Around 37% of families in the United States own 2 or more vehicles. That can be fantastic when you need your teenage daughter to take your younger child to and from soccer practice. But what do you do when the entire family is relocating a few states over to a new home?
Multiple car transport is a safe, efficient way to help you reduce the challenges of moving to a new home, starting a new job in a different area, or ensuring you have enough vehicle space for a longer vacation. It’s much easier than renting a trailer and navigating packed parking spaces or dealing with staggered pickup and delivery.
How Does Multiple Car Transport Work?
The basic process to ship multiple cars is pretty much the same as a single family vehicle. You enter the pickup and delivery dates, the type and size of the vehicles being delivered, and a carrier or broker offers a quote.
The trick to the entire process is communication. If you’re shipping a family SUV and also want to send the parts car you’ve been working on in the garage, you need to let the carrier know. You might save a little by scheduling them both at the same time, but if the carrier shows up on the pickup date without the gear to manage an inoperable car, there could be a fee.
It’s all about planning ahead of time and ensuring all the details are properly filled out. Two or more cars moving at the same time means double the emphasis on crossing all “T’s” and dotting all “I’s.”
Why Ship Multiple Cars Instead of Driving Them?
When you’re moving from New York to Florida, having a second car to DIY the drive yourself adds more stress. You’re already having to deal with gas, food, lodging, and making sure the pets in the backseat are happy. When you have a second car, you have to make sure you don’t lose visibility or that there will be enough parking spaces at the hotel you booked.
Costs change, and risks go up. Around 16,800 crashes happen a day. If you have more than one car driving, your risk changes. Fuel costs are also a big factor. A hybrid Toyota Prius gets much better gas mileage than a Ford F-150 fully loaded with your furniture and ski supplies in the bed. DIYing that second car will mean a lot more time, money, and stress for your family move.
Can Multiple Cars Travel on the Same Carrier?
Multiple car transport can be booked with the same carrier using the same trailer, but it’s not always guaranteed. In general, the earlier you book the delivery, the more likely you’ll end up with the same carrier.
The truth is the carrier prefers that simplicity. It means one payment instead of collecting from multiple parties. You just want to stay flexible in the process. Your smaller motorcycle shipment may not fit on the carrier your primary family car is using. As long as you communicate your needs early enough, you could end up with the same carrier, but it’s not a guarantee.
Multi-Car Shipping Cost Estimation by Distance
Shipping Distance |
Open Carrier Cost for Two Cars |
Enclosed Carrier Cost for Two Cars |
Estimated Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Under 500 Miles |
$900–$2,000 |
$1,200–$3,200 |
1–2 days |
500 to 1,500 Miles |
$1,500–$3,000 |
$2,000–$4,800 |
2–4 days |
1,500 to 2,500 Miles |
$2,100–$3,300 |
$2,700–$5,300 |
3–6 days |
Over 2,500 Miles |
$2,600–$3,600+ |
$3,400–$5,800+ |
5–10 days |
How Much Does It Cost to Ship Multiple Cars?
Some carriers offer volume shipping discounts. They will look at any ship multiple cars scenarios and maybe cut off a small percentage of the total cost for the second, third, or fourth family car. There isn’t a simple, flat rate for multi-vehicle shipping. The price will depend on:
- Number of vehicles
- Total shipping distance
- Year, make, and model of each car
- Vehicle size and weight
- Operable or inoperable condition
- Open or enclosed transport
- Pickup and delivery locations
- Seasonal demand
- Carrier availability
- Scheduling flexibility
Your best bet is to schedule open car shipping with flexible pickup and delivery dates along a popular route during a high-demand, low-cost season like mid-spring or early fall.
Ways to Save Money on Multiple Car Shipping
Money-Saving Strategy |
How It Can Lower Costs |
|---|---|
Ship Cars Together |
Multiple vehicles at the same locations may reduce carrier logistics and qualify for multi-car pricing |
Ask About Multi-Car Discounts |
Some carriers offer reduced pricing |
Choose Open Transport |
Open carriers generally cost less and have more space for multiple family vehicles |
Book Early |
Planning ahead gives you more carrier and scheduling options |
Use Flexible Dates |
A wider pickup and delivery window makes it easier to match your vehicles with available trailer space |
Avoid Expedited Shipping |
Standard scheduling prevents you from paying the additional premium associated with expedited service |
Choose Accessible Locations |
Pickup and delivery points near common carrier routes may cost less than difficult-to-reach or remote locations |
Provide Accurate Vehicle Details |
Correct dimensions, operating condition, and modification information prevents unexpected price adjustments |
How Do You Coordinate Pickup for Several Vehicles?
Coordinating multiple car transport is fairly easy. Make sure your cars are properly prepared. Remove any personal items, check for leaks in the fluids, set the fuel tank to about a quarter full, and give it a good wash. That way, when you’re filling out the Bill of Lading and taking pre-shipping photos, you’ll be able to see all the details.
You should also let the carrier or shipping experts at Nexus Auto Transport know about the condition of your vehicle. If there’s special aftermarket gear, low clearance, or the engine isn’t working, it affects how the carrier loads and unloads those cars.
When you have multiple cars for your family move, make sure you have separate folders that contain all the info. Take copies of the titles that include the year, make, model, and VIN, so that if there is an issue, you have the most accurate information to locate and identify your car among others on a trailer, including those you’re shipping at once.
You should also decide who in the family will meet the carrier. If your pickup or delivery locations have narrow streets or seasonal access issues, be sure to let the carrier know ahead of time. They may want to meet at a nearby movie theater parking lot for everyone’s confidence and safety.
Make Multiple Car Shipping Part of Your Moving Plan
The best way to ship multiple cars professionally is to treat your transport options as part of your overall family relocation plan. Include getting a quote, setting up dates, and communicating with the carrier in your list of things to get done before starting a new job or moving to a new city.
With Nexus Auto Transport, much of this planning is handled for you. With over 500,000 successful door-to-door deliveries, you can get full support for shipping one, two, three, or even eight different vehicles. Whether you want to relocate from California to New Orleans or need to ship two vehicles to different kids starting college at either coast, we have you covered.
Learn more by reading our complete car shipping guide and then getting a free estimate with our car shipping calculator.
FAQs
Can I ship multiple cars on the same transport carrier?
Yes, but you’ll want to book early, as this isn’t guaranteed. Most open carriers take anywhere from 4-10 vehicles at a time, so there’s a good chance you can end up on the same truck.
How do carriers calculate a multi-car shipping discount?
Not all carriers offer a multi-car discount. You should ask ahead of booking to see if you can shave a few hundred off your total estimate. They usually calculate based on how many cars above one that you’re booking.
Do all shipped vehicles arrive at the exact same time?
It depends on whether your cars are on the same truck or not. If they are, you’ll probably get the same delivery date. If not, you may have a difference in delivery times. That’s why Nexus offers real-time online updates to ensure you’re prepared.
What is the maximum number of cars a single transport trailer can hold?
A single open car trailer typically holds 8 or 10 cars at a time. You can ship as many cars as you’d like, but they may be spread out over multiple trucks.
