How long will it take to ship a car?

Typical transit time for a coast-to-coast auto transport typically takes two to three weeks, often much less.

Driver Limitations

Automobile shipping drivers are limited by federal law to 550 miles a day, which includes any and all auto transport delivery stops along the way. They are also only allowed to drive 6 days a week, and must take a longer “rest period” every two weeks.

What can change?

A-1 Auto Transport maintains a relationship with hundreds of active car carriers across the United States. Even then, mechanical difficulty and breakdowns can occur. When they do happen, A-1 Auto Transport typically gets the auto carrier back on the road in a matter of days. If the mechanical failure is severe enough to cause a significant delay, another auto carrier is dispatched to pick up the cars.

Weather patterns can often be unpredictable and may cause a car hauler’s progress to slow (car carriers don't corner so well). It isn’t easy for auto transport trucks to avoid hurricanes and other catastrophic weather. Our goal is always to get your auto delivery to you safely.

Lead Time

If you have your car picked up by an auto carrier at your home, it may be taken to an Origin Terminal. The car carrier that picked up your vehicle may not be the one that takes it on its cross-country journey. Your car may be at the terminal for a few days before the line haul auto carrier arrives to take it to its destination. This period is included in the two to three week estimate of time it takes to ship a car.

Get started now with a free, no obligation auto shipping quote from A-1 Auto Transport.

Crossdocks

Sometimes, your vehicle will need to stop at a crossdock before another auto carrier arrives to take it on the next leg of it’s journey. This is similar to a layover at an airport. Your car may remain at the crossdock for a few days of the overall auto transport time.

Other cases

Sometimes, you’re not dealing with a typical automobile transport. Things such as enclosed auto transport, specialty vehicles, oversize vehicles, and auto transport occurring in out of the way or hard to get to areas will take longer. Your A-1 Auto Transport sales representative will be able to advise you of the particulars of any auto transport that can be handled by A-1 Auto Transport. If your needs differ significantly from what A-1 Auto Transport is set up to do for you, we have a network of partners, some of which may specialize in your unique car shipment. To see our list of partners, click here.

Get a car shipping instant quote with A-1 Auto Transport now.