Frequently Asked Questions

Car shipping cost depends on the distance, your vehicle's size and weight, whether you choose open or enclosed transport, the time of year, and how accessible your pickup and delivery locations are. The best way to know your exact price is to request a free, no-obligation quote — it takes about a minute.

Your Ship Guy quote is all-in. It covers door-to-door transport and the carrier's insurance, with no hidden fees and no fuel surcharges added later. The price you're quoted is the price you pay.

No. You don't pay anything until your vehicle is assigned to a carrier and dispatched. There's no upfront deposit and no risk in getting a quote.

You typically pay once your vehicle is dispatched and at delivery. Our team will walk you through the accepted payment methods when you book.

Extremely low quotes are often too good to be true — the price is below what carriers will accept, so the vehicle sits waiting or the price jumps later. We quote to the real carrier market so your car actually gets picked up on schedule.

Get an instant quote online or call (866) 280-3481. Once you're happy with your price, you book — with no deposit — and we handle the rest. See exactly how it works.

Booking one to two weeks ahead is ideal, especially during peak seasons like summer and the winter snowbird months. Need it moved fast? Ask about expedited shipping.

You can share your preferred dates, and flexible windows earn the best rates. If you have a firm deadline, expedited service prioritizes your pickup.

Yes. You can check your shipment status, and our U.S.-based support team is available 24/7 for updates.

Yes. Your carrier picks up and delivers as close to your pickup and delivery addresses as is legally and safely possible. Learn more about door-to-door shipping.

If a residential street is too narrow for a full-size transporter, the driver will arrange a nearby meeting point with room to load and unload, such as a large parking lot.

Transit time mainly depends on distance — a short regional move may take 1–3 days, while a coast-to-coast shipment typically takes 6–9 days. You'll get an estimated window for your route.

You or an authorized adult must be present at both pickup and delivery to release or receive the vehicle, complete the inspection, and sign the paperwork.

Yes. Every carrier in our network is verified for active cargo insurance before they transport your vehicle, and your quote includes that coverage.

Ship Guy is a licensed, bonded, and FMCSA-registered auto transport broker. We only work with carriers we've screened for active operating authority, insurance, and a clean safety record.

Damage is rare, but if anything occurs, note it on the Bill of Lading at delivery, compare it against your pickup photos, and we'll help you file a claim with the carrier's insurance.

Wash it so existing marks are visible, remove personal belongings and toll tags, leave about a quarter tank of fuel, disable any alarms, and note any mechanical quirks. See our car prep guide for a full checklist.

Yes. Inoperable vehicles can be shipped — just let us know when you book so we assign a carrier with the right equipment, such as a winch.

We recommend shipping the vehicle empty. Personal items aren't covered by the carrier's insurance and can shift during transit.

We ship cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, motorcycles, classics, and more — operable or not. Let us know your vehicle details for an accurate quote.

Open transport is the affordable, widely used standard and is great for everyday vehicles. Enclosed transport offers full protection from weather and road debris and is ideal for classic, luxury, or high-value vehicles.

Yes. We ship vehicles across all 50 states, from local moves to coast-to-coast.