The short answer
Shipping a car bought online starts with confirming the seller's release window so pickup isn't delayed, then choosing open transport unless the vehicle's value or condition justifies the roughly 30% premium for enclosed. Never pay a shipping deposit upfront — legitimate providers charge $0 at booking and only bill the full amount when the carrier physically picks up the car. Use the Bill of Lading as your inspection record at both ends.
- Enclosed transport typically costs about 35% more than open transport, justified for high-value or sensitive vehicles.
- $0 is due at booking; the full charge posts only when the carrier physically picks up the vehicle — no deposit, ever.
- Standard pickup windows run 1-7 business days; Expedited narrows that to 1-5 business days for a 35% surcharge.
- The Bill of Lading, signed at both pickup and delivery, is the legal condition record used in any damage claim.
- Minimum shipping rates start around $275 for very short routes, regardless of vehicle type.
Coordinating the seller's release
Before you book transport, confirm with the seller exactly when the car will be available for pickup — some dealerships hold vehicles for detailing or final paperwork, and private sellers sometimes need a few extra days. Give your carrier a realistic ready date rather than the date you wish it were ready; a mismatch here is the most common cause of a rescheduled pickup and a frustrated driver showing up to a car that isn't ready to release.
The 30% rule: open vs. enclosed
- Open transport is standard, cost-effective, and fine for the vast majority of everyday vehicles.
- Enclosed transport costs roughly 35% more but shields the car from road debris, weather, and dust.
- Choose enclosed for classics, exotics, low-clearance sports cars, or any vehicle you couldn't easily replace.
- For a typical daily-driver purchase, open transport is the better value and carries very low real-world risk.
Why an upfront deposit is a red flag
A legitimate shipping provider does not need your money before a truck is actually assigned to your car. The correct structure is $0 due at booking, with the full order total charged only the instant the carrier physically picks up the vehicle. If a company asks for a deposit weeks before dispatch, or asks you to pay a driver cash on delivery, that's a sign to walk away — it inverts the normal risk, putting your money on the line before any work has happened.
The carrier as your eyes: the Bill of Lading
If you weren't able to inspect the car in person before buying, the carrier's pickup inspection becomes your first real look at its condition. Ask the carrier or seller for a full walkaround before pickup, and make sure the Bill of Lading notes every existing mark. That document becomes your baseline — anything that shows up at delivery that isn't already on it is transport damage, not a pre-existing condition you have to argue about.
Realistic transit times
- Cross-country moves (coast to coast) typically take 7-10 days in transit once picked up.
- Regional moves (a few states away) often run 2-5 days in transit.
- Pickup itself happens within 1-7 business days on Standard, or 1-5 on Expedited.
- Weather, holidays, and remote pickup locations can add a day or two to any estimate.
Your driveway checklist before the carrier leaves
- Walk the car against your pre-shipment or seller-provided photos before signing anything.
- Start the engine and check basic functions (lights, wipers, horn) before the driver departs.
- Note any new damage directly on the delivery Bill of Lading, not just verbally to the driver.
- Keep your signed copy of the Bill of Lading — it's your record if a claim becomes necessary.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to pay a deposit to book shipping for my online purchase?
- No. Booking is $0 due today with no deposit ever required. The full order total is only charged the moment the carrier physically picks up the vehicle.
- Should I choose open or enclosed transport for a car I bought sight unseen?
- Open transport is fine for most everyday vehicles and costs less. Consider enclosed, at roughly a 35% premium, if the car is high-value, low-clearance, or otherwise hard to replace.
- How long will it take for my online purchase to arrive?
- Pickup typically happens within 1-7 business days of booking on Standard service. Transit time after pickup depends on distance — often 2-5 days regionally or 7-10 days coast to coast.