Customer Reviews

How to Ship a Car: Step By Step Guide

RoadRunner makes shipping your car as easy as 1-2-3!

Start
Finish

Step 1

Instant Car Shipping Quote

Begin by getting an instant quote from our online car shipping cost calculator, or by speaking with a car shipping specialist at (888) 777-2123.

Secure Online Shipment Reservation

Schedule a convenient time for pickup via our secure online booking form or by phone with a shipping agent.

how it works step one
how it works step two

Step 2

Vehicle Pick Up

Your shipment will be assigned to the carrier that can best accommodate your route and timeframe. On the day of pickup, your vehicle will be safely loaded and will begin heading to the destination.

Online Shipment Tracking

Track the status of your shipment and get priority support from a live shipping agent with our online transport tracker.

Step 3

Vehicle Delivery

Upon arrival at the destination, your vehicle will be safely offloaded. A final inspection is completed and the driver hands over the keys.

That's it! That's all there is to it!

Join the hundreds of thousands of customers that trusted RoadRunner Auto Transport with the safe delivery of their vehicles.

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"5 star service! I would recommend RoadRunner to anyone looking for professional shipping service at a fair price."

Ian C.

Jacksonville, FL

5 stars
google reviews

"I was able to get a quote and book within a few minutes. Simple and convenient experience - thank you RoadRunner!"

John T.

Houston, TX

5 stars
shopper approved reviews

"Out of all the car shipping companies we spoke with, RoadRunner was the most professional and knowledgable."

Corey L.

Boston, MA

5 stars
transport reviews

"We needed 2 cars shipped across the country last minute and RoadRunner really came through big time for us!"

Amanda M.

Los Angeles, CA

5 stars
better business bureau reviews
ready to ship

Ready to Get Started?

Calculate your instant car shipping cost and view carrier availability in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vehicle transportation process.


Yes, you can pay the full transport cost via credit card. If you want to pay in full online, you can do so at the time of booking either online or by phone with a shipping agent. With this option, you can make a convenient, one-time payment with a credit or debit card. You also have the option of paying a deposit with your credit card and then paying the rest of your remining balance with cash upon delivery.

The further in advance you schedule your shipment, the more likely we will be able to meet the time requirements you desire. For best results, we suggest scheduling your transport at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Expedited shipping options are available to accomodate shipments that require . You can always give us a call and ask one of our car shipping experts what your options are in terms of the schedule for your car transport.

We accept all major credit cards, electronic transfer, postal money order, and bank/certified check for the deposit or full pre-payment of your shipment. If a balance is due upon delivery, it can be paid directly to the driver and can be paid in either cash, bank/certified check, or postal money order.

Yes, many of our business clients require service from salvage auctions and other types of auto auctions. Each auction will have different requirements to release a vehicle and we'll get all the necessary details from you at the time of booking. Please make sure the vehicle is fully paid and ready for release from the auction. Also be aware that if a vehicle is booked as operable but it turns out the vehicle is inoperable there will be additional cost and the original transporter may not be able to accommodate an inoperable vehicle.

Open transport is the most common car shipping method. There are two types of open-air transporters. The Majority of shipments are be made with 8-10 car carriers. Smaller carriers which hold 2-3 cars are used for shorter, local car moving. There is a broader network of carrier availability for open-air carriers since they are used more often. We suggest choosing enclosed car shipping methods when shipping classic, luxury or exotic vehicles. Enclosed vehicle transportation guarantees maximum protection from exposure to any open-air elements on the road. We suggest booking your enclosed transport in advance since carrier availability is limited. Read more about the difference between open and enclosed transport

Yes, we can ship vehicles that are in non-running/inoperable condition. When inoperable cars are shipped, a special auto carrier is required that makes use of a winch which is connected to your car and slowly and safely pulls your vehicle onto the carrier. There is an additional fee for inoperable vehicles because of the special equipment and extra work involved with securing the vehicle onto the transporter. You can select the inoperable option on the online booking form or inform your shipping agent if you make your reservation by phone so that the proper arrangements can be made to accommodate a non-running vehicle.

All shipments include basic liability coverage during transit. Comprehensive insurance options are available for an elevated level of shipment coverage during transit. You will be able to select a level of coverage during the booking process. If you have further questions regarding insurance options give us a call.