Auto Transport FAQ

Auto transport rates vary based on distance, vehicle size, transport type, and current carrier availability. As a general guide, short hauls under 500 miles typically range from $300 to $700. Mid-range routes between 500 and 1,500 miles typically range from $700 to $1,400. Cross-country routes over 1,500 miles typically range from $1,200 to $2,500 or more. Enclosed transport runs approximately 30 to 50 percent higher than open carrier pricing. Our initial estimates are informed by current carrier-market pricing information, including route, vehicle, equipment, and scheduling considerations. Because carrier availability and rates can change, an estimate is not automatically a confirmed transportation price. Once an independent carrier has been identified and verified, we confirm the final total and obtain your written approval before dispatch.

For a detailed explanation from a broker who watched the industry from the inside, read: Why I Am Almost Never the Cheapest Auto Transport Quote

We handle shipments of any distance with no minimum mileage requirement. However, moves under 100 miles carry a minimum charge of $300. While short-distance moves are operationally possible, they are generally less efficient for a broker model — we want to be upfront about that so you can make the best decision for your situation.

During our operating hours — 8AM to 10PM Monday through Saturday — most customers receive a response within minutes of submitting their quote request. Requests submitted outside those hours will be addressed first thing the following morning. Each estimate is informed by current carrier-market pricing at the time it is generated.

No. We quote one total price. A quote reflects an estimated rate based on current market conditions; the final contracted rate is confirmed once we accept a carrier's offer on your load, and you approve both the carrier and the rate before dispatch. Once you approve your confirmed transportation price in writing, that is the price we commit to under our Approved Price Promise. Any exceptional adjustment must comply with the published policy, be documented, and receive your approval before an additional charge is authorized.

The Approved Price Promise is our commitment to transparent, confirmed pricing. Your initial quote is an estimate based on current market conditions. Once we've identified and verified an independent carrier, we confirm the transportation price and present the assigned carrier and final total for your written approval before dispatch.

The Price You Approve Is the Price You Pay, subject to the terms of our Approved Price Promise. You can review the full policy to understand how it works, including the protections and remedies available if a qualifying promise isn't met.

Read the full policy: Approved Price Promise

Our broker fee covers everything required to manage your shipment end-to-end — carrier vetting and credential verification, dispatch coordination, payment processing (including credit card transaction costs), the software and systems used to track and confirm your shipment, and coverage for our own liability as your broker. You are never charged a separate card processing surcharge, platform fee, or convenience fee on top of the quoted broker fee — it is a single, fixed number disclosed to you in writing before you approve anything.

A quote can change when the number given at booking was an estimate and carrier rates on the route moved before a carrier accepted the load, or when the vehicle or shipment details differ from what was quoted. Some brokers provide an all-inclusive quote without explaining when it becomes final, which can make a later change feel like a surprise. At Approved Auto Transport, your first quote is an estimate. Once we identify and verify an independent carrier, we confirm the final price, and you approve the carrier and final total in writing before dispatch. We do not issue last-minute rate increases after a carrier has been assigned and confirmed.

See how our pricing process works, step by step: Why We Price Differently

For a detailed explanation from a broker who watched the industry from the inside, read: Why I Am Almost Never the Cheapest Auto Transport Quote

The process has four steps. First, you submit a quote request and we provide a live market rate. Second, we vet and dispatch an FMCSA-verified carrier for your route. Third, at pickup, the driver completes a Bill of Lading — a documented condition report of your vehicle that serves as your legal protection during transit. Fourth, at delivery, you complete a final walk-around inspection with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading only after confirming the vehicle arrived in the same condition it left.

A real person — every time. When you call us, you're reaching a licensed FMCSA broker directly, not a call center or an automated system. From your first quote through delivery, you have a direct phone number for a real coordinator who knows your shipment. If that ever changes, we'll say so — but for now, that's how we operate, and it's not changing.

The Bill of Lading is a legal document completed at both pickup and delivery that records your vehicle's exact condition — existing scratches, dents, and any pre-existing damage — before transport begins. It is your primary legal protection if any damage occurs during transit. Never sign the Bill of Lading at delivery if you notice new damage without first noting it on the document. We walk every customer through this process so nothing is missed.

Cancellation terms depend on where your shipment is in the process. If you cancel before a carrier has been assigned and dispatched, no broker fee is charged and no payment will have been collected. If you cancel after a carrier has been assigned and dispatched but before pickup, a cancellation fee of up to 50% of the agreed broker fee may apply to cover carrier coordination costs — we tell you any applicable fee before processing. Once your vehicle has been picked up, the broker fee is non-refundable because the carrier contract is active. We are transparent about this upfront because we believe you deserve to know the terms before you book.

Read the full terms: Cancellation & Refund Policy

We process payment securely by credit or debit card before dispatch — no cash, no COD, no payment exchanges with the driver at pickup or delivery. Your total price is confirmed in writing before your vehicle moves, and no payment is required until a licensed, insured carrier is assigned and confirmed for your shipment. Your invoice may identify the broker fee and carrier payment separately, consistent with our Payment Terms — that itemization is part of the single approved total, not an additional charge.

If damage occurs during transport, note it on the Bill of Lading at delivery before signing — do not sign a clean Bill of Lading if damage is present. Photograph the damage immediately. Contact us directly and we will guide you through the carrier's insurance claim process. Every carrier we dispatch carries active cargo insurance verified before dispatch. Your Bill of Lading completed at pickup serves as the legal record of your vehicle's pre-transport condition and is the foundation of any damage claim.

Read our full breakdown of the 2026 Supreme Court ruling and what it means for your shipment: Why Auto Transport Costs More in 2026

A verified claim means we've confirmed that Approved Auto Transport failed to deliver on one of the four promises in our guarantee. That looks different depending on which promise is at issue:

Written pricing: you requested a breakdown before dispatch and we couldn't produce it.

