How long does it take to ship a car?

Transit times depend primarily on distance. Regional moves under 500 miles typically take 1-3 days. Mid-range routes of 500-1,500 miles take 3-5 days. Cross-country shipments of 2,500 miles or more take 7-10 days. These timeframes reflect actual driving time plus the stops the carrier makes along the route to pick up and deliver other vehicles.

Drivers follow federally mandated Hours of Service (HOS) regulations — a maximum of 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. This means a carrier covers approximately 400-500 miles per day. The driver is managing a multi-stop route with 7-9 vehicles, each going to a different destination, so the route is not a straight line from your pickup to your delivery. Weather, traffic, mechanical issues, and customer scheduling changes can also affect timing.

If you need faster service, ask for expedited shipping when you request your estimate. Expedited shipments are typically picked up within 24-48 hours and delivered faster because the carrier takes fewer stops along the route. It costs more but is worth it for time-sensitive moves. Each offer you receive includes that company's estimated transit time for your route so you can plan accordingly.