Name: How to Ship a Car: The Ultimate Guide in 2026
Brand: RoadRunner Auto Transport
Rating: 4.7 (36945 reviews)

Question 1

What is Door-to-Door transport?

Accepted Answer

Door-to-door car transport is the full-service delivery of your vehicle directly from the door at the pickup location to the door at the delivery location. Our drivers do their best to get as close as physically and legally possible to the pickup and delivery locations, but in certain instances there may be restrictions preventing them from being able to reach your door safely. Our transporters need ample space to maneuver and load/unload your vehicle. If your street is too narrow, or if there are hazards such as low-lining trees or power lines, drivers may ask that you meet them at a location nearby where they can safely load or unload your vehicle, such as a large parking lot or shopping center nearby.

Question 2

What types of vehicles do you ship?

Accepted Answer

RoadRunner Auto Transport specializes in shipping all types of vehicles including 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.

Question 3

Can I place an order if I don’t know the exact address?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the city and zip code will suffice until your exact pickup or delivery location is known.

Question 4

What is the difference between open and enclosed transport?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

Does someone have to be present for pick up and delivery?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

How far in advance should I schedule my transport?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

What is top load service?

Accepted Answer

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.

How to Ship a Car: Step By Step Guide

Step 1

Instant Car Shipping Quote

Secure Online Shipment Reservation

Step 2

Vehicle Pick Up

Online Shipment Tracking

Step 3

Vehicle Delivery

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

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