How Fast Can A Car Be Shipped?

Most of the cars in the US are sold online and are shipped to the customer. Around 18% of Americans who participated in a 2022 Statista survey expected their cars to be delivered within a week. Usually, it takes around 1-7 days on average for a vehicle to reach its destination. So, how fast can a car be shipped across the country? Let’s discuss the possibility of same day car shipping, aka expedited transport, and what factors you should consider before seeking it.

How Fast Can I Get My Car Shipped?

Even the expedited car shipping services deliver the car according to the distance. Same day car shipping may be possible if the transit distance is less than 500 miles. Let’s see how long it usually takes to ship a vehicle in the United States.

Distance	Shipping Time
Less than 500 miles	1-3 days
500-1,500 miles	3-7 days
More than 1,500 miles	7-12 days

These are estimated delivery times, actual car shipment is usually influenced by many different factors. So, if you want an emergency auto transport, what is the way to go?

 

How To Get Emergency Auto Transport?

Getting instant vehicle shipping is certainly possible in the US. However, you will have to pay a premium amount for same day car shipping. Many companies offer faster pickup and delivery times, but you may have to consider a few factors before seeking expedited car shipping services.

Increased Cost

While seeking quick auto shipping solutions, you must expect an additional fee anywhere from $100 to $500, depending on the timeframe, distance, and urgency level. Emergency auto transport also operates on a percentage increase principle. You can expect an increase of 15-35% of the standard shipping charges depending on the company policy. The cost increase may also depend on some other factors, including:

• Vehicle Pickup and Drop-off Locations:If you are shipping from or to rural areas and less-traveled locations, you will be charged more than the usual emergency auto transport cost.
• Time of Year: If you are choosing instant vehicle shipping during peak seasons, including summer or Christmas holidays, you will have to pay an additional amount.
• Route: If your vehicle transit route is between major cities, your urgent car transport service may not impose hefty charges.
• Vehicle condition and size: Shipping heavier cars such as SUVs and trucks requires special assistance and more space as well as more fuel which leads to higher shipping costs. And if your vehicle is not running, you will be charged extra for loading and unloading with special equipment.
• Vehicle Condition: The cost of urgent shipping is also influenced due to the limited carrier availability and unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather.

Timeframe

Quick auto shipping solutions can deliver your car much faster than a standard car shipping solution, with a 1-2 day pickup time. However, the delivery time depends on the distance. The longer the distance, the more time your car is going to spend on the road. Let’s see how much time it takes for expedited car shipping to deliver your vehicle.

Distance	Expedited Delivery Time
Less than 500 miles	Same-day or next-day delivery
500-1,500 miles	1-2 days
1500 miles or cross-country	3-4 days

The estimated timeframe for delivery depends on other factors as well, including:

• Carrier availability: Major city-to-city routes have more carriers available than remote areas, which also affects the shipping time.
• Vehicle type: Choosing an enclosed car carrier over an open one may take longer to deliver your car.
• Seasonality: Busy seasons, such as March and December, can affect the scheduling of quick auto shipping solutions.

Reliability

The importance of choosing a reputable company with experience in shipping cars on the promised time and has a brilliant track record cannot be undermined due to the time-sensitive nature of the service. To choose a reliable company you can consider the following factors to ensure your car gets delivered as fast as promised:

Check the company’s reputation

You can check the reviews of a company providing instant vehicle shipping quote on the Better Business Bureau, Reddit, Quora, and social media groups to make informed decisions.

Always check the license and insurance details

Always check if the company is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA), as it indicates that the company meets the safety standard and is authorized to operate in the United States.

You can also check their USDOT number which is a unique seven-digit number, issued for motor carriers to track their safety records, compliance reviews, and vehicle inspection details. You can find it on the FMCSA website’s SAFER system (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records).

Along with that, you can check their Motor Carrier (MC) Number which is issued with FMCSA registration to confirm that the company is eligible to haul vehicles across state lines. Lastly, you can check the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to ensure the driver is experienced enough to handle heavy-duty trucks as you will be paying additional fees for the urgent car transport service.

Proof Of Insurance

Before you choose to pay an additional amount to the urgent car transport service, you can check whether it offers carrier insurance, broker insurance (optional), and customer insurance (optional).

Carrier insurance is the most important as it protects your vehicle from damage during transit and covers various risks, including accident, vandalism, theft, and fire. You can check the Certificate of Insurance (COI) of the company to ensure your vehicle will be completely protected during the transit and if some damage occurs, the insurance will cover it.

Clear Communication

If you are choosing an urgent shipping service, communication is the most important factor. If your company offers clear communication and real-time tracking, it indicates the business is legitimate and your car is in safe hands. You can check the reviews related to ease of communication on BBB, Yelp, Google, TransportReviews, and BirdEye,, and ask the company regarding the GPS tracking system, even if your car is to be delivered the same day or overnight.