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Buy Your Next Car Online and Have it Delivered
Simplify Your Logistics & Connect with Out-Of-State Clients
Expand Your Reach with the Dealership Car Shipping Experts
New and used car dealers across the country rely on RoadRunner for the safe delivery of their vehicles every day. Whether you need to connect with an out-of-state customer or you require dealer-to-dealer auto transport, RoadRunner can streamline your long-distance logistical needs.
Register Your Dealership Today and Experience the Difference
Gain access to our convenient dealer dashboard - calculate new quotes, schedule pickups, and track shipments all from one central dashboard.
Instant Car Shipping Quote
Calculate your car transport quote
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Expand Your Reach with the Dealership Car Shipping Experts
New and used car dealers across the country rely on RoadRunner for the safe delivery of their vehicles every day. Whether you need to connect with an out-of-state customer or you require dealer-to-dealer auto transport, RoadRunner can streamline your long-distance logistical needs.
Register Your Dealership Today and Experience the Difference
Gain access to our convenient dealer dashboard - calculate new quotes, schedule pickups, and track shipments all from one central dashboard.
Over 30 Years of Reliable Dealer & Auction Shipping Services
Here's why dealers trust RoadRunner with their transportation needs:
Dedicated Shipping Coordinator
When you register your dealership, you will be assigned an account manager to ensure a clear line of communication.
Nationwide Door-to-Door Service
Complete nationwide coverage, direct door-to-door car shipping service to and from anywhere in the United States.
Convenient Centralized Dealer Dashboard
Your dashboard enables you to calculate new quotes, schedule pickups, and track existing bookings all from one centralized page.
Understanding Dealership Car Shipping
Transporting cars for dealerships refers to moving new, used, or traded-in vehicles between dealership locations or facilities like auctions, distribution centers, or auto manufacturers. This facilitates vital inventory management, reduces local overstock situations, and supplies dealers with the specific makes and models that customers want to purchase.
Dealerships may need to relocate vehicles for many reasons:
- Transporting new cars from distribution hubs, ports, or factories to retail sales locations
- Shuffling used and certified pre-owned vehicles between dealership locations to balance local inventory and meet market demand
- Moving trade-in vehicles to centralized reconditioning facilities, auctions, or wholesale partners
Most car dealership groups manage transportation logistics in-house, particularly for routine inventory shuffling. Others enlist specialized car transport businesses, rental car haulers, or third-party logistics firms to handle large-scale relocations or one-time events.
The frequency of transport needs ranges widely — from weekly load shuffling to fill gaps and improve CPO selection to one-time store openings, closures, or inventory rebalancing projects.
Careful coordination ensures vehicles arrive safely, on time, and ready to be bought — protecting profitability. Understanding the logistics of shipping cars helps dealers better manage margins and sales velocity.
Buy Your Next Car Online
Buying a car online and having it delivered is the new norm. This process offers several advantages:
- Skip the dealership and avoid negotiation hassles
- Simply click to buy, saving time and providing convenience
- Streamline the process with options like AutoNation Express Buying
- Start the financing process online
When looking for the right vehicle online, reputable sites often offer comprehensive vehicle protection plans. This ensures your investment is safeguarded. Additionally, transparency regarding fees such as the dealer document fee, electronic filing fee, and dealer services fee is provided upfront. This clarity helps in making an informed decision.
Finding The Right Vehicle
Finding the right vehicle online is easier than you might expect. Start by determining your car's needs, such as size, performance, and fuel efficiency. Use the site's filters to narrow your search based on your preferences. Once you find a potential vehicle, thoroughly examine its details, including high-resolution images, the vehicle's history report, and the frequently asked questions section for additional insights.
Some platforms allow you to inquire about service financing, vehicle protection plans, and privacy policies. You may even have the option to schedule a service appointment or consult a mobile mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection, providing added peace of mind before finalizing your purchase. With these steps completed, you're ready to explore how online car delivery works and make your purchase.
Streamlined Online Car Buying and Delivery
You might wonder how the delivery process works once you decide to buy a car online and have it delivered through RoadRunner's auto transport services. Typically, after you complete the online purchase, including the financing and any protection plans, the vehicle is prepared for delivery.
Purchasing Process
The process is straightforward after finding your ideal vehicle online and deciding to make the purchase. Complete the online transaction, including financing and selecting any desired protection plans. The respected automotive retailer handles the sales tax, applicable dealer fees, and registration details before delivery.
Convenient Delivery
Once the purchase and financial documentation are finalized, the dealer coordinates a delivery time that suits your schedule. Most retailers offer the convenience of home delivery, bringing the vehicle directly to you. Some services, such as AutoNation Express Buying, may even provide a return period, ensuring your satisfaction with the online purchase.
