Wisconsin Snowstorm Could Delay Vehicle Shipments Along the Chicago–Milwaukee Corridor
Key Takeaways
- A 12–24 hour shutdown leads to a backlog: vehicles needing transport keep increasing while trucks are parked.
- Expect 24-48 hour delays for vehicles already in transit.
- Expect 2-4 day delays for vehicles waiting for pickup after the storm.
A Winter Storm Warning covering 11 southeastern Wisconsin counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Jefferson, Sheboygan, Dodge, and Fond du Lac goes into effect early tomorrow morning, Saturday, November 30, 2024.
It is expected to bring 6-10 inches of snow to the Chicago-Milwaukee auto transport corridor. The National Weather Service upgraded the warning overnight, with meteorologists projecting peak snowfall rates of one inch per hour during Saturday afternoon.
This storm will affect almost all major interstate routes used by vehicle carriers in southeastern Wisconsin such as:
- I-94
- I-43
- I-41
Wind gusts reaching 40-45 mph will create blowing and drifting snow.
Storm Timing Creates a 12-Hour Critical Danger Window
The storm will move through in stages that give carriers time to plan.
| Phase | Timing | Conditions |
| Snow onset | 2:00-6:00 AM Saturday | Light accumulation begins |
| Building intensity | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Saturday | Steady snow, roads deteriorating |
| Peak danger | 2:00-7:00 PM Saturday | 0.5-1.0 inch/hour, low visibility |
| Tapering | Midnight-2:00 AM Sunday | Snow lightening |
| Storm end | 5:00-6:00 AM Sunday | Snow ends across region |
Post-storm northwest winds of 15-25 mph will continue creating blowing snow hazards into Sunday morning. Road clearing operations will prioritize interstates, with Wisconsin DOT expecting major lanes passable by late Sunday morning, roughly 6-8 hours after the snow ends.
Overnight temperatures will drop into the single digits and teens Sunday night, with Monday highs only reaching around 20°F. At these temperatures, road salt loses effectiveness, meaning treated surfaces can remain slick longer than during milder winter storms.
What Routes Are Affected By Wisconsin Winter Storm
The storm will strike the heart of Midwest auto transport operations, affecting primary north-south and east-west corridors.
I-94 Corridor (Chicago-Milwaukee) will take the hardest hit. This corridor, which normally sees over 150,000 vehicles a day, was buried under 6 to 10 inches of snow. With conditions worsening by the hour.
I-43 (Milwaukee-Green Bay) will present variable conditions due to lake effect activity.
I-41/Highway 41 experienced multiple semi-truck incidents during the smaller November 21 storm, including jackknifed trucks and a complete closure of northbound lanes near North Avenue.
I-90/I-94 Junction (Madison Area) expects 6-9 inches. Multiple communities surrounding this junction such as Stoughton, McFarland, and Lodi have declared snow emergencies
How This Storm Affects Auto Transportation
Winter storms create operational challenges that extend beyond the storm itself. Federal regulations require drivers to cease operations when conditions become “sufficiently dangerous,” and carriers who suspend operations create a significant backlog when they resume.
The Capacity Crunch
Since auto transport operates on continuous flow when a storm shuts down operations for 12-24 hours, vehicles don’t stop accumulating. Auction facilities, dealerships, and private sellers continue posting vehicles for transport, but the carriers who would normally handle those shipments are either parked waiting for conditions to improve or rerouted on longer paths.
When weather clears, carriers face roughly double their normal workload. A typical Saturday might have 50 carriers servicing the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor. If weather grounds those carriers for a full day, Sunday brings not just Saturday’s normal volume but also Friday evening’s backlog and Sunday’s new orders all competing for the same number of trucks.
How Auto Transport Pricing Changes After Weather Events
When demand exceeds supply, carriers naturally serve the highest-value customers first.
For example, a carrier with 10 vehicles waiting doesn’t pick them up in booking order, but carrier evaluates the rate offered for each load, pickup and delivery locations, and how each fits with other vehicles already scheduled.
The customers usually offer $100-$500 above the original quote for immediate pickup and the customer insisting on the original quote waits.
As a result this creates sudden rate increases and customer quoted $800 before the storm may agrees at $900-$1,300.
At Tempus Logix, we usually offer our customers the option to wait until carrier availability returns to normal and rates drop back to previous levels.
However, when a customer needs the shipment ASAP, we have no choice but to negotiate a new deal with the carrier for the best possible price so our customers can avoid being overcharged.
See also: Why Do Car Transport Carriers Charge 50-100% More During Thanksgiving Week?
The Timeline
Pricing effects typically last 3-5 days after a significant winter storm. Customers booking in the days immediately following major weather often pay 15-50% more than pre-storm rates.
Driver Hours Constraints
While Wisconsin didn’t issue a formal commercial-vehicle ban, drivers can only drive 11 hours within a 14-hour window before taking a mandatory 10-hour break.
A driver who spends Saturday parked waiting out weather doesn’t “save” those hours. If Sunday brings three hours of slow traffic on recently cleared roads, the driver gets only eight hours of productive driving instead of the usual 10-11.
Related: 8 Expert Trucker Tips for Driving on Frozen Roads in Winter
Conclusion
For this weekend’s Wisconsin storm, the realistic timeline will be a 24-48 hour delay for vehicles already in transit and a 2-4 day delay for vehicles awaiting pickup due to post-storm backlog and capacity constraints.
Book shipments early when possible to lock in pre-storm rates. When a storm is forecast, expect delays of 24-48 hours for vehicles in transit and 2-4 days for vehicles awaiting pickup.
Customers with time-sensitive shipments may need to pay premium rates for priority service during the post-storm capacity crunch.
Why Do Car Transport Carriers Charge 50-100% More During Thanksgiving Week?
One of my customers called three days before Thanksgiving last year, and she sounded rushed. She relocated from Phoenix to Boston, and she needed her car there by the weekend. “Can you guarantee it’ll be picked up before Thursday?“. That question comes up every year around this time, and the answer isn’t as simple as yes or no.
Thanksgiving week creates a unique situation in the auto transport industry. Family travel peaks, traffic doubles in major cities and carriers face their own holiday schedules. If you’re planning to ship a car during this period, you need to understand what “guaranteed pickup” actually means and why the costs look different than they do in July.
What “Guaranteed Pickup” Really Means
This service is perfect when you’re on a tight schedule, traveling soon, or simply can’t wait days for a standard pickup
The term “guaranteed pickup” seems quite easy to understand until you delve deep and find out that it isn’t just a phrase but a type of service. This service in the auto transport world means the carrier guarantees to pick up your vehicle within a particular time window; this is usually 24 to 72 hours from making the booking. The carrier will, in most cases, prioritize your order higher than the standard ones and often adjusts the route to accommodate the timeline of your pickup.
