One of the most common questions we hear is "how long will it take to ship my car?" Here is a straightforward breakdown.
Typical Transit Times by Distance
- • Under 500 miles: 1-3 days
- • 500 - 1,000 miles: 3-5 days
- • 1,000 - 1,500 miles: 4-6 days
- • 1,500 - 2,000 miles: 5-7 days
- • Over 2,000 miles (coast to coast): 7-10 days
These are transit times — the time your vehicle is actually moving from pickup to delivery. You also need to factor in the pickup window.
Pickup Window
The pickup window is how long it takes for a carrier to arrive at your location after you book:
- • Standard pickup: 3-7 business days
- • Expedited pickup: 1-2 business days (20-40% premium)
So total door-to-door time = pickup window + transit time. For example, a standard NY to FL shipment might be: 4 days for carrier assignment + 4 days transit = 8 days total.
What Affects Transit Time
Distance is the primary factor, but others include:
- • Multiple stops: Carriers pick up and deliver multiple vehicles along their route. Each stop adds time.
- • Weather: Severe weather (snowstorms, hurricanes) can cause delays of 1-3 days.
- • Traffic and road conditions: Major metro areas and holiday traffic can slow transit.
- • Driver hours: DOT regulations limit drivers to 11 hours of driving per day, so long routes require multiple driving days.
- • Route popularity: Popular routes (NY-FL, CA-TX) have more carriers and faster scheduling.
How to Ship Faster
1. Choose expedited service: 1-2 day pickup instead of 3-7 days. 2. Be flexible on exact pickup time: Morning pickups are easier to schedule. 3. Ship from/to major metro areas: More carrier traffic means faster matching. 4. Avoid peak season if possible: January and summer months have more demand and potential delays.
Important: Dates Are Estimates
All pickup and delivery dates in auto transport are estimates, not guarantees. Factors outside anyone's control (weather, mechanical issues, other pickups on the route) can cause delays. Your dispatcher will keep you updated on any changes to your timeline.
Need your car shipped? Call State Wide Auto Transport at (855) 469-8090 for a quote with estimated transit times for your specific route.