Arrival and Inspection
The delivery team, equipped with the necessary paperwork and well-versed in the privacy policy, will bring the vehicle to your preferred location. Upon arrival, they will review the vehicle's condition with you, confirming that it meets your expectations and matches the details provided online. The car is fully insured and handled with care throughout the transportation process.
Final Steps
During the delivery, you will complete any remaining paperwork, including confirming the terms of the vehicle protection plans, discussing the service appointment process, and reviewing the return period, if applicable. The delivery team will also remind you of the dealer document fee, sales tax, and any other charges included in your purchase. Once these steps are completed, you can enjoy your new vehicle with the peace of mind from a seamless online buying and delivery experience.
Benefits of Buying a Car Online
Buying a car online offers a range of advantages that make the process more convenient, transparent, and satisfying. Consider the following benefits:
- Convenience: Shop from anywhere, any time. There's no need to visit multiple dealerships or spend your weekends haggling with salespeople.
- Clear Pricing: Online listings often include all the costs, such as the dealer document fee, electronic filing fee, and sales tax. This transparency allows for easy budgeting and avoids surprises.
- Wide Selection: Browse a vast inventory that a physical sales center cannot match. Filters help you find exactly what you're looking for.
- Home Delivery: Having your vehicle delivered to your doorstep is exceptionally convenient. It's a hassle-free end to the car-buying process.
- Return Policies: Many online retailers offer a return period, providing peace of mind and satisfaction with your purchase.
The online car buying and delivery process revolutionizes the traditional car buying experience, offering modern buyers convenience, transparency, and peace of mind. With trusted retailers and comprehensive vehicle protection plans, it's an attractive option for today's buyers.
Costs of Dealership Car Transport
Transporting automobiles is one of the largest variable costs in operating multi-location dealership groups. Carefully evaluating and budgeting for relocation expenses is key to preserving profit margins across a dealer network. Key factors determining auto transport prices include:
Distance
Long-haul, cross-country relocations cost exponentially more than local in-town shuffling. Industry averages range from $1-3 per mile for each vehicle transported, with 500-mile moves often starting around $800 per car.
Distance
Long-haul, cross-country relocations cost exponentially more than local in-town shuffling. Industry averages range from $1-3 per mile for each vehicle transported, with 500-mile moves often starting around $800 per car.
Number of Vehicles
Full truckloads with 8+ units achieve maximum economy of scale, with per-vehicle costs ranging from $800-1500. Shipping only a portion of a truckload means much higher per-car freight bills.
Timing
Vehicle transport rates fluctuate seasonally and are also driven up by weather delays, rush orders, or repositioning for one-way drop-offs only. This complexity requires flexibility in budgeting.
Insurance
Bumper-to-bumper policies that fully protect vehicle value are non-negotiable requirements for dealers. Typical premiums range 1-1.5% of asset value for the cars shipped.
Fuel, Tolls and Fees
These routine but variable operating costs inevitably get passed through to dealers in final transport bills. Expect ancillary fees to add 10-20% on top of base hauling rates, depending on route.
The Different Methods of Transporting Cars for Dealerships
Car dealerships primarily rely on three main methods to relocate vehicles between locations:
Truckload Shipping
This leverages specialized auto hauler trailers to move multiple vehicles on open or enclosed car shipping carriers. Open trailers can fit around 10 cars, while enclosed versions hold 6-7 for higher security. Ideal for frequent, high-volume inter-dealer transfers and efficient new inventory deliveries from distribution hubs.
Towaways
Single vehicles get transported via a tow hitch or flatbed pickup truck. Drivers can directly move cars to final destinations without consolidation, best for on-demand relocations and one-off trades.
Rail Shipping
Large trains equipped with multilevel auto racks transport new vehicles for long distance moves. Models at factories get driven directly onto specialized rail cars for mass movement. The most cost-efficient option for high volume but has limited flexibility.
How to Transport Cars for Dealerships
Arranging smooth car dealer shipping involves:
Picking Vehicle Transport Partners
Get quotes from multiple approved auto shipping services or brokers with experience and expertise in transporting cars. Ask about routes, capacity, vehicle type expertise, and timetables.
Prepping Vehicles
Used cars may need mechanical certification or cosmetic reconditioning beforehand. Check fluid levels, tire pressure, brakes, and batteries.
Scheduling Logistics
Confirm timelines, pickup/dropoff specifics, vehicle condition reports, and staff coordination at both ends. Build loading/unloading time buffers into the schedule.
