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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"I would definitely use RoadRunner Auto Transport again without a doubt. Excellent overall service from start to finish."

Trish A.

Miami, FL

5 stars
google reviews

"This is our 3rd time shipping with RoadRunner and we've had nothing but good experiences - Thank you RoadRunner!"

Charles K.

San Antonio, TX

5 stars
shopper approved reviews

"Everything with RoadRunner went smooth and seamless. They gave me a great rate and provided excellent service!"

Owen A.

Hartford, CT

5 stars
transport reviews

"From the time of quote to the pick up of my vehicle and the delivery there was a very good communication."

Andres M.

Oakland, 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.


Top load service is when your car is placed on the higher deck or level of an open auto transport trailer. This is considered to be preferable to the bottom load because the cars on the lower deck are at risk of possibly having fluid from the cars above leak on them.

Yes, there must be someone present to release and accept the vehicle, provide keys to the driver and sign the initial and final inspection reports. This person can be anyone over the age of 18 that you trust with releasing or accepting your 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, 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 that can answer any questions you may have regarding the status of your shipment.

You may transport personal belongings in your car, as long as their total weight does not exceed 100 pounds and they are stored in the trunk or back seat (below the window line). Please keep in mind that personal belongings are not covered by insurance if they are reported as damaged or missing.

No, we just need the vehicle and keys.

The Bill of Lading is a very important document used by car shipping companies that documents any pre-existing damage on the vehicle during the time of pickup. It also serves as a record of your contact info and the official agreement for transport. If you want to file any insurance claim regarding your shipment you will need the Bill of Lading.