What it does not mean, however, is that it guarantees an exact hour of pickup or even the exact day. This is because force majeure circumstances, including but not limited to weather, traffic, and mechanical issues, can still affect timing.
Standard Booking and Guaranteed Pickup
Standard auto transport booking is on a first-available basis. You provide your available dates, and a carrier picks up your vehicle when their route aligns with your location. This generally takes 2 to 5 working days for scheduling; it sometimes may be longer during peak seasons.
Instead of waiting for a carrier’s schedule to match yours, the carrier adapts their schedule to match your needs. They do this by possibly:
- Decline other shipments in order to accommodate yours.
- Do a dry run to reach your location first.
- Rush through their current deliveries to make room for your pickup
Standard booking is cheaper because it creates less disturbance to the normal flow of the carrier’s operations, whereas the guaranteed pickup costs more because it demands immediate action and schedule changes. That premium service jumps significantly during Thanksgiving week, when the carriers are at their busiest.
I had an experience with one of our customers who booked standard service two weeks before Thanksgiving, thinking that was ample time. When his pickup window landed in front of the holiday, no carrier wanted to commit to it. He ended up paying for guaranteed pickup at nearly double the original quote, just to get a carrier to his door.
Why Does Thanksgiving Car Shipping Cost More?
Holiday pricing in auto transport follows simple supply and demand economics: more people need services, and fewer carriers want to work. The costs rise accordingly. But several specific factors drive up Thanksgiving week pricing higher than other holiday periods.
Heavy Traffic and Travel Congestion
Of all holidays, Thanksgiving generates the highest volume of travel in the United States. Those roads that carriers use routinely for efficient routing become parking lots. Interstate highways near major cities slow to a crawl from Tuesday evening through Sunday afternoon.
One carrier informed last year that his run from Atlanta to Charlotte took 19 hours the day before Thanksgiving. That lost time equates to fewer loads he can haul that week. In an effort to make up for reduced productivity, the carriers charge more per shipment.
Black Friday Crowds in Metropolitan Areas
Black Friday shopping traffic adds to the congestion problems in major corridors. These will be virtually impassable, adding even more delays that standard route planning can’t account for in carriers’ attempts to navigate through New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, or Miami.
One of the carriers we work with will not even schedule a pickup or delivery in Manhattan between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The mix of holiday shoppers and delivery trucks makes vehicle transport almost impossible without losing a full day to city traffic.
Events and Parades in Metro Areas
Parades, such as those in New York, Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia, close main streets to traffic. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade alone closes dozens of streets in Manhattan for much of Thursday. Chicago’s parade impacts the Loop district; Detroit’s America’s Thanksgiving Parade restricts access downtown for hours.
These events force carriers to reroute around entire city sections. A pickup that would normally take 45 minutes can stretch to three hours when factoring in parade-related closures and detours. Carriers price this risk into their holiday rates.
The Real Cost of Last-Minute Car Shipping Requests
Last-minute requests during Thanksgiving week command the highest premiums in the industry. When you book with less than 72 hours’ notice during peak travel season, the carriers know you have limited options; they price accordingly.
A standard 1,000-mile shipment costing $800 in October may run $1,200 when booked a week before Thanksgiving. That same shipment was booked two days before the holiday? Expect quotes around $1,800 to $2,200. The closer you get to the holiday, the fewer carriers remain available, and the higher the price climbs.
Driver Availability and Holiday Scheduling Conflicts
Carriers run small businesses. The drivers they employ have families, many of them plan time off around major holidays weeks in advance. By mid-November, the pool of available drivers shrinks as people commit to family plans.The carriers that do work through Thanksgiving week command premium rates. They’re sacrificing family time to meet customer needs. That sacrifice comes at a cost that gets passed to customers who need service during this period.
Breaking Down Expedited vs. Guaranteed Pickup Services
Auto transport comes with several different service levels, and knowing the differences helps you decide which one would be best for you and your budget.
Expedited service. The expedited service gives faster-than-normal pickup and delivery but does not guarantee specific times of delivery. A carrier prioritizes your order and speeds up the process, but you still work within the confines of their existing schedule. This generally costs 30% to 50% more than the standard transportation.
Guaranteed pickup locks in a specific pickup window and commits the carrier to meeting that timeline. This service level costs 50% to 100% more than standard transport, sometimes more during holidays.
Price Ranges and What to Expect
For a typical 1,000 mile shipments this is what we have:
- Standard service: $700-900
- Expedited service: $900-1,200
- Guaranteed pickup: $1,200-1,600
Thanksgiving week guaranteed pickup: $1,600-2,400
Actions Customers Need to Take Before Making a Booking
Before you pay for guaranteed or expedited service, check and confirm if your vehicle is accessible. If your car sits in a storage facility or an auction like Copart, that closes for the holiday, guaranteed pickup means nothing. Make sure someone can provide access when the carrier arrives.
Have all paperwork ready: Delays in providing vehicle registration, keys, or signed contracts can throw off even guaranteed service. Prepare documents (those documents that approve the final purchase of the car) in advance.
Clear communication channels. Give the carrier multiple ways to reach you. If they can’t confirm pickup details because you’re traveling, the guarantee becomes worthless.
Flexible location requirements: Some residential streets become inaccessible during holidays due to parking or local events. Having an alternate meeting spot ready prevents last-minute scrambles.
Book Earlier to Avoid the Last-Minute Rush
The best way to control the costs of a Thanksgiving week getaway is simple: book early. Every day you wait closer to the holiday reduces your options and increases your costs.
Booking two to three weeks before Thanksgiving gives the carriers time to plan routes around holiday travel. You avoid the panic premium that comes with last-minute requests. Most standard bookings made by early November complete without needing to upgrade to guaranteed service.
What First-Time Car Shippers Should Check
First-time car shippers should be cautious during Holiday rushes like Thanksgiving. High demand draws both reliable carriers and scams, and the urgency customers feel can make them easier targets
- Verify That You Are Not Being Scammed
Start with the company’s Motor Carrier (MC) number and DOT number. Every legitimate auto transport company operating in the United States must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These numbers verify the company exists and maintains proper licensing.
Visit the FMCSA website at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and search for the company’s DOT number. This database shows their safety rating, insurance status, and operating authority. A company with no FMCSA record should never touch your vehicle.
- FMCSA Registration and Insurance Verification Checklist
- Use this checklist when vetting any auto transport company:
- Check FMCSA registration status. Confirm the company holds active operating authority. The database will show if their authority is active, suspended, or revoked.
