The Sedan from Alachua, FL to Birmingham, AL

Transporting a sedan from the Southeast doesn’t have to be a complicated process. This particular order was for a 2007 BMW 3-Series from Alachua, FL to Birmingham, AL. The customer placed the order on February 6th, requesting a first available delivery date of February 13th. The vehicle was loaded on an open carrier by February 18th and delivered to Birmingham the following day.
From the time of booking to the final delivery, the entire process took 13 days. This is right on target for a regional transport of approximately 500 miles.

The Route: Alachua, FL to Birmingham, AL

Alachua, FL, 32615 to Birmingham, AL, 35206

Alachua is a small city located in north-central Florida, just outside of Gainesville. Birmingham is located in central Alabama, so this is a relatively simple north-south route across the Southeast. A distance of some 500 miles separates the two cities, and the route passes through established freight routes that connect Florida to Alabama and points beyond.
This is an established route for regional freight, so finding a carrier is relatively simple. Open transport carriers regularly travel this route because it connects two large population centers and therefore provides a steady stream of freight.

The Type of The Transport

The 2007 BMW 3-Series is a practical and well-built sedan. It is not a collector’s item and does not require the white-glove treatment that comes with hauling it in an enclosed trailer. Open transport was the best option in this case, and it is the best option for most standard vehicles that are in good driving condition.

Open transport carriers can hold up to nine vehicles stacked two high. This helps keep the cost of shipping competitive without sacrificing the quality of the transport. The vehicle is tied down with straps at designated tie-down points and inspected before being loaded. It is also documented on a Bill of Lading before the driver moves an inch.

Enclosed transport is better suited for classic or luxury vehicles with low mileage. It is also better suited for any vehicle that has exterior trim that needs to be protected from road debris and the elements. For a daily driver like the 3-Series, open transport is sufficient and cheaper.

The Timeline

The order was placed on February 6th. The customer specified a first available date of February 13th, which gave them a week before the vehicle had to be ready. This is the timeframe when the broker begins to actively match the shipment with a qualified carrier on the route.

Carrier assignment occurred on February 16th, three days after the first available date. This is a normal timeframe. The carriers dispatch based on load consolidation because the driver will pick up several vehicles in a sequence that makes geographical sense. The 3-Series was assigned to a carrier after they confirmed a compatible route and schedule.
Pickup occurred on February 18th. The driver arrived and performed a visual inspection with the customer. He inspected the vehicle’s condition on the Bill of Lading and loaded the vehicle. Both the shipper and the driver sign the BOL at this point because it protects both parties for the duration of the shipment.

Delivery occurred on February 19th, a day after the pickup. For a 500-mile route on a direct Southeast route, one transit day is definitely possible. One can easily cover the distance in one legal driving window. Federal Hours of Service regulations state that drivers can only drive for 11 hours in a 14-hour on-duty period, and 500 miles is well within that limit.