How to Ship a Car: Step-by-Step Guide | American Auto Link
American Auto Link
THE SHORT VERSION
01Quote
02Book, $0 upfront
03Carrier assigned
04Pickup
05Delivery
HOME / HOW TO SHIP A CAR
[ THE GUIDE ]

How to ship a car,
start to finish.

The honest walk-through. What you do, what we do, and the one person you talk to the whole way.

4.8RATING
15,000+VEHICLES MOVED
3,500+CARRIERS
48CONTIGUOUS STATES
THE PROCESS

Five steps. One person with you for all of them.

01
Get your quote
Enter pickup and delivery cities and your vehicle. You see an estimate on screen, then a coordinator calls to confirm the real number.
STEP 1 · QUOTE
PICKUP
Houston, TX
DELIVERY
Chicago, IL
ESTIMATE$ – $
02
Book it, $0 upfront
Approve the quote and we line up a carrier. Nothing is charged to hold your spot.
STEP 2 · BOOK
DUE TODAY
$0
BOOKED
Nothing is charged to hold your spot.
03
We assign and check a carrier
Your car is matched to a carrier for your route, and the carrier is checked before we book them.
STEP 3 · CARRIER CHECKED
Authority active
Insurance on file
Record reviewed
04
Pickup day
The driver arrives in the agreed window. You both walk the car and sign the inspection report.
STEP 4 · PICKUP INSPECTION
Both of you walk the car and note any marks.
SIGNED
05
Delivery
Your coordinator stays on the line until the car is at the door. Inspect it, sign, done.
STEP 5 · DELIVERY
Delivered. Sign and go.COORDINATOR ON THE LINE
[ THE HUMAN PART ]

A real person calls you at every milestone.

Not an app notification, not a portal you have to refresh. Your coordinator is the one name on your shipment from the quote to the keys.

pickup day, 7am
in transit
Your coordinator
SAMPLE CALL NOTES
ON THE LINE
Hi, this is your AAL coordinator. Your carrier is assigned.
Pickup is set for your window. I will call when the driver is close.
Picked up. Photos and report are done. On the road now.
Delivered. How did it go?
YOU DO
Wash the car and take photos
Remove loose items and toll tags
Leave about a quarter tank
Be reachable for pickup and delivery
WE DO
Find and check the carrier
Schedule pickup and delivery windows
Call you at every milestone
Stay on it if anything shifts
Not sure about something? Just call. We pick up. →
QUESTIONS

Before you ask.

Earlier gives us more carrier options on your route. Your coordinator will tell you what is realistic when they call.

You, or someone you trust, should be there at pickup and delivery to go over the condition report and sign. Your coordinator will work out the timing with you.

Nothing is charged to hold your spot. You only pay after a carrier is assigned and you confirm the booking with your coordinator.

Please take valuables and loose items with you. Carriers are set up to move cars, not belongings, so ask your coordinator before leaving anything inside.

[ NEXT STEP ]
Ready to ship yours?
Quote in about 60 seconds. $0 upfront. No obligation.
PICKUP
City or ZIP code
DELIVERY
City or ZIP code
Get my rate