Copart Auction Transport — From the Copart Lot to Your Door

• Lot number
• The exact yard address (many metro areas have more than one Copart yard)
• Gate pass from your member account
• Whether the vehicle runs, rolls, steers and brakes
• Any keys status (keys or no keys)

Send these with your quote request or as soon as the vehicle is released, and we'll handle the rest.

Copart gives buyers a short free-storage window after the sale, then charges storage by the day. The number of free days and the rate vary by yard and account type, and weekends can count. Book transport the day your payment posts and tell us your storage deadline; if your yard requires it, add the carrier to your buyer profile before pickup.

Auction car shipping is priced like any other move: distance first, then vehicle size, condition, transport type and timing. On open transport, short trips under 500 miles typically run about $1.50–$2.00 per mile and long trips drop to roughly $0.60–$0.80 per mile. Enclosed transport adds 30–40%, and non-running vehicles usually add a $100–$200 winch fee (more for vehicles that don't roll).

Copart is one of the largest online vehicle auction companies in the world, with more than 200 yard locations across the U.S. and other countries. Founded in 1982, it sells mostly insurance total-loss, salvage, recovered-theft and repairable vehicles, plus clean-title cars from dealers, fleets, rental companies and banks. Bidding is online, and the vehicle stays at its yard until it's picked up.

Many Copart vehicles can be bought by the public, sometimes through a registered broker depending on the vehicle's title type and your state's rules. Dealers and rebuilders buy heavily on Copart too. Because many lots are salvage or non-running, accurate condition details are especially important when booking transport. See our salvage car FAQ.

Here are example distances and typical open-carrier prices for a standard sedan from a Copart yard in the Houston area. Your price depends on the exact location, vehicle and season.

• a Copart yard in the Houston area to [Dallas](/cities/dallas-car-shipping) (~240 mi): about $350–$550 open, 1–2 days in transit
• a Copart yard in the Houston area to [San Antonio](/cities/san-antonio-car-shipping) (~200 mi): about $300–$500 open, 1–2 days in transit
• a Copart yard in the Houston area to [Atlanta](/cities/atlanta-car-shipping) (~790 mi): about $550–$850 open, 2–4 days in transit
• a Copart yard in the Houston area to [Miami](/cities/miami-car-shipping) (~1,190 mi): about $750–$1,100 open, 3–5 days in transit
• a Copart yard in the Houston area to [Chicago](/cities/chicago-car-shipping) (~1,085 mi): about $750–$1,050 open, 2–4 days in transit

Enclosed transport usually adds 30–40%. Non-running vehicles add a winch charge.

Copart gives buyers a short free-storage period after the sale, then charges storage by the day until the vehicle leaves the yard. The number of free days and the daily rate vary by yard and account type, and weekends can count. The surest way to avoid storage fees is to pay right away and book transport the same day your payment posts. Copart won't release a lot until it's paid.

Inspect the vehicle against the auction listing and condition report, and against the Bill of Lading from pickup. Note any new transport damage on the Bill of Lading before signing — issues that were present at the auction are handled through Copart's own arbitration or condition policies, not the carrier. Then plan title transfer, inspection and registration in your state. See moving a car to a new state and the auction pickup guide.

Many Copart lots are salvage or damaged vehicles. Before booking, check the listing for missing keys, wheels or major damage. A car with no keys or locked steering may need extra equipment, and a car with missing wheels may need a forklift at the yard. Telling us up front avoids a failed pickup and a second trip.

• The exact location address (not just the city)
• Lot, stock or VIN number
• Your buyer or account number
• The release, gate pass or pickup authorization
• Pickup hours and a contact phone number at the location
• Whether the vehicle runs, steers and brakes, and whether keys are included
• Your delivery address and the best contact at delivery

With these details, we can schedule the pickup without back-and-forth and keep your vehicle from sitting in storage.

Vehicles bought through Copart ship to buyers across the country. Some of the most common destination states include Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois. Each state page shows pickup cities, typical prices and popular routes, and our routes page lists every corridor we cover.

Most Copart vehicles ship open, including salvage and non-running cars on winch-equipped carriers. Enclosed transport is available for high-value or collector cars bought on Copart.