Car Shipping Services — How Auto Transport Works, Start to Finish
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Open or enclosed, door-to-door or terminal, standard or expedited: ShipMyCar US offers every car shipping service under one quote, with licensed carriers in all 50 states.
Quick Answer
Short answer: Car shipping services from ShipMyCar US: open and enclosed transport, door-to-door delivery, expedited pickup and auction transport. It's built for anyone comparing car shipping options who needs to know if this service fits their vehicle and timeline — use the quote form on this page for your exact price.
Last updated: September 11, 2026
Car shipping services cover everything from a sedan moving two states over to a collector car crossing the country in a sealed trailer. Most people only ship a car once or twice in their lives, so it helps to know how the process works, what your options are and what drives the price before you book.
ShipMyCar US is an FMCSA-licensed auto transport broker. We quote your shipment, match it to a vetted carrier already running your route, and manage it until delivery. This page explains each car shipping service we offer and walks through the process in plain terms.
How Car Shipping Works in 4 Steps
- 1
Get a Quote
Use the quote form or call us with your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle and dates. You get a price in about a minute.
- 2
Book Your Shipment
Confirm online or by phone. We reserve a spot with a carrier and send you the driver's name, number and pickup window.
- 3
Pickup and Inspection
The driver calls 4–24 hours ahead, meets you at your address, inspects the car and records its condition on the Bill of Lading. Take your own photos of all sides, the roof, the interior and the odometer.
- 4
Transit and Delivery
Carriers cover roughly 400–500 miles a day. The driver calls ahead to set a delivery time; inspect the car again and note any new damage on the Bill of Lading before signing.
Our Car Shipping Services
Open Car Transport
The most popular and affordable option. Multi-level trailers carry up to 10 cars. Learn more.
Enclosed Car Transport
Covered trailers holding 2–6 vehicles, for luxury, classic and exotic cars. Learn more.
Door-to-Door Delivery
Pickup and delivery at your addresses, or as close as a large truck can safely get. Learn more.
Auction, Dealer and Fleet
Copart, IAA, Manheim and ADESA pickups, dealer trades and fleet moves. Learn more.
Open vs. Enclosed: Which Service Do You Need?
Most trailers hold about 10 cars on two levels. Your car is exposed to weather and road dust, like any car driven on the highway, but it's strapped down and insured. It's how new cars reach dealerships.
A single level of 2–6 cars inside a covered trailer, protected from weather and debris. Costs 30–40% more and is recommended for high-value, classic and low-clearance cars.
Read open vs. enclosed car transport for a full comparison.
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Cost
Fuel, tolls and labor rise with miles.
Larger vehicles take more trailer space and weight capacity.
Enclosed costs more than open.
Prices peak from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Cars needing extra protection or a winch cost more.
Get an estimate with our car shipping calculator or read how much does it cost to ship a car.
Preparing Your Car for Shipping
- Wash it so existing damage is easy to see
- Remove personal items and loose accessories
- Check tire pressure and look for leaks
- Keep about a quarter tank of fuel
- Disable the alarm and leave a key
- Photograph the car from every angle
Full checklist: how to prepare your car for shipping.
Why Choose ShipMyCar US
Every carrier we book has active FMCSA authority, cargo insurance and an acceptable safety record.
Carrier cargo insurance is part of every shipment.
A coordinator watches your shipment from booking to delivery.
The balance is due when your car is picked up.
Our team is available every day to answer questions.
Every Vehicle Shipping Service We Offer
- Open car transport: The standard, most affordable option.
- Enclosed car transport: Full protection for classic, luxury and exotic cars.
- Door-to-door auto transport: Pickup and delivery at your addresses.
- Expedited car shipping: Priority dispatch for tight deadlines.
- Multi-vehicle shipping: Several cars on one booking.
- Inoperable vehicle transport: Winch-equipped carriers for non-runners.
- Motorcycle shipping, boat shipping and RV transport.
- Military car shipping and snowbird auto transport.
- Auction car shipping and international car shipping.
- Heavy equipment shipping and truck shipping.
Car Delivery Service for Buyers and Sellers
Our car delivery service isn't only for moves. We regularly deliver cars bought from dealerships, online retailers, private sellers and auctions, and help sellers deliver cars to out-of-state buyers. We coordinate pickup times with the seller, confirm the car's condition at pickup, and deliver to your driveway. Read buying a car online and our Facebook Marketplace shipping guide.