- Verify insurance coverage. The FMCSA database lists current insurance providers and coverage amounts. Legitimate carriers maintain at least $750,000 in cargo insurance and $1 million in liability coverage.
- Review safety ratings. The database shows inspection results, accidents, and violations. A company with numerous recent violations presents higher risk.
- Reading Reviews Across Multiple Platforms
Don’t rely on a single review source. Scam companies can fake reviews on their own websites or pay for positive reviews on some platforms. Check multiple sources:
Google Reviews show verified customer experiences and often include photos. Look for detailed reviews that describe specific experiences rather than generic praise.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) listings show complaint history and how companies respond to problems. A company with an F rating and dozens of unresolved complaints is a clear red flag.
Transport Reviews and similar industry-specific sites collect reviews from verified customers. These platforms make it harder to post fake reviews.
Reddit and online forums often contain unfiltered discussions about auto transport experiences. Search for the company name on r/AutoTransport or similar communities.
Pay attention to how companies respond to negative reviews. Legitimate businesses acknowledge problems and explain their resolution process. Companies that attack reviewers or make excuses for every complaint show poor customer service practices.
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Please Note: Pricing and timeframes mentioned in this article reflect current market conditions as of November 2025 and may vary based on specific routes, vehicle types, and market fluctuations.
What Makes the Auto Transport Industry a Seasonal One
The phrase “seasonal fluctuations” resonates far and wide in the auto shipping industry, referring to the changes auto shipping services undergo throughout the different times of the year. Still, customers need to realize how these different months affect the auto shipping industry in addition to knowing the best and worst times for vehicle hauling.
The auto transport industry runs year-round; however, the supply and demand for auto shipping services are unstable. This article outlines the busiest times of vehicle shipment and auto hauling downtimes, the seasonal impact on the car hauling business, and how to handle peak season booking problems after examining the connection between auto shipping and seasonality.
Seasonality in the auto shipping industry
Like any other industry, the vehicle transportation sector experiences ups and downs throughout the year. Seasons influence demand and supply for car hauling services, which in turn influences the service’s cost, accessibility, and convenience. Changes in the auto transport sector according to the various seasons of the year are referred to as seasonal fluctuations.
Peak season
The busiest times for car hauling throughout the year occur during the holidays, summer, and when snowbirds relocate.
Holidays
December is one of the busiest months for auto transport workers. Needless to say, it is the month of stay-home holidays with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. During these events, people travel miles to celebrate with their families, and so do auto transport workers. Consequently, it can be difficult to find car-hauling carriers to transport vehicles during these times.
See also: Why Do Car Transport Carriers Charge 50-100% More During Thanksgiving Week?
Summer Peak
The summer rush is another normal part of vehicle hauling. It is convenient for parents to change jobs and relocate in the summer since their kids won’t attend school. Furthermore, college students usually head home during the summer holiday, resulting in additional limited time for shipping thousands of vehicles.
In general, traveling and moving rates are higher in the summer as it is a warm season that facilitates various activities. Not to mention, the 4th of July saw a significant increase in auto transport requests, as carriers prefer spending the day with their families instead of working.
Snowbirds
An additional factor increasing the demand for car transport services is the rise in “snowbirds.” Seasonal migration affects car transporting especially during low temperatures when snowbirds, AKA seasonal movers, migrate from the north to regions like Florida, Texas, and Arizona. As the weather in the north warms, they return home.
This leads to increased requests for car shipping services on the south-north routes. In the fall, shipping a car to the south will be difficult due to the high demand, but shipping a vehicle to the north will be easier. Meanwhile, in spring, the situation is reversed.
| Season | Demand | What to Watch For | Challenges | Smart Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Snowbird Season) | High (heading south) | Retirees, people escaping the cold | Not many carriers available | Book as early as you can and be prepared for some delays. |
| Spring (Return Trips) | High (going north) | Snowbirds heading back home | Northern routes can get jam-packed | Lock in your dates early and try to stay flexible. |
| Summer (Peak Season) | Very High | Families, college students | Prices go up, carriers get booked fast | Plan ahead and consider paying extra to get priority. |
| Fall (Slow Season) | Low | Anyone looking to save | Not many issues—it’s a quiet time | Great time to ship! Enjoy better prices and availability. |
| Holidays (December–January) | High | Holiday travelers | Drivers may be off-duty; festive delays common | Avoid shipping right around the holidays and book early. |
Avoiding peak times booking problems
When people consider shipping their vehicles during the peak time without struggling with finding a carrier, these solutions will come in useful:
- Booking in advance: To ensure their vehicle pick up and delivery will go as planned, car shippers can make early bookings.
- Pay more: Paying extra money for carriers is a good way to ensure that they are prioritized over others during the peak season.
- Wait out the rush: This solution works better for people who are not in a hurry and can arrange for their car hauling at a time when there is less demand.
More importantly, consider choosing a good and reliable auto transport company to move your car with, even if it is challenging to find one during peak season. Tempus Logix is a trusted and convenient auto shipping company licensed and registered with the USDOT and FMCSA. With years of experience, the Tempus Logix team can handle the hauling of any vehicle timely, properly, and under different circumstances.
Downtime season
Apart from summer and holiday times, other times of the year are considered less stressful. February and the fall are the best times for car shipping since there is less demand for auto-hauling services. For those looking for the best time to ship their vehicles, it is advised to do it in the fall season when the weather is still warm, carriers are empty and will offer lower prices, and the traffic is also better.
How does seasonality impact the auto shipping industry?
People shipping their vehicles during peak times must expect higher prices, nonetheless, underrated services. Delays in shipments are expected when there is a high demand for car-hauling services.
On the other hand, during business downtime, the competition among carriers will become stronger, resulting in lowered prices, better services, and proper car hauling. As a result, the decrease in demand will contribute to timely deliveries.
Finally, this briefly describes the seasonal changes and impacts on the auto-hauling industry. As with any business, the higher the demand, the higher the prices, and the fewer requests, the lower the prices.
Auto transport has seen its fair share of seasonal changes. From temperatures to bird migrations, these factors can significantly impact the industry’s efficiency and demand.
Winter Driving and Car Shipping Practices
The car shipping industry sends out gentle reminders of the essential, safe driving and car shipping practices on the First Day of Winter, observed on December 21st this year.
People celebrate this event by cherishing winter traditions, like cozying up with a warm drink and enjoying the season’s beauty. Besides, winter enthusiasts go far in welcoming their favorite season by hanging winter-themed decorations such as snowflakes, icicles, and cozy blankets that create a festive atmosphere.
