How to Ship a Car

The average cost to ship a car in the United States is between $500 and $1,500, with most customers paying around $1,000-$1,150. The main factors are distance (the per-mile rate decreases on longer hauls), vehicle size (SUVs and trucks cost $50-$200 more than sedans), transport type (enclosed adds 30-60%), seasonal demand (summer and January are peak), and route popularity (major corridors like NY-FL are cheaper than rural routes). At Scott's, you get an exact, locked-in price upfront -- no estimates that change later.

Transit times depend on distance. Under 500 miles: 1-3 days. 500-1,000 miles: 3-7 days. 1,000-2,000 miles: 5-10 days. Coast to coast (2,500+ miles): 7-14 days. These are carrier transit times after pickup. Factor in a 1-3 business day pickup window from the date of booking (rural areas may require 3-5 days). Expedited pickup (1-2 days) is available for an additional fee. Weather, road conditions, and carrier routes can affect timing, but we keep you updated throughout.

Yes. Every carrier in Scott's network is required to carry a minimum of $750,000 in cargo insurance, which covers your vehicle from the moment it is loaded to the moment it is delivered. This is verified before any carrier is dispatched. You will receive a Bill of Lading at pickup that documents your vehicle's condition. If any damage occurs during transport, we handle the claims process on your behalf at no cost to you. For additional peace of mind, you can purchase supplemental gap coverage through our partner.

The Bill of Lading (BOL) is the most important document in your shipment. It is the official record of your vehicle's condition at both pickup and delivery, signed by you and the carrier driver. At pickup, you and the driver walk around your vehicle together, noting any existing scratches, dings, or damage. At delivery, you do the same inspection and compare. If any new damage is found, you note it on the BOL before signing -- this is your proof for any insurance claim. Never sign without inspecting first.

Most carriers allow a small amount of personal items in the trunk only -- typically one box under 100 pounds. However, carrier cargo insurance does NOT cover personal belongings inside the vehicle. Items left in the cabin can also shift during transport and potentially damage your interior. We strongly recommend shipping personal items separately via USPS, UPS, or a moving company. If you must ship items in the trunk, keep the total under 100 lbs and do not stack items above the window line.

We regularly transport non-running, inoperable, and salvage vehicles. Our carriers have winch equipment and in some cases forklifts to safely load vehicles that cannot start, steer, or roll. There is an additional fee of $150-$250 depending on the specific equipment needed. Let us know the vehicle's condition when requesting a quote so we can match you with an appropriately equipped carrier.

Every carrier in Scott's network is FMCSA-licensed, bonded, and insured. We verify MC numbers, insurance certificates, and safety ratings before dispatching any carrier. You can independently verify any carrier at the FMCSA's SaferSys database (safer.fmcsa.dot.gov). We never dispatch to carriers with unsatisfactory safety ratings or lapsed insurance. Scott's Auto Carrier operates under MC #707909 and USDOT #3945498.

A carrier is the company that physically owns the truck and transports your vehicle. A broker (like Scott's) is the intermediary that connects you with carriers, handles logistics, provides customer support, and ensures quality control. The advantage of working with a broker is access to a nationwide network of vetted carriers instead of being limited to one company's trucks and routes. A good broker provides price guarantees, handles claims, and gives you a single point of contact throughout your shipment.

You can choose a preferred first available date for pickup. We work to dispatch a carrier as close to that date as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. Exact date guarantees depend on carrier availability and route. For delivery, transit times are estimated based on distance and route, but road conditions, weather, and multi-stop routes can cause variation. We keep you updated with real-time notifications throughout.

Delays can happen due to weather, traffic, mechanical issues, or other stops on the carrier's route. If a carrier is running behind schedule, we proactively notify you with an updated ETA. Your price never changes due to delays. If a carrier cannot make your pickup window at all, we reassign to another carrier at no additional cost to you.

Someone must be present at both pickup and delivery to inspect the vehicle and sign the Bill of Lading. This can be you or any authorized adult representative -- a friend, family member, coworker, or building manager. If your schedule is tight, let your coordinator know and we can often arrange a window that works.

Cancellation is free at any time before a carrier has been dispatched. After a carrier is dispatched and en route to your pickup, a cancellation fee of $150 may apply to cover the carrier's deadhead costs. Rescheduling is usually free if done with at least 24-48 hours notice before the scheduled pickup.