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How Car Shipping Works with RunBuggyOne: Steps, Timing & Costs

Shipping a car involves more than just loading a vehicle onto a truck. It requires coordination, safety checks, and the right equipment. At RunBuggyOne, we have streamlined this complex process into a simple, transparent experience. Whether you are moving cross-country or buying a car online, this guide covers our step-by-step process, a detailed breakdown of timing factors, and what influences the cost.

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The Process

The 3-Step Car Shipping Process

We have simplified vehicle transport into three easy steps, giving you control from the initial quote to the final delivery.

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Step 1. Get an Instant Quote

The first step is to get an instant quote. You'll need to provide some basic information like where to pick up and drop off your car, and whether you want an open or enclosed car transport truck to move your car.

  • No Haggle Pricing: We show you a transparent price upfront.
  • Instant Results: It takes less than 60 seconds to see your rate.
Get Instant Quote
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Step 2. Book Your Order

If you like the quote pricing you see, you can proceed to book your order. This entails providing information about the car you want to ship, when you want to ship your car, and how you will pay for it.

  • Secure Booking: You can place your order online or give us a call, day or night.
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Step 3. Track and Pay for Your Order

Once your order is received, a verified transporter will be dispatched to pick-up and deliver your car.

  • Tracking & Automated Status Updates: You will receive an email with a tracking link that will provide you with status updates at each key step of the shipping process.
  • Ship Now, Pay Later: Once your car is delivered, payment is automatically processed using the method you provided at booking.
Industry Overview

What is Car Shipping?

Car shipping involves the transportation of vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles, from one location to another, either domestically or internationally. The car shipping industry is comprised of a variety of companies, including auto transport brokers, carriers (a.k.a. transporters, haulers), lead providers, and logistics companies.

Car shipping truck illustration

Auto Transport Brokers

Brokers help customers find the best carrier for their needs. Some brokers work with a limited number of transporters, whereas others have access to thousands of transporters. The RunBuggyOne Difference: RunBuggyOne has a marketplace of over 17,000 drivers and uses technology to match your order with the right transporter to get your car delivered fast and at the best rate.

Carriers (Transporters)

Carriers, also known as car transporters or car haulers, are responsible for physically transporting the vehicles. Many carriers are reputable and reliable and carry the proper insurance and license. However, some do not and you should always verify their driving record and insurance coverage prior to placing an order. The RunBuggyOne Difference: RunBuggyOne verifies every carrier, so you can rest assured your car is in good hands.

Lead Providers

Lead providers supply you with a list of carriers to choose from. Typically, these lead providers "sell" your contact information, which means you will start to get phone calls and emails from multiple carriers after you submit the lead form. The RunBuggyOne Difference: We do not sell your contact information. We keep your personal details secure and only use them to facilitate your specific shipment.

Logistics Companies

Logistics companies provide support services, such as route planning and vehicle tracking. The RunBuggyOne Difference: RunBuggyOne uses data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure your car gets picked up and delivered quickly, securely, and for the lowest cost, while helping to reduce CO2 from "empty miles."

Timing

Factors That Determine How Long It Takes to Ship a Car

One of the most common questions we get is, “When will my car arrive?”. While most cross-country shipments take 7-10 days and regional transports take 1-3 days, the exact timing depends on several critical variables.

FACTOR 1

Distance and Route

The most obvious factor is distance (e.g., cross-town vs. cross-country). However, route conditions matter just as much. Toll roads, road construction, and traffic congestion can all increase the time it takes to ship a car.

FACTOR 2

Type of Vehicle

Standard sedans are the easiest to ship. However, longer, taller, and heavier vehicles (such as a lifted Jeep), as well as exotic or classic cars, may take longer to ship because they require specialized trucks. Cars that do not run (e.g., dead battery) also take longer to coordinate because we must find a driver with a winch or special equipment to load them.

FACTOR 3

Type of Transporter

Open car transporters (like the 9-car haulers you see on the highway) are typically more common and widely available than enclosed car transporters. If you are comfortable with your car being exposed to the elements, an open carrier is often the faster way to ship. Enclosed carriers offer more protection but are less common, meaning it may take longer to find an available driver.

FACTOR 4

Pickup and Drop-Off Location

People who live in remote rural areas may wait longer as driver availability is limited. Surprisingly, heavily dense urban areas can also cause delays if it is difficult for a large car carrier to navigate narrow city streets to reach your door.

FACTOR 5

Seasonality

The time of year significantly impacts speed. Picking up a car in the middle of winter in North Dakota may take longer than shipping a car from Arizona due to cold and icy road conditions. If everyone is shipping their cars from New York to Florida in the winter, the high demand makes it more difficult to find an available transporter quickly.

FACTOR 6

Scheduling

It is always advisable to schedule car shipping as far in advance as possible. We recommend booking up to 30 days in advance to lock in your rate, as it generally takes a few days to find the perfect transporter for your order.

Cost Variables

Cost Variables: What Affects the Price?

Just like timing, car shipping costs are based on the specific conditions of your move.

  • Vehicle Condition: Inoperable vehicles require extra labor and equipment to load, which increases the cost.
  • Vehicle Modifications: Oversized tires or lift kits take up extra space on the trailer, often resulting in a higher price tag.
  • Seasonality: High-demand routes (like the "Snowbird" route to Florida) often command higher prices during peak seasons due to limited trailer space.
See Pricing Breakdown
17,000+
Verified carriers
Easy
Flexible payment
1–3 days
Regional transport
7–10 days
Cross-country
Why RunBuggyOne

Why Choose RunBuggyOne?

