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Why Online Car Buying Is Just the Beginning
In 2025, buying a car online is about as normal as ordering groceries. Whether it’s a clean-title Toyota from eBay, a fixer-upper from Copart, or a showroom-level Tesla from a luxury reseller—Americans are skipping the dealership and clicking “Buy” from their phones.
But here’s the catch: the purchase might be digital, but the delivery is still very physical.
And that’s where things can get messy.
Once money changes hands, your next challenge is figuring out how to safely and affordably get the car to you. A lot of buyers make the mistake of treating shipping like a footnote in the process. Don’t be one of them.
It’s Not “Just Shipping.” It’s Part of the Deal.
It’s easy to think, “Oh, I’ll just hire a transport company once everything is finalized.” But timing, condition, and location all matter—and if something’s off, it can derail your entire experience.
You don’t want your first interaction with your new car to involve damage, storage fees, or unexpected delays. Unfortunately, these happen far more often than you'd think.
Knowing what not to do can save you a lot of stress—and money.
Mistake #1: Going with the Seller’s “Shipping Guy”
Some sellers might offer to “handle” the shipping for you, usually through someone they’ve worked with before. And sure, that might sound convenient—until it’s not.
We’ve heard stories where the seller’s carrier shows up with no paperwork, no insurance, and no idea what they’re transporting. In one case, the driver didn’t even strap the car properly.
If you don’t know the company personally, do your own due diligence. Use a broker that works with licensed, FMCSA-registered carriers who are fully insured.
Cheap isn’t always better—especially when it comes to your car.
Mistake #2: Not Confirming Pickup Location Details
You’d be surprised how often this goes wrong. The car might be sitting at an auction yard, private home, or a warehouse with restricted access. If you don’t confirm:
- The exact address
- Who’s releasing the car
- What hours they’re open
…the driver might show up and get turned away. That often leads to rebooking fees, storage charges, or even missed delivery windows.
Spend five minutes triple-checking these details. It’s worth it.
Mistake #3: Assuming the Car Is Ready to Ship
Just because the listing said “runs and drives” doesn’t mean it can roll onto a trailer without issue.
Maybe the battery’s dead. Maybe there’s a flat tire. Maybe the handbrake is stuck. Any of those can turn a basic pickup into a job that needs a winch—and that costs extra.
Worse, if the car is at an auction and you don’t clarify whether it’s operable or inoperable, some drivers might decline to load it altogether.
One more thing: if you bought a collector or high-end car, consider enclosed transport. Yes, it costs more, but it shields your vehicle from rain, road debris, and weather damage. It’s worth it for vehicles that can’t be replaced.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Insurance and the Bill of Lading
Every real auto transporter must carry cargo insurance. But here’s the problem: not all policies are equal.
If you don’t check the fine print, you could find out the hard way that:
- Damage to glass isn’t covered
- Aftermarket parts aren’t included
- Or the total coverage cap is far below your car’s value
On top of that, make sure there’s a Bill of Lading—a simple document signed at pickup and delivery that confirms the car’s condition. Without it, you’ll have no leg to stand on if the car arrives with a scrape or dent.
No BOL = no proof = no payout.
How to Actually Prep Your Car for Shipping
If you’re organizing transport yourself or through a broker, these are the basic—but critical—steps to prepare the vehicle for pickup:
1. Get the Paperwork Lined Up
Whether it's a private sale or auction, make sure the seller has provided the title, bill of sale, or whatever’s required in your state. Some auction yards won’t release the car without confirmation from the buyer or transport broker.
Also, pass along contact info and any access codes or gate instructions to the driver ahead of time.
2. Ask the Seller to Clean It (At Least a Little)
You’re not prepping it for a car show—but a clean car makes it way easier to inspect. Dust and dirt can hide scratches, dings, or other flaws that may lead to disputes later.
Also, ask the seller to remove personal belongings, including loose change, phone chargers, or anything in the trunk.
3. Request Photos Before Pickup
If you’re not there in person, ask for 8–10 clear photos:
- All four sides
- Roof and underbody if possible
- Dashboard (odometer + lights)
- Any pre-existing damage
Timestamps help, too. If the vehicle arrives with issues, you’ll need this as documentation.
4. Don’t Forget the Fuel and Alarms
The car should have about a quarter tank of gas—enough to move on and off the trailer, but not too much (fuel adds weight). Most carriers prefer under 1/4.
If there’s a factory or aftermarket alarm system, it needs to be disabled. Otherwise, drivers may run into problems mid-route if it starts going off.
Case in Point: What Can Go Wrong
A buyer from Ohio scored a 2022 Mercedes GLC from a seller in California for a great price. Everything went smoothly—until it came time to ship.
He agreed to use the seller’s “friend” who quoted $500—well below market. The car arrived five days late, dirty, and with a crack in the front bumper. When he called to file a claim, the carrier’s insurance didn’t cover cosmetic damage.
He ended up paying $900 for repairs out of pocket.
