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A Comprehensive Guide on How to Track a Car in Transit

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Home  |  Car Transport • Car Shipping   |   A Comprehensive Guide on How to Track a Car in Transit
Man hugs car, happy to know how to track a car

Are you planning to transport your car to another state but want to keep an eye on it during the journey? You are not alone! Tracking your car during transit is a popular ask from our customers who want to ensure safe and timely delivery.

While we at Ship a Car Direct do not offer real-time online car tracking within our systems, we can make sure your car carrier supplier does if you request it. But before we get there, let’s talk about the logistics of how to track a car.

In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss the various ways to track your car and the tools required to do so. Keep reading to learn about all the different methods!

How to Track a Car Location Online

The first and most common way to track your car in transit is through an online tracking system.

A few transport companies provide an online tracking number that enables you to monitor your car's location during its journey from your phone or desktop. To access the tracking information, you typically need to go to the company's website, enter your tracking number, and wait for the system to update.

This method is effortless and convenient as it saves time and offers online information about your car's location.

How to Track a Car Using Email Updates

Another option is to receive email updates about your car's journey.

Some shipping companies do not have online tracking systems, but they offer to send customers regular email updates until the car reaches its destination.

This method requires you to enter a valid email address to receive updates regularly. It's a good option if you don't want to keep logging in to an online portal to check your car's status.

How to Track a Car Location Using Phone Call Updates

If you prefer to speak to a representative personally, you can call and request a location update for your car.

Most shipping companies have customer service lines that you can call to check on the status of your car. This method requires you to wait for a representative to answer the phone and provide the necessary information. However, it's a good option if you don't have an internet connection or prefer to receive updates orally.

How to Track Your Car with Automatic Tracking Updates

Lastly, some car shipping carriers send automatic tracking updates throughout the transport's duration. This means that you don't have to keep checking for updates actively.

You will receive notifications on your phone or email regarding your car's location and other relevant information. It's often the most convenient option as it saves time and effort on your part; anytime there is a status change or date estimate change in the system, you’ll get a text message if you’ve signed up for SMS updates.

Ensuring Safe and Timely Delivery is our Specialty

In conclusion, tracking your car during transit can help you feel secure. The four main methods involve tracking your car online, receiving email updates, checking your status over the phone, and receiving automatic tracking updates. It's important to choose the tracking method that suits your needs and preferences best.

Bear in mind that not all shipping companies provide tracking services, but you can always request one when you book with Ship a Car Direct. We pride ourselves on white-glove service, so anything you need, you simply need to ask.
Looking to ship your car? Get a quote at our Ship a Car Direct website today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest Answers to Your Car Shipping Questions

Yes, we always ask for your specific pickup and delivery addresses, if the carrier can get right to the addresses you provide, they will. If the addresses that you give us are not safely accessible for a Multi-car carrier, however, you will need to make arrangements with the driver to meet at a nearby location where the carrier can safely get in and out.

People do it all the time (rarely for free) but the official answer is no.

Not what you wanted to hear, we know, but that is the honest answer.

We are not licensed to broker the shipment of household goods and, likewise, no car carrier that operates in the USA is licensed to transport them from state to state either. Despite what you might be being told by other car shipping companies you may speak with.

Remember, at the end of the day we're all salespeople, and the true answer to this question is not a great selling point.

You will hear a lot of companies tell you that you can put up to 100 pounds of items in the trunk, but that is not entirely true. That fact is that items of that amount are fairly common and the department of transportation is probably not going to split hairs and fine the trucker over items of that amount, provided they are not over their weight limit. They could fine them, however, if they see a vehicle stuffed full of personal items so the car carrier will most likely try to negotiate something with you to cover themselves against any costs they could incur. It's not something we can build into your contract though.

We have a short and helpful video on this topic in our user videos.

Only in rare cases and car carriers will usually charge a premium to make it happen.

All dates given by car carriers are typically estimates and projections.

For this reason (and to keep your cost down) we ask that you build in some flexibility and give us the earliest possible date you would be WILLING to release the vehicle, even though it may not be your preferred date.

We'll put you in direct contact with your car carrier and the driver will also typically call you the afternoon or evening before your pick up and delivery (they won't just show up unannounced, and if they do we want to hear about it). However, car carriers are out on the road battling traffic, weather and any number of other factors that can and do throw them off of their pickup and delivery projections from time to time.

If the projected dates we give you come and you are unable to make contact with your carrier, please call our office immediately so that we may help resolve the situation.

The average transit time from pick up to delivery on any vehicle going coast to coast will average 7 to 10 days. From there you can figure your transit time based on how far your vehicle is traveling, i.e. from either coast to the Midwest might average 3-7 days.

Yes!

Even better, we do not even ask for payment until we have you confirmed for pickup by a safe, reliable, fully insured, direct car carrier. If for any reason you do not ship your car with the carrier that we arrange for you, there is no fee.

The fees paid directly to the carrier however, (in most cases, their fees are not paid until your vehicle is delivered) are not directly controlled by us, so any requests for a refund of the carrier's portion would need to be addressed with the carrier directly.

Of course! And you are always backed by our Damage Free Guarantee policy.

Part of what you pay us for is to verify that the car carrier that we put you on is covered by the proper amount of insurance and that everything is up to date.

There is never any additional cost to you for this coverage, and their insurance is always primary.

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