{"id":2932,"date":"2020-07-04T02:56:52","date_gmt":"2020-07-04T08:56:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/?p=2932"},"modified":"2026-05-15T09:07:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T15:07:08","slug":"how-long-does-it-take-to-ship-a-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-to-ship-a-car\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long Does It Take To Ship a Car? | Citizenshipper"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re looking to transport a car<\/a>, odds are you have two questions on your mind right now. First and foremost \u2014 <\/span>how much does it cost<\/span><\/a>? Second and only slightly less important \u2014 <\/span>how long does it take to ship a car<\/a><\/b>?<\/span><\/p>\n

The truth is, the answers to these questions are interdependent. The more you\u2019re willing to spend, the easier it\u2019ll be to have your car delivered<\/a> promptly. And conversely, saving on shipping costs increases the likelihood of delays.<\/span><\/p>\n

In continental North America, the average car is delivered within <\/span>2 to 6 working days<\/b>. This rough estimate doesn\u2019t tell you much, of course. Does it take into account delays on the road? What\u2019s the distance of that hypothetical delivery? Let\u2019s break this down a little, looking into the factors that affect the time it takes to transport a car.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the Distance Between Pick-Up and Drop-Off?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Obviously, the greater the route the longer it takes the transporter to cover it. Most shippers are able to cover approximately 500 miles per day, so take that into account. When shipping a car<\/a> 1,000 miles, two days would be the bare minimum. But there is always delay and detours to account for.<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news is, you can get always reliable ETAs if you\u2019re in contact with the driver. When you hire an independent vehicle transporter using an <\/span>online marketplace<\/span><\/a>, they\u2019ll give you their estimated time of arrival. (Accurate down to 2-3 days, in most cases). If road congestion, or the weather, or anything else causes late delivery, they\u2019ll get in touch and let you know.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Close is the Delivery Spot to Major Highways?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Is your car being shipped to a metropolitan area, or picked up from one? If so, the vehicle transporter will probably make good time. For most car shipping companies<\/a>, trucks and trailers are much more readily available in those areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But if your pick-up and drop-off spots are somewhat remote, you might be out of luck. They\u2019ll give you an estimate of when a trailer will be available in your area, which may or may not fit your schedule.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, this is another of the advantages that come with hiring independent transporters. After <\/span>listing a shipment<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019ll be matched to all available transporters in your area. Assuming you\u2019re in a hurry, you\u2019ll be able to choose whoever can get to you quickly enough.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does the Vehicle Come With Any Special Requirements?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

No two cars are exactly the same. Maybe yours needs to be protected against the elements a little better than most? Maybe you\u2019re shipping a luxury car<\/a> in an enclosed trailer with special safety features?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The drivers should be able to accommodate any extra demands and requirements you have. However, it might take more time for one with the necessary equipment to respond, so keep that in mind when planning the move.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This difference might be negligible for long-distance moves. After all, shipping a car coast-to-coast typically takes <\/span>6 to 9 days<\/b>! An extra half-day spent looking for exactly the right kind of service wouldn\u2019t make a difference, would it? But on shorter routes, you\u2019ll do need to take it into account.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slow and Steady Wins the Race<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the end, it\u2019s as the old adage says. You can get a job done well, quickly, or affordably. Pick any two, but you can\u2019t have all three at once. If you prioritize delivery speed when shipping a car, it might cost you a pretty penny. And if you try to get things done on the cheap, the delivery might not be prompt.<\/span><\/p>\n

That said, there is usually a happy medium between swiftness and affordability to be found. The one aspect you should prioritize whenever possible is the quality of service. We recommend that you carefully consider each and every quote that the drivers send you. You shouldn\u2019t automatically go for the lowest one, or the quickest one!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, get to know a driver by browsing their profile page. Read through <\/span>the feedback<\/span><\/a> left by their previous customers. Exchange messages until you\u2019re sure he\u2019s the right person for the job. You won\u2019t regret taking extra time to make sure your car is handled by reliable professionals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay safe, and happy car shipping!<\/span><\/p>\n

Featured Image Credit: empireautotransportation.com<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re looking to transport a car, odds are you have two questions on your mind right now. First and foremost \u2014 how much does it cost? Second and only slightly less important \u2014 how long does it take to ship a car? The truth is, the answers to these questions are interdependent. The more<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":11786,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"custom_post_schema":"