While other companies function as simple lead generators, RunBuggyOne is a technology-first logistics platform. We offer distinct advantages that standard brokers and lead providers cannot match.

1. We Protect Your Data (No Spam Calls)

One of the biggest complaints in the auto transport industry is the "spam storm." When you use a "lead provider," they sell your contact information to multiple brokers, resulting in endless unwanted calls. RunBuggyOne does not sell your contact information. We keep your personal details secure and only use them to facilitate your specific shipment, sparing you from harassment.

2. Access to Nationwide Transporters

We don't rely on a small list of local drivers. RunBuggyOne operates a massive digital marketplace with over 17,000 verified drivers. We use proprietary technology to instantly match your specific order with the right transporter in your area, ensuring your car gets picked up faster and at the best market rate.

3. Specialists in Complex Shipments

Many shippers only want to move standard sedans that run perfectly. RunBuggyOne is different. We have the expertise and equipment to handle electric vehicles (EVs), lifted/modified trucks, and even inoperable vehicles (non-runners). Whether it's a classic car or a dually truck, we have a driver with the right equipment to move it.

4. AI-Driven Route Optimization

We use data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to optimize shipping routes. By identifying trucks that are already moving in your direction, we reduce "empty miles". This not only lowers the carbon footprint of your shipment but often results in faster delivery times and more competitive pricing for you.

Who We Serve

RunBuggyOne’s Car Delivery Service Customers

Whether it’s your first car or your dream car, RunBuggyOne offers safe and transparent vehicle transport services for cars, trucks, and everything in between.

Classic & Exotic Car OwnersCollege StudentsMilitaryMotorcycle EnthusiastsMoving & RelocationOnline Car BuyersSnowbirds & Retirees
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Vehicle Transport

If you don’t see the answer to your car shipping question here, then please feel free to contact our team. We’re here to help make your car shipping experience stress-free.

We know you're looking forward to seeing your car again after it's been loaded on the truck. The time it takes to get to its destination will vary based on how far it's going, how many other cars need to be picked up after yours (if any), weather conditions, traffic, etc.

When you book, a small deposit is charged to the payment method you provide to secure your order. RunBuggyOne then automatically charges the remaining balance to that same payment method when your car arrives. NEVER PAY THE DRIVER. The driver should not ask you for payment. If the driver is demanding payment or proof of payment, please contact us so we can resolve this for you.

Accidents unfortunately happen. If your car is damaged in any way when it is delivered, contact us immediately. Damage to your vehicle must be reported within 24 hours of delivery. We recommend you take multiple pictures of the damage and note the damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign it.

We do not recommend you place personal items (clothes, furniture, equipment, etc.) in the trunk or inside the car before it's transported. Personal items are typically not covered by the carrier's cargo insurance, could be at risk of being stolen while in transit on an open carrier, and add weight to the car. If for any reason you need to pack personal items inside the vehicle it must not exceed 100 lbs. and should be in the trunk or back seats below the window line where someone can't see them.

You can place your order up to 30 days in advance to lock in your rate. It generally takes 3-5 days for us to find a driver.

The total car shipping cost depends on a few things – how many miles it needs to be transported, whether you want an open or enclosed carrier to transport your car, whether your car runs or not, and whether there have been any modifications done on the vehicle (think big Jeep tires) that would make it oversized or overweight. RunBuggyOne provides upfront, transparent, and no-haggle pricing so the price you see is the price you pay.

Yes. We can help you ship an electric car. Please note that an electric car is typically heavier than a standard car. The price you see in the free instant quote on our website may be different than the price you see when you place an order, because the quote assumes a standard car weight.

Yes. We can help you ship your dually, lifted, or modified vehicle. Please note that because these vehicles are typically oversized and heavier than a standard car, the price you see in the free instant quote on our website may be different than the price you see when you place an order. The reason is because the quote assumes a standard car size and weight.

Yes. We can help you ship a car that doesn't run (no keys, dead battery, no engine, etc.). Please note that the price you see in the free instant quote on our website may be different than the price you see when you place an order, because the quote assumes a standard car that runs. Inoperable cars require special equipment and extra work to load and unload.

Open car carriers are the most common type and typically less expensive than enclosed car carriers. Shipping your car in an open car carrier means it will be exposed to the elements (rain, snow, hail, wind, rocks, etc.). Enclosed car carriers provide better protection from the elements and theft, and are typically more expensive. We recommend enclosed car carriers for classic, luxury, exotic, or one-of-a-kind vehicles that are considered expensive or valuable.

The Bill of Lading is a document used by shipping companies as part of the inspection they do when they pick up your car to record any possible damage prior to shipping. When your car is delivered to you, you will be asked to sign the Bill of Lading, which indicates you have received your car and that it was not damaged during shipping. If you notice any damage to your car that may have occurred during shipping, note the damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign it and contact us within 24 hours of delivery.

Yes. RunBuggyOne verifies every transporter carries the right insurance to transport your vehicle. RunBuggyOne also carries a separate insurance policy to further protect your vehicle. We recommend that you confirm your personal auto insurance policy is up-to-date, that it provides coverage for car shipping, and that you maintain coverage for the duration of your shipment.

We recommend having no more than 1/4 tank of gas in your car at the time of shipping, which is just enough for the transporter to load and unload your car. If you have a full tank of gas, it will add more weight and the transporter may need to drain the gas to lessen the load.

Take any license plates off the vehicle and put them in the glove box. This will ensure your vehicle does not accidentally get charged while going over any toll roads or bridges. We recommend you also keep the vehicle registration in the glove box as well.

If you need to cancel your order for any reason, you may do so at any time up to when your car is loaded on the truck. Simply contact us and let us know you need to cancel.

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