The short answer
Car shipping tracking shows two things: status milestones (dispatched, picked up, in transit, out for delivery, delivered) and GPS position along the route. Position updates periodically rather than continuously, so a stationary marker usually means a rest break, not a problem. The driver calls you directly, typically 12 to 24 hours before delivery, to arrange the actual window.
- Status milestones also arrive by text and email as they happen.
- GPS reflects the truck, which carries 7–10 vehicles on a shared route.
- A marker that has not moved for 10 hours is almost always a federally mandated rest period.
- The driver's direct number is shared with you at dispatch.
What each status means
- Searching for driver: your load is live on the dispatch network and being bid on.
- Carrier assigned: a vetted carrier accepted; you receive driver contact details.
- Pickup scheduled: the driver has confirmed a time inside your window.
- Picked up: the vehicle is loaded, the BOL is signed, and your card is charged.
- In transit: the trailer is running its corridor with your vehicle aboard.
- Delivery scheduled: the driver has called with a delivery window.
- Delivered: the delivery BOL is signed; nothing is owed.
Reading the map honestly
The marker is the truck, not your car alone, and it moves about 500 miles a day at most. Overnight stops, weigh stations, fuel stops and other customers' deliveries all produce hours of apparent stillness. Distance remaining divided by 500 is a better prediction than watching the marker.
When to call us instead of waiting
- No status change for more than 48 hours while in transit
- The delivery window has passed with no driver contact
- The driver asks for payment at delivery — nothing is owed to the driver on a retail order
- Anything about the vehicle's condition or the paperwork looks wrong
Frequently asked questions
- Can I track my car while it is being shipped?
- Yes. Your shipment page shows live GPS position and every status milestone, and the same milestones are sent to you by text and email.
- Why hasn't the tracking moved?
- Most often a mandated rest period, an overnight stop or another customer's delivery. Drivers are limited to roughly 11 driving hours per day by federal rules.
- When will the driver call me?
- Typically 12–24 hours before delivery to set the window, and again when they are close. You also have the driver's direct number from the moment the carrier is assigned.