Car Shipping Process
Auto transport is easier to understand when the booking process is separated from the physical carrier movement. This guide walks through the shipment from initial quote to delivery and explains what information the customer, dispatcher and assigned motor carrier each need.
Get a Current QuoteProvide the origin, destination, vehicle, operability, transport preference and realistic ready date. Accurate information lets the shipment be evaluated against current carrier availability instead of relying on a generic advertised rate.
Before booking, understand the requested pickup window, transport type, payment terms and any special requirements. Oversized, modified, lowered, inoperable, collector, motorcycle, RV and port shipments can require different equipment or handoff procedures.
For Phoenix Auto Dispatch customers, an authorized brokerage partner processes the regulated carrier arrangement and an independent motor carrier physically operates the transport equipment. Confirm the assigned carrier identity and shipment details when an assignment is made, and report any vehicle or location changes before pickup.
Remove loose personal items that are not part of the shipment arrangement, secure or disclose modifications, confirm the vehicle can be accessed, and make sure a responsible adult is available for the pickup inspection unless another arrangement has been approved.
At pickup, the carrier and customer or authorized representative should review the vehicle condition and shipment documentation. Photos taken around pickup time can be useful records. Do not sign a condition record you believe is materially inaccurate without addressing the discrepancy.
Tracking methods vary by carrier. Some carriers provide electronic updates while others communicate through dispatch or telephone. Transit estimates are not guarantees because weather, traffic, inspections, equipment issues and route sequencing can affect timing.
Inspect the vehicle at delivery before closing out the condition documentation. Compare the vehicle with pickup records and promptly note any visible transport-related issue according to the carrier’s documentation and claims procedure.
Not always. Door-to-door service means as close to the requested addresses as the carrier can safely and legally access. A nearby meeting point may be needed for tight streets, low trees, restricted roads or difficult loading areas.
Assignment timing depends on the route, dates, equipment and available capacity. A quote or booking request is not the same as a specific truck assignment.
Keep the order confirmation, carrier information, condition records, photos, receipts and any written shipment communications.
Use the quote form for current route, vehicle, equipment and timing details rather than relying on a generic national rate.
Get My Custom QuotePhoenix maintains a public 579-route planning dataset and a separate analysis report. These resources describe Phoenix’s maintained route-planning coverage and methodology; they are not shipment-volume, live-pricing, popularity or current-capacity data.