Interstate vehicle shipping allows you to transport a car, SUV, pickup, or other vehicle from one state to another without driving it yourself. The process generally includes providing shipment details, coordinating pickup, preparing the automobile, loading it onto a carrier, transporting it along the route, and completing delivery.
State-to-state auto transport can be useful when you’re moving, purchasing a vehicle online, selling to an out-of-state buyer, relocating for work, attending college, or moving seasonally.
What Is Interstate Vehicle Shipping?
Interstate vehicle shipping refers to transporting an automobile across state lines using a vehicle carrier.
Depending on the shipment, transportation may involve neighboring states or a route covering a large portion of the country.
The basic process typically includes:
- Providing vehicle and route information
- Choosing a transportation method
- Coordinating carrier pickup
- Preparing the vehicle
- Inspecting and loading the automobile
- Transporting it across state lines
- Coordinating delivery
- Completing the delivery inspection
Understanding these stages makes it easier to know what information you’ll need and what to expect.
What Information Does an Auto Transporter Need?
Accurate information is important when arranging state-to-state vehicle transport.
Be prepared to provide:
- Vehicle year
- Make
- Model
- Pickup city or ZIP code
- Delivery city or ZIP code
- Vehicle operating condition
- Preferred transportation dates
- Significant modifications
- Open or enclosed transport preference
If any of these details change before pickup, update the transportation provider.
Accurate information helps avoid unexpected issues when the carrier arrives.
Open vs. Enclosed Interstate Auto Transport
Vehicles can be transported using different types of equipment.
Open Auto Transport
Open carriers are commonly used for everyday cars, SUVs, pickups, and vans.
The vehicles are secured to an open carrier and are exposed to normal weather and road conditions during transportation.
For many standard automobiles, open transport is a practical option.
Enclosed Auto Transport
Enclosed transportation provides additional protection from direct weather and road exposure.
It may be considered for:
- Classic cars
- Collector vehicles
- Exotic automobiles
- Luxury vehicles
- Restored cars
- Particularly valuable automobiles
When comparing interstate vehicle shipping options, make sure you understand whether the transportation being discussed is open or enclosed.
How Should You Prepare Your Vehicle?
Good preparation can help make pickup easier.
Before interstate auto transport, consider these steps:
- Remove valuables and unnecessary belongings.
- Have the keys available.
- Make sure the automobile is accessible.
- Secure loose exterior accessories.
- Check for significant fluid leaks.
- Disclose known mechanical problems.
- Mention significant modifications.
- Confirm your contact information.
- Take clear photographs of the vehicle.
If someone else will release the automobile at pickup, make sure that person understands the arrangements.
Why Vehicle Condition Matters
Tell the transportation provider whether the automobile:
- Starts
- Drives
- Rolls
- Steers
- Brakes
This information is especially important for non-running or damaged vehicles.
A car that doesn’t start but rolls and steers may have different loading requirements from a vehicle with damaged or locked wheels.
Accurately describing its condition before pickup helps the provider evaluate transportation requirements.
What Happens at Vehicle Pickup?
Before loading, the vehicle’s condition should be documented as part of the transportation process.
It’s also a good idea to take your own photographs.
Capture:
- Front
- Rear
- Driver side
- Passenger side
- Wheels
- Windshield
- Existing dents or scratches
- Other noticeable damage
These photographs provide a record of the automobile’s condition before interstate vehicle shipping begins.
The vehicle can then be loaded and secured for transportation.
Can the Carrier Pick Up at Your Home?
Vehicle transportation can often be coordinated as close to the requested location as safely and legally practical.
However, large auto carriers need considerable room to maneuver.
Potential obstacles include:
- Narrow residential streets
- Tight turns
- Low tree branches
- Steep roads
- Gated entrances
- Weight restrictions
- Parking restrictions
- Limited loading areas
If the requested address isn’t accessible, you and the driver may need to coordinate a nearby meeting location.
The same consideration applies when arranging delivery.
How Long Does State-to-State Vehicle Transport Take?
The vehicle shipping timeline depends on the individual route and transportation conditions.
Factors can include:
- Total distance
- Pickup and delivery locations
- Carrier availability
- Route
- Traffic
- Weather
- Construction
- Scheduled carrier stops
A shipment between neighboring states naturally involves a different route than transporting an automobile across several states.
