How Long Does It Take To Ship A Car? First Haulers

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How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car? A Complete Guide by First Haulers

Car shipping is different than sending a letter - it is a path that is full of turns, loops, and a couple of variables that can be largely unpredictable. At First Haulers, we’ve hauled thousands of cars across the country ; hence, we are here to provide a detailed overview of every matter that can significantly affect your car shipping time. Above all, the terminal-to-terminal option and the quick hops from one state to another are what you should know about the timespan and how to make it faster.

Average Time to Ship a Car within the USA

Let’s start with the basics. Our carriers typically cover 400–500 miles a day, depending on road conditions and logistics. Here’s a snapshot of average shipping times after pickup:

Distance	Average Time	Example Route
Under 500 miles	1–2 days	Dallas to Houston
500–1,000 miles	2–4 days	Chicago to Denver
1,000–1,500 miles	3–6 days	Miami to Atlanta
1,500–2,000 miles	5–8 days	New York to Phoenix
Over 2,000 miles	7–12 days	Los Angeles to Boston

These are ballpark figures—real times depend on many factors. Get a custom estimate with our Car Shipping Calculator.

What Affects Car Shipping Timeframe?

Digging deeper, there are some factors that define ca ar’s shipping timeline. Here’s what’s at play:

Distance: The longer the distance, the more time it takes to ship your car.
How It Affects Timeframe: A short trip (e.g., New York to Florida, ~1,000 miles) typically takes 3-5 days. A cross-country trip (e.g., New York to California, ~2,800 miles) can take 7-10 days or more.

💡 Key Note: Longer distances mean more driving hours, rest stops, and possibly overnight breaks for drivers, all extending the delivery time.

Pickup Location: Where your car is picked up impacts how quickly a carrier can get to it.

Urban areas (e.g., Los Angeles, Chicago): Pickup often happens in 1-2 days due to high carrier traffic.
Rural areas: Pickup can take 3-5 days or more since carriers visit less frequently.

💡 Key Note: Major cities are carrier hubs, speeding up scheduling, while remote spots require extra planning.

Weather: Bad weather can slow down shipping. Snowstorms, heavy rain, or extreme heat might add 1-2 days to the transport time.

💡 Key Note: Carriers may drive slower or take safer routes during adverse conditions, stretching the delivery window.

Carrier Type: The type of carrier you choose influences scheduling speed.

Open carriers: Common and quick to book, pickup usually within 1 -3 days.
Enclosed carriers: Less available, often adding 1-2 days to arrange.

💡 Key Note: Open transport is widely used, while enclosed options (for luxury cars) take longer to schedule due to limited supply.

Season: The time of year affects both demand and driving conditions.

Summer: High demand can mean pickup waits of 2-4 days.
Winter: Snow or ice in some regions can delay transit by 1-2 days.

💡 Key Note: Summer sees more shipments, while winter weather can slow down carriers in affected areas.

Road Conditions: Issues like construction or traffic can delay delivery. Detours or slowdowns might add hours or up to a day to the trip.

💡 Key Note: Roadwork or congestion forces carriers to adjust routes or pace, impacting arrival time.

Key Factors That Affect the Time It Takes to Ship a Car

Zooming in, a few specifics stand out:

Vehicle Condition: Whether your car runs affects loading speed. Non-running cars require extra handling, which takes time to arrange.

Operable vehicles: Loaded quickly, no delay.
Inoperable vehicles: Need special equipment, delaying pickup by 1-2 days.

Route Popularity: Popular routes have faster service. High-traffic routes have more carriers, reducing wait times compared to less-traveled paths.

Busy routes (e.g., California to Texas): Pickup in 1-2 days.
Rare routes (e.g., rural Montana to Alaska): Pickup might take 3-5 days or more.

Demand Spikes: Busy periods increase wait times. Holidays, end-of-month moves, or school seasons can extend pickup by 1 -3 days. When demand peaks, carriers book up fast, delaying your spot.

Carrier Availability: The number of carriers in your area matters. More carriers mean faster scheduling; scarcity stretches the process.

High availability (urban areas): Pickup in 1-3 days .
Low availability (rural or busy seasons): Pickup may take 3-5 days or more.

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car From One State to Another?

State-to-state shipping varies wildly:

Neighboring States: Texas to Oklahoma (300 miles) might take 1–2 days.
Cross-Region: California to Nevada (500 miles) clocks 2–3 days.
Long Hauls: New York to Florida (1,200 miles) lands in 4–6 days.

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car on Open Transport?

Open transport is our go-to—fast, affordable, and reliable. After pickup:

Short Hauls (less than 1,000 miles): 1–4 days.
Mid-Range (1,000–2,000 miles): 4–7 days.
Long Hauls (greater than 2,000 miles): 7–12 days.

Feature	Open Transport	Enclosed Transport
Cost	Affordable	Expensive
Protection	Exposed to weather and debris	Full protection
Vehicle Types	Standard vehicles	Luxury, classic, or high-value cars
Availability	Widely available	Limited carriers

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car on Enclosed Transport?

Fewer enclosed trucks mean pickup might stretch to 3–5 days, plus transit time. Enclosed transport—perfect for classics or luxury rides—takes a bit longer but Worth it for extra protection!

Short Hauls: 2–5 days.
Mid-Range: 5–8 days
Long Hauls: 8–14 days.

Can I Specify Dates for Auto Transport?

Yes, but flexibility helps! You can request pickup or delivery dates when booking with First Haulers. We’ll match you with a carrier, though exact timing depends on availability. Locked-in dates might cost more (expedited service)—chat with us via Contact Us to nail it down.

How Far in Advance Should I Book a Car Transport?

Early birds get faster pickups! Start with a Free Quote . Plan ahead for the smoothest ride:

Standard: 1–2 weeks—gives us time to find the best carrier.
Peak Seasons: 3–4 weeks (summer, snowbird rush).
Last-Minute: 2–5 days—possible, but options shrink.

How to Ship Your Car Faster

Want to hit the gas on shipping? Try these:

Book Early: More notice = more trucks to choose from.
Pick Big Hubs: Start/end near highways (e.g., I-80 in Pennsylvania) for quick carrier access.
Stay Flexible: Open dates let us grab the next ride.
Go Open Transport: It’s the fastest to schedule.

Best Practices for Faster Shipping Time

Here’s how to shave off days:

Prep Your Car: Quarter tank, no personal items—ready cars load instantly. See our Shipping Checklist.
Avoid Peaks: Skip July or January if you can—less competition speeds things up.
Expedite It: Pay a bit more to jump the line—pickup in 1–2 days.
Communicate: Tell us your timeline—we’ll hustle to make it work.

Why First Haulers?

We don't just Ship Cars, we transfer your intentions forward. Together with real-time tracking, vetted carriers, and thoughtful staff, First Haulers will give you the fastest and safest transportation of your vehicle.