If you need to ship your car, you will most likely want the whole process to take as little time as possible. The reasons for this could be a move to another city, buying a car from a distant location, or simply giving a car to someone you love. In that case, you will need to find out what the quickest means of car transport are. We will explain the various delivery methods for car transport along with their delivery times in order to help you choose the fastest way for your vehicle.
Types of Car Shipping Delivery Methods
Before diving into the fastest delivery options, it is necessary to familiarize oneself with the various methods that are available in car shipping. The main ones are:
- Open Transport
Open transport is the most commonly used and the cheapest way to ship a car. With open transport, your car is brought aboard an open carrier that can hold multiple vehicles. Although open transport is the most affordable, it is usually not the fastest due to the multiple stops and the number of vehicles getting on and off.
- Enclosed Transport
Enclosed transport gives additional safety by shipping the car in a fully enclosed carrier, thus, a car is safe from the elements and small stones that hit the road. Besides being a less risky method for luxury or antique cars, enclosed transport is mostly slower and pricier than open transport because of its fewer seats and added safety.
- Expedited Shipping
Expedited shipping is a lighter alternative where a carrier is specially selected to take your vehicle as fast as possible, no additional stops for other cars. Normally this permission comes at a greater price but it is a sort of guarantee that your vehicle will be the first to the specified location.
- Terminal-to-Terminal Delivery
In the case of a terminal-to-terminal shipment, the vehicle is dropped off at the terminal and handed over at the another terminal. Although it is less expensive compared to door-to-door shipping, the time needed for the product to be transported to and from the terminals will be added to the total delivery time.
- Door-to-Door Delivery
According to this method the car is sent out from the place where you are and brought directly to the place where you want it. Despite the fact that it is more comfortable and usually quicker than the terminal-to-terminal delivery, the overall speed can still be influenced by the transporters availability, the route, and the weather.
Fastest Car Shipping Delivery Methods
So, what are the quickest car shipping ways to have your car delivered from point A to point B in the least time possible? Let’s find out.
- Expedited Shipping
In case you have only one priority, namely to get your car moved as fast as possible, than you should definitely go for the expedited freight. When you opt for expedited shipping, you are basically buying for your vehicle a priority handling, which means the staff will put your car at the top of the list when it comes to scheduling and transport.
In other words, this kind of shipping is usually free from the waiting times that are the main cause of the delays in multi-car transports and your car is going to be delivered straight to its destination without any other trucks being loaded, and that is why there will be no stops en-route.
For instance, if you want to get your car moved in a hurry because of an upcoming relocation or a special occasion, then this alternative would be the best fit. On top of that, make sure to prepare money for the expedited shipping as it can take a big chunk of your wallet.
- Door-to-Door Delivery
Door-to-door delivery is on the list of quick and easy alternatives just as well if the car is to be delivered to your place without any additional stops. Usually the manner is quicker because of the less time needed for the coordination and the extra steps in picking up or dropping off a vehicle.
Using a door-to-door service, the car will be collected from your place, be it home or office, and be put down at the place you wish to have it. In this case, you are saved from the hassle of going to the station to pick up your vehicle. In addition, the delivery time will be influenced by the route, the distance to be covered, and if the carrier is available or not, just like in all other deliveries.
- Express or Same-Day Shipping
If you want a delivery to be done in the shortest time, some companies usually provide as a solution the option of either express or same-day shipping. These services give you the least time of delivery when your car is transported and they assure the delivery of your vehicle after the transport has been done. Basically, this is the best way if you are in a situation where you have to deliver your things and move, within a very short time frame.
However, at the same time, this is the highest-priced method as well. The availability of a same-day shipment depends on the carrier, and the location of the sender and receiver. If you want to take advantage of this service, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with the shipping company and be there early to secure this option for your car.
Factors Affecting Shipping Speed
Several factors influence how quickly your vehicle can be delivered, even with expedited or fast-track options. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key factors:
- Distance
The time it takes your car to be delivered is inversely proportional to the distance between the pickup and the delivery locations. That is why even an expedited shipping that covers a long distance cannot be done in one or two days. On the other hand, if the delivery locations are nearby, the vehicle will be delivered in a much shorter time, usually within a few days.
- Weather Conditions
If the car is to be shipped in bad weather conditions, the delivery will be delayed regardless of the method. Transporters' movements become slower due to storms, floods, and snow, and at times, shipping companies might need to stop taking orders temporarily for safety purposes. These postponements should be anticipated during winter or the period of hurricanes, hence the need to allow a delay in scheduling.
- Route and Accessibility
There are some routes which are hard to travel and thus if you want to ship your car through a mountainous area or through a rural area with limited accessibility then these routes may be not be suitable for you. In case the location of your delivery is hard to reach, the driver might be allowed to taking alternative routes or waiting for the right conditions i.e. a better time for traveling thus extending the delivery time.
- Carrier Availability
Delivery speed is a factor of carrier availability as well. The result of the limited number of trucks available for transports during peak seasons or busy periods will be a time delay. Nevertheless, in the case of taking the expedited shipping options, the prioritization of your vehicle is the general idea, i.e. it will be assigned to a dedicated truck as soon as possible so that the delivery can be made quickly.
- The Chosen Service Type
The duration of your vehicles delivery will largely depend on the car shipping service you select. Obviously, a slow transport time is typical for a standard open or enclosed transport, which is delivered at several locations, hence the number of vehicles being unloaded. On the other hand, if you go for an expedited shipping or express delivery service, your car will be transported in a shorter time.
How to Select the Most Appropriate Rapid Delivery Method
The questions that follow may help you choose the best delivery method for your car shipping.
Urgency: In case you are in a hurry and want your car as soon as possible, expedited shipping should be your option.
Budget: If you had to choose between a number of delivery methods, with delivery costing being your main concern, then you would probably opt for door-to-door delivery as it is the one that provides a good mix of affordability and speed.
Distance: If a delivery is to be conducted over a short distance, the speed of the delivery method can be more predictable, while in the case of a long distance, it may take more time to get there.
Convenience: If the main thing for you was to have a stress-free and easily managed delivery, then door-to-door delivery would be the one that fits your needs.
Conclusion
The quickest car shipping delivery option is, in the end, a decision that depends your schedule, money, and likes. Fast shipping, door-to-door, and express services are the shortest ways to achieve your goal, while expedited services would give you the fastest delivery times. Selecting a shipping option with the help of your criteria and paying attention to the various aspects influencing shipment speed will turn you into a winner of the timely delivery.
In case you are in need of a fast, dependable, and reasonably-priced car shipping service, get in touch with Car Transport 24 for a quote and professional assistance.
