We’ve shipped over 500,000 vehicles across North America. These are the 25 questions we answer every single day — real customer scenarios, real answers, no BS.

General Shipping Questions

1. How much does it cost to ship a car across the country?

Real answer: April 2026 pricing ranges from $800-$1,500 for a standard sedan depending on distance and route demand. A New York to Florida shipment runs $1,100-$1,400. Texas to California is typically $900-$1,200. Luxury vehicles, oversized trucks, and seasonal peaks (snowbird season March-May) push rates 20-40% higher. We price based on distance, vehicle weight, current fuel costs, and carrier availability — not a generic calculator. Check our current pricing guide.

2. Do you charge extra for enclosed transport?

Yes. Enclosed (fully covered) shipping adds 50-80% to open transport cost. If open shipping is $1,000, enclosed runs $1,500-$1,800. Worth it for luxury, classic, or EV shipments where paint protection and weather shielding matter. Open transport is fine for daily drivers and work trucks — 99% of vehicles arrive damage-free on open carriers.

3. What’s the difference between door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal delivery?

Door-to-door means our carrier picks up from your location and delivers to your final address. Terminal-to-terminal means you drop off and pick up at designated facilities (usually 30-50 miles from your actual location). Door-to-door costs 30-50% more but saves you time and hassle. Most customers choose door-to-door for reliability.

4. How long does shipping actually take?

Standard transit: 4-10 business days depending on distance. NYC to LA typically runs 6-8 days. Regional routes (NY to Florida) usually hit 3-5 days. Delays happen from weather, truck breakdowns, and carrier scheduling — transparency: we’ve had 2-3 day delays in April due to severe spring storms. We provide tracking updates every 24 hours.

5. Can I track my vehicle in real-time?

Yes. Once your vehicle is on a carrier, you get GPS coordinates, driver contact info, and estimated delivery window. We update tracking daily through our customer portal. Real-time GPS? Some carriers offer it; most provide daily updates. We connect you directly with your carrier for live communication.

Booking & Payment Questions

6. What’s your deposit policy?

We require a 25% deposit to hold your booking, with the balance due before pickup. Deposits are non-refundable once a carrier is assigned (typically 24-48 hours after booking). Cancellations made before carrier assignment receive a full refund. We require payment in full before your vehicle leaves the lot because carriers won’t move a shipment without guaranteed payment.

7. Do you accept credit cards or only bank transfers?

Both. Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) for quotes and deposits — small processing fee applies. Bank transfer (ACH) for larger balances, no fees. We also accept checks and wire transfers for commercial accounts. Choose whatever works for your business; we handle all payment types.

8. What if I need to change my delivery date after booking?

Once a carrier is assigned, date changes are difficult and usually incur a rescheduling fee ($200-$500). Before carrier assignment, we can modify dates free. Carriers have tight pickup windows and can’t accommodate last-minute delays. Book conservatively if your timeline is flexible.

9. Can I book a shipment with a mechanical issue or non-running vehicle?

Yes, absolutely. Non-running vehicles, transmission problems, engine issues — we handle all of it. Carriers use flatbed trucks for disabled vehicles (not dollies/tow chains). Cost is the same or slightly higher depending on whether the vehicle can be towed onto a carrier. Dead battery? We can arrange jumpstart at pickup. Flat tires? Carriers account for that.

10. What happens if the shipper no-shows at pickup?

Carrier waits 30-60 minutes (varies by contract). If you’re not ready, the driver moves on to the next load and your shipment gets rescheduled. Second pickup attempt usually incurs a $150-$300 rescheduling fee. Have your vehicle ready, keys accessible, and be present for the scheduled window.

Vehicle Preparation & Condition

11. What should I do to prepare my vehicle for shipping?

Remove personal items (carriers aren’t responsible for contents). Top off fuel (quarter tank minimum). Check tire pressure and all fluids. Take photos of existing damage for your records. Disable alarms. Leave parking brake off. Clear snow/ice from windows. Remove custom license plates if you want to keep them. Don’t fill up to completely full — we need headroom for load shifts.

12. Will my car get damaged during transport?

Statistically: 0.5-1% of shipments report minor damage (small dents, scratches). Major damage (structural) is extremely rare with professional carriers. Our carriers use modern hydraulic trailers with adjustable tie-downs, not chains. Most vehicles arrive pristine. We require all carriers carry $100K liability insurance minimum. If damage occurs, we file claims immediately — average claim resolution is 30-45 days.

13. What kind of insurance covers my vehicle during transport?

Carrier insurance covers the vehicle during transport (we require minimum $100K). Your personal auto insurance does NOT cover transport — it’s excluded during commercial shipping. Some shippers buy transit insurance for additional protection ($150-$300). Full coverage is recommended for luxury/high-value vehicles.

