
Transporting Cars for Dealerships
When a car dealership needs to move its vehicles across cities, states, or even the country, they can turn to professional auto transportation companies to get the job done efficiently and safely. Whether it’s transporting inventory between lots, moving trade-ins, or delivering recently sold vehicles to auction buyers, the process of transporting cars for dealerships plays a crucial role in keeping their operations running smoothly.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything dealerships should know about shipping its cars, from pricing and service types to benefits and frequently asked questions.

What is Transporting Cars for Dealerships?
Transporting cars for dealerships refers to the specialized service of relocating vehicles from one location to another on behalf of auto dealers. This might involve moving new inventory from manufacturers, transporting cars between dealer locations, or shipping vehicles to customers or auction houses. Professional car shipping for dealerships ensures cars arrive safely, quickly, and in market-ready condition, minimizing delays and protecting a dealership’s bottom line.
These services differ from personal vehicle transportation services by offering scalable solutions and flexible scheduling options tailored to a dealership’s high-volume or time-sensitive needs.

Is Dealer Car Transport a Nationwide Service?
Yes, most auto transport companies offer nationwide coverage. This means dealerships can confidently move inventory across state lines or from coast to coast, to and from any location of their choice, without any hassle. Whether you’re relocating trade-ins, new car stock, or auction vehicles, an auto transport company can handle both long-haul and regional routes.
What is the Fee to Transport Cars for Dealerships?
On average, car shipping for dealerships can range from $400 to $1,500 per vehicle, though the exact cost will vary depending on many different factors including the following:
Distance: The further you need your vehicle shipped, the more it’s going to cost, full stop. If you’re shipping within the same state or under 500 miles, expect your delivery to be pretty affordable, within the sub-$1,000 range. If you’re shipping across multiple states, or even across the entire country. This can result in $2,000 or more.
Number of Vehicles: Another important factor to consider is the number of vehicles that you’re shipping. The more vehicles you’re transporting, the higher the cost. But at the same time, most auto transport companies offer discounts for shipping multiple vehicles within the same shipment – so, if you want to save money in the long run, it’s advisable to ship several vehicles at once!
Type of Carrier: The type of carrier also has an affect on shipping costs. While enclosed trailers provide more protection for vehicles during transit, it is also more costly. If you want to save on shipping costs, we recommend opting for open car transport.
Vehicle Size and Condition: Some types of vehicles cost more to ship than others. Shipping a vehicle that’s overweight, oversized, heavily modified, or inoperable may cost more to ship, due to all of the above requiring specialized equipment for loading and unloading into trailers.
Urgency of Delivery: If you’re in a rush or need your vehicles shipped within very specific time windows, it’s going to cost you extra. Flexibility can save you money.
How to Transport a Car to a Dealer
Quick & Safe Dealer Transport Services in 3 Easy Steps
Quick & Safe Dealer Transport Services in 3 Easy Steps
Get a Quote and Book Your Order
We Pick Up Your Vehicle for Dealer Transport
You Receive Your Vehicle
A Cut Above the Rest of the Dealer Car Transport Services
Learn Why We Are One of the Top Companies for Transporting Cars for Dealerships
Learn Why We Are One of the Top Companies for Transporting Cars for Dealerships
We never require any upfront payments – in fact, you never have to pay a cent before your order is completed.
Which such a diverse range of services and options available, our dealership shipping service is fully customizable. Whether you prefer open or enclosed shipping, expedited delivery, or specified pickup and delivery dates, we can help.
We understand that every customer is unique; our services reflect that belief, with our team offering a diverse range of services that can fit any budget or need.
Need assistance with an order? Our friendly support team is available Monday through Friday, from 8AM to 7PM, and accessible across email, phone, and Live Chat.
We work with a huge network of highly experienced and talented pre-vetted carriers, which allows us to provide top-of-the-line highly reliable car shipping services.
What Auto Transport Services Do Car Dealerships Prefer?
Dealerships can choose between a wide range of car shipping services including:
Dealerships can choose between a wide range of car shipping services including:
Open Carrier Transport:
Enclosed Carrier Transport:
Expedited Dealer Car Transport:
What Are the Benefits of Car Dealer Auto Transport?
Learn What Are the Benefits of Dealership Car Transport
Learn What Are the Benefits of Dealership Car Transport
Saves Time
Instead of driving a vehicle yourself, hiring a company to move it for you saves tons of time, which can be better utilized elsewhere.
Secure Delivery
Cars are securely delivered without risking any potential damage, or unnecessary wear-and-tear, from transporting a car yourself.
Insurance Provided
Every shipment includes both cargo and liability insurance.
Competitive Prices
No need to break the bank, as our rates are competitive with the rest of the industry.
Easy Shipping Process
From quote to delivery, the entire shipping experience is streamlined.
Flexible Pick-Up and Delivery
Need your vehicle delivered with strict timeframes? No need to fret, as we offer flexible pick-up and delivery shipping, and can tailor shipments to fit your schedule needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Transporting Cars for Dealerships
How do dealerships calculate transport cost per vehicle?
The cost of deliveries per vehicle is calculated from several different factors including the distance of delivery, the weight and size per vehicle, time of the year, delivery type, and delivery speed.
Can dealerships ship cars to other states or between dealer locations?
Yes, Legendary can handle state-to-state and dealer-to-dealer moves.
How is the transportation cost calculated?
The transport cost is calculated based on the delivery distance, number of cars, carrier type, vehicle specs, and delivery timeline.
What is the cost difference between open carrier and enclosed transport?
Open carriers are around 30–50% cheaper than enclosed transport.
Is it possible to transport a broken-down vehicle?
Yes, most Legendary can ship inoperable vehicles. Keep in mind that these types of vehicles require specialized equipment to be loaded and unloaded from trailers, so they usually cost a bit extra to move.
Is presence required for pickup and delivery?
No, you won’t have to be present for your vehicle’s pickup and delivery. However, if you can’t be present, you will need a family member or friend to be present in your place.
How is the vehicle tracked during transport?
Legendary offers you real-time updates through your car’s delivery process, providing you with updates over both email and text.
How do dealers transport cars from auctions/between locations?
Dealers can transport their cars from auctions or between locations with either a fully enclosed or open trailer.