Why More People Are Buying Cars Online
In 2025, roughly 40% of used-car transactions in the US started online. That number is projected to cross 50% by the end of 2026. Platforms like CarGurus, Facebook Marketplace, and AutoTrader have made it dead simple to find the exact car you want — a specific trim, color, mileage range — even if it's sitting in a driveway 1,500 miles away.
The problem? Buying the car is the easy part. Getting it to your driveway is where most people hit a wall. The seller usually won't ship. The platform won't ship. And suddenly you're Googling "how to ship a car" at midnight, drowning in sketchy quotes and confusing broker jargon.
This guide walks you through exactly how to ship a car you bought on the three biggest online platforms — what each one offers (and doesn't), what it actually costs, and the five mistakes that delay online car purchases by weeks.
CarGurus: Does CarGurus Ship Cars?
Short answer: no, CarGurus does not ship cars. CarGurus is a listing platform. It connects you with dealers and private sellers, but once you buy, logistics are on you.
Some dealers listed on CarGurus offer their own delivery service, typically through a third-party transport company they've contracted. The catch? Dealer-arranged shipping is almost always more expensive — often 20-35% above market rate — because the dealer marks up the transport cost as a profit center.
When a CarGurus dealer offers "free shipping," they've almost certainly baked $500-$1,200 into the vehicle price. Ask for the cash price without shipping, then book transport yourself. You'll save $300-$800 on average.
What to do instead: Negotiate the vehicle price separately from shipping. Lock in your deal, then contact a licensed auto transport broker like Scott's to get a real, locked-in quote. You'll typically save 20-30% compared to dealer-arranged delivery.
One thing to confirm with the CarGurus dealer before booking transport: ask who will be the release agent. Some dealerships require a specific person to hand over the keys to the carrier driver. Get a name and phone number. Carriers get delayed when they show up at a dealership and nobody knows who's supposed to release the vehicle.
Facebook Marketplace: Shipping a Car From a Private Seller
Facebook Marketplace is the Wild West of online car buying. There's no buyer protection, no escrow system, and no logistics support. You're dealing directly with a private seller who may or may not know what they're doing.
That said, Marketplace has the largest selection of private-party vehicles anywhere online. The prices are often 10-20% below dealer retail. If you're willing to do the legwork, the savings are real.
The shipping challenge with Marketplace is coordination. A private seller isn't going to hold a car for two weeks while you arrange transport. Here's the timeline that works:
- 1Before you commit: Get a transport quote so you know your all-in cost. It takes 60 seconds.
- 2When you agree on price: Book transport immediately. Don't wait for the title to arrive.
- 3Day of pickup: Your carrier contacts the seller directly. The seller hands over the keys and signs a Bill of Lading.
- 4During transit: You track the shipment and prepare your payment (if you haven't already wired it).
- 5At delivery: You inspect the car, sign the delivery BOL, and drive away.
“The #1 reason Facebook Marketplace car deals fall apart is the buyer takes too long to arrange shipping. The seller gets another offer and moves on. Book transport the same day you agree on price.”
— Scott's Auto Carrier dispatch team
Never wire money to a Facebook Marketplace seller before verifying the car exists. Use a video call to see the car live. Better yet, hire a mobile pre-purchase inspector ($100-$200) in the seller's city. And never use a "shipping company" the seller recommends — that's a classic scam setup.
AutoTrader: Dealer vs. Independent Shipping
AutoTrader sits somewhere between CarGurus and Facebook Marketplace. Most listings are from franchised dealers, but there's a solid mix of independent dealers and certified pre-owned inventory.
AutoTrader itself does not offer shipping services. However, many AutoTrader dealers use a feature called "Home Delivery" that lets you buy online and get the car delivered. The delivery radius is usually limited to 100-200 miles, and the dealer typically charges $499-$999 for the service.
For anything beyond local delivery — say you're buying from a dealer in Texas and you're in New Jersey — you need independent auto transport. The dealer will prepare the car for pickup, and your carrier handles the rest.
AutoTrader dealers are generally better at working with transport companies than private sellers. They have lot managers, they understand Bills of Lading, and they're used to releasing vehicles to carrier drivers. Just make sure to:
- Confirm the vehicle will be ready on the pickup date (washed, fueled to 1/4 tank, personal plates removed)
- Get the lot manager's direct number — not the sales desk
- Ask if the dealer charges a storage fee if the carrier is delayed by a day or two (some charge $25-50/day after 3 days)
- Request the VIN in writing so your transport company can verify it matches at pickup
Step-by-Step: How to Book Transport for an Online Purchase
Whether you bought on CarGurus, Facebook, or AutoTrader, the transport process is the same. Here's exactly what happens:
Step 1: Get a quote. You'll need the pickup ZIP, delivery ZIP, and vehicle year/make/model. A legitimate broker gives you a locked-in price — not a "estimate" that changes later. At Scott's, the price you see is the price you pay. Period.
