logistics
How Long Does Enclosed Auto Transport Take?
Transit-time expectations from booking to delivery, with examples on common routes.
4 min read · Updated May 2026
Quick answer: pickup typically happens within 1–7 days of booking. Once the vehicle is on a trailer, transit averages 500 miles per day. A coast-to-coast shipment runs 6–9 days door-to-door from pickup. The total clock from booking to delivery is usually 7–14 days — plan accordingly if you have a hard deadline.
The two-phase timeline
Auto transport timing breaks into two phases: booking-to-pickup (when the carrier comes to get your vehicle) and pickup-to-delivery (transit time on the road). Both have predictable ranges.
Phase 1: Booking to pickup
- ASAP / urgent (under 48 hours): available on most lanes for a 20–25% premium. Reserved capacity, fewer carrier options.
- Standard (1–3 days): the most common pickup window. Carriers can plan their route around your pickup.
- Flexible (3–7 days): 8–10% discount. Carrier optimizes routing — you wait until they have a trailer passing through.
- Wide flexible (7–14 days): uncommon but possible if you're moving and don't have a tight delivery deadline. Best pricing.
Phase 2: Transit time
Transit averages roughly 500 miles per day, accounting for required driver breaks, fuel stops, other pickups and drops on the trailer, and weather/traffic delays.
| Distance | Typical transit | Example route |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 mi | 1–3 days | LA → Las Vegas, NY → DC |
| 500–1,500 mi | 3–5 days | Miami → NY, Dallas → LA |
| 1,500–2,500 mi | 5–7 days | LA → Miami, Seattle → NY |
| 2,500+ mi | 7–10 days | SF → NY, San Diego → Boston |
What slows transit
- Weather: winter Northeast departures and Rocky Mountain crossings add 1–2 days.
- Multi-stop routes: enclosed multi-car carriers carry 4–8 vehicles and may have several stops between your pickup and delivery — typically adds 1–2 days vs. a single-car carrier.
- Driver hour-of-service rules: federal rules cap drive time at 11 hours per day. This is built into the average mileage but can stretch when accidents or weather close routes.
- Last-mile access: rural delivery addresses or HOA-restricted communities sometimes require trailer-to-meet-point coordination, adding a few hours.
What you can lock in
- Pickup window: firm within 1–2 days of confirmed time.
- Delivery date estimate: calculated from pickup; updated en route based on actual progress.
- Guaranteed delivery date: available for an additional 25–40% premium when you have a hard deadline (auction submission, dealer event, concours judging). Capacity is reserved.
- Real-time tracking: standard on every Citadel shipment. You'll see the trailer location and estimated arrival time live.
Common scenarios
- Snowbird relocation (NY → FL): book 7–14 days ahead. Total clock 8–12 days from call to delivery.
- Auction delivery (Scottsdale → home base after Barrett-Jackson): book before bidding. Pickup 24–72 hours after sale closes; transit 3–8 days depending on destination.
- Concours delivery (vehicle to Pebble Beach): book 30–60 days ahead. Single-car enclosed; pickup window negotiated to land vehicle on Wednesday/Thursday before show weekend.
- Cross-country relocation: book 7–10 days ahead. Total clock 10–14 days. If you're flying ahead, plan vehicle delivery for a week after you arrive.