Top1 Auto Transportation LLC

Process

How Vehicle Shipping Works

Nine simple steps from quote to delivery — with no upfront payment until your carrier is assigned.

No Upfront Payment

You pay nothing upfront. Your payment is only collected once we have successfully assigned a driver to your shipment. No driver? No charge.

  1. 01

    Request a quote

    Request a quote online at our website or by calling +1 (916) 407-9455.

  2. 02

    Review your quote

    Review your quote and select Open or Enclosed transport.

  3. 03

    Confirm booking

    Confirm your booking — NO upfront payment required at this stage.

  4. 04

    Carrier assignment

    Top1 dispatches and assigns a vetted, licensed carrier to your order.

  5. 05

    Pickup notification

    You are notified of carrier name, driver number, and estimated pickup window.

  6. 06

    Vehicle pickup

    Carrier arrives at pickup location; both parties inspect vehicle and sign Bill of Lading.

  7. 07

    In transit

    Vehicle is transported via the carrier's truck across the route.

  8. 08

    Delivery

    Carrier delivers vehicle; customer inspects and signs delivery Bill of Lading.

  9. 09

    Damage inspection

    Any damage must be noted on the delivery BOL BEFORE signing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to ship a car?
The cost depends on distance, vehicle type, transport type (open vs enclosed), pickup date, and seasonal demand. Use our instant quote calculator for an estimated price range. Short routes under 500 miles typically start at $200. Cross-country routes range from $900 to $1,400 for open transport.
Do I have to pay upfront?
No. Top1 Auto Transportation does not collect any upfront deposit or payment at booking. Your payment is only collected once a licensed carrier has been assigned to your shipment. No driver assigned? No charge.
How long does car shipping take?
Transit time depends on distance: 0–500 miles takes 1–2 days; 500–1,000 miles takes 2–4 days; 1,000–2,000 miles takes 3–6 days; 2,000+ miles takes 5–9 days. These are estimates and not guaranteed delivery dates.
What is the difference between open and enclosed transport?
Open transport loads your vehicle on a multi-car open carrier — the most affordable option for standard vehicles. Enclosed transport places your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, ideal for luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles. Enclosed transport costs approximately 35% more.
Is my vehicle insured during transport?
Yes. All carriers in the Top1 network are FMCSA-licensed and required to maintain active cargo insurance. Upon carrier assignment, we provide the carrier's name and MC number so you can verify their insurance at https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/.
Can I ship a car that doesn't run?
Yes. Inoperable vehicles can be shipped, but a flat fee of $150–$200 is added to cover special loading equipment. The vehicle must be accessible for the carrier's winch or forklift equipment.
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