How to Ship a Car: Complete Guide
From quote to delivery—here’s exactly how auto transport works.
Shipping a car doesn’t have to be confusing. Whether you’re relocating, buying a vehicle from another state, or sending a car to a family member, the process is straightforward: get a quote, book, and we handle the rest.
Follow these three steps and you’ll have a clear path from booking to delivery. We work with licensed carriers nationwide, so your vehicle is in good hands from pickup to drop-off.
Get a quote and book
Enter your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle details, and preferred dates on our site or call us. You’ll get an instant quote with no obligation. Once you’re happy with the price, book your shipment—no deposit required until a carrier is assigned. We’ll confirm your booking and start matching you with a licensed, insured carrier.
We assign a carrier and schedule pickup
Yorka Auto Transport matches your shipment with a carrier that serves your route. We’ll send you the driver’s contact info and a pickup window. Before pickup, prepare your vehicle: remove all personal belongings, disable alarms, and have a valid ID ready. The driver will perform a brief inspection, note any existing damage, and load your vehicle onto the trailer. You’ll sign a bill of lading at pickup.
Delivery to your destination
The carrier transports your vehicle to your delivery address. You’ll receive updates along the way. At delivery, do a quick inspection to confirm the vehicle’s condition matches the pickup report, sign the delivery paperwork, and take possession of your car. The remaining balance is typically collected at delivery unless you’ve arranged otherwise.
Step 1 in detail: Getting your quote
You’ll need your pickup and delivery addresses (city and state or ZIP), vehicle year, make, model, and whether it runs and drives. Optional details like preferred pickup date help us give you an accurate price. Our quote is free and non-binding. When you’re ready, book online or by phone. We don’t charge a deposit until we’ve assigned a carrier to your order, so you can reserve your spot without paying upfront.
Step 2 in detail: Pickup day
Once a carrier is assigned, we’ll share their contact information and your scheduled pickup window. The driver will call when they’re en route. Have your ID ready and ensure the vehicle is accessible (no blocking cars or locked gates). The driver will walk around the vehicle, note the condition on an inspection form, and load it onto the trailer. You’ll receive a copy of the bill of lading. For door-to-door service, we coordinate pickup at your chosen address whenever access allows.
Step 3 in detail: Delivery
The carrier will contact you as they approach your delivery location. Be available to receive the vehicle and have your ID ready. The driver will unload your car and do a quick walk-around with you. Compare the condition to the pickup inspection; if you notice new damage, note it on the paperwork before signing. Once you sign, the shipment is complete. Payment for the balance (if any) is collected at this time unless you’ve made other arrangements.
Before you ship: quick tips
- Remove all personal belongings from the vehicle. Carriers are not responsible for items left inside.
- Disable any alarm or anti-theft devices so the driver can move the vehicle if needed.
- Ensure the car is in driveable condition (or tell us if it’s not—we can arrange for non-running transport).
- Have a valid photo ID ready at both pickup and delivery.
- Note any existing damage on the inspection form at pickup to avoid disputes at delivery.
Car Shipping
Guide FAQs
Common questions about the car shipping process.
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