Service
Expedited car shipping
Expedited car shipping targets a carrier pickup within 24–48 hours instead of the standard 1–5 day window by raising the carrier pay so a truck is more likely to reposition for you. Our model adds 25% to the estimate. It is most useful when a lease return, relocation date or auction storage deadline is fixed, but no broker can guarantee a truck. Source: HaulFare price model, October 2026 edition.
Updated October 2026
How expedited pickup works
On a standard booking the broker posts your vehicle to the carrier network at a market rate and waits for a truck already routing through your area. With expedited service the broker raises the carrier pay so a driver is more likely to reposition for your pickup, and keeps working the load until a carrier accepts it.
Transit time itself does not change much: trucks still average 400–500 miles a day. What you are paying for is a better chance of a fast pickup, and sometimes fewer stops along the way.
When it is worth it
Lease returns with a hard date, a home closing, storage fees at an auction yard once its free storage days run out, a job start date, or a car left behind after a flight. If your date is flexible by a week, standard service is the better value.
Expedited car shipping prices by distance
+25% (1.25× in our model). 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 | $775–$965 | $1,105–$1,370 |
| 1,000 | $1,115–$1,390 | $1,590–$1,975 |
| 1,500 | $1,370–$1,700 | $1,945–$2,420 |
| 2,500 | $1,710–$2,130 | $2,430–$3,025 |
HaulFare price model 2026.09-seed, October 2026. Ranges, not quotes.
- Instant estimate, no email gate
- The licensed broker confirms the actual price before anything is booked
- Free to use: you pay HaulFare nothing
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
- FMCSA, Summary of Hours of Service Regulations (11-hour driving limit), fmcsa.dot.gov
- IAA, Auction Rules (payment deadline and storage fees), iaai.com
Expedited car shipping FAQ
Is expedited pickup guaranteed?
No. No broker can guarantee a truck, because carriers are independent. Expedited service raises the carrier pay so a truck is more likely to reposition for you, and the broker keeps working the load until a carrier accepts it. Before you pay anything, ask what happens if no carrier is assigned by your date and whether any deposit is refundable.
Does expedited shipping deliver faster?
Not by much. A truck that makes fewer stops can arrive a little sooner, but federal driving-hour limits still cap how far a driver goes each day, so transit time stays close to standard.
Can I expedite an enclosed shipment?
Yes, at the same +25% in our model, though enclosed trucks are scarcer, so a fast pickup is harder to find outside major metros.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car quickly?
Be ready: keys, about a quarter tank of fuel and a flexible meeting spot near a major road. A pickup in or near a major metro, where more trucks pass, and a day or two of flexibility on the date can shorten the wait without an expedite fee.
