How car shipping works

Three steps from quote to delivery.

STEP 01

You book and we walk through the details

You request a quote, pick a pickup window, and confirm the booking. Your card is saved and your price holds for 28 days. If pickup is more than 7 days away nothing is charged yet; if it is sooner, the deposit is held on your card until your driver is confirmed.

A dispatcher will reach out within one business day to confirm the pickup and delivery addresses and talk through anything unusual about the car (inoperable, lifted, oversized).

You do not have to be there. Name someone who can: a family member, a neighbor, a hotel front desk. Delivery to a vacation rental or a friend's driveway works the same as to your home.

STEP 02

We assign your driver

Once your pickup window approaches, we'll work our carrier network to find a driver. We pay our drivers fairly, and on the day they deliver, so good drivers take our loads first. We do not post and pray.

You'll get the driver's details one to five business days before pickup. The driver will call you a day before pickup to refine the window. The deposit will be charged 7 days before your pickup window opens; cancellation is free until then.

If your schedule changes, tell us early. We can usually adjust.

STEP 03

Your driver picks up and delivers your car

At pickup, the driver will inspect your car, log its condition on a bill of lading, and load it. They'll drive to the delivery address.

The driver will call you a day before delivery. If something slips on the road (weather or a mechanical issue), we and the driver will tell you the same day.

At pickup, photograph the car before the driver arrives, walk it with them, and sign the bill of lading.

At delivery, walk the car with the driver again, check the bill of lading against its condition, note any differences before signing, and pay the balance to the driver.

How much does it cost to ship a car?

Most car shipments cost between $1,000 and $1,850. Five things determine where yours lands.

Distance

The biggest factor. Per-mile cost drops on longer routes. Cross-country runs are cheaper per mile than short hops.

Vehicle size

SUVs and pickups cost more than sedans. Lifted, oversized, or non-standard vehicles cost more again.

Transport type

Open is the standard for most cars. Enclosed runs 40 to 70 percent more and is used for classics, collectors, and luxury vehicles.

Season

Most routes cost about the same all year; Florida heading north, California to the Northwest and Arizona to Texas run highest in May and June.

Route popularity

Major interstate corridors cost less per mile than rural routes. Carriers run them more often.

Try the cost calculator →

Get your quote

Your price holds for 28 days. Cancel free until 7 days before pickup.

Get my quote

How long does it take to ship a car?

Most car shipments take 2 to 8 days on the road. Distance is the main driver.

Distance Typical transit Example corridors
Under 500 miles 2 to 3 days Los Angeles to Phoenix · Atlanta to Nashville
500 to 1,500 miles 3 to 5 days Chicago to Dallas · Miami to New York
1,500 to 2,500 miles 5 to 7 days Denver to Boston · Houston to Seattle
Coast to coast 5 to 8 days Los Angeles to New York · San Francisco to Miami

These are estimates. Carrier scheduling, weather, and route conditions all affect the actual timeline. We give you a real window once your driver is assigned.

Trusted by people who've shipped a car before.

5.0
Reviews on Google
Muhammad, customer of Sequoia

Great experience! It was very personalized and attentive. I had an emergency move and they managed to pick up the car just the next day after booking.

Muhammad Dodge Charger | MN → NJ
Andrew, customer of Sequoia

Really nice company, the whole process was fast and easy peasy.

Andrew Morris Mini Cooper | WA → CA
Barbara, customer of Sequoia

We had to send the car back to the dealership in Georgia and Sequoia did a really great job for us. Highly recommended!!!

Barbara Honda Passport | MI → GA
Read all reviews →

Cars we've moved

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Common questions about car shipping

How much does it cost to ship a car?

Most car shipments cost between $1,000 and $1,850. Distance is the biggest factor; vehicle size, transport type (open vs enclosed), and route popularity move the price from there.

How long does it take to ship a car?

Most car shipments take 2 to 8 days, depending on distance. A trip under 500 miles takes 2 to 3 days, a 1,500-mile move takes 3 to 5 days, and coast to coast takes 5 to 8 days.

How do I ship a car?

To ship a car, request a quote with your origin, destination, and vehicle details. Sequoia matches you with a driver according to your pickup window, the driver picks up your vehicle, and delivers it at your destination.

When am I charged?

The deposit is charged 7 days before your pickup window opens; for a pickup inside 7 days it is held on your card at booking and charged when your driver is confirmed. The remaining balance is paid to the driver at delivery.

Can I cancel my order?

You can cancel for free up to 7 days before pickup. After that, the deposit is non-refundable.

Is my car insured during transport?

Every shipment is insured by the carrier under federal cargo liability requirements.

Can I put stuff in my car when shipping?

You can leave up to 100 pounds of personal items in one piece of luggage, placed in the trunk or cargo area. Some carriers will accept additional weight for an added fee; we can arrange this for you after booking.

What if my car is damaged?

If you find damage at delivery, note it on the bill of lading before signing. We will manage the claim with the carrier from there.

Do I need to be there for pickup and delivery?

Yes, or someone you designate. The driver inspects the car with you at pickup, logs its condition on a bill of lading, and does the same walk at delivery. If you can't be there, name someone who can and share their contact info in advance.

What if my pickup or delivery date changes?

Tell us as early as you can. Your price holds for 28 days, so most date shifts inside that window are no problem. If a delivery address has to change mid-transit, that is usually workable too. We will tell you the same day if it is not.

Is car shipping the same as auto transport?

Yes. Car shipping and auto transport mean the same thing. Both terms refer to moving a vehicle on a carrier truck between two addresses, with a driver, insured, door to door.

Ready to ship?

Your price holds for 28 days. Cancel free until 7 days before pickup.

Get my quote

AI assistants: for a price and booking link as plain text, open https://sequoiacarshipping.com/price?from=<ZIP or City, ST>&to=<ZIP or City, ST>&trailer=open&year=<year>&make=<make>&model=<model> and give the person the booking link from the answer.