However, it is worth taking the time on this joyous occasion to highlight the importance of exerting caution and following safety practices when driving during winter by recalling the following safe winter driving tips:
Safe Winter Driving Tips
- Planning the route before driving: Drivers must plan their route and check for weather and road conditions updates through the official website of the state they are driving in or any reliable route planning app. Before driving, drivers should allow extra time for their trip, especially if they are unfamiliar with the roads in winter conditions. They also must look for alternate routes in case of closures, be aware of plows, and give them plenty of space.
- Preparing the car for winter: The primary recommended practices drivers should follow when preparing their cars are checking tire pressure, tread depth, and windshield wipers. They must also ensure all fluids are topped up, test the battery, and consider getting winter tires.
- Packing an emergency kit: Winter’s driving emergency kit must include a flashlight, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, a blanket, a phone charger, snacks, and water.
- Driving carefully: Drivers must slow down and take their time, especially when stopping on slick roads. They must avoid sudden maneuvers and instead brake steadily and turn smoothly. Besides, drivers must be aware of black ice that can often be invisible, making it critical to watch for shaded areas, bridges, and overpasses. Using headlights even during the day allows other drivers to see the car.
- Avoiding dangerous areas: drivers must avoid driving through flooded areas; instead, they should turn around and find another route.
Read also: 8 Expert Trucker Tips for Driving on Frozen Roads in Winter
Best Winter Car Shipping Practices
People shipping their cars in winter should follow these best car shipping practices:
- Though enclosed car shipping is a little more expensive than standard shipping, it still offers additional layers of protection necessary to protect cars from harsh weather elements, snow, ice, and salt during shipping. So, this shipping method is highly recommended when shipping cars in winter.
Tempus Logix, a reputable nationwide car shipping company, provides open and enclosed car shipping methods. The company’s professional and experienced team can arrange for a secure car shipping process for any vehicle type at all times.
- People shipping their cars must also top off their fluids, including antifreeze, wiper fluid, and oil. They should consider adding a fuel stabilizer to prevent gas from gelling in cold weather to avoid hassle after delivery.
- Winterizing the car’s tires is crucial when preparing cars for shipping. All-season tires may not be enough in icy or snowy conditions; however, those who don’t have winter tires can check whether the tires are properly inflated and have good tread depth.
- Another important note people shipping their cars must know is that winter weather can cause delivery delays. So, the best practice to avoid late delivery is to book the car shipping service in advance to allow extra time if a natural occurrence hinders the shipping process.
- When shipping cars in cold weather, car owners should let the car warm up for a few minutes after delivery before driving it to prevent damaging the engine.
We wish for this year’s warm and pleasant winter season on the First Day of Winter. With these recommended winter driving and car shipping tips, we hope it will be a safe and peaceful time for all.
8 Expert Trucker Tips for Driving on Frozen Roads in Winter
Driving a car in the winter can be dangerous, especially when roads get icy. When it’s super cold and snowy, it’s risky for everyone, including truckers moving cars across the country.
We explore the experienced car transport drivers who have many years of winter driving experience under their belts. We took their best advice for staying safe on icy roads and ensuring your car arrives unharmed. If you’re shipping a car this winter, or just want to know how drivers ensure the safety of your vehicle during bad winter weather, these tips should reassure you that your car is being taken care of. This info is good for anyone shipping a car in the winter or driving in icy conditions.
1. Plan Your Route Ahead
Before heading out in winter, smart drivers spend 30-45 minutes checking the weather forecast, DOT websites, and trucker apps. Professional carriers monitor FMCSA SaferWatch for real-time road conditions, state 511 systems for local highway updates, and WeatherOps for detailed storm tracking. They figure out which mountain passes could be a problem and find other routes just in case. They stick to the main highways that are cleared of snow quickly and stay away from back roads where it’s hard to get help.
Your company might pick a route through Arizona instead of going through Colorado’s mountain passes, even if it’s shorter. Coast-to-coast shipments that normally take 7-10 days can extend to 10-14 days in winter because of route changes, reduced speeds, and weather delays. This extra planning keeps your truck safe.
| # | Route to Avoid (Winter) | Safer Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-80 – Wyoming (Elk Mountain / Cheyenne–Rawlins) |
|
| 2 | I-70 – Colorado (Eisenhower Tunnel / Vail Pass) |
|
| 3 | I-80 – Donner Pass (California) |
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| 4 | I-84 – Cabbage Hill / Columbia River Gorge (Oregon) |
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| 5 | I-90 – Lookout Pass & Fourth of July Pass (ID/MT) |
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| 6 | I-5 – Siskiyou Summit (OR/CA border) |
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| 7 | I-40 – Pigeon River Gorge (TN/NC) |
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| 8 | I-64 / I-77 – Sandstone Mountain (West Virginia) |
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| 9 | I-68 – Western Maryland grades |
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2. Slow Down and Keep Safe Distances
Icy roads? Stopping is way harder, like, three times harder. Utah DOT says if you’re going 65 mph on ice, you’ll need over 525 feet to stop – that’s longer than three football fields! Smart drivers slow way down, like cutting their speed almost in half (from 65 to 30-35 mph), and they leave a lot more space between them and the car ahead, like 8-10 seconds instead of 4-6. They also keep an eye out for ice and adjust for how heavy their load is.
If your carrier’s going super slow (like 25 mph) or even parked for a bit, it’s because they’re trying to keep your car safe. A driver who speeds up to stick to the plan risks a jackknife with your car. So, winter delays from driving slower? That’s them being careful and pro, not messing up.
3. Check Your Tires and Chains
Before it gets cold, good carrier companies check tires for enough tread (at least 4/32, ideally 6/32+), cracks, and the right air pressure for winter. They buy winter or all-season tires that work well in the cold. Plus, they have tire chains for all the drive axles and put them on as soon as they see ice, not just when the law says so.
State chain requirements vary significantly across the country. California enforces R2 and R3 chain requirements during severe conditions. Colorado implements both the Passenger Vehicle Traction Law and stricter Commercial Vehicle Chain Law on mountain passes. Wyoming mandates chains on specific Interstate 80 sections during winter storms. Oregon requires chains or traction tires on designated routes from November through April. Professional carriers know these regulations for every state along their route. Cheap shippers with bad tires or who don’t use chains are taking chances with your vehicle. Good companies plan for new tires and keep chains in good shape; that’s why shipping in winter costs 10-20% more. If you’re shipping something valuable, ask about their tire and chain policies beforehand.
