Planning to ship your vehicle? Whether you’re relocating, purchasing a car online, or sending one to a family member, one of the most common questions is: How far in advance should you book car shipping? The answer varies with your pickup location, the season, and the type of transport you choose, but as a general rule sooner you plan, the smoother the process will be.
In this guide, we’ll share the ideal booking window, the key factors that shape your schedule, and how giving yourself extra time can influence both cost and service quality. Whether this is your first shipment or you simply need a quick reminder, these pointers will help you steer clear of last-minute stress.
Why Advance Booking Matters
Reserving auto transport well ahead of time gives you a better shot at your preferred pickup date, budget, and shipping method. Car shipping companies have limited availability, especially during peak months like summer and around holiday moves. Delay your booking, and you may end up paying premium rush fees or accepting a route that works for the provider, not for you.
Starting your planning early gives you breathing room to prep the car, double-check insurance, talk with dealerships or buyers, and work through a complete moving checklist.
Ideal Booking Timelines
Here’s a rough timeline showing how far ahead you should book depending on the way you want to ship your vehicle:
- Standard Domestic Transport (Open Carrier)
Book 1–2 weeks in advance
This is the most popular option for moving cars. Booking roughly a week to fourteen days lets the carrier line up pickup and delivery times without pushing costs up or causing gaps in service.
- Enclosed Auto Transport
Book 2–3 weeks in advance
For a luxury, classic, or specialty ride, an enclosed trailer shields it better but is rarer and hauls fewer vehicles. Booking two to three weeks out locks in a spot and keeps stress low.
- Cross-Country or Coast-to-Coast Shipping
Book 2–3 weeks in advance
Coast-to-coast moves take longer and involve a smaller pool of carriers. Reserving your slot two to three weeks in advance gives everyone time to plan the best route.
- Busy Seasons (Summer, Snowbird Season)
Plan about 3 to 4 weeks ahead. Demand usually peaks in the summer months and again during the snowbird season, when many retirees transport their cars to warmer states. If your move falls within those popular periods, adding a few weeks to your schedule will give you the best selection of carriers.
- International Shipping
Aim to book 3 to 6 weeks in advance. Sending a car overseas requires customs forms, port calendars, and extra steps that take time. Start the process early to keep your shipment on schedule and to sidestep costly storage charges at the docks.
What Happens if You Book Late?
Sometimes life throws a curveball, and you need to ship a car with almost no notice. Most transport companies still accept the job through expedited or express services, but expect a higher bill. Late requests also tend to be pricier if you want enclosed carriers or a narrow delivery window.
Because of limited space, you may face longer waits or have to drop the car at a terminal instead of enjoying door-to-door pickup and drop-off. Following a moving checklist early on remains one of the best ways to make the entire process far simpler.
Factors That Affect How Early You Should Book
- Transport Type Open carriers are the industry standard, so they usually have available slots at short notice. With enclosed trailers, though, the smaller fleet moves slowly on routes, giving you limited room to slip in once they fill up.
- Route and Distance Well-traveled legs-L.A. to New York or Miami to Houston-pop up every few days, so you can wait a week or two. Pickups for out-of-the-way towns or offshore islands take extra coordination, leaving carriers with wider gaps on the calendar.
- Time of Year Demand spikes during summer and again from mid-December to early March, forcing prices up and space to vanish. Booking a month in advance protects you from surges and lets a carrier plan your job into its load list.
- Vehicle Condition: A car that won’t start, a lifted truck, or a classic with a fragile hood needs specialized gear to load safely. Drivers with those ramps and straps chew up time when they have to search for a rare contract, so give them a warning.
- Your Personal Timeline If a job starts Friday or a show opens Monday, lock in arrangements two to four weeks out so the trucker can meet your clock, not theirs.
How to Ship a Car the Right Way: Plan Early
Now that you know when to book, it’s time to put that lesson to work. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll be ready to ship your ride with confidence:
Request free quotes from at least three car-shipping companies 2 to 3 weeks before the day you want your car picked up.
- Choose between open or enclosed transport based on how much the car is worth and the weather it will face along the route.
- Once you pick a quote, confirm availability with the carrier and lock in the pickup window you agreed on.
- Use a quick checklist-clean the car, take pictures, write down the mileage, and remove any personal stuff to get the vehicle ready.
- Throughout the journey, stay in touch with the company and the driver so you catch any changes early.
- Plan ahead and follow these steps, and you’ll dodge last-minute stress, snag a better rate, and see your car arrive on time and in great shape.
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car?
Along with the booking lead time, people often ask how long shipping actually takes once the car steps onto the trailer. Here’s a rough breakdown:
- Local or short-distance (under 500 miles): 1–3 days
- Mid-range (500–1500 miles): 3–5 days
- Cross-country (over 1500 miles): 7–10 days
Keep in mind that these figures cover transit times only. They don’t account for the period needed to assign the vehicle to a truck after the initial reservation, which is why booking early still counts.
Traffic jams, foul weather, and mechanical hiccups can all push the delivery window around. Because of that, your transporter will usually offer a range instead of an ironclad date.
Final Thoughts
How far in advance should you book car shipping? For most moves, 1 to 3 weeks hits the sweet spot. An early reservation opens up more options, can lower the price, and gives you a little extra peace of mind-especially with enclosed trailers, peak seasons, or tight deadlines.
If you still feel lost about shipping a car, the biggest tip is simply to plan ahead. Choosing a trusted carrier, following a solid moving checklist, and giving yourself time to work through each step help make sure your vehicle lands safely and on schedule.
