Auto Transport FAQs

Grifo Auto Transport provides an all-inclusive auto transport quote to ship your vehicle. The cost to ship your car is based on the information received, which includes the pickup and delivery location, vehicle year / make & model, and the vehicle condition running or non-running.

Our auto transport options includes open or enclosed transport. We do not sell or provide any of your information to other companies, and our pricing is competitive. There are no fees when requesting a quote, or up-front deposits for arranging transportation of your vehicle until the scheduled date of pickup.

Car shipping, also known as auto transport, is the process of transporting vehicles from one location to another using specialized carriers. These carriers are designed to accommodate various types of vehicles, from standard cars and motorcycles to luxury cars and even boats. Car shipping companies offer a range of services to meet different customer needs, including open car transport, enclosed car transport, and door-to-door delivery. 
When arranging transport of your vehicle, take pictures of your vehicle including the odometer reading before and after the transportation, and if necessary, provide the pictures to the insurance representative / adjuster when reporting an insurance claim, this will confirm and prove any damage(s) to your vehicle when in transit. Request a copy of the carriers insurance COI (Certificate of Insurance) and review the maximum insurance deductible.  The deductible will confirm the responsibility of covered damage to your vehicle, which can be the carrier's responsibility or insurance company, depending on the estimated amount of damage. When a driver picks up and delivers a vehicle, a full inspection report is completed by noting any damage(s), scratches or dents located on the vehicle. The inspection report is also called a BOL (Bill of Lading). If vehicle damage occurs at the time of delivery, be sure to note the damage(s) on the Bill of Lading during the time of inspection. The insurance carrier will request a copy of the Bill of Lading to process your claim.   
Grifo Auto Transport accepts all major debit / credit cards at the time of pickup of your vehicle and the remaining balance is due at the time of delivery (C.O.D.) accepted in the form of cash, money order or certified check made payable to the carrier. Our payments are accepted online through Paypal and there is a 3% processing fee for full payments.
The vehicle transport can take 1 to 14 days for pickup and delivery depending on the location. Inclement weather, poor road conditions, heavy traffic and rural pickup or drop-off locations also extend the duration of the transport. Our company suggests scheduling your auto transport at least 7 days in advance to avoid any auto shipping delays.  Grifo Auto Transport understands our customers need for their vehicle shipment and will make every effort to ensure your automobile is delivered on time. Our dispatcher will provide our customer with an up to date progress on the transit time for the delivery of your auto transport.
We understand you may be not available during the transport process and suggest a friend or relative be present at the time of pick up and / or delivery to provide / receive the car keys along with signing the necessary paperwork requested during the inspection the vehicle.
In order to ensure a smooth transition and provide safety for our drivers, we suggest your vehicle is inspected for loose parts or leaking fluid. Due to weight restrictions and USDOT (United State Department of Transportation) regulations to help lessen the weight of your vehicle the gas tank should have 1/4 tank. If your vehicle is deemed inoperable be sure to notify us at the time of scheduling your pickup so we can allow our drivers ample time to load and assign a trailer with towing equipment available to move the inoperable vehicle. Please remove specialty or custom items and personal items to prevent damage or theft. If you have an electronic tag for tolls, remove this item and store the tag in your glove box to avoid any charges while transporting your vehicle.
Due to Federal Regulations with (FMCSA) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Grifo Auto Transport does not authorize personal belongings in the vehicle nor are these items covered under any insurance carrier, unless the company is authorized to carry household goods license. If items are placed in the vehicle they are soley at your own risk should these items become lost or stolen. All drivers are subject to inspection at anytime by USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) and other traffic authorities.
Auto transport costs range between $200-$2000.  Several factors affect the cost of shipping a car. If you’re looking to lower your costs, consider optimizing every aspect of your auto transport.     
  • Delivery and pickup dates:  The more flexible you are with your pickup and drop-off dates, the less you pay. Rush shipping costs more than regular shipping, so plan ahead if you want to save.
  • The size and condition of the vehicle: Smaller, lighter vehicles are cheaper to ship than larger vehicles. An inoperable vehicle costs more to ship than an operable one.
  • Trip distance: It should come as no surprise that the farther your car needs to be transported, the more you pay.
  • Dropoff and pickup locations: Urban areas are easier and cheaper to ship to, while remote, rural destinations cost more.
  • Open or enclosed shipping: Enclosed shipping, which protects your car from weather conditions and road debris, costs more.  Whereas open transport is more cost effective.
  • Time of year:  The auto transport industry has peak and off-seasons, depending on the holiday or weather.