Auto Transportation Services for Businesses
- Dealerships: Dealer trades, customer deliveries and auction purchases. See transporting cars for dealerships.
- Rental and fleet companies: Moving vehicles between locations. See rental car transport.
- Resellers and flippers: Regular auction pickups. See auto transport for car resellers.
- Corporate relocation: Employee vehicle moves. See corporate relocation car shipping.
What You Can Expect From ShipMyCar US
- A confirmed price before dispatch, with fuel and carrier insurance included
- A small booking deposit and the balance due at pickup
- Licensed, insured carriers (USDOT 9016315, MC 57541812 for ShipMyCar US)
- Driver contact details before pickup
- Inspections and a Bill of Lading at both ends
- Discounts for students, military, seniors, snowbirds, multi-car and returning customers
How Our Car Transportation Services Work, Step by Step
Enter your pickup and delivery ZIP codes, vehicle details and first available date. You get an all-inclusive price for open and enclosed transport.
Confirm your details and pickup window. A small booking deposit holds your spot.
Within one to five days, we match your vehicle with a licensed, insured carrier already running your route, and send you the driver's details.
The driver inspects your car with you, records its condition on the Bill of Lading, and loads it.
One to ten days depending on distance. You can reach the driver or our team for updates.
You inspect the car, note any issues on the Bill of Lading, pay the balance as agreed, and take your keys.
Nationwide Auto Shipping Services Coverage
We ship to and from every state in the lower 48, plus Hawaii and Alaska by ocean. Some of our busiest states are Texas, California, Florida, New York, Arizona and Georgia. Browse every corridor on our routes page, or find your city among our Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami pages.
Before You Book: Guides Worth Reading
FAQ
Car Shipping Services — Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about car shipping services from the ShipMyCar US team.
QHow does car shipping work?
You request a quote, book your dates, and a licensed carrier picks up your car after a joint inspection, transports it on an open or enclosed trailer and delivers it to your destination.
QHow much do car shipping services cost?
Most open-transport shipments cost $400–$1,700 depending on distance, with enclosed transport 30–40% more.
QDo you offer door-to-door car shipping?
Yes, it's our standard service. The carrier picks up and delivers as close to your addresses as is safe and legal.
QIs my car insured during transport?
Yes. Every carrier carries cargo insurance, and your car's condition is documented at pickup and delivery.
QCan you ship a non-running car?
Yes. Tell us at booking and we'll assign a carrier with a winch.
QHow long does car shipping take?
Short moves take 1–3 days and cross-country moves about 7–10 days after pickup.
QWhat car shipping services do you offer?
Open and enclosed transport, door-to-door, expedited, multi-vehicle, inoperable vehicle, motorcycle, boat, RV, auction, military, snowbird, international and heavy equipment shipping.
QDo you deliver cars bought online?
Yes. We coordinate with the dealer, online retailer or private seller and deliver to your address.
QDo you work with businesses?
Yes — dealerships, rental fleets, resellers and companies relocating employees.
QHow do I get a car shipping quote?
Use the [car shipping calculator](/services/car-shipping-calculator) or call 1-888-706-8784.
QDo you offer car shipping services for classic and exotic cars?
Yes. Classic, luxury and exotic cars usually ship in enclosed trailers, often with lift gates. See [classic car shipping](/services/classic-car-shipping) and [exotic car transport](/services/exotic-car-transport).
QDo you offer car shipping services near me?
Yes. We arrange pickups in every state through a nationwide carrier network, so a driver comes to your address rather than you going to a local office. See [car transport near me](/services/car-transport-near-me).
QCan I track my car during shipping?
You'll have the driver's contact details, and our team can give updates during transit. Read [how to track your vehicle during transport](/blog/how-to-track-your-vehicle-during-transport).
QIs my car insured during shipping?
Yes. Licensed carriers carry insurance for the vehicles they haul. Note any damage on the Bill of Lading at delivery so a claim can be filed. Read [auto transport insurance: what is actually covered](/blog/auto-transport-insurance-what-is-actually-covered).
Still have questions? Our team is ready to help.
Source: every broker and carrier's operating authority, safety rating, and insurance status is public record — verify any company for free at the FMCSA SAFER System.
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