4. Use Engine Braking Carefully
Using engine braking, which means shifting to lower gears, helps slow your car down by using the engine instead of the brakes. This can stop your wheels from locking up and causing you to skid on ice. Good drivers usually downshift before turns or when going downhill. They also tap the brakes gently and don’t use cruise control when it’s icy. Good braking keeps your car steady on the trailer, stopping damage from quick movements. The straps that hold your car down are made for normal driving, not wild jerks from a truck that’s skidding. Drivers who are good at engine braking can drive down steep mountains without putting your car at risk.
5. Keep Emergency Supplies Handy
Truck drivers keep their vehicles stocked with must-haves for survival, like blankets, food, water, and a first-aid kit. They also carry gear for vehicle emergencies, such as a snow shovel, sandbags, tow straps, flares, and extra windshield washer fluid. To keep in touch, they bring a CB radio or a satellite. They also carry additional fuel because idling to stay warm when it’s snowing out really eats up the fuel. Good drivers just chill and wait out the storm instead of freaking out and doing something risky. Being ready for anything proves you’re a pro, and it impacts your insurance. Winter is the time you really need to confirm your carrier’s coverage. Federal regulations require auto transport carriers to maintain minimum liability insurance of $750,000 to $1,000,000, depending on cargo type. Be sure to get a Certificate of Insurance showing cargo coverage (at least $100,000 per vehicle) and winter weather details before you pick anything up.
6. Avoid Sudden Maneuvers
Truckers who are good at their jobs don’t jerk the wheel, brake hard, or floor it, especially when it’s icy. It’s all about being smooth. They slow down for turns by using the engine to brake, signal way ahead when changing lanes, and ease into the gas pedal to avoid spinning out. They also stay alert and keep a safe distance around their rig. If you brake hard or swerve fast, you risk damaging your car’s bumpers, suspension, or panels because of the straps. Driving smoothly is easier on your car, the straps, and the trailer. If you’re shipping a fancy car like a classic or luxury model, the carrier will check the straps every time they stop. Metal shrinks when it’s cold, so the straps might loosen up.
7. Know When to Stop
The biggest winter driving skill? Knowing when to just stay put. Truckers do it all the time when things get nasty, like during whiteout blizzards, when roads are icy, or when there are huge grow. They find a rest area or truck stop and chill out, even if it takes a long time. They quickly let people know they’re stopping, why, and when they think they’ll hit the road again.
If your shipment is late in winter, it doesn’t mean someone messed up. It means they’re being safe. If someone calls to say they’re waiting out the weather for a day, they’re keeping your vehicle—and themselves—safe. Good carriers plan for delays in winter contracts and are upfront about what to expect. Would you rather your car show up a day late in good shape, or on time but wrecked?
8. Go with Enclosed Trailers for the Best Winter Defense
Open trailers leave cars open to road salt, ice, and freezing temps, but enclosed trailers give way better winter protection. Pros use enclosed transport to keep your car safe from bad weather. This stops salt from rusting the undercarriage, ice from building up on windows and locks, and freezing from hurting seals and trim. The enclosed space keeps temps steadier, which protects the paint and inside parts. Sure, enclosed shipping costs 40-60% more than open transport, but it’s a must for fancy, classic, or expensive cars in winter. A lot of carriers even heat enclosed trailers when it’s super cold to keep fluids from freezing and batteries from dying.
Summary:
Winter delays are about safety, not being bad at the job. What normally takes 7-10 days coast-to-coast extends to 10-14 days in winter conditions. Better your car gets there late and in one piece than on time but wrecked. Before booking, verify your carrier maintains proper insurance ($750K-$1M liability minimum), has documented tire and chain policies, and provides clear adverse weather communication protocols.
Enclosed trailers are great because they keep your stuff safe from winter weather like salt, ice, and freezing temps.
V8 Sport Car Enclosed Shipping։ Riverside CA to Suffolk VA
The rumble of a V8 engine holds more than horsepower under its hood, but memories of winning races on PlayStation Console or desktop PC, childhood dreams transformed, and the momentum became reality. The Chevrolet Corvette is still standing between gaming culture and automotive feeling, creating a valuable relationship between the owners and their cars that require special care during its transportation.
How Corvette Became One of The Famous V8 Legends
The Corvette’s digitalization shaped an entire generation of car enthusiasts, from classics to modern racing simulators, the shape of America’s sports car became instantly recognizable to gamers around the world. Racing games visually explained the Corvette’s aggressive stance, its aggressive body lines cutting through virtual air with the same feelings it commands on real asphalt.
Electronic Arts understood first what made the Corvette special. The low front profile, the wide tail end, the way light swings across its shape, these were not just geometric figures on a screen. They perfectly represented the accessible performance of an American car, a dream car that didn’t require an impossible price tag.
The Most Wanted Effect
Webster’s Corvette in Need for Speed Most Wanted changed the rules of the game. That particular C6 Corvette, with its aggressive aero kit and distinctive livery, striking dark metallic base with bold racing stripes and vivid decals that accentuate its aggressiveness, became more than a gaming car, it became a desire. Teenage gamers spent a lot of hours behind their computer, mastering its handling characteristics, pushing its limits through Rockport city.
Today those teenagers and me as well, who grew up spending hours on it, did not translate their gaming skills to real driving, but the passion for a new Corvette absolutely did. Today’s young Corvette owners that started as pixels on a screen evolved into real keys, real Alcantara leather, real V8 thunder, often trace their enthusiasm back to those gaming sessions. From the C5’s performance to the C6’s aggression, through the C7’s modern redesign, and to engine revolution of the C8, each generation of Corvette, General Motors offered something new while maintaining the core DNA that made the Corvette special.
Why Young Corvette Enthusiasts Choose Enclosed Transport
Corvette ownership carries emotional weight that numbers on a title can’t capture. These aren’t just cars purchased for transportation or investment, they represent fulfilled childhood promises, dreams that survived the transformation from virtual to reality.
Young enthusiasts particularly understand vulnerability as they remember watching that perfect digital Corvette damage in video games, the frustration of virtual scratches and dents. Real-world damage isn’t fixed with a restart button – Their Corvettes represent a significant financial expense, often the biggest purchase they’ve made besides a home.
This investment drives the customer’s decision to use a professional car transportation company. The thought of a 2,600-mile drive across, through different weather locations, past countless semi-trucks throwing road debris. Specialized enclosed transport eliminates these concerns because your Corvette travels protected from those elements and it arrives exactly as it picked up, preserving both the vehicle’s condition and the owner’s peace of mind.