Payment timing: you were charged before you approved both the carrier and the rate in writing.

Carrier verification: the carrier assigned to your shipment had a documented pattern of serious safety violations — repeated citations for distracted driving, texting behind the wheel, or excessive speed — or lacked active FMCSA operating authority or current insurance at the time of dispatch.

Real person on your order: no coordinator was ever assigned to your shipment, or your calls and messages went unanswered throughout.

To file a claim, contact us with your order details and which promise you believe wasn't met — we'll review it against our own records and confirm. If verified, your broker fee is refunded in full within 5 business days.

Every carrier we dispatch is verified in real time for active FMCSA operating authority and current cargo insurance coverage. We also review each carrier's FMCSA violation history — not just their overall safety score — and decline carriers with a pattern of serious or repeated violations such as distracted driving, texting behind the wheel, or excessive speed. We do not dispatch carriers with lapsed authority or insufficient insurance — no exceptions. Our USDOT number is 9677802 and MC number is 45556873, both verifiable on the FMCSA SAFER system.

See exactly what we check on every carrier before dispatch: What We Check Before Your Carrier Is Dispatched

Yes. Every carrier in our network is required to carry active cargo insurance as a condition of dispatch. The Bill of Lading completed at pickup documents your vehicle's pre-transport condition and serves as the legal record if any claim becomes necessary. We verify insurance currency before every dispatch — not just at onboarding.

Read our full breakdown of the 2026 Supreme Court ruling and what it means for your shipment: Why Auto Transport Costs More in 2026

A carrier physically transports your vehicle on their truck. A broker like Approved Auto Transport sources, vets, and dispatches carriers on your behalf — handling documentation, insurance verification, pricing, and accountability throughout the process. The advantage of working with a licensed broker is access to a vetted carrier network across all 50 states, a single point of contact from booking to delivery, and legal recourse if something goes wrong. The risk of booking directly with an unvetted carrier is carrying that verification and accountability burden yourself.

Yes. Approved Transport Group LLC operates as a fully licensed and bonded auto transport broker registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under USDOT# 9677802 and MC# 45556873. Our bond is active and our authority is in good standing. Both are publicly verifiable on the FMCSA SAFER system at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.

A legitimate auto transport broker must hold active operating authority issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). You can verify any broker's license, bond status, and authority at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov using their USDOT or MC number. Approved Transport Group LLC operates under USDOT# 9677802 and MC# 45556873 — both publicly verifiable and in good standing. Any broker unwilling to provide these numbers on request should be treated with caution.

Yes. We transport inoperable vehicles using specialized equipment including winch-loaded carriers. Non-running vehicles typically carry a surcharge due to the additional equipment and time required for loading and unloading. Please note this when requesting your quote so we can provide an accurate rate.

Yes, and we strongly recommend enclosed transport for high-value vehicles. Enclosed carriers provide full protection from weather, road debris, and UV exposure. We dispatch enclosed carriers with soft-tie systems and lift gates for low-clearance vehicles. For vehicles with significant monetary or sentimental value, enclosed transport is the right choice — the premium over open carrier pricing is modest relative to the protection it provides.

We recommend keeping the fuel level around one quarter of a tank. A full tank adds unnecessary weight which can affect transport costs. Near-empty tanks can cause issues with moving the vehicle on and off the carrier. One quarter to one half tank is the industry standard recommendation.

Some carriers may permit a limited amount of personal belongings inside the vehicle, subject to their individual policies, weight restrictions, and applicable rules. Always confirm permission with Approved Auto Transport before pickup. Personal belongings may not be covered by the carrier's vehicle cargo insurance, so customers should not assume coverage.

Transit times depend on distance and route. Short hauls under 500 miles typically take 1 to 2 days. Mid-range routes between 500 and 1,500 miles typically take 2 to 4 days. Cross-country routes over 1,500 miles typically take 5 to 9 days. These are transit times after pickup — total time from booking to delivery also includes carrier assignment, which typically takes 1 to 3 business days depending on route demand and your pickup window flexibility.

Pickup and delivery dates are estimates based on carrier availability, route conditions, distance, weather, and other operational factors. We communicate scheduling information as it becomes available, but estimated dates are not guaranteed unless a specific written agreement explicitly provides otherwise.

We request GPS tracking information from the assigned carrier for every shipment. Tracking availability and the level of detail provided depend on the carrier and its equipment. Your Approved Auto Transport coordinator can also assist with shipment status updates and communication throughout the transportation process.

Not every shipment includes continuous, customer-accessible live GPS tracking.

Learn more about how tracking works: Shipment Tracking

Booking 2 to 3 weeks in advance gives you the best combination of carrier availability and competitive pricing. Last-minute bookings within 48 to 72 hours are possible on high-demand routes but typically command a premium. If your move has a fixed date — a lease start, a job start, a closing date — book as early as possible to protect your timeline and your rate. For urgent moves, contact us directly — we've placed carriers within 24 hours on high-demand corridors.

Yes. Hawaii and Alaska shipments require additional coordination beyond standard over-the-road transport. Hawaii routes require ocean freight via container or roll-on roll-off vessel from a West Coast port. Alaska routes combine over-the-road and ferry or ocean freight depending on the destination. These routes require more lead time and carry higher rates than continental US shipments. Contact us directly for Hawaii and Alaska quotes.

In most cases yes — we provide true door-to-door service wherever the carrier can safely and legally access. In some dense urban areas or neighborhoods with low bridges, tight streets, or weight-restricted roads, the carrier may need to arrange a nearby meet point for the final exchange. When this is necessary we coordinate a convenient and secure location close to your address and communicate it clearly in advance.