However, mileage alone shouldn’t be used to predict an exact delivery time.
Why Can Delivery Timing Change?
Auto carriers operate on public highways where conditions can change unexpectedly.
Traffic accidents, severe weather, construction, detours, road closures, and other circumstances can influence an interstate auto transport schedule.
Carriers may also transport several vehicles and make scheduled stops along their routes.
Commercial drivers must operate safely and comply with applicable driving and rest requirements.
For these reasons, make sure you understand how pickup and delivery timing is being described when arranging transportation.
Can You Ship a Vehicle You Bought in Another State?
Yes. Interstate vehicle shipping can be particularly useful when buying an automobile located in another state.
The pickup may be coordinated with:
- A dealership
- Private seller
- Auction
- Other authorized pickup location
Before arranging transportation, confirm that the automobile is ready to be released.
The person or business releasing the vehicle should know that a carrier will be arriving and have the necessary access and keys available.
Can You Ship an SUV or Pickup Between States?
Many different passenger vehicles can be transported across state lines, including:
- Sedans
- Coupes
- SUVs
- Crossovers
- Pickup trucks
- Vans
- Classic vehicles
- Luxury automobiles
Larger vehicles and significant modifications should be disclosed before transportation.
A lifted truck with oversized tires, for example, can have different dimensions from the factory version of the same model.
Those differences may affect carrier space and loading requirements.
Can Non-Running Cars Be Transported Across State Lines?
Transportation may be possible, depending on the vehicle’s condition and available equipment.
When requesting state-to-state car shipping, don’t simply say the automobile doesn’t run.
Explain whether it rolls, steers, and brakes.
The more accurate your information is, the easier it is to evaluate the loading situation before the carrier arrives.
What Happens During Interstate Transportation?
Once loaded, your vehicle travels toward its destination according to the carrier’s route.
An auto carrier may have several vehicles onboard, so the trip can include other scheduled pickups and deliveries.
Weather, traffic, road construction, and other conditions can also affect transportation.
Keep your contact information current so pickup or delivery arrangements can be communicated as needed.
How Do You Prepare for Delivery?
Make sure you or an authorized person will be available for the delivery arrangements.
When the vehicle arrives, inspect it carefully.
Compare its condition with:
- Your pre-transport photographs
- Transportation documentation
- Notes about existing damage
Taking a few minutes to inspect the automobile is an important final part of the interstate vehicle shipping process.
How Do You Research a Vehicle Transport Provider?
Price is important, but it shouldn’t be the only consideration.
Make sure the transportation provider understands your:
- Exact vehicle
- Vehicle condition
- Pickup location
- Destination
- Preferred dates
- Transportation method
- Modifications
Consumers can research motor carrier information through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and find federal transportation information through the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Webster Hauling also has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Interstate Vehicle Shipping FAQs
Can I Ship a Car From One State to Another?
Yes. Interstate vehicle shipping is specifically used to move automobiles across state lines without requiring the owner to drive them to the destination.
Is Open Transport Available Between States?
Open carriers are commonly used for state-to-state transportation of everyday passenger vehicles. Enclosed transportation is another option for automobiles needing additional protection from direct weather and road exposure.
Can Weather Delay Interstate Auto Transport?
Yes. Snow, ice, storms, flooding, high winds, and unsafe highway conditions can affect a state-to-state transport schedule.
Can Someone Else Release My Vehicle?
Depending on the transportation arrangements, another authorized person may be able to handle pickup. Make sure the vehicle, keys, and required information are available when the carrier arrives.
What If My Vehicle Doesn’t Run?
Tell the transportation provider before pickup. Explain whether the vehicle starts, rolls, steers, and brakes so its loading requirements can be evaluated.
For more information, visit Webster Hauling’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
Arrange Interstate Vehicle Shipping
Successful interstate vehicle shipping starts with accurate information, proper preparation, realistic scheduling, and clear communication.
Your vehicle, route, condition, transportation method, carrier availability, weather, and pickup and delivery locations can all influence the process.
Webster Hauling helps customers coordinate state-to-state vehicle transportation for moves, purchases, sales, relocations, and other transportation needs.
Have your vehicle year, make, model, condition, pickup location, destination, and preferred dates ready when you contact Webster Hauling.