An auto carrier, also known as a car hauler transports vehicles from one location to another on an open or enclosed trailer.  A carrier can own one or multiple trucks and must be fully licensed, approved by FMCSA - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and insured by obtaining general liability and cargo insurance from a reputable insurance company. All drivers are required to carry a CDL (Commercial Drivers License), if any combination of vehicles with a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) exceeds 26,001 lbs.  A driver must abide by USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) rules and regulations.  Any driver requiring unrestricted access to secure areas of the port facilities must provide an approved TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Card).  These carriers are independently owned drivers who haul sub-contracted work from other companies.
An open trailer can haul multiple vehicles during transport.  These vehicles are visible on the trailer and strapped down for safety and security.  There are more available open trailers for transport and the cheapest way to ship a car throughout the United States.
An enclosed trailer can haul multiple vehicles during transport. The cost to ship a car on an enclosed trailer can be the best car shipping available for a luxury, classic, custom or antique vehicle. The enclosed trailer protects your vehicle from outside debris / weather. There is a premium cost when arranging transport on an enclosed trailer.
An auto transport broker specializes in the shipping and transportation of vehicles.  A broker must have an approved licensing (Motor Carrier) authority provided by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration along with a current $75,000 surety bond.  A shipper would contact a broker to arrange vehicle transportation with a licensed and insured carrier.  A broker is registered with a vehicle shipping load board to negotiate shipping prices with carriers.  A broker and carrier are not separate entities as auto transport companies can handle both broker and carrier arrangements.
An operable vehicle must have the ability to be driven forward or reverse on or off a trailer under it's own power.
An inoperable vehicle can not drive, start or roll on or off a trailer without a driver using mechanical equipment such as a winch, forklift or battery cables to jump start a vehicle.
The vehicle condition is important when assigning a driver, as the equipment needed to transport a vehicle is required to load or unload a vehicle onto a trailer.
There are additional costs for an inoperable vehicle due to the drivers time and equipment used to transport these vehicles.
Auto Transportation is the shipment of vehicles from one location to another over a period of time. These vehicles can be shipped by ocean, rail and road. The arrangement of an auto transport service can be coordinated with a direct carrier or an auto transport broker. The vehicle can be shipped on an open or enclosed trailer.  

While shipping your car by train is often less expensive than shipping your car by truck, auto transport by train isn’t available everywhere and requires extensive planning. Delivery by train can take up to two weeks, depending on the distance between pickup and delivery, and features like door-to-door transportation and expedited delivery are rarely available. We recommend shipping a car by truck, especially if it’s your first time to ship a vehicle.
Door-to-door transport, is when a driver picks up the vehicle at your requested location and delivers it at your chosen destination.  Some restrictions can prevent a truck from delivering directly to your door step depending on the weight / height restrictions, length and bridges.
If you are short on time, you can request that the company expedites your vehicle’s delivery. This service increases the total cost of auto transport.
Some of the most common car shipment routes exist between Florida, Texas, California and New York. Because so many vehicles take these routes, car shipping services to and from these locations are often cheaper, but the demand for snowbird routes creates higher prices.
The cheapest way to ship a car is open transport, as there are more available open carriers on the road in the US than enclosed carriers.  Open transport is the least expensive way to ship a car and if your vehicle is a car used on a daily basis than open transport is recommended.
What defines the best auto transport company and how are these auto transport companies comparable to other transport companies?  When contacting the auto transport companies is the representative what service does the company offer?  Did you review the ratings available for these companies and compare the best rates available?  What are the payment options?  Does the auto transport company provide great customer service and do you feel comfortable working with the selected auto transport company?  List the pros and cons for each auto transport company.
The term snowbird auto transport are people who live in the northern states and travel to a southern state for warmer climate during the peak holiday season.  The snowbird season is the busiest season for car shipping companies due to the demand and volume of vehicles transported to an area.  The season begins in September and ends in June.  The snowbirds return to the northern states during peak season in May.
Locating a good auto transport company takes research and price comparison.
1. Distance / Mileage - The price per mile varies depending on your distance and location of pickup and delivery. The rate is calculated by mileage times the cost per mileage. For example 500 miles X .64cents.
2. Vehicle Make & Model - The length and weight of a vehicle is a factor due to the space on a trailer. Each trailer has a weight and length restriction. If a vehicle is heavier or longer the rate can increase.
3. Open or Enclosed Trailer - The most commonly requested trailer is open, as the rate is economically cheaper. The enclosed trailer is a premium price transporting high end, custom or vintage vehicles.
4. Delivery Date - A customer can request expedited shipping which can include a premium rate.
5. Supply and Demand - Depending on the higher request to transport a vehicle during a season can increase the pricing, each route is calculated differently, as the pricing for a round trip request are not the same cost each way.
We recommend booking your auto transport between two days to two weeks in advance which allows us to schedule your vehicle transport within your requested timeframe.