There are many reasons that you might need to ship a car quickly. For example, you might be changing your mind on whether to go on vacation overnight, you may decide to buy an used car at a moment’s notice, or you may have to ship a car quickly for any number of personal reasons. At ExpediteCarShipping.com, we often get the question “Can I ship a car in less than 48 hours?” In most cases, yes! Expedited shipping is a different type of auto transport, but can still be scheduled relatively easily, as long as we both act quickly and a fast carrier is available. Discover how expedited auto transport works, what to do if you’re in a hurry, and how ExpediteCarShipping.com can assist you with car transportation in a relatively brief period of time (even in a few hours)!
Can You Really Ship a Car in Less Than 48 Hours?
Yes—if you choose an expedited or express auto transport service.
Standard transport times are generally several days, but express services are sometimes available:
- Same-day pickup
- Next-day pickup
- 48-hour delivery windows (depending on distance)
Not every transport company can ship on such a tight timeline but there are some companies such as ExpediteCarShipping.com that can.
They maintain access to:
- Drivers already on the road
- Empty trailer spaces
- Priority-loading routes
- Flexible scheduling teams
This means that they can get your vehicle matched with a driver much faster than customary carriers.
How Fast Shipping Works (Step-by-Step)
So you should be able to ship within that 48-hour window of time, and the process generally goes like this:
Step 1: Request an Expedited Quote Immediately
Start by visiting:
ExpediteCarShipping.com
Enter:
- Pickup and delivery locations
- Vehicle details
- Your preferred pickup time (e.g., “today” or “within 24 hours”)
An immediate estimate based on availability of urgency will be made.
Step 2: Dispatch Checks for Fast Carrier Availability
The dispatch team identifies:
- Drivers currently near your pickup city
- Those who have open trailer space
- Those willing to adjust their route
- Drivers available for after-hours, evening, or early-morning pickups
For emergencies, a driver nearby may match with you.
Step 3: Driver Assignment Happens Quickly
Upon a match, the passenger’s ride request is assigned to a driver.
- Within minutes
- Within an hour
- Or, if needed, within a very short wait window
You’ll receive:
- Driver’s name
- Contact information
- Pickup timeframe
Step 4: Prepare Your Vehicle Immediately
Fast picks leave little time for preparation.
- Remove personal items
- Ensure the car can start and steer
- Have keys ready
- Clear enough space for loading
- Keep your phone available for arrival updates
Urgent carriers are often requested to arrive within 2 to 6 hours.
Step 5: Fast, Priority Loading
Because of the speed of delivery, drivers will pick up your car as soon as they arrive, rather than wait until they have combined routes.
Step 6: Delivery Happens Faster Than Standard Shipping
Depending on distance, you may get:
- Same-day delivery
- Next-day delivery
- 48-hour guaranteed pickup with priority drop-off
Short-distance transports are often delivered within 24 hours of placing the order for the goods.
When Less-Than-48-Hour Shipping Is Possible
Express auto transport is ideal for:
- Sudden job relocations
- New purchases requiring immediate transport
- Vehicles needed urgently at a dealership
- Last-minute military moves
- Customers who don’t want to wait 3–7 days for standard pickup
- Fast recovery after a breakdown or vehicle issue
When you need to get somewhere quickly, urgent transport may be necessary.
What Determines Whether Sub-48-Hour Shipping Is Available?
Express shipping is widely available, but may depend on:
Your Pickup Location
As cities have more nearby carriers, retrieval is more rapid.
In rural and remote regions a driver may take longer to arrive at a scene.
The Time of Day You Request Service
Requests made:
- Early in the day
- During business hours
- On weekdays
…offer the highest chance of same-day assignment.
However, ExpediteCarShipping.com can also schedule a night, weekend and holiday pickup if it can locate an available driver.
The Vehicle Type
Most vehicles can be shipped right away, while oversized or inoperable vehicles require specialty carriers including unique equipment.
Weather and Road Conditions
While storms close roads and heavily congest traffic, they should not ordinarily stop a pickup.
Real Example of a Vehicle Shipped in Under 48 Hours
In Atlanta, a customer needed to ship a car to Miami within 48 hours. At 10 a.m., he placed an expedited order with ExpediteCarShipping.com.
The results:
- Driver assigned by 10:40 a.m.
- Vehicle picked up at 2:15 p.m.
- Car delivered before noon the next day
The time from booking to delivery is less than 26 hours.
Thus, urgent requests are often addressed, in the first instance, by dispatchers.
How to Improve Your Chances of Same-Day or Next-Day Pickup
For speed, if you want your car moved as fast as possible, do the following:
Be Flexible With Pickup Spots
You can speed up the loading process by meeting the driver at an open parking lot.
Keep Your Phone On
Urgent transport demands urgent communication.
Avoid Leaving Items in the Vehicle
The inspection process is faster if personal effects are not present.
Provide Accurate Information
Incorrect details may delay driver assignment.
Book Through a Company That Specializes in Fast Shipping
Many companies which advertise “expedited shipping” are not actually set up to provide it.
ExpediteCarShipping.com has a network dedicated to urgent transports.
Why Choose ExpediteCarShipping.com for Less-Than-48-Hour Transport?
We have the people for you when you want top-notch talent that can move fast.
ExpediteCarShipping.com provides:
- Same-day and next-day pickup
- Rapid online quotes
- Real-time driver tracking
- Direct communication with assigned drivers
- Insurance included on all shipments
- Options for open or enclosed transport
- Nationwide availability
They have a quick dispatch process so your vehicle will be assigned to a carrier as soon as possible, often within an hour.
Final Thoughts: Yes—You Can Ship a Car in Less Than 48 Hours
Shipping a car in less than 48 hours is possible through expedited auto transport. This option allows for fast pickup and delivery, convenient scheduling and reliable tracking features. If you have a tight shipping timeline or prefer working with a dedicated professional from start to finish, check out ExpediteCarShipping.com to see instant pricing and get assigned a driver in minutes to schedule delivery of your vehicle as quickly as possible.
