cause delays
• Carrier availability: Peak seasons tighten capacity
• Transport type: Open carriers are more plentiful than enclosed
• Holidays and snowbird season: Higher demand means longer pickup windows

Companies can often guarantee a pickup date for an extra fee, but no honest company can guarantee an exact delivery date, because weather and traffic are outside anyone's control. If timing matters, see guaranteed car pick-up and expedited car shipping.

Every shipment has two parts, and it helps to plan for both:

So a 1,000-mile shipment might take 2–4 days of transit, plus a few days before pickup.

• Book two to three weeks ahead, especially in summer.
• Offer a flexible pickup window of a few days.
• Choose a pickup spot near a main highway.
• Have keys, paperwork and someone available at both ends.
• Choose expedited car shipping if you need priority dispatch.

For more detail, see when to book car shipping and our car shipping timeline FAQ.