Vehicle Shipping Service
How a Vehicle Shipping Service Works
What actually happens when you hire a vehicle shipping service, from your first quote to the moment your car rolls off the truck.
Shipment Details
20+ YEARS
of combined auto transportation experience.
10,000+
top-rated, vetted carriers within our network.
$0
due upfront. You only pay when we assign a carrier.
The Basics
What a Vehicle Shipping Service Actually Does
If you've never shipped a car before, the whole thing can feel a little mysterious. You hand your keys to a stranger with a giant truck, and a few days later your car shows up in another state. Here's what goes on in between.
Most vehicle shipping services, including us, are brokers. We don't own the trucks. We work with a big network of licensed carriers, find one that's already running your route, and handle the booking, paperwork, and communication so you're not calling around to dozens of trucking companies.
The carrier is the company with the truck and the driver. They do the actual hauling. Your job is mostly to get the car ready and be there (or send someone) at pickup and delivery.
The Short Version
- 1You request a quote with your addresses, vehicle, and dates.
- 2You book. With us, nothing is due yet.
- 3We assign a vetted carrier on your route.
- 4The driver inspects and loads your car.
- 5Your car rides to its new address.
- 6You inspect it together, sign, and you're done.
Step by Step
The Vehicle Shipping Process, Start to Finish
Here's each step in a little more detail, so nothing catches you off guard.
- 1
Get a Quote
Tell us where the car is, where it's going, what it is, and when it's ready. You'll get a final price, not a teaser number. Quotes are good for 7 days.
- 2
Book Your Shipment
When the price works for you, book it. There's $0 due at booking, so you're not out any money while we line up a truck.
- 3
Carrier Assigned
We match your car with a carrier whose authority and insurance we've checked. Once they're dispatched, you pay a deposit or the full amount, whichever you prefer.
- 4
Pickup & Inspection
The driver walks around the car with you and notes every scratch and ding on the Bill of Lading. You both sign it, and the car gets loaded and strapped down.
- 5
In Transit
Drivers can only drive so many hours a day by law, and they usually have other cars to drop off along the way. Short trips take a day or two. Coast to coast is more like a week or more.
- 6
Delivery
The driver calls ahead. You inspect the car again using the Bill of Lading, note anything new, sign off, and pay any remaining balance to the driver.
The Paperwork
Why the Bill of Lading Matters So Much
The Bill of Lading (BOL) is the most important piece of paper in the whole process. It's the inspection report and the receipt in one.
At pickup, the driver records your car's condition, including anything that's already there. At delivery, you check the car against that same report. In the rare case something gets damaged on the road, the BOL is what an insurance claim is based on.
So take your time with it. Look the car over in good light, and don't sign at delivery until anything new is written down.
Inspection Tips
- Wash the car before pickup so damage is easy to see.
- Take your own dated photos of every side.
- Check the roof, bumpers, and lower panels.
- Inspect in daylight if you can.
- Write any new damage on the BOL before signing.
Who Does What
Broker vs. Carrier: What's the Difference?
A carrier owns trucks and moves cars. A broker connects you with carriers and manages the shipment. Most of the names you see when you search for car shipping are brokers.
Going through a broker gives you access to thousands of trucks instead of the handful one carrier has, which usually means faster pickups and more options on price. The catch is that not all brokers are honest about pricing, which is why it matters who you book with.
Either way, both brokers and carriers have to be registered with the FMCSA. You can look up anyone's DOT or MC number on the FMCSA website before you book.
Our Registration
- Type
- Licensed auto transport broker
- USDOT
- 4238940
- MC
- 1641261
- Service
- Door-to-door, nationwide
Our Services
Vehicle Shipping Services We Offer
Every service is door-to-door, with a final-price quote and $0 due at booking.
Open Auto Transport
The most common and affordable way to ship a car.
Learn more →Enclosed Auto Transport
Full protection for classic, exotic, and luxury vehicles.
Learn more →Expedited Car Shipping
Priority carrier matching when you're on a deadline.
Learn more →Door-to-Door Shipping
Pickup and delivery at your addresses. No terminals.
Learn more →Why NEXLogistix
A Vehicle Shipping Service You Can Trust
A licensed, bonded, and insured broker (DOT 4238940 | MC-1641261).
Texas-Based Broker
We're a family-owned company headquartered in Lake Jackson, Texas, arranging car shipping nationwide.
15+ Years in Auto Transport
Deep industry experience and relationships with more than 10,000 vetted carriers.
Final-Price Quotes
The price we quote is the price you pay. No bait-and-switch, no surprise fees.
$0 Due at Booking
You don't pay anything until a carrier is actually dispatched for your vehicle.
FAQ
Vehicle Shipping Service FAQs
How does a vehicle shipping service work?
You request a quote, book your shipment, and the shipping company assigns a licensed carrier on your route. The driver inspects your car and records its condition at pickup, hauls it to the new address, and you inspect it together again at delivery.
How long does vehicle shipping take?
It depends mostly on distance. Trips of a few hundred miles often take 1 to 3 days after pickup. Around 1,000 miles is usually 2 to 3 days. Coast to coast is about 7 to 10 days.
Do I need to be there for pickup and delivery?
Someone needs to be there at both pickup and delivery, but it doesn't have to be you. Any trusted person 18 or older can hand over the keys and sign the Bill of Lading.
Can I track my vehicle online?
We don't currently offer live tracking, but you can contact our team anytime for an update on your shipment.
Can you guarantee pickup or delivery dates?
Pickup and delivery dates are estimates and can't be guaranteed. Carrier availability, weather, traffic, and mechanical issues can all affect timing. We work with a large network of carriers to give your car the best chance of moving within your requested window.
What do I need to give the driver?
Just the vehicle and its keys. License plates aren't required.
Is my car insured during transport?
Yes. Every carrier we work with is required to carry active cargo insurance. Your vehicle's condition is documented on the Bill of Lading at pickup and checked again at delivery. Personal items left in the vehicle are not covered.
Do I have to pay upfront?
No. There's $0 due at booking. Once a carrier is assigned, you can either pay a small deposit and the remaining balance directly to the driver at delivery, or pay in full at that point so nothing is due at delivery.
Keep Exploring
Related Routes & States
Other Popular Routes
Don't see your route? We ship door-to-door between cities and states all across the country. Browse all states we serve.
Ready to Ship Your Vehicle?
Get a free, final-price quote in minutes. Nothing is due at booking, and you don't pay a thing until a carrier is dispatched.
Prefer email? hello@nexlogistix.com
Licensed, bonded & insured broker · DOT 4238940 | MC-1641261