Car Shipping Guide: What You Need to Know
Shipping a car comes down to a few steps: you get a quote from a real person, a vetted carrier picks the car up, the driver records its condition on the bill of lading, and you inspect it again at delivery before you sign. This guide covers what changes a quote, how each step works, and how to get the car ready.
FCT Transport & More is based near Charlotte, NC and has moved cars since 2012, for individuals and dealers, anywhere in the continental U.S.
What changes a car shipping quote
No two moves are quoted the same way, because no two routes and cars are the same. These are the things that move a quote up or down:
- Distance and route. Longer trips cost more in total. Busy routes between big cities are easier to fill than pickups far from a main highway.
- Open or enclosed. Open transport suits everyday cars. Enclosed transport protects classic, exotic and high-value cars, and costs more.
- Vehicle size. A pickup truck or a large SUV takes more room on the trailer than a sedan.
- Whether it runs. A non-running car can be moved, but it needs a winch or other equipment.
- Timing. Busy seasons and tight dates make trucks harder to find. A flexible pickup window helps.
Our breakdown of what influences the cost of shipping a car goes into each one.
How car shipping works, step by step
1. Quote and booking
Send the vehicle, both addresses and your dates. A real person quotes the move and books it when you approve.
2. Carrier confirmed
FCT vets the carrier, then confirms the driver, the truck and the pickup window before the truck rolls.
3. Pickup and inspection
The driver inspects the car with you and records its condition on the bill of lading. Take your own photos too.
4. On the road
Follow the order in the client portal at fctorders.com, with the driver's location while they're active. Changes come from FCT first.
5. Delivery
Inspect the car before you sign. Note any new damage on the bill of lading. The delivery BOL is saved in the portal.
Tips before you book
- Book early. More notice means more trucks to choose from, especially in busy seasons.
- Give a pickup window. A range of dates is easier to match with a truck than one fixed day.
- Prepare the car. Wash it, photograph it, take out personal items and leave about a quarter tank. Our vehicle prep checklist covers the rest.
- Ask about insurance. Find out whose policy covers the car on the truck. Our car shipping insurance guide explains it.
- Read the bill of lading. It's the condition record at both ends. See what a bill of lading is.
What you get with FCT
- One point of contact from quote to drop-off.
- A vetted, fully insured carrier on every shipment, with the driver and truck confirmed before pickup.
- Confirmed windows. The pickup window and expected delivery window are set before the truck rolls.
- A client portal. Log in at fctorders.com with your email and a 6-digit code, see all your orders, and download the delivery BOL for each car.
- Dealer service. Dealer trades, auction pickups, customer deliveries and several units at once.
The desk is open Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM Eastern. You can send a quote request any time.
Car shipping questions
How long does car shipping take?
It depends on the distance, the route and when a truck is going that way. FCT confirms the pickup window and the expected delivery window before the truck rolls, and if anything changes on the road, you hear it from FCT first.
Is my car insured during transport?
Yes. Every FCT shipment is fully insured, and every carrier is vetted before it touches the car. The condition notes on the bill of lading and your photos are the record a damage claim is built on.
Can I pack personal items in my car?
Take them out. Personal items usually aren't covered by the carrier's cargo insurance, and loose things can shift and cause damage on the trailer.
What if I can't be there at pickup or delivery?
Someone you trust can release or receive the car for you. Make sure they know to inspect the car with the driver and note any new damage on the bill of lading before signing.
How is the cost of shipping a car worked out?
A real person quotes every move based on the route, the vehicle, whether it runs, open or enclosed transport and the timing. There are no price tables or instant quotes.
More answers are on our FAQ page.
Vehicles we transport
We ship these on open or enclosed trailers:
- Compact cars
- Sedans
- SUVs
- Minivans
- Pickup trucks
- Luxury and exotic cars
- Classic cars
- Electric vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Cargo vans