Auto transport can feel chaotic — and if you’ve ever shipped a car across the country, you may have experienced unexpected delays, last-minute changes, or unclear communication. For many first-time shippers, this leads to frustration and a feeling that the entire process is disorganized.
Recently, I came across a Reddit post that breaks down this issue well, and I wanted to expand on it for our readers.
When you book transport, especially on an open carrier, your car is almost always part of a multi-vehicle load — typically 7 to 10 cars. These carriers follow set routes and optimize for fuel, time, and vehicle positioning. That means your pickup and delivery windows are based on the carrier’s full schedule, not just your vehicle.
If another customer causes a delay (e.g., isn't ready at pickup), that creates a domino effect for the rest of the route — including your delivery.
Long-distance car haulers often offload vehicles at a regional hub or drop yard for local delivery. It’s not unusual for your vehicle to be transferred to a smaller truck or trailer — even a 1–2 car hauler or U-Haul-style tow setup operated by a fully licensed carrier.
This is