Skip to content
Auto Market World

Towing, Roadside & Transport

Vehicle transport near you

Car shipping and vehicle transport by car hauler between cities or provinces, open or enclosed, with pickup and delivery windows and a condition report.

Time at the shop
4 h
about
Mobile service
Mobile only
at your address
Shops in Canada
1
doing this work
Your price
You set it
shops bid on it

You set the budget

Shops near you send their bids

1 shop in Canada does this

Towing, Roadside & Transport

What vehicle transport is

Vehicle transport moves a car, SUV, van or pickup on a car hauler or trailer instead of under its own power. People use it after buying a vehicle in another city, when moving, for a winter move south and back, or to relocate a classic or a vehicle that does not run. The price depends on the route, the vehicle’s size and whether the carrier is open or enclosed.

At pickup the driver walks around the vehicle with you and records its condition on a report you both sign, and the same check is repeated at delivery. Long routes are quoted as pickup and delivery windows, not exact times, and take several days coast to coast. Remove valuables and toll transponders, and leave about a quarter tank of fuel.

  • For cars, EVs, vans and trucks
  • Takes about 4 h
  • Done at your address

What does vehicle transport cost?

It depends on your vehicle and the shop. Post a job with your budget and compare the bids shops near you send.

Get bids

Name your budget. Shops near you bid.

1 shop across Canada does vehicle transport.

What to expect

Vehicle transport, step by step

What the job normally covers, what to mention in your request, and the signs that it is time. Every shop says what its bid includes.

The job

What’s included

  • Pickup at your address or a pre-agreed spot such as a dealership or storage lot
  • Condition report with notes or photos signed by you and the driver before loading
  • Vehicle loaded, tied down and carried on an open or enclosed carrier, as booked
  • Delivery to a home, shop or dealership at the far end, with a final condition check
  • Carrier’s cargo insurance for damage in transit, with the certificate on request
  • Pickup and delivery windows agreed in advance
  • Winching or loading of a vehicle that does not run, where arranged in advance

Checklist

Before you post

  1. 01Check whether the price is for an open or an enclosed carrier, and whether delivery is to your door or to a terminal
  2. 02Confirm the carrier’s cargo insurance amount and deductible, and whether your own policy covers the vehicle in transit
  3. 03Say if the vehicle does not run, is lowered or is oversized; it may need a winch or a special trailer and cost extra
  4. 04For a move to the United States, ask whether the carrier handles customs paperwork and how much time the crossing adds
  5. 05Photograph the vehicle inside and out before pickup, and keep a copy of the signed condition report
  6. 06Electric vehicle? Ask whether the carrier accepts EVs and what charge level it wants at pickup

Signs

When you need it

  • You bought a vehicle in another city or province and cannot collect it yourself
  • You are moving and would rather not put the kilometres, or a winter drive, on the vehicle
  • You spend the winter in the southern United States and want the vehicle there without driving it
  • A classic, low or high-value vehicle needs an enclosed carrier
  • A vehicle that does not run has to travel to a specialist shop or a restorer

Sound familiar?Tell shops near you what you need and what you want to spend.

Get bids

How it works

Get vehicle transport done in four steps

You set the budget and choose the shop. Posting is free, and you pay the shop you hire once the work is 100% done.

Post a request
  1. 01

    Post your job

    Choose the service, describe the job and your vehicle, and set your budget. It takes two minutes and costs nothing.

  2. 02

    Shops compete

    Nearby shops that do the work see your request and send their best offer: price, when they can start, what is included.

  3. 03

    Accept the best offer

    Compare bids, ratings and distance, then hire one shop. The others are told, politely.

  4. 04

    Talk and get it done

    Your conversation with the shop opens right away to agree on the day. You pay only after the job is complete.

Questions

Questions about vehicle transport

General answers for drivers in Canada. The shop you hire confirms the details for your vehicle.

Should I choose an open or an enclosed carrier?

Open is the standard and the lower-priced choice: the vehicle rides in the open air with others and is exposed to weather and road debris. An enclosed trailer protects it from both and suits classic, exotic, low or high-value vehicles, at a higher price and with fewer departures. For an everyday vehicle in summer, open is usually fine.

How long does car shipping take?

Within a province it can be the same day or a day or two. Between major cities, such as Toronto and Montreal, it is commonly one to three days, and cross-country routes take about a week or more, depending on how many vehicles the carrier collects and on the weather. Timing is loose, so leave slack in your plans and allow extra time in winter.

Do I need to be there for pickup and delivery?

You or someone you name should be present at both ends to hand over the keys, agree on the condition report and sign it. At delivery, check the vehicle against the report before you sign, and note any damage on the paperwork before the driver leaves. A signed clean report at pickup is what an insurance claim rests on.

Can I leave things in the car when it is shipped?

Usually not. Carriers’ insurance does not cover personal belongings, extra weight can add to the cost or lead to a refusal, and loose items can shift and damage the interior. Take valuables and toll transponders out and keep the tank at about a quarter. A small amount of gear in the trunk is sometimes allowed if it is agreed in writing.

What is a drive-away service, and is it cheaper?

A drive-away driver drives your vehicle to the destination instead of carrying it. It can cost less than a carrier on a short trip, but it adds kilometres and wear, exposes the vehicle to weather and traffic, and raises insurance questions. For a valuable or low-kilometre vehicle a carrier is the safer choice.

Something else to ask? Once you hire a shop, you talk to it directly in your request’s conversation.

Ready when you areTell shops near you what you need and what you want to spend.

Get bids

For towing and roadside operators

Sign up as a business

Towing and roadside operators across Canada: drivers post their Towing, Roadside & Transport requests here. Publish your weekly flyer, open the appointment windows you can take and bid on the jobs near you. Free while we launch, no commission.