A trusted broker would have connected him with a reputable, covered, and punctual transporter—and probably only $200 more on the front end.
Want a Quote Before You Commit?
Before you lock anything in, you can get an accurate price estimate in seconds. No phone call, no hassle.
✅ Use the TCI Shipping Calculator – just enter a few details and see your options.
It’s a smarter way to plan before you hand over the keys.
What You’ll Really Pay for Car Shipping in 2025
If you’ve just bought a car online, you're probably eager to get it home. But how much is that going to cost?
Well—it depends. And not just on distance.
The shipping price changes based on where the car is, where it’s going, the time of year, and whether it’s riding open or enclosed. Add in gas prices, demand, and your delivery timeline, and things start to shift.
Let’s ground it a bit. In 2025, here’s a general idea:
- Under 500 miles: usually $400 to $600
- Between 500 and 1500 miles: somewhere around $700 to $1,100
- Cross-country? You’re likely in the $1,200 to $1,600 range
That’s for standard open trailer transport.
Going enclosed? Expect to pay around 40% more—sometimes more, sometimes less. You’re buying peace of mind: no road grit, no rain, no extra exposure. Ideal for high-end or classic cars.
Oh—and if the car doesn’t run? That’s another story.
You’ll need a winch and extra handling, which can add $150 to $300 to your total.
Real Price Snapshots (Based on Real People Like You)
Here’s what actual buyers have paid lately for open transport:
- Los Angeles to Denver (Mid-size SUV): $850
- Atlanta to Chicago (Sedan): $700
- Miami to Seattle (Sports Car): $1,400
- Boston to Dallas (Pickup Truck): $1,200
These aren’t set in stone, of course. But they’re solid ballpark figures.
For something more accurate, plug in your route at the
✅ TCI Shipping Calculator.
No phone calls, no sales pitch—just a number.
Timing: How Long Will It Take?
You bought the car. You booked the shipping.
Now you wait.
So, how long does it take?
If everything lines up—driver availability, no bad weather, and you’re near a major city—delivery can be fast. Really fast.
- Same-state pickups: sometimes within a day or two
- Regional hauls (500–800 miles): 3 to 5 days
- Coast-to-coast trips: around 7 to 10 days
But things don’t always line up. Here’s what slows it down:
1. Pickup Delays
Most transporters work with a 2–5 day window. If you're dealing with an auction yard that charges $35/day after day three, that delay adds up.
Want speed? Expedited pickup exists—but you’ll pay for it.
2. Season Matters
Summer is busy. January is chaos.
March to May or September to November? Easier to schedule, sometimes cheaper too.
3. Location, Location, Location
If your car’s tucked away in rural Nebraska, you might need to meet the driver halfway. They don’t always go off-route, especially with big trailers.
Watch Your Back: Spotting a Scam
Car shipping isn’t the Wild West, but there are bad actors out there. You’ll want to keep your eyes open for these:
Unrealistically Cheap Quotes
One company says $950.
Another says $580.
Guess which one disappears after they take your deposit?
No Paper Trail
Any real transporter in the U.S. is listed in the FMCSA database.
You can check their record via the SAFER system:
dot.gov
If they won’t give you a DOT number or license—run.
Pushy or Confusing Reps
Can’t get a straight answer? Talked to three people, none of whom sound like they know what’s going on? That’s a clue.
Demands Full Payment Upfront
No legit carrier asks for full payment before they even load the car.
A deposit is normal. Full balance only happens once delivery is done.
When Should You Book Transport?
Don’t wait too long. As soon as the deal is closed and the seller confirms everything is ready, start reaching out.
Early booking gives you better pricing and more flexibility with timing.
But don’t jump the gun either. If the vehicle’s not accessible yet, or paperwork isn’t sorted, your transport may get delayed—at your expense.
Checklist: Before That Truck Pulls In
You’ve done the research. You’ve got a driver lined up.
Now’s the time to double-check a few key things:
- Pickup address and contact person confirmed
- Vehicle is accessible and ready to go
- Car is cleaned out, and pre-shipping photos taken
- Alarm is off
- Keys are with the right person
- Fuel is at 1/4 tank or less
- You’ve got insurance details and a signed transport agreement
Takes maybe 10 minutes—but saves hours of stress if anything goes sideways.
One Example That Went Right
A buyer in Oregon landed a gorgeous—but non-running—’69 Camaro at an online auction in Nevada. Instead of scrambling, he called a broker, asked the right questions, and booked enclosed transport with a winch.
The driver picked it up within 48 hours.
No delays. No surprise fees.
It cost him $1,300—and he says it was the smoothest part of the whole purchase.
Don’t Let Delivery Ruin a Good Deal
You’ve done the hard part: choosing the car, closing the sale, handling the paperwork.
The final stretch—getting it home—shouldn’t be the hardest.
With a little prep, the right shipping partner, and a solid quote, you’ll be handing over the keys to yourself in no time.
Need help figuring out cost or timing?
✅ Use the TCI Shipping Calculator – it’s fast, free, and smart to check before booking.
