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.
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.
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.
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.
$0 Upfront: With RunBuggyOne, you won’t be charged until your car is delivered.
Secure Booking: You can place your order online or give us a call, day or night.
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. It’s that simple.
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.
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.
Logistic 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.
How Long Does It Take 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.
Factors That Determine How Long It Takes to Ship a Car
Depending on where you are shipping a car to and from, the time of the year, and how far in advance you have scheduled your car shipment order, all determine how long it takes to ship a car.
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.
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.
Inoperable Vehicles: 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.
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.
- Faster Option: If you are comfortable with your car being exposed to the elements, an open carrier is often the faster way to ship.
- Slower Option: Enclosed carriers offer more protection but are less common, meaning it may take longer to find an available driver.
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.
5. Seasonality
The time of year significantly impacts speed.
- Winter Delays: 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.
- Snowbird Season: 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.
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: 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.
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.
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. Check out our dedicated pages below on some of our most popular customer bases to see how an auto delivery service like RunBuggyOne can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Vehicle Transport Services
When will my car be delivered?
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. You can learn more about the process on our car shipping timing page.
Who do I pay when my car arrives?
When your car arrives, RunBuggyOne will automatically deduct payment from the payment method you provided when you placed your order. 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.
What happens if my car gets damaged during shipping?
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.
Can I put personal items in my car before it ships?
We do not recommend you place personal items (clothes, furniture, equipment, etc.) in the trunk or inside the car before it’s transported for a few reasons.
- Personal items are typically not covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance, so the driver may ask that you remove personal items of value.
- If your car is being transported in an open car carrier, your personal items could be at risk of being stolen while in transit.
- Lastly, personal items add weight to the car, which may exceed what the transporter is able to carry.
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. If you have any more questions about this, please contact us.
When should I place my order?
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.
How much will it cost to ship my car?
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. You can get a free, instant quote by clicking here.
Does your vehicle transport service include electric cars?
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.
Can you ship my dually, lifted, or modified vehicle?
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.
Can your auto delivery service ship a car that doesn't run?
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.
What's the difference between an open and enclosed car carrier?
This is what an open car carrier looks like:
There are different types of open car carriers or transporters, but the general idea is that they are “open”. These are the most common type of car carriers 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 look like this:
Enclosed car carriers provide better protection from the elements and theft, and are typically more expensive for shipping your car. We recommend enclosed car carriers for classic, luxury, exotic, or one-of-a-kind vehicles that are considered expensive or valuable.
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 being shipped in an open car carrier.
What is the Bill of Lading?
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 to report any damage.
Is my car insured during shipping?
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.
Should I fill up my car with gas before it goes on the truck?
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.
What do I do with my license plate(s)?
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.
How do I cancel my order?
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.