Securing Cars
Disable alarms, unlock doors, and leave a spare set of keys if transporting trades, rentals, or sensitive models. Engage antitheft devices.
Inspecting Units
Do walkaround checks for any damage before loading and unloading. Document via photos and condition reports signed by drivers and staff.
Following Up
Verify all dealership vehicles arrived safely at the final destination. Get copies of routing forms and submit them with invoices to streamline payments.
By understanding dealership vehicle transport processes, costs and contractors, finance managers can effectively oversee inventory moves between markets and stores. Careful planning and protection keep cars moving to where buyers want them.
Dealer and Auction Coverage Map
Select a state below for more information about car dealer and auction shipping in that area.
Featured Dealer Reviews
“As a dealer I often must ship cars to clients several times a month. I use RoadRunner every time because I can rely on their professional service. The drivers are reliable, and the staff is very helpful.”
Kenneth S.Medford, MA
“I have been working with RoadRunner Auto Transport for the past year. They're always on time and keep in communication. They are a great asset because we can trust them to provide excellent service.”
Robert S.Lancaster, TX
“As a dealer I need a company I can trust to ship cars over to clients. RoadRunner has a team of professional drivers and helpful customer service agents that keep you up to date along the way.”
Brendan S.Fort Mills, SC
Average Dealer and Auction Car Transport Price Estimations Based On Mileage
This table shows average price estimations for dealer and auction car shipping based on distance. The prices per mile decrease as the distance increases, which is a common pricing structure in the car shipping industry.
Distance
Average Price Per Mile
Sample Distance
Sample Price
0-500 miles
$0.80
250 miles
$200
500-1,000 miles
$0.73
700 miles
$511
1,000-1,500 miles
$0.70
1,000 miles
$700
1,500-2,000 miles
$0.48
1,750 miles
$840
2,000-2,500 miles
$0.37
2,400 miles
$888
2,500-3,000 miles
$0.35
2,700 miles
$945
3,000-3,500 miles
$0.33
3,200 miles
$1,122
The following price per mile averages listed above reflect current market conditions as of March 2025
These rates are estimated and are subject to change due to seasonality, cost of fuel, exact locations, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vehicle transportation process.
What does it cost to transport cars for dealers?
Expect to pay an average of $1-3 per mile for each vehicle moved, depending on distance, number of units and other factors. Enclosed trucking and expedited transport increase costs.
How are new cars transported to dealerships?
Auto manufacturers deliver new vehicles to dealers via specialized rail shipping and large truckload carriers. Models get driven directly onto multilevel auto racks and secured for long-distance rail transport.
What is the cheapest way to transport trade in cars?
For individual trade-in vehicles needed at other locations, consider using towaways attached to pickup trucks instead of full auto haulers. Single-unit towing costs less than consolidated transport.
How do you prepare used cars for vehicle transport?
Before shipping pre-owned models, dealerships should complete any needed reconditioning, check fluid levels, inflate tires properly, disable alarms, and provide spare keys. This protects vehicle value in transit.
What is the most expensive way to ship dealer cars?
Enclosed transport carriers provide the highest protection but move fewer cars per load, making them the priciest shipping method. Expedited urgent orders also increase vehicle transport bills substantially.
How often do dealerships move cars between locations?
While practices vary by organization, many large dealer groups shuffle vehicles between stores weekly or every few days to balance inventories. Larger periodic relocations tied to sales or inventory strategy changes may occur quarterly or seasonally.
Can individuals transport cars for dealers at discounted rates?
No, dealerships should never entrust car hauling to regular drivers. A reputable, reliable, and insured auto transport company has the equipment, licensing, and skills to safely and efficiently move dealer inventory even at lower negotiable rates.
What paperwork is required when transporting dealer vehicles?
Accurate vehicle condition reports, pickup/delivery receipts, and routing forms with each driver clearly identified are vital paperwork for dealers to track inventory and confirm safe auto transport services. Retain copies for at least 6 months.
What types of vehicles do you ship?
RoadRunner Auto Transport specializes in shipping all types of vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans, oversized vehicles, antiques, classic cars, motorcycles, construction vehicles, inoperable cars, and boats. If you are not sure whether or not we can ship your vehicle, you can give us a call to find out what we can do for you.
Can I track the progress of my shipment online?
Yes, online tracking is available to you 24 hours a day and is updated in real time. Upon scheduling your shipment, you will receive a unique booking number that will allow you to track the status of your shipment online. Your tracking portal will also give you the ability to live chat with a shipping agent who can answer any questions you may have regarding the status of your shipment.
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