Service
Door-to-door car shipping
Door-to-door car shipping means the carrier picks up and delivers your vehicle at your home or business, or the nearest safe spot a full-size car hauler can reach. It is the standard service in our estimates, with no door-to-door surcharge; terminal-to-terminal shipping is less common and adds storage and extra handling. Source: HaulFare price model, October 2026 edition.
Updated October 2026
Why the driver may ask to meet at a Walmart
A loaded full-size hauler is 75–80 feet long and about 13.5 feet tall. Low trees, cul-de-sacs, HOA rules, weight-restricted bridges and tight apartment complexes can all make a street physically or legally off-limits. In those cases the driver will call and suggest a large parking lot within a mile or two.
Enclosed and hotshot trailers are shorter and reach more addresses. If a true driveway pickup matters, say so when you request a quote so the broker can look for a smaller truck.
Door-to-door vs terminal-to-terminal
Terminal shipping means dropping the car at a carrier yard and collecting it from another. It can suit someone who cannot be present at either end, but storage fees can accrue and the extra handling adds a step where damage can happen. For most customers door-to-door is the simpler choice.
The exception is Hawaii and Alaska, where the ocean leg is port-to-port and the land legs are door-to-port and port-to-door. Our estimates add $1,550 for the Hawaii ocean leg and $2,300 for Alaska.
Door-to-door car shipping prices by distance
Included in standard pricing. Sedan baseline unless noted; October 2026. For your exact ZIP codes use the car shipping calculator; for every distance, vehicle and month see how much it costs to ship a car.
| Miles | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | $620–$775 | $880–$1,100 |
| 1,000 | $895–$1,115 | $1,270–$1,580 |
| 1,500 | $1,095–$1,360 | $1,555–$1,940 |
| 2,500 | $1,370–$1,700 | $1,945–$2,420 |
HaulFare price model 2026.09-seed, October 2026. Ranges, not quotes.
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- The licensed broker confirms the actual price before anything is booked
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From estimate to delivery
What happens after you ask for a quote, whichever service you choose.
Get your estimate
Enter ZIPs and vehicle details. You see a typical price range instantly, before you share contact information.
Request a quote
If you want a quote, your request goes to our licensed transport partner, an FMCSA-licensed auto transport broker. We send it to that one broker only, never to a list of companies.
Price, dates and carrier
Our licensed transport partner contacts you to confirm the actual price, pickup dates and vehicle details, then books the shipment and assigns an FMCSA-registered carrier. Ask about deposits and payment terms before you book.
Pickup and delivery
The assigned carrier usually calls 12–24 hours ahead. You both sign a Bill of Lading with a condition report at pickup, then check the car against it at delivery. Most shipments arrive in 2–10 days.
Related services
All services
Sources
- 23 CFR 658.13, length limits for automobile transporters (Legal Information Institute), law.cornell.edu
- Matson, Shipping a car to or from Hawaii (port-to-port, drop-off and pick-up at auto lots), matson.com
Door-to-door car shipping FAQ
Do I have to be present at pickup and delivery?
Someone 18 or older must inspect the car, sign the Bill of Lading and hand over or receive the keys. It can be a friend, neighbor or building manager; give the broker their name and phone. A printable condition report helps them check the car.
Will the carrier call before arriving?
Yes. Drivers typically call 12–24 hours ahead with a window, then again 1–2 hours out. Delays from weather or traffic are common; the window is a target, not a guarantee.
Can the carrier deliver to a different address than quoted?
Often, within the same metro, if the carrier agrees; a change can carry a fee. A different city is a re-quote. Tell the broker that booked the shipment as early as possible.
Is door-to-door more expensive?
No. It is the standard service and our estimates assume it. Addresses more than 50 miles from a carrier hub add $1.10 per extra mile in our model, capped at $175 per end.