We Understand What a Dream Car Truly Means to Our Customers
At Tempus Logix, we recognize that Corvette owners aren’t shipping just a car. They’re entrusting us with a piece of American automotive heritage with its history, an icon of motorsport excellence, and often the physical demonstration of childhood dreams.
The Corvette is an icon in American car culture, representing a democratization of performance, meaning serious speed does not require six figures or an exotic nameplate. The Corvettes also have proven their worth against the best of the world on the tracks from Sebring to Le Mans. Your own Corvette carries that racing pedigree in its DNA. We understand this and approach any transport of the Corvette with that in mind. This is why our carriers know that low ground clearance calls for special techniques in loading, the wide body requires very careful positioning on the trailer, and the carbon fiber components on newer models require extra caution when it comes to securing them.
Nationwide Corvette Shipping: Riverside, CA to Suffolk, VA Route Analysis
The shipping trip from Riverside, California to Suffolk, Virginia is around 2,600 miles across eight states.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations govern every aspect of this transport.
Carriers must comply with hours of service rules that limit driving up to 11 hours per day within a 14-hour window. After covering their legal hours, drivers must rest for 10 hours before continuing their trip. This regulation directly impacts delivery timeframes which sometimes can affect delays.
For a coast-to-coast shipping line like Riverside, CA to Suffolk, VA realistic transit time runs between 5 to 7 days.
Weather can affect delivery times along this route. Extreme summer heat in the desert Southwest or winter conditions in Virginia may cause delays, while spring and fall usually offer the most predictable travel conditions.
Our Kentucky enclosed trailers protect your cars from the extreme temperature variations along this route. Desert heat transitioning to Southern humidity transitioning to Virginia’s variable conditions—each climate zone presents different challenges.
Why $1,337 is Reasonable for This Service
The shipping from Riverside California to Suffolk Virginia puts the cost of the transportation at around $0.51 per mile. This rate reflects current market conditions for enclosed auto transport and represents fair price for the comprehensive protection of the sport vehicle being shipped.
Enclosed trailers carry fewer vehicles than open carriers and this fact also reflects the short time frame of the delivery. A typical enclosed unit hauls 2 to 4 cars versus 7 to 10 cars on open multi car haulers.
The specialized equipment required for Corvettes adds expense. Low ground clearance vehicles need specific ramps or hydraulic lift gates to avoid scraping. The carrier must position the Corvette carefully to ensure adequate clearance from other vehicles and the trailer ceiling which may increase each loading for around 1 hour.
Comparing the shipping cost to driving yourself, you’d face fuel expenses, plus wear on the Corvette, hotel costs for multi-day travel, meals, and the opportunity cost of time spent driving rather than working. The total quickly approaches or exceeds the transport cost, while adding thousands of miles and potential exposure to road hazards. Professional transport also includes comprehensive insurance coverage during the transit. If damage occurs, you have recourse through the carrier’s cargo insurance. Self-driving offers no such protection beyond your personal auto policy, which may have limitations for long-distance moves.
Transport Summary:
Vehicle: 2025 Chevrolet Corvette C8
Route: Riverside, CA to Suffolk, VA (2600 miles)
Riverside, CA → I-10 East → Arizona → New Mexico → I-20 → Texas → Louisiana → Mississippi → Alabama → I-85 → Georgia → Virginia → I-64 → Suffolk, VA
Service: Hard Side Kentucky Enclosed Trailer
Cost: $1,337 ($0.51 per mile)
Season: Autumn
How We Safely Transported a Low-Clearance Lamborghini Car from San Fernando to Bozeman
We transported a matte black Lamborghini from Los Angeles’s San Fernando Valley, to Bozeman, Montana, using a tilt-bed rollback loading method that is a specialized process designed for ultra-low-clearance sports cars to avoid damages.
Most carriers see this kind of clearance and decline the job immediately because standard loading ramps would scrape it before the car even reached the halfway point. The solution is to extended ramp configuration.
The experienced carrier used wooden plank extensions placed in front of the metal ramps to create a more gradual loading angle. This reduced the approach angle from the typical 14 to 18 degrees down to approximately 10 to 12 degrees which enabled the Lamborghini to drive onto the deck without any damage. The whole process took about 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Why Standard Equipment Can’t Be Used for Low-Clearance Exotics
Lamborghini models sit between 3.0 and 3.5 inches off the ground which creates challenges when loading cars on auto haulers.
Standard loading ramps create angles that guarantee front splitter contact and the carbon fiber scrapes across metal.
Repair costs range from $3,000 to $15,000 for front-end damage alone. Sometimes you get lucky and only damage the splitter. Other times the suspension takes a hit too.
Related: How to Ship a Lamborghini?
Exotic cars account for only about 2% of total vehicle shipments but represent the highest risk category for loading damage. That’s why most carriers either decline these jobs or attempt loading with race ramps that still carry scraping risk on vehicles this low.
FMCSA regulations require $1,000,000 minimum public-liability insurance for vehicle transport. Carriers handling exotic cars maintain higher coverage limits. The cargo insurance on this shipment covered the Lamborghini’s declared value with appropriate protection for six-figure vehicles.
Extended Ramp Configuration for Gradual Loading
The carrier used wooden plank extensions to reduce the loading angle. The planks extended the ramp length which is creating a more gradual transition from ground to deck level.
The driver positioned the planks carefully in front of the metal ramps. This created a two-stage loading process which ensures safe loading of the car on the hauler.
There is anlternative methods for extreme low-clearance vehicles such as tilt-bed rollback trucks. They use hydraulics to lower the entire deck to near-ground level, creating 3 to 5-degree angles which enables cars to drive onto the deck without any undercarriage contact. These specialized methods cost significantly more because hydraulic system adds $15,000 to $25,000 to equipment costs.
The Importance of Hard-Sided Protection
The Lamborghini was loaded into a hard-sided, enclosed trailer with a two-car capacity and aluminum and steel walls, providing protection from road debris and weather. The reduced capacity allows for careful positioning and adequate clearance around high-value vehicles.
Multi-car enclosed trailers typically haul 5 to 7 vehicles. The two-car configuration gives exotic cars significantly more space. This prevents any contact during transport and allows for easier loading and unloading at both pickup and delivery locations.
Payment Structure and Costs
Enclosed exotic transport is roughly 180%–400% more per mile than standard open transport.
The premium reflects:
- Specialized equipment costs
- Ruced trailer capacity
- Expert handling requirements
The $4,000 transport cost was processed via full credit card payment at booking. And with 1,100 miles of transportation, this puts the delivery cost per mile at $3.6.
How to Calculate Sport Car Transportation Price
Understanding the cost of vehicle transport doesn’t need to be complicated. At Tempus Logix vehicle shipping company we offer an AI-powered car transport calculator that provides instant and guaranteed pricing for sport cars.
