Online Car Buyer Shipping
Shipping a car you bought online costs $630-$1,350 depending on distance, with door-to-door delivery in 3-14 business days. Whether you bought on eBay Motors, Bring a Trailer, Facebook Marketplace, Carvana, or from a private seller across the country, Bold Auto Transport picks it up and delivers it to your door. $0 deductible insurance included. No middlemen, no runaround.
Bought a Car Online? Here's How to Get It Home
You spotted a deal you couldn't pass up. Maybe a low-mileage truck on eBay Motors. A classic on Bring a Trailer. A sedan on Cars.com that's $3,000 cheaper than anything local. An SUV from a dealer two time zones away. It happens all the time.
The problem: the car is 800 miles away, and driving it back means flights, fuel, tolls, hotels, and two days of your life. Shipping is faster, cheaper, and puts zero miles on the odometer.
Here's how it works with Bold:
- You get a free quote with the pickup and delivery zip codes.
- We assign you a dedicated transport coordinator.
- Your coordinator arranges pickup from the seller, dealer, or facility.
- A licensed carrier picks up the vehicle, inspects it, and loads it.
- You get updates during transit.
- The carrier delivers to your door. You inspect the car and sign the Bill of Lading.
Most shipments take 3-14 business days depending on distance. You don't need to be at the pickup location. The seller or dealer handles the release.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car You Bought Online?
The same as shipping any other car. Carriers don't charge extra because you bought online versus from a local dealer. What matters is distance, vehicle size, and the time of year. Here are the current averages for open transport:
| Distance | Average Cost | Cost Per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $630 | ~$1.26/mi |
| 500–2,500 miles | $1,135 | ~$0.76/mi |
| Over 2,500 miles | $1,350 | ~$0.54/mi |
Need full weather and debris protection? Enclosed transport runs 30-40% more than open. It's worth it for vehicles over $50,000 or classics you want extra protection on.
What Affects Your Price
- Distance: The biggest factor. Longer routes cost more total but less per mile.
- Vehicle size: Compact sedans cost less than full-size trucks and SUVs.
- Season: Summer is peak season with higher rates. Spring and fall are the cheapest months.
- Route: High-traffic corridors like California to Florida have more carriers and better pricing.
- Pickup location: Metro areas near highways are cheaper than rural or remote addresses.
Use our car shipping cost calculator for an instant estimate based on your exact route and vehicle.
Where We Pick Up From
Wherever the car is, we can get to it. Our carriers pick up from:
- Dealer lots — new and used dealerships nationwide
- Private residences — the seller's driveway or street
- Auction houses — Copart, IAAI, Manheim, local auctions
- Storage facilities — indoor and outdoor storage yards
- Body shops — pick up after repairs are finished
- Carvana hubs — vending machines and inspection centers
- CarMax locations — any CarMax lot in the country
- Port terminals — for imported vehicles clearing customs
The only requirement: the vehicle needs to be accessible, and someone needs to be present to release it to the driver. That can be the seller, a dealership employee, a lot attendant, or anyone authorized to hand over the keys. Your coordinator handles the scheduling so both sides know exactly when to expect the carrier.
Shipping from Online Marketplaces
Each platform has its own quirks when it comes to arranging vehicle pickup. Here's what to know:
- eBay Motors — Wait for payment to clear before booking transport. Coordinate a pickup window with the seller. Most eBay sellers are familiar with carrier pickups and know what to expect.
- Bring a Trailer — Similar to eBay. Once the transaction closes, work out a pickup date with the seller. BaT sellers tend to be enthusiasts who take good care of their cars, but always verify the vehicle's condition before it ships.
- Facebook Marketplace — Private sellers on Marketplace vary widely. Get a pre-purchase inspection done by a local mechanic before committing. Verify the VIN matches the listing. Once you're confident the car is what it claims to be, book transport.
- Carvana / Vroom — Both offer their own delivery, but it doesn't always reach every address. If their logistics can't get the car to your door, we pick it up from their nearest hub and deliver it the rest of the way.
- Cars.com / AutoTrader — These connect you with dealerships. The dealer's staff handles the release at pickup. Simple, straightforward.
- Private sellers — Coordinate pickup timing directly. Let the seller know a carrier truck will arrive, not a tow truck. Give them a heads-up on the pickup window so they can be home.
Tips for Shipping a Car You Bought Sight Unseen
Buying a car without seeing it in person is common now, but it comes with risk. Here's how to protect yourself:
- Get a pre-purchase inspection. Pay a local mechanic near the car $100-$200 to inspect it. They'll check the engine, transmission, brakes, frame, and body. This is the single best thing you can do before buying sight unseen.
- Verify the VIN. Run the VIN through the NICB VINCheck, NMVTIS, or a paid service like Carfax or AutoCheck. Look for title issues, accident history, odometer rollback, and theft records.
- Set clear pickup expectations with the seller. Tell them a car carrier (not a flatbed tow truck) will arrive during a specific window. Make sure they'll have the keys ready, the car accessible, and someone present to sign the Bill of Lading.
- Sort out the title before booking transport. You don't need the physical title to ship the car, but title transfer should be in progress. Don't ship a car when the paperwork is unclear.
- Take photos at both ends. Ask the seller for timestamped photos right before the carrier arrives. Take your own photos at delivery. Both you and the driver will do a walk-around inspection at each end.
- Don't wire money until the car is verified. If a private seller demands a wire transfer before you've inspected or verified the vehicle, walk away. Use an escrow service for private transactions over $5,000.
- Keep copies of everything. Save the listing, your correspondence with the seller, the inspection report, the Bill of Sale, and the Bill of Lading. If anything goes wrong, documentation is your best defense.
Why Bold for Online Car Purchases
Buying a car online already takes trust. Shipping it shouldn't add more stress. Here's why online buyers pick Bold:
- $0 deductible insurance included — Full coverage cargo insurance on every shipment at no extra charge. Most competitors charge more or stick you with a $250-$500 deductible. On a car you haven't even seen yet, real insurance matters.
- Dedicated transport coordinator — One person manages your entire shipment. They coordinate with the seller's schedule, keep you updated during transit, and handle anything that comes up. Not a call center. A person who knows your order.
- Flexible pickup — We work with the seller's availability. If the dealer says Tuesday between 10-2, we make it work. If the private seller can only do Saturday mornings, we adjust.
- Door-to-door delivery — The carrier picks up from wherever the car is and delivers to your home. No terminal drop-offs, no extra trips.
- Transparent pricing — The quote you get is the price you pay. No hidden fees, no bait-and-switch, no surprise costs after booking.
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