How long does it take to ship a car?

Pick-up and drop-off locations - metro vs. provincial or rural

The preferred locations for pick-up and drop-off influence the time it takes to ship your vehicle. This is because some locations will be more challenging to reach than others. Factors such as accessibility, infrastructure, and demand all play a role.

Shipping from metropolitan areas typically benefits from well-developed road networks, proximity to major highways, and the availability of multiple service providers. Such factors allow for easier and quicker access for transport trucks, facilitating faster transit times. Cities also benefit from extensive and well-maintained infrastructure, allowing for more efficient routing and coordination.

In contrast, shipping from more rural areas presents more challenges. The road infrastructure tends to be more limited, and locations may be far from major highways. This requires additional travel time to reach the primary travel corridors.

The need for more service providers in these areas can lead to longer wait times for pick-up and delivery, further increasing the shipping timeline. Additionally, the lower demand for car shipping in rural areas means that transport companies may operate less frequently, potentially growing wait times.

The demand and frequency of services also play a critical role. In metropolitan areas, demand is typically higher, leading to more frequent trips by transport companies. Conversely, lower demand in rural areas means fewer shipping requests, resulting in less efficient routes and potentially longer travel times.

Weather and seasonal conditions can also affect car shipping times. Urban areas tend to have better-maintained roads and quicker responses to weather disruptions, ensuring smoother operations. They also have more resources to deal with weather-related issues, minimizing delays.

Time of the year affects availability

The car shipping industry experiences peaks and troughs in demand, which can affect the cost of transporting your car. When demand is high, it increases the price, but on a more positive note, it may shorten transit time.

The peak moving season is late April through to early September, when the highest demand for car shipping services occurs. At this time of year, you can expect your vehicle to be picked up sooner because more trucks travel back and forth across the country.

Demand is much lower from November through to February, and it may take longer to arrange pick-up and delivery. It’s also the time of year when some carriers and drivers take a holiday break to spend time with family, so fewer carriers can accommodate your schedule.

Road conditions can affect the speed of delivery

If you’re wondering how long does it take to ship a car there is another factor over which shipping companies have little control. Carriers can encounter road construction or unexpected detours anytime during a journey. Scheduled roadworks can lead to lane closures and reduced speed limits, calling for detours and adding travel time.

Advanced notification of such issues can allow transport companies to plan alternative routes, but these routes may be longer. Unexpected road repairs or emergency works cause sudden and unavoidable delays, often with little warning.

Traffic conditions can also impact transport times. In urban areas, high traffic volumes, especially during peak hours, can cause significant delays. Traffic congestion, frequent stops, and complex city street navigation can slow the transport process.

While rural areas typically have less traffic, encountering slow-moving vehicles, such as tractors or wildlife crossings, can still cause delays. Rural roads may also have fewer alternative routes available in case of closures or blockages.

Weather-related issues further complicate the auto transport process. Urban areas are typically better equipped to handle adverse weather conditions, such as snow plows and drainage systems, reducing the impact on transit times. Rapid response to weather-induced road damage helps maintain smoother operations in cities.

In contrast, rural areas may have fewer resources for weather-related road damage, such as flooding, landslides, or ice, leading to longer delays. Seasonal weather can cause significant and prolonged disruptions in rural road networks.

Vehicle type makes a significant difference

The type of vehicle you want to ship can influence shipping times due to several factors:

• Size and weight: Larger and heavier vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs, may require specialized transport equipment and take longer to load and unload. This can extend overall shipping times compared to smaller, lighter vehicles.
• Handling requirements: Vehicles that require special handling, such as luxury cars, classic cars, or motorcycles, may need additional precautions and care during transport. This can slow down the process to ensure safe and secure handling.
• Availability of transporters: Common vehicle types are easier to accommodate and can be shipped more quickly due to the availability of suitable carriers. In contrast, specialized or less common vehicles might need specific carriers, potentially resulting in longer wait times for suitable transport options.
• Loading and unloading complexity: Vehicles with unique dimensions or modifications might be more challenging to load and unload, requiring additional time and effort. This can delay the shipping process compared to standard vehicles that easily fit into transporters.

Type of transportation method - open car transport vs. enclosed car shipping

Open car transport is the most common and usually the fastest method. This involves loading vehicles onto an open trailer and transporting multiple cars simultaneously. The high availability of open carriers and the efficiency of loading and unloading vehicles makes this method quicker.

However, since these carriers transport several vehicles, the route may include multiple stops for pick-up and drop-off, which can slightly extend the overall time.

Enclosed car shipping, while offering greater protection for the vehicle, typically takes longer. Fewer enclosed carriers are available, and they often prioritize high-value or classic cars, leading to potential scheduling delays.

The loading process is more meticulous to ensure vehicle safety, adding to the time required. Additionally, enclosed carriers usually transport fewer vehicles at a time, which can mean less frequent trips and more extended waiting periods for a carrier with available space.

Expedited auto transport service can be arranged to minimize transit time. Normally, transit time is longer because of multiple stops for pick-up and delivery. If a customer needs their vehicle quickly, the fastest option is to hire a trucker who will transport only their vehicle. To do this, the customer must pay for all the spots on the trailer.

Approximate car shipping costs are as follows:

• For shorter distances (up to 1,000 miles), the cost is about 4 times higher than regular open transport.
• For longer distances (over 1,000 miles), the cost is about 8 times higher than regular open transport.