When you buy a car online, home delivery works in one of two ways. Either the dealer arranges delivery to your address, or you hire a car shipper to pick up the car at the dealership and bring it to you. Either way, the car is documented at pickup, transported by truck, and inspected again at your door before you sign for it.
Delivery also keeps extra miles and wear off a car you just paid for. A carrier adds little or no mileage, while driving it home adds every mile of the trip.
If you are buying from a dealer in another state, our guide to buying a car out of state covers vetting the dealer and the paperwork. This article covers what happens after you click “buy.”
Step 1: Ask the Dealer About Delivery Before You Buy
Tell the dealer you want home delivery before you commit. Some dealers arrange it, some build it into the price, and some expect you to book your own shipper.
Ask up front so you can negotiate the car price and transport together.
Step 2: Sign the Paperwork and Get Photos of the Car
If the dealer handles delivery, you will sign the sales documents and confirm the car is the exact make and model you chose. Ask for photos of the car, including one of the odometer. Ask the dealer to inspect it before you finalize the sale.
Those photos become your baseline. On delivery day, they show what changed in transit.
Step 3: Hire a Car Shipper if the Dealer Won’t Deliver
If the dealer won't deliver, you arrange it yourself. Check that any company you consider is licensed, registered, and insured, read its reviews, and get a quote before you book. Our guide to avoiding auto transport scams lists the warning signs, and our post on comparingcar shipping quotes shows what to check beyond price.
Be careful about paying anything up front. We don't charge a deposit until we assign and confirm a carrier.
The carrier picks the car up at the dealership. The dealer's sales rep should still handle the photos and the inspection.
Step 4: Pick Open or Enclosed Transport
Most long moves go on open carriers, which hold 8 to 10 cars. Enclosed car transport costs more, typically 30% to 50% more, because the trailers hold fewer cars. It shields the car from weather and road debris.
We recommend enclosed for antique, luxury, and expensive cars. Some buyers also choose it for a brand-new car, so it arrives clean.
Step 5: Sign the Bill of Lading at Pickup
The bill of lading is the contract between you and the carrier. It also holds the condition report. At pickup, the driver notes any existing damage and the dealer's rep reviews it.
Someone must be present at both ends to sign. It does not have to be you. The carrier will contact whoever you name, including the dealer, and no power of attorney is needed.
Step 6: Watch for the Driver’s Call
The driver typically calls the afternoon or evening before pickup and again before delivery. Dates are estimates because traffic, weather, and other stops all move the schedule.
A carrier covers roughly 250 to 300 miles on an average day. A coast-to-coast delivery takes 7 to 10 days, and a few hundred-mile trip can take a day or two. Our page on door-to-door auto transport explains how the process works.
Step 7: Inspect the Car and Sign at Your Door
Be there, or have someone there, when the car arrives. If a large truck can't safely reach your street, the driver will arrange a nearby meeting spot.
Walk around the car with the dealer's photos in hand. Write any new damage on the bill of lading before you sign, because your signature releases the carrier from liability. Our Damage Free Guarantee Program explains what happens if damage does occur. For how coverage works, read our post on insurance during car shipment.
Have the carrier's fee ready at delivery. Our carriers accept cash or a cashier's check.
What Car Home Delivery Costs
Delivery cost depends on distance, vehicle size, and whether you choose open or enclosed transport. Dealer delivery fees vary, so ask what is included.
For a price on your route, use our car shipping cost calculator, which needs no personal info. You can also read what state-to-state shipping typically costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a car delivered to my home when I buy it online?
Yes. Some dealers arrange delivery themselves; if yours doesn't, a car shipper can pick it up at the dealership and bring it to your address. If a large truck can't reach your street, the driver will arrange a safe meeting spot nearby.
How long does car home delivery take?
A carrier covers roughly 250 to 300 miles a day, so a coast-to-coast delivery takes 7 to 10 days. A trip of a few hundred miles can take a day or two. All dates are estimates until the driver confirms.
Do I need to be home for delivery?
Someone needs to sign the bill of lading, but it doesn't have to be you. The carrier will contact whoever you name, such as a friend or family member. We don't recommend leaving the car unattended because, without a signed bill of lading, you won't have the verification your damage coverage needs.
Is the car insured during delivery?
Yes. The carrier's insurance covers the car in transit; it is always primary, and you pay nothing extra. Our Damage Free Guarantee backs every Ship a Car Direct shipment.
Who pays for shipping when I buy a car online?
It depends on the dealer. Some include delivery in the price, and others expect you to arrange and pay for your own. Ask before you sign, so the cost is part of the deal.
Ready to Have Your New Car Delivered?
If your dealer won't deliver, we can. Get your free car shipping quote, and we will match you with a vetted carrier for pickup at the dealership and delivery to your door.
