How does the pickup window work?

When you book a shipment, you will receive a pickup window — a range of dates (typically 1-5 business days from your requested date) during which the carrier will arrive to collect your vehicle. This window exists because the auto transport industry is route-based, meaning carriers pick up and deliver multiple vehicles along a single route. The driver needs flexibility to coordinate multiple stops efficiently, just like a commercial delivery service.

Once you book and the company schedules your pickup, the driver will contact you 12-24 hours before arrival to confirm the specific date and approximate time. At that point, you will know exactly when to expect them. If the driver is running ahead of schedule or behind, they will typically call to let you know. The more flexible you are with your pickup window, the faster and cheaper your shipment tends to be — carriers prioritize loads that give them scheduling flexibility because it helps them build efficient routes.

If you need a guaranteed pickup date, ask for expedited service when you request your estimate — many companies offer pickup within 24-48 hours for an additional fee. This is useful for time-sensitive moves, job relocations with hard deadlines, or dealership transactions where the buyer is waiting. Keep in mind that someone must be present at both pickup and delivery — either you or an authorized representative who can sign the Bill of Lading and hand over the keys.