Auto Transport FAQ

On an open carrier, most shipments under 500 miles cost $350 to $700. Routes of 500 to 1,500 miles typically run $700 to $1,300, and cross-country moves cost $1,100 to $1,800. Enclosed transport adds roughly 60 to 80 percent. For an exact figure on your route and vehicle, use the quote tool at the top of this page.

Distance matters most. After that come the size and weight of the vehicle, whether you choose open or enclosed transport, whether the vehicle runs, the time of year, and how flexible your dates are. Routes between large cities on major interstates cost less per mile than routes to remote areas.

Yes. Our quotes are all-in, with no fuel surcharges and no fees added at delivery. The price changes only if the shipment itself changes, for example a different vehicle, a different address, or a car that turns out not to run.

No. You pay nothing to book. The full amount is due when your vehicle is delivered. Your dispatcher will confirm the accepted payment methods when you reserve your shipment.

A quote far below the going rate usually means no carrier will accept the job at that price. The vehicle sits, and the company later asks for more money. A realistic quote reflects what carriers on your route are actually being paid. If you have a lower quote in hand, call us and we will tell you honestly whether it is likely to move a truck.

Seven to fourteen days ahead gives you the best combination of price and carrier availability. In summer, in snowbird season, and around college move-in, two to three weeks is safer. Shorter notice is often possible, especially from cities on major interstates.

After pickup, expect 1 to 3 days for trips under 500 miles, 3 to 5 days for 500 to 1,500 miles, and 7 to 10 days for cross-country routes. Your dispatcher gives you a realistic window when you book.

Standard service uses a pickup window of a few days, which keeps the price down. If you need a specific day, ask about guaranteed pickup or expedited transport when you book.

Call your dispatcher as early as you can. Because there is no deposit, changing your dates does not put any money at risk, and we will work with you on a new pickup window.

Yes. Demand and prices are highest from late May through August. January and February are busy on Florida routes and quiet elsewhere. Early fall is often the best value of the year.

The carrier comes to your address instead of asking you to drive to a terminal. If a car hauler cannot safely reach your street because of narrow lanes, low branches, or neighborhood rules, the driver arranges a meeting point nearby, usually a parking lot a few minutes away. There is no extra charge for that.

You or an adult you trust needs to be present at pickup and at delivery to hand over or receive the keys and sign the inspection report. It can be a different person at each end.

Wash it, photograph it, remove personal items and toll tags, and leave about a quarter tank of fuel. Make sure the battery is charged and the tires hold air, disable the alarm, and have one set of keys ready. Our How It Works page has the full checklist.

We recommend shipping the vehicle empty. Carrier cargo insurance covers the vehicle, not belongings inside it, and extra weight can cause problems for the carrier. If you need to send a few things, ask your dispatcher first.

It is the document the driver completes at pickup and delivery. It serves as your receipt and as the official record of the vehicle's condition. Read it before you sign, keep your copy, and write any new damage on it at delivery before signing.

Yes. Every carrier in our network carries active cargo insurance at no extra cost to you, and we verify coverage before assigning a carrier. You can ask your dispatcher for the insurance certificate before pickup.

Damage is uncommon. If you see something new at delivery, note it on the bill of lading before you sign, take photos, and call your dispatcher. The claim is made against the carrier's cargo insurance, and we help you through the process.

Yes. Open carriers move the great majority of vehicles shipped in the United States, including new cars on their way to dealerships. The vehicle is exposed to weather and road dust, much as it would be if you drove it. For classics, exotics, and other high-value vehicles, enclosed transport adds full protection.

We dispatch only to carriers we have verified for active FMCSA operating authority, current cargo insurance, a sound safety record, and a history of good customer feedback. We do not hand vehicles to the cheapest truck available.

Cars, SUVs, pickups, vans, motorcycles, and electric vehicles, along with classic, luxury, and exotic cars. We also arrange transport for RVs, boats, ATVs and UTVs, golf carts, and heavy equipment.

Yes. A non-running vehicle is loaded with a winch, which typically adds $100 to $200. Tell us when you book whether it rolls, steers, and brakes, so we assign a carrier with the right equipment.

Yes. Give us the seller's address and contact details, and we schedule the pickup with them directly. Make sure the vehicle is paid for and released before the pickup date.

Yes. We ship for service members and their families throughout the year and plan around report dates. When a carrier does not have access to an installation, the driver meets you just outside the gate.

No. We are based in Alabama and ship to and from all 50 states. We can also move a vehicle between two other states, or bring one to Alabama from anywhere in the country.

We are a licensed broker. We do not own the trucks. We choose a vetted carrier for your route, verify its license and insurance, schedule the shipment, and stay involved until delivery. You get one point of contact and access to far more trucks than any single carrier operates.

We are based in Alabama, with local offices and phone numbers in cities across the state. You can find the office nearest you on our Contact page.

Call (205) 578-6129 at any hour, any day of the week, or email info@heartlandautotransport.com. A dispatcher answers the phone.