14. Can I leave personal belongings in the car during shipping?

We strongly advise against it. Carriers are not liable for personal items — phones, tools, electronics, luggage. If something goes missing, it’s a loss. We recommend emptying the vehicle completely. Your personal auto insurance won’t cover items in transit either.

15. What if my vehicle has custom modifications or high value?

Notify us at booking so we can arrange enclosed transport and premium carrier assignment. Classic cars, lifted trucks, exotic vehicles should ship enclosed. Damage claims on custom builds are more complex — document all modifications with photos and receipts before pickup. High-value vehicles ($50K+) benefit from declared value coverage.

Special Circumstances & Vehicle Types

16. Can you ship an electric vehicle (EV) or Tesla?

Yes, and increasingly common. EVs don’t require special handling during transport, but we recommend: keep charge between 20-80% to preserve battery health; disable Autopilot and any autonomous features; notify us of charging requirements at delivery. Carriers appreciate knowing it’s electric so they can plan route access (some drop-off points lack Level 2 chargers).

17. What about shipping during snowbird season (winter/spring)?

Snowbird season (November-April) sees demand surge 40-50% — rates spike, carrier availability shrinks, transit times lengthen. March-April prices are 25-35% higher than June-August. If you’re shipping a second vehicle to Florida or Arizona for winter, book 2-3 weeks in advance. We handle hundreds of snowbird shipments; early booking is critical.

18. Can I ship a vehicle with a loan or lien on the title?

Yes. Lienholder doesn’t prevent shipping — it just means the bank has legal interest in the vehicle. You need written permission from the lienholder (liensafe.com can expedite this). We’ll hold the vehicle at our destination facility until you provide lien release paperwork. Most lienholders approve within 24-48 hours.

19. What if I’m shipping a vehicle that’s salvage, rebuilt, or flood-damaged?

We transport these too. Rebuilt/salvage title vehicles require the same carriers and procedures. Flood-damaged vehicles may have mold/water damage that worsens during transport — let us know so we can arrange ventilated transport. Insurance may not cover flood-damaged vehicles; confirm before booking.

20. Can I ship multiple vehicles at once (2, 3, or 4 cars)?

Yes. Multi-vehicle shipments get 10-25% bundle discount because one carrier handles all loads. We can coordinate staggered pickups or all-at-once depending on your needs. Multi-car moves are common for business relocations and dealer transfers. A 4-car bundle from NY to FL typically saves $400-$800 vs individual shipments.

Timing, Scheduling & Delays

21. When should I book my shipment?

Ideal booking window is 2-4 weeks before your desired pickup date. We can accommodate rush shipments (3-7 days) at 20-40% premium. Seasonal peaks (snowbird, spring PCS military season, university moves) require 3-6 weeks lead time. The earlier you book, the better rates and carrier selection you get.

22. What causes delays in vehicle transport?

Weather (snow, ice, flooding), truck breakdowns, driver availability, carrier overselling routes, and unexpected detours. April 2026 has seen unusual spring flooding in the Midwest delaying NY-LA routes 2-3 days. We communicate delays immediately. You’re protected: if we miss guaranteed delivery date, we work with carriers on compensation.

23. What’s your guarantee on delivery dates?

We provide estimated delivery windows (e.g., “April 22-26”), not hard guarantees — mother nature and mechanical issues happen. If we assign a carrier and circumstances cause delay beyond our control, the carrier often absorbs the cost or offers discount on future shipments. Guaranteed delivery dates cost extra and are available for premium shipments.

24. Can I schedule pickup/delivery for a specific day/time?

Pickup yes, within a 2-hour window (8am-2pm, 2pm-6pm availability varies). Delivery is more flexible — carriers often arrive within your preferred week but not specific day. Military/corporate moves and high-value shipments can arrange specific delivery windows at premium. Standard shipments use “deliver by” dates, not “deliver on” dates.

25. What if there’s an emergency and I need to cancel or change the shipment?

Cancellations before carrier assignment: full refund minus $50 admin fee. After assignment: non-refundable deposit (usually 2-4 hours after booking). Changes to route, vehicle details, or timeline after assignment incur $200-$500 rescheduling fee. Emergencies happen — call us immediately. We’ll work with carriers if it’s truly urgent.

Why Choose Ultimate Transport?

We’ve shipped 500,000+ vehicles. We’re not a marketplace — we’re a direct carrier with our own fleet plus vetted partner carriers. Transparent pricing. Real tracking. No surprise fees. Same-day response on all inquiries. Get a real quote in 60 seconds.