How Long Does It Actually Take to Ship Your Car Between Major Cities?
So you need your car moved. You've got plans. You want a timeline. That's fair. What you don't want is some fairy tale estimate from a fly-by-night operation. Here at AMG Transport Co., we deal in reality. I'm Mike, the Logistics Manager. Let's talk about how long it really takes to ship your car, especially on those common routes.
Why Shipping Times Aren't Always Simple
Shipping a car isn't like mailing a letter. There are a lot of moving parts. Literally. You're dealing with trucks, drivers, schedules, and a whole lot of road. Many factors influence how long your vehicle is in transit. We're an auto transport broker, and our parent company, AMG Endeavors, is a carrier. So we know both sides of this coin.
Carriers are out there dodging traffic and dealing with permits. They don't typically want to deal with answering a bunch of calls about delivery estimates. That's where we come in. We handle the frontend sales, the coordinating, and the backend systems. All the stuff that keeps their wheels turning without them getting bogged down.
The "72-Hour Pickup Window" Explained
When we give you an estimate for pickup, it's usually a 72-hour window. This isn't us being vague. It's how the industry works. A truck might be finishing a delivery in another city. It needs to head your way. We coordinate that. This also explains why you can't just pick a specific minute for pickup. Traffic, weather, and other pickups/deliveries all play a role. A good broker like us has strong relationships with vetted, insured carriers. They want to keep us happy, which means they're invested in handling our clients right.
Common Routes and Realistic Timelines
Let's break down some of the routes people ask about most often. Keep in mind, these are estimates. No one can guarantee an exact minute, especially not honestly.
Texas to California Car Shipping Services
Shipping a car from Houston to Los Angeles, or anywhere between Texas and California, is a popular request. This is a significant cross-country car transport from coast to coast. You're looking at a journey of roughly 1,500 to 2,000 miles.
For an open car carrier transport cost, expect transit times of about 4-7 days. If you opt for enclosed auto transport for luxury cars, it might be on the higher end of that, sometimes even 8 days, due to less frequent runs and more specialized routes. Vehicle transport Texas to California expert broker services like ours will keep you informed every step of the way.
East Coast to West Coast (Cross-Country Car Transport)
This is the big one. How long does car shipping take cross country? From, say, Florida to California, you're talking about 2,500 to 3,000 miles. Don't expect this to happen overnight. Realistic estimates fall between 7-14 days. Sometimes a bit more if routes are complex or weather is bad. When you're asking how much does it cost to ship a car cross country, remember that distance and time are significant factors. For multi-car transport for families on such long routes, planning ahead is critical.
Relocating to Florida: Ship Car from Texas or Elsewhere
Florida is a common destination for moves. Whether you're shipping a car from Texas to Florida or from up north, these routes are generally well-traveled by carriers. From Texas, expect 3-6 days. From the Northeast, it could be 5-9 days. This is where nationwide vehicle shipping door to door service really shines. We make it easy when you're relocating to Florida, ship car from Texas, even when considering a single-car transport vs multi-car load cost.
Regional Moves (Under 1,000 Miles)
For shorter hauls, like within Texas, or to a neighboring state, transit might be 1-3 days. This is more straightforward. However, remember the 72-hour pickup window still applies. Picking up a non-running vehicle what to know adds complexity and potentially a day or two to initial pickup organization, but transit times remain similar.
What Affects Car Shipping Cost Per Mile & Timelines?
- Distance: Obvious, but worth stating. More miles equal more time and generally, more cost.
- Route Popularity: Major corridors between large cities (e.g., I-10, I-95, I-80) see more carriers. This often means quicker scheduling. Less popular routes can take longer to find a truck. As a Texas based auto transport broker nationwide, we have connections on all major and minor routes.
- Time of Year: Holidays, snowbirds, and college moving seasons can cause delays and higher costs. Planning ahead is vital.
- Vehicle Type: Shipping an SUV vs sedan cost difference isn't just about price. Larger vehicles can sometimes be harder to fit on a full truck, especially for open carrier car shipping pros & cons. Enclosed carrier benefits for exotic cars and luxury vehicle transport enclosed vs open also means less capacity on a truck, which can affect scheduling.
- Open vs. Enclosed Transport: Open carriers are more common, so scheduling is often quicker. Enclosed transport for specialty vehicles like classic car transport enclosed carrier can take a bit longer to find a dedicated truck with space.
- Road Conditions & Weather: Blizzards, hurricanes, detours. These are unpredictable but will always impact delivery times. Roads are a dangerous place, and safety for drivers and your vehicle always comes first.
The AMG Transport Co. Difference
People couldn't work with most carriers if they wanted to. Why? They're not set up for direct consumer interaction. They don't want to deal with people and their problems. That's us. We handle the coordination, the customer questions, the issues. We are a guiding light in a fraud-filled industry. We are also a buffer to keep rates reasonable. Carriers often charge individuals more if they go direct. Why? Because historically people don't always pay direct. We use Stripe for secure deposits, ensuring everyone gets paid.
We provide honest quotes and only work with vetted, insured carriers. We perform VIN scans to ensure accurate information. We simplify the process of door pick-up and delivery car transport service. We give you that stronger customer experience. We are an experienced car shipping broker you can trust. Because a broker has their margin too. It'll never be cheap to get the job done right, but a good broker will have a good relationship with the carriers he uses to make sure they're invested in taking care of their broker's clients.
Don't just pick any auto transport quotes how to compare. Pick reliability. Pick transparency. Pick AMG Transport Co. We're the best auto transport company for out-of-state moves and everything in between. We handle everything from shipping a non-running vehicle what to know to vehicle shipping for dealerships. You want affordable car shipping without hidden fees? You want an auto transport safety record and reputation you can trust? That's what we deliver.
Get a real quote, get accurate timelines, and get your car moved without the headache.
Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.