One of the most common questions about car shipment involves timing. Customers want to know how long it will take to have their car shipped from one location to another. Although it seems like a very basic question, the answer isn’t always so simple. There are several factors that can determine the amount of time it will take to ship your vehicle so the best auto shipment companies can do is give you an estimated window or range. Here are a few things to consider when creating a timeline for your vehicle from pickup to delivery. 

Lead Time

Before your vehicle ever hits the road, there are several factors that can affect its delivery time.The lead time refers to how long it will take a driver to be assigned to your vehicle. This is dependent on a few factors:

• Location- It is much easier and faster to transport vehicles between major cities. Small towns or rural areas will take longer. 
• Season- Auto transport usually picks up the spring and summer months so carriers are more readily available and this can speed up the delivery process. 
• Vehicle Size- Most auto carriers can only fit certain size vehicles so larger vehicles will require a longer timeline than smaller ones. 

Keep all of these factors in mind and provide the auto shipping company with detailed information about your vehicle upfront to get an estimated time when you vehicle will be ready for pickup.

Transit Time

The next part of your timeline to consider is the transit time. Again, several factors can impact the amount of time it takes for your vehicle to arrive at its destination. 

• Distance- Consider the distance your vehicle is being transported. A couple hundred miles could take just a few days while a couple thousand miles could take a few weeks.
• Weather- Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about the weather but it can definitely impact the amount of time your vehicle is in transit. Rain, snow, ice, and high winds can slow down travel time and delay your delivery date.
• Traffic/Other Hazards- Auto transport can be an unpredictable industry because drivers can experience delays from things like road construction, traffic jams, or even mechanical problems. Factor these possibilities into your timeline and allow for a bit of extra time. 

Delivery Scheduling

The final part of your timeline is the delivery of your vehicle. In order to make this process as fast and easy as possible, make proper arrangements to meet with your driver ahead of time. The driver will usually contact you a few hours prior to delivery to let you know an estimated time. You may have to leave work to meet the driver or you may have to agree to meet a location that is more convenient for the driver. The more flexible you are with the delivery location, the faster you will be able to retrieve your vehicle.