How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car? Route Planner | American Auto Link
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How long does it take to ship a car?

Pick any two cities. See the miles, the days on the truck, a typical price, and the dates your car could arrive.

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DRIVING DISTANCE—MILES

Choose two cities to see miles, days and price.

HOW LONG IT TAKES

Car shipping time, by distance

Two clocks run on every shipment. First, the wait for a carrier: usually 1 to 3 business days with a flexible pickup date. Then the time on the truck, which depends mostly on distance. Federal rules limit drivers to 11 hours behind the wheel a day, and carriers stop to load and unload other cars, so most trucks cover about 400 to 500 miles a day.

DistanceOn the truckTypical sedan price
250 miles1–2 days$300 – $450
500 miles1–2 days$390 – $580
1,000 miles2–3 days$610 – $810
1,500 miles3–4 days$800 – $1,000
2,000 miles4–5 days$900 – $1,150
2,500 miles5–7 days$1,050 – $1,350
3,000 miles5–8 days$1,200 – $1,500
QUESTIONS

Timing questions, answered

How long does it take to ship a car?

Most cars are on the truck within 1 to 3 business days of booking with a flexible pickup date. After that, about 1 to 2 days for trips under 500 miles, 2 to 4 days for 500 to 1,500 miles, and 5 to 8 days coast to coast.

Why does a 2,500-mile trip take a week?

Federal hours-of-service rules cap a truck driver at 11 hours of driving a day, and a carrier also stops to load and unload other cars on the way. That works out to roughly 400 to 500 miles a day.

Is the price on this page my quote?

No. It is the typical range for a car shipped that distance with a flexible pickup date. Your exact rate depends on your addresses, vehicle and dates, and takes about 60 seconds to get. Booking is $0 upfront.

Can my car get there faster?

Yes. Expedited shipping gets a carrier assigned sooner, which mainly shortens the wait before pickup. The time on the road stays about the same.

Does the time of year change the timing?

It can. Snowbird season fills southbound trucks in the fall and northbound trucks in the spring. Winter storms can close mountain passes, and hurricane season can delay Gulf and Atlantic coast pickups by a day or two.