Process
How Auto Transport Works
Six steps, no mystery. Here is exactly what happens between your first quote and the moment you sign for your vehicle.
1. Quote
You give us the pickup and delivery locations, the vehicle, whether it runs and your earliest available date. We price your actual lane against live carrier availability and send a firm number — not a placeholder that gets revised once you are committed.
2. Booking
Approve the quote and we open the order. No deposit is charged until an actual carrier is assigned to your vehicle. You get written confirmation with the pickup window, equipment type and insurance limits.
3. Dispatch
We assign a vetted carrier running a full-size semi car hauler, verify active DOT authority and current cargo insurance, then send you the driver's direct phone number and truck details.
4. Pickup and inspection
The driver calls ahead, meets you at your address or a nearby safe location, walks the vehicle with you, photographs existing condition and completes the bill of lading. Loading uses soft-tie wheel straps — never chains on the frame or suspension.
5. In transit
Track progress and reach the driver directly. Expect roughly 500 miles a day. If weather, traffic or a DOT hours-of-service reset shifts the schedule, we call you rather than leave you guessing.
6. Delivery and sign-off
The driver calls ahead again, unloads, and you inspect against the pickup photos before signing the bill of lading. Final payment is due on delivery. That's the whole process.
Preparation
How to prepare your vehicle
Ten minutes of prep prevents almost every delivery-day dispute.
- Wash the vehicle so existing damage is visible in photos
- Remove toll transponders and parking passes — we are not responsible for tolls or fees in transit
- Remove loose items from the interior and trunk
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel — no more
- Disable or note any alarm system for the driver
- Check for fluid leaks and mention them at booking
- Fold in mirrors, retract antennas, remove spoilers if removable
- Photograph all four corners, roof and interior before pickup
- Provide a spare key to the driver
FAQ
Process questions
How far ahead should I book?
One to two weeks is comfortable most of the year. During snowbird season (October–December southbound, March–May northbound) book three to six weeks out.
Can I put belongings in the car?
Up to 100 lbs in the trunk is generally allowed. Personal items are not covered by cargo insurance and should not be visible.
What if nobody can be there?
Any authorized adult can release or receive the vehicle — a neighbor, family member, property manager or shop employee.
How do I pay?
A deposit once a carrier is dispatched, with the balance due to the driver at delivery. We accept card, check and bank transfer.
Start now
Get a quote in under two minutes
Ready for white-glove auto transport?
Open and enclosed semi-truck carriers, door-to-door delivery and a coordinator who answers the phone.