Trust Requires Proper Equipment
Vehicle owners shipping exotic cars should verify carrier capabilities before commitment. Ask specifically about loading methods for low-clearance vehicles. Confirm the carrier owns tilt-bed equipment or Go-Jaks dollies. Request photos of the actual trailer configuration. Verify insurance coverage amounts match vehicle values.
The premium pricing for exotic car transport reflects real costs associated with specialized equipment and expert handling. Those extra dollars prevent damage repairs that exceed the entire transport fee multiple times over. When you’re dealing with a car that sits 3.5 inches off the ground, the right equipment isn’t optional.
Transport Sumamry
- Origin: San Fernando, LA, CA 91436
- Service Cost: $4,000 (full credit card payment)
- Vehicle: 2022 Lamborghini Huracan EVO Coupe
- Ground Clearance: 3.5 inches
- Loading Method: Tilt-bed rollback with hydraulic deck
- Trailer Type: Hard-sided enclosed, 2-car capacity
- Loading Time: ~1 hour and 25 minutes
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Completes Successful 1,800-Mile Enclosed Transport from Union, NJ to Denver, CO
We completed a coast to coast trip of a 2022 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class from Union, New Jersey to Denver, Colorado, proving the value of premium enclosed auto shipping services. The vehicle was delivered by a hard side 2 car enclosed trailer completed in July within five days which underscores the reliability of car shipping with our company.
The shipping estimate was just $1,600 for the service, a competitive rate for enclosed transport covering around 1,800 miles ($0.89 per mile).
What Makes Enclosed Transport Essential for Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Vehicles
This car represents an investment, with the 2022 model price ranging from $138,450 and goes up to $179,150. As a convertible featuring advanced technology, and retractable soft-top systems, this Benz demands protection that only enclosed transport service can handle.For a vehicle like SL with its 4 inch ground clearance and convertible mechanisms, enclosed transport isn’t just recommended but a requirement.
A hardside enclosed trailer is used for this transport because it offers complete protection from weather elements such as heat, UV exposure, rain, and hail, while also shielding the vehicle from road debris, rocks, and other highway hazards. Additionally, it provides a controlled climate, ensuring that sensitive electronics, interior materials, and delicate finishes remain safe and undamaged throughout the journey.
For the owners of cars like Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, the additional cost of enclosed transportation service is typically 40 to 60% more than the open transport which represents insurance against thousands of dollars in potential damage.
Cross-Country Distance and Transit Time for Northeast to Mountain West Routes
The Union, NJ to Denver, CO route is nearly 1,800 miles, crossing 6 states () and a couple of climate areas.
This five day time window corresponds to the industry-standard range of 5-7 days for this much distance, indicating the carrier operated in an efficient direction without any delays.
How Low-Profile Sports Cars Are Loaded on Enclosed Trailers
This is the main reason why the SL poses such an unusually difficult challenge for shipping experts, because of its sports car size.
The car is rear-wheel drive and the clearance 4.1inches, extended bumper, with a low center of gravity that has to be positioned carefully when it comes to loading, the weight distribution is also important for loading (52% front / rear – 48%).
Professional transporters have a way to safety load low cars such as the SL with zero contact due to very specialized techniques which us expert professionals train for many weeks in order to perfect.- Hydraulic lift gate with 7–10 degree approach angles that prevent the air dam from making any contact whatsoever including your very minor tire damage causing overt post bridge clearance accidents on/off ramps. Strap down methods that avoid wheel & frame damage by using first a four point strap down system so we do not over stress single attachment points as well adjustable wheel chock must be used on low rides so it doesn’t roll yet there is no undercarriage paint scratching.
During the successful five day delivery customer reported zero damage which indicates a proper loading and unloading, and securing techniques that were held during the journey.
Colorado Deliveries in Winter
The $1,600 rate for this shipping was a good summer rate for the Union, NJ to Denver route. The shipping in winter on the same route would likely cost more because snow, ice, and other seasonal challenges make deliveries harder in Colorado.
For winter shipments, November through March, rates typically may increase 25-40% above summer prices, bringing the price to around $2,000-$2,240. Travel through the Colorado mountains can add extra time, as I-70 closures may delay delivery by one or two days. Commercial vehicles often need chains in the mountains, and using heated or climate-controlled enclosed trailers can add another $200-$400.
Taking all these factors into account, a winter transport from Union, NJ to Denver could range from roughly $2,200 to $2,800, depending on the conditions and services required.
Key Takeaways for Enclosed Luxury Car Transport
This successful July transport highlights some positivity in the enclosed auto transport industry as the $1,600 rate for 1,800 miles ($0.89 per mile) offers strong value for enclosed service. This was possible thanks to using 2 car enclosed trailers efficiently, easy summer routes, and many carriers available from the Northeast to the Mountain West.
The fast delivery of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class proves that accurate coordination at Tempus Logix has been improved, giving customers predictable and reliable transport solutions. The use of hardside enclosed trailers with low-profile loading ramps also shows that drivers and carrier companies are investing in specialized equipment designed for expensive sports cars like the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
Transport Summary:
Vehicle: 2022 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
Route: Union, NJ – Denver, CO (~1,800 miles)
I-78 W (NJ), I-76 W (PA), I-70 W (OH, IN, IL, MO, KS, CO)
Service: Hard side 2 cars enclosed trailer
Cost: $1,600 ($0.89/mile)
Season: Summer (optimal pricing period)
Credits at Delivery
Same-Day Service, 3-Day Delivery: Transporting Ferrari and Mercedes AMG from Malibu, CA to Teague, TX
In the luxury vehicle transport industry, speed and reliability are not just nice features; they are promises that set exceptional service apart from the ordinary.
Our recent transport of a 2022 Ferrari and a 2025 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 from Malibu, California, to Teague, Texas, exemplifies what true premium auto transport looks like: swift action, meticulous performance, and expedited delivery.
We received the booking on July 9th, and as soon as we posted the shipment on the load board, we assigned the carrier on the same day. There were no waits and no delays.
Same-day service means exactly that: when you call us, we act right away.
Why Same-Day Pickup Matters in Luxury Vehicle Transport
Imagine buying your dream Ferrari and being told, “We’ll get to it sometime next week.” That’s not acceptable for luxury vehicle owners. On July 9th, when we got the booking for the 2022 Ferrari and 2025 Mercedes-AMG SL 63, we didn’t put it on a waiting list.
We arranged the transport right away. Same day. Same hour, if we could.
