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How to ship a car you bought online
Carvana-era buying means the car you found is rarely in your city. Whether it came from a private seller, a dealership three states away, or an online auction, here's exactly how getting it home works when you book directly with the carrier.
How the handoff works when you're not there
The most common worry: "I can't be at pickup — how does this work?" Simply. You give us the seller's contact info; our dispatch coordinates the pickup window directly with them. At loading, our driver walks the vehicle with the seller, photographs its condition on the Bill of Lading (BOL), and that document — not anyone's memory — is the record of how the car left.
At delivery you (or anyone you designate) walk the same car against the same photos before signing. If anything changed in transit, it's documented and covered under our carrier cargo insurance. One company handled the whole chain, which is exactly what you want when you've never seen the car in person.
Before you book: three things to confirm with the seller
- The title and payment are settled. Carriers move cars; we don't escrow deals. Make sure funds and title transfer are resolved (or in a defined process) before pickup day.
- Where the car actually is. A dealership address is easy; a private seller's cul-de-sac may need a nearby parking-lot meeting point for a 75-foot rig.
- That it runs. "Ran when parked" is a price category. Inoperable vehicles ship fine but need winch loading — tell us up front, not at the truck.
Timing: when to book transport in the buying process
Book once the deal is committed — deposit down, pickup location known. On our core lanes, pickup typically happens within a few days to a week of booking. Booking before the paperwork settles risks a truck arriving at a seller who won't release the car; booking too late leaves your purchase sitting on a dealer's lot accruing storage fees, which some dealers start charging within days.
Dealer purchases vs. private party vs. auction
Dealerships are the smoothest: business hours, loading space, staff who've done this before. Private sellers work fine with a little coordination — we confirm the window by phone and pick a rig-accessible spot. Auction purchases (Copart, Manheim, IAA, online platforms) need your lot number and gate release before the truck arrives; we handle the yard logistics from there. All three ship at the same carrier-direct rates on our lanes.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need to be present when the car is picked up?
No. The seller — or anyone with the keys — releases the vehicle, and our driver documents its condition with photos on the Bill of Lading. You inspect against those photos at delivery.
How fast can you pick up a car I just bought?
On our core lanes, typically within a few days to a week of booking. Book as soon as the purchase is committed — some dealers start charging storage within days.
What if the car doesn't run?
Inoperable vehicles ship fine with winch loading — just tell us when you book so the right equipment and deck position are planned. Surprising the driver at pickup is how shipments get delayed.
Get a quote
A firm Sacramento → Houston price from the company that hauls it
Send the basics and we'll come back with a firm quote and the next available pickup window on this lane. No deposit games, no bait-and-switch.