How Long Does Car Shipping Take?

The short answer: 1–3 days for local shipments, 4–7 days for regional moves, and 7–14 days for cross-country transport. But these numbers start when your car is on the trailer—not when you book.

Understanding the full timeline, from booking to delivery, prevents the frustration that comes from unrealistic expectations. This guide covers real transit times, what affects them, and how to plan around them.

Transit Times by Distance

These timeframes represent the time your vehicle spends in transit after the carrier picks it up:

The Full Timeline: Booking to Delivery

Here is what the complete process looks like for a typical cross-country shipment:

Phase 1: Booking and Carrier Assignment (1–5 days)

After you book, your transport company assigns a carrier. The speed of this step depends on:

• Route popularity. Major corridors (LA to NY, Florida to Northeast) have carriers running daily. Assignments happen within 1–2 days.
• Season. Peak season means more competition for carrier space. Your assignment may take 3–5 days or longer.
• Your flexibility. A 3–5 day pickup window gives the carrier room to optimize their route. A rigid "must be Tuesday" request limits options and can delay assignment.

Phase 2: Pickup (Day of or 1–2 days from assignment)

Once a carrier is assigned, they coordinate pickup with you. The driver will provide a pickup window—typically a 2–4 hour range within your scheduled day.

Drivers manage multiple pickups along their route. Your stop fits into a sequence that may include other vehicles in your area. Exact timing depends on how the day unfolds: traffic, previous pickups running long, weather conditions.

Phase 3: Transit (See distance table above)

Your car is on the trailer and moving. During this phase:

• The driver follows federal Hours of Service regulations, limiting driving time per day
• The truck makes scheduled rest stops
• Other pickups and deliveries may occur along the route
• Weather can cause delays

Phase 4: Delivery Coordination (1 day)

Before arriving, the driver or dispatch contacts you to confirm a delivery window. You need to be available (or have a representative present) to inspect the vehicle and sign paperwork.

Total Timeline Example

For a New York to Los Angeles shipment:

• Booking to carrier assignment: 2–3 days
• Pickup: Day 3–4
• Transit: 8–12 days
• Delivery coordination: 1 day
• Total: 12–17 days from booking to delivery

What Affects Transit Time

Several factors can speed up or slow down your shipment.

Distance and Route

This is straightforward—more miles take more time. But the route matters as much as the raw distance. Highway-only routes move faster than routes requiring mountain passes, two-lane highways through rural areas, or routes through heavy urban congestion.

Direct routes between major cities are fastest. Routes requiring detours to smaller towns add time. Cross-country shipments through the middle of the country (I-40, I-80 corridors) typically move faster than routes through the Deep South or northern tier during winter.

Season and Weather

Weather is the most common cause of delays, and the one nobody can control.

Winter (November–March): Snow, ice, and winter storms shut down highways. The I-80 corridor through Wyoming and the I-90 corridor through the upper Midwest are particularly vulnerable. A single major storm can add 1–3 days to a cross-country shipment.

Summer (June–August): Generally the fastest transit season. Longer daylight hours and clear roads keep trucks moving. Occasional severe thunderstorms in the Midwest and South can cause brief delays.

Hurricane season (June–November): Gulf Coast and Southeast routes can be disrupted by tropical weather. Evacuations and road closures affect transit and sometimes force rerouting.

Carrier Availability

The number of carriers running your route directly impacts how quickly your car gets picked up and moves.

High-traffic corridors (California to Texas, Northeast to Florida, I-95 corridor) have abundant carrier options. Pickups happen quickly, and carriers make these runs efficiently.

Low-traffic routes (rural Midwest origins, small-town destinations) have fewer carriers. Your car may wait longer for a carrier running that route, and the carrier may take a less direct path to combine your stop with others.

Driver Hours of Service

Federal law limits commercial truck drivers to:

• 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour on-duty window
• A mandatory 30-minute break after 8 hours
• 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving again

These regulations mean a carrier truck covers approximately 500–600 miles per driving day. A 2,500-mile cross-country trip requires a minimum of 4–5 driving days, plus rest days. Add multiple pickup and delivery stops along the way, and 7–14 days is the realistic window.

Number of Stops

Your car is probably not the only vehicle on the trailer. The carrier picks up and delivers multiple vehicles along their route. Each stop adds time—30 minutes to an hour for inspection, loading or unloading, and paperwork.

A carrier with 8 vehicles making pickups in three cities and deliveries in four cities adds significant stop time to the overall route. This is normal and keeps costs lower for everyone, but it means your car does not travel point-to-point.

Expedited Shipping Options

When standard timelines do not work, expedited shipping is available at a premium.

What Expedited Means

Expedited auto transport typically offers:

• Faster carrier assignment — Priority matching within 24–48 hours
• Fewer stops — Your vehicle shares the trailer with fewer cars, reducing stop time
• More direct routing — The carrier takes a more direct path with fewer detours
• Guaranteed pickup windows — Tighter scheduling commitments

What It Costs

Expect to pay 30–50% more for expedited service. A standard cross-country shipment at $1,300 might cost $1,700–$2,000 expedited.

For single-vehicle transport (your car is the only one on the trailer), costs can double or more. This is essentially a dedicated truck for your vehicle, and the economics are straightforward—you are paying for the entire trip.

When Expedited Makes Sense

• You are relocating for a job with a hard start date
• You need the vehicle for a specific event (car show, auction)
• A delayed shipment would create cascading problems (rental car costs, missed commitments)
• The cost premium is small relative to the inconvenience of waiting

For most shipments, standard service with reasonable lead time works fine. Expedited shipping solves real timing problems but is not necessary for most moves.

How to Plan Around Transit Times

For Cross-Country Moves

Ship your car 2–3 weeks before you need it at the destination. This builds in buffer for carrier assignment, transit, and potential delays. Arriving at your new city without a car for a few days is manageable; arriving and waiting two weeks is not.

If you are flying to your new city, time your flight for a day or two after the estimated delivery date. Have a backup plan (rental car, rideshare) for the gap.

For Vehicle Purchases

When buying a car from an out-of-state seller, coordinate the shipping timeline before finalizing the purchase. Confirm the seller can hold the vehicle for 3–5 days until a carrier is assigned and arrives for pickup.

For Seasonal Moves

Snowbird moves and seasonal relocations are predictable. Book at least 3–4 weeks in advance during peak season (January–March southbound, April–May northbound). Carrier availability is tightest during these windows, and early booking secures better timing and pricing.

What If Your Shipment Is Delayed?

Delays happen. Here is how to handle them:

1. Stay in contact. Your carrier or broker should provide updates. If you have not heard anything in 48 hours, call.
2. Ask for specifics. "What is causing the delay?" and "What is the new estimated arrival?" are fair questions.
3. Document everything. If the delay causes you financial harm (rental car costs, missed commitments), keep records in case you need to file a claim.
4. Have a backup plan. For critical timing, always have an alternative. Rental cars are expensive but less expensive than missed job start dates.

Get Your Timeline and Quote

Car Transport Connection provides realistic timelines with every quote:

• Honest transit estimates based on your specific route and season
• Real-time tracking so you know where your car is
• Proactive communication if anything changes
• $150 Price Protection guarantee

Get Your Free Quote →

---

Planning a shipment with a tight deadline? Our team can advise on the most realistic timeline for your route and help you plan accordingly.