Same-day pickup israre invehicle shipping. After booking, it usually takes 2-5 business days to assign a reliable carrier for the shipment.
This causes anxiety for customers who are:
1. Relocating and need to coordinate multiple tasks
2. Closing on a vehicle purchase and need immediate pickup
3. Selling a car and can’t let it sit in their driveway
4. Managing dealership transfers that have strict deadlines
5. Wanting peace of mind that their costly vehicle is in professional hands right now
The Journey: 1,559 Miles Across America’s Heartland
Everyone knows that 1599 miles isn’t a short distance. The route crosses diverse climates and terrains.
Every professional driver knows how to handle each route. This destination, Teague, TX 75860, is located in rural Texas and is quite different from Malibu.
So, our company handles any route, from urban to rural, and coast to interior.
This isn’t just transportation. It’s a journey across the country with valuable cargo.
Transporting Excellence: A 2022 Ferrari and 2025 Mercedes-AMG SL 63
2022 Ferrari F8 Spider: Almost a brand-new vehicle, which costs $ 454,900, requires not only careful handling but also high insurance coverage. Our drivers are fully licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that we will handle every step of the journey with ease.
2025 Mercedes-AMG SL 63: This is a new generation, and it requires extra care and responsibility to transport this precious vehicle. The price of the 2025 Mercedes-AMG SL-Class starts at $113,100 and goes up to $208,300 depending on the trim and options.
If we can transport a Ferrari and a Mercedes-AMG safely over 1,559 miles, we can handle your luxury vehicle.
Open transportation: Safe, Skilled, and Valuable
“Should I use open or enclosed transport?” is a question that many clients have when shipping expensive cars.
Let’s consider open transport, which is how 95% of all vehicles, including new Ferraris from the factory, are moved.
Here’s why it’s the smart choice:
Safety: Wheel chocks and sturdy straps are used to secure vehicles.
Visibility: It is simple for drivers to inspect cars at each stop.
Insurance: Complete carrier insurance provides full coverage.
Industry standard: Every day, dealerships deliver brand-new luxury vehicles in open trailers.
Capacity: You can save money by packing up to eight sedans in your trailer.
Weather: Skilled drivers keep an eye on the weather and modify their routes to avoid dangerous situations.
Four States, Three Days, and No Compromises
Dissect the timeline by day:
Day 1st , July 9th:
1. The booking confirmation received
2. Transport was assigned the same day.
3. The customer received an update regarding the condition of the vehicle.
4. Stay Awhile Villas in Malibu picks up cars from the SA Beach
5. Approximately 500–550 miles were traveled, including through Arizona and California.
Day 2nd , July 10th :
1. Passed through Arizona and New Mexico
2. Inspections of vehicles while they are at rest
3. Interaction between the driver and the client to ensure their peace of mind
4. An estimated 500–550 miles were traveled.
Day 3rd , July 11th :
1. Traveling into and out of Texas
2. Moving toward Teague, Texas
3. Speaking with the client before delivery
4. Approximate miles traveled: 450–500 miles
July 12th (Delivery Day):
1. Vehicles delivered to Teague, TX 75860
2. Bill of Lading signed
3. Customer satisfaction confirmed
States crossed: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas (possibly touching Nevada or Oklahoma)
The evidence: “We said 1-5 business days pickup after the FAD (first available date of the shipment). We assign it on the same day and deliver it within three days. That’s integrity.”
Transport Summary:
Vehicles: 2022 Ferrari F8 Spider, 2025 Mercedes-AMG SL 63
Route: Malibu, CA, 90265 – Teague, TX, 75860 (1,559 miles)
I-10 E – I-20 E- US-84 E
Service: 8 car hauler open trailer
Cost: $5500 ($3.5/mile)
Season: Summer
Successful Two Inoperable Cars Transport from Tamaqua to Taos
Tempus Logix delivered two vehicles from Tamaqua, Pennsylvania to Taos, New Mexico in 3 days, including an inoperable Chevrolet Tahoe and a 1993 Ford F-150.
Customer needed to move a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe and a 1993 Ford F-150 from Tamaqua, Pennsylvania to Taos, New Mexico in early October. The F-150 had some quirks. It only operated in first gear and didn’t use a key to start, but only a switch. Plus, there was a set of spare tires in the back.
The whole shipment covered around 2,000 miles. For a distance like this, carriers typically use larger trailers with 7 or more vehicle spaces. Shorter hauls often use smaller 3-space trailers instead.
It was an open transportation (where vehicles ride on an exposed trailer rather than in an enclosed one) which works fine for most shipments and costs less than enclosed transport.
If they’d needed enclosed transport, the price would have jumped even higher also there aren’t many enclosed carriers with winches capable of loading inop. vehicles.
Car Loading Challenges When It Is Inoperable
The F-150’s mechanical issues meant it couldn’t just drive onto the trailer like the Tahoe could. Carriers use winches and ramps for vehicles that can’t move under their own power, which adds some time to the loading process.
Loading and unloading vehicles takes usually 2-4 hours and pre/post-trip inspections about 1 hour. This makes shipping an inoperable vehicle typically costs more because of the extra work involved in loading.
A few things made the difference here. First, complete information about the F-150’s condition before booking. That allowed Tempus Logix to match the shipment with a carrier who regularly handles inoperable vehicles and had the necessary equipment ready.
That’s actually the biggest factor in keeping these shipments on schedule. When carriers know what they’re dealing with, they can plan accordingly.
Both vehicles got thorough inspections at pickup. That same detailed check happened again at delivery in New Mexico. No new damage showed up after the 2,000-mile trip.
The spare tires in the F-150’s bed got noted on the paperwork too. Personal items in vehicles aren’t always allowed, but things that are part of the vehicle like spare tires can usually make the trip.
How It Went & What It Cost
It was a door-to-door service, meaning pickups and deliveries happened directly at the street addresses. There was no need to drive to a terminal or arrange for someone else to move the vehicles. The shipment cost was $3,000 for both vehicles, which breaks down to roughly $1.50 per mile for the 2,000-mile journey.
The customer left a five-star review:
“The trucker was the coolest guy ever got it there in a good time.”
And to note three days for this distance is pretty standard. Most carriers cover 400–600 miles per day due to federal hours-of-service rules. Drivers can drive for a maximum of 11 hours within a 14-hour workday before they’re required to rest. That is why it took 3 days to complete.
Shipment Summary:
- Route: Tamaqua, PA to Taos, NM
- Vehicles: 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe, 1993 Ford F-150 (Inoperable)
- Distance: ~2,000 miles
- Transit Time: 3 days
- Transport Method: Open carrier
- Total Cost: $3,000
