Next to “How much does it cost,” “How long does it take” is the second most frequently asked question when it comes to car shipment. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the auto transport industry, definitive pickup and delivery dates are nearly impossible to predict. In fact, any auto shipment company that says they can guarantee such information is telling you what you want to hear just to snag your business. The fact is, there are several factors that can affect how long it takes to ship a car.
Distance
The distance you are transporting your vehicle will affect how long it takes to transport. Obviously, the longer the distance, the longer it will take for your vehicle to arrive. For example, a few hundred miles could take a few days while a couple thousand miles could take a few weeks. You also have to keep in mind that there are multiple vehicles being transported along with yours so the more stops the carrier has to make, the longer the delivery will take.
Location
The location where you are shipping the vehicle can impact the delivery time as well. If you are shipping your vehicle to a metropolitan area it will generally be faster than shipping it to a rural or hard to reach areas. You can cut down on delivery time by offering to meet the auto carrier somewhere more convenient.
Weather
Weather can be unpredictable but conditions such as rain, snow, ice, or high winds may occur along a driver’s route. This could impact their trip and delivery may be delayed due to these unforeseen conditions.
Traffic
As anyone who has ever traveled knows, construction and traffic jams are always a possibility on the interstate and they can delay transport. Unfortunately, there is nothing the driver can do to avoid such circumstances and it could impact the delivery date of your vehicle.
What You Can Do to Ensure Your Car is Delivered On Time
The best thing you can do to make sure you car arrives on time is to plan well in advance. Coordinating the pickup of your vehicle may take some time so it is best to book your transport at least 3 weeks prior to the date you need you vehicle. This gives you a little wiggle room to account for weather and road conditions. Furthermore, you should make sure the auto transport company provides you with a way to communicate with the driver of the carrier. Usually they will call you a few hours in advance to give you an estimated drop-off time, but it can also be a great way to check if your vehicle is arriving later than expected.
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