Step 2: Book and schedule. Once you pay the deposit (typically $75-$200 depending on the route), your order goes to dispatch. Most pickups happen within 3-7 business days of booking, though expedited service can get a carrier to your door in 1-3 days.
Step 3: Pickup. The carrier driver contacts the seller or dealer 12-24 hours before arrival. They inspect the car together, document any existing damage on the Bill of Lading, and load the vehicle. The entire process takes about 20-30 minutes.
Step 4: Transit. Average transit times depend on distance:
| Distance | Typical Transit Time | Example Route |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | 2-4 days | Atlanta to Nashville |
| 500-1,000 miles | 4-6 days | Chicago to Denver |
| 1,000-1,500 miles | 5-7 days | Dallas to New York |
| 1,500-2,500 miles | 7-10 days | LA to Miami |
| Coast to coast | 8-12 days | Seattle to Miami |
Step 5: Delivery. The driver calls you 12-24 hours before arrival. You (or someone you designate) meet the driver, inspect the car against the original BOL, and sign off. The remaining balance is due at delivery — typically paid directly to the carrier in cash or cashier's check.
How Much Does It Cost?
Let's cut through the vagueness. Here are real 2026 prices for the most common online-purchase shipping routes:
| Route | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| FL to NY / NJ | $750 – $950 | $1,200 – $1,500 |
| CA to TX | $700 – $900 | $1,100 – $1,400 |
| TX to IL / OH | $650 – $850 | $1,050 – $1,300 |
| CA to FL | $1,000 – $1,300 | $1,600 – $2,000 |
| NY to CA | $1,100 – $1,400 | $1,700 – $2,100 |
| GA to WA | $1,000 – $1,250 | $1,500 – $1,900 |
Factors that move the price: Vehicle size matters — an F-150 costs 15-25% more than a Civic because it takes up more space on the trailer. Season matters too — January through March is the cheapest time to ship. Summer and the October-November snowbird rush push prices up 10-20%.
Every quote from Scott's Auto Carrier is price-locked at booking. The number you see is the number you pay. No fuel surcharges, no "market adjustments," no surprises at delivery. That's our guarantee.
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5 Mistakes That Delay Online Car Purchases
After shipping thousands of online-purchased vehicles, we see the same mistakes over and over. Here's what to avoid:
Mistake #1: Waiting to book transport until after you've paid for the car. The moment you commit to buying, book your transport. Carrier availability isn't instant — especially on popular routes like Florida to the Northeast. Waiting a week to book means your car sits at a dealer lot (possibly accruing storage fees) while you scramble to find a carrier.
Mistake #2: Choosing the cheapest quote. The auto transport industry has a dirty secret: low-ball quotes. A broker quotes you $400 to ship coast-to-coast, knowing no carrier will accept that rate. Your car sits for weeks while they slowly raise the carrier pay until someone bites. A realistic quote gets your car picked up. A cheap quote gets your car ignored.
Mistake #3: Not coordinating with the seller. The carrier needs someone at pickup to hand over the keys and sign the BOL. If you bought from a private seller on Facebook and they're "not available" when the carrier arrives, the driver moves on to the next job. You go back to the end of the line.
Mistake #4: Leaving personal items in the car. Federal regulations prohibit carriers from transporting household goods in vehicles on an auto carrier. A few light items in the trunk (under 100 lbs) are usually fine, but loading the back seat with boxes is a guaranteed rejection at pickup.
Mistake #5: Not inspecting at delivery. When your car arrives, walk around it with the driver. Compare the vehicle's condition to the pickup BOL. Note any new damage before you sign. Once you sign the delivery BOL, it's significantly harder to file a claim. Take photos of all four sides, the roof, and both bumpers.
Shipping a car you bought online doesn't have to be stressful. The key is to plan your transport at the same time you're negotiating the car — not after. Get a real quote, book early, and coordinate with the seller. Everything else falls into place.
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Scott's Auto Carrier Team
Written by our team of transport coordinators, dispatchers, and industry specialists. With 20+ years in auto transport, we've shipped over 50,000 vehicles nationwide and know this industry inside and out.
