Transporting a car that is close to 40 years old across the country is not something you decide to do on a whim. This car was shipped from Maple Valley, WA to El Paso, Texas, and it covered over 1,800 miles on an open carrier truck through some tough highway driving conditions. The complete timeline from the time of booking to the time of delivery will give you a true sense of what it takes to transport a car of this vintage.
Carrier Assignment: Seven Days from Booking
The carrier was assigned on February 14th, which is a typical range for a Pacific Northwest to Texas lane during the winter months. The carriers will begin to dwindle in availability as February approaches, as demand begins to increase before the spring relocation season. Maple Valley is a smaller market outside of Seattle, so the dispatch team had to locate a carrier that was already running the I-5 or I-90 corridor southbound into the Southwest.
The Pacific Northwest routes funneling into Nevada, Arizona, and Texas are popular routes, so a seven-day assignment window is not out of the ordinary.
Open Transport for a Classic BMW
The 1986 BMW 3 Series was delivered on an open carrier, which is the most common form of transport in the business. Open carrier transport is less expensive and easier to arrange since open carriers comprise the majority of trucks on the road.
In the case of a car such as this one, open carrier transport is a viable option, although it does come with some drawbacks. The car is fully exposed to the elements during transport. A late model commuter car won’t mind this in the least. However, a 1986 model with original paint or untouched mechanical components should be considered more carefully before making a decision.
Buyers who choose to transport a classic or collector car via open carrier should take pictures of the vehicle from all sides before the transport company picks it up. These pictures will act as proof in case something comes up at delivery. It would also be a good idea to check the insurance policy for the cargo that the carrier provides to see what is and isn’t covered for cars of this vintage.
Total Timeline and The Route
The BMW arrived in El Paso on February 20th, which is four days after it was picked up. This is a good transit time for a load of this distance. Long-haul open carriers will generally move 500 to 700 miles per day, depending on the route and stops needed. Whether they are loaded to capacity is also a consideration. The time frame from February 16th to February 20th indicates the trucker was moving efficiently.
El Paso is located at a prime freight location between I-10 East and West, so trucks completing routes in the Southwest have a natural lane into this market.
The total timeline from the February 7th booking to the February 20th delivery was 13 days. From booking to carrier assignment, it took 7 days. Then from assignment to pickup, it added 2 days. And from pickup to delivery, it was the final 4 days.
For a long-distance open transport shipment in February, the total number of days is within a normal range. For customers who set a same-day first available date, they should allow some flexibility because the assignment window is the phase with the most variability. The carriers are assigned based on route fit rather than availability.
What to Know Before Shipping a Vintage Vehicle
A 1986 BMW 3 Series is more than just a used car. It represents a line of vehicles that car enthusiasts are actively looking for and going to great lengths to restore and maintain. Shipping a vehicle means paying attention to a few details that are not typically required by standard auto transport.
Verifying that the vehicle is in running condition is the first step. Vehicles that are not in running condition can still be shipped, but they need to be transported by carriers with a winch system. This takes more lead time, as fewer carriers have this equipment.
Battery status is also important. A vehicle left to sit during the time between booking and pickup can develop a slow drain, and showing up at pickup with a dead battery is just a hassle.
Photographing the vehicle and recording the mileage is important before the handoff. So too is a complete walk-around inspection recorded on the Bill of Lading, as this provides the owner with a clear record in the event questions arise post-delivery.
This particular shipment from Maple Valley to El Paso took a realistic route from beginning to end. The pace was what one would expect for the Pacific Northwest to West Texas route during the winter months. Open transport got the vehicle from point A to point B quickly and affordably, with the transit time coming in at four days after the carrier was rolling. For those shipping a vehicle of similar vintage, carrier assignments before booking often carry as much weight as the actual assignment.
Transport Summary
- Origin: Maple Valley, WA 98038
- Destination: El Paso, TX 79936
- Vehicle: 1986 BMW 3 Series (Operable)
- Distance: Approximately 1,800 miles
- Primary routes: SR-18 W → I-5 S → I-84 E → I-15 S → I-10 W
- Trailer type: Open trailer
- Season: Early February (winter)
- Price: $1,300 ($0.72 per mile)
See also: Texas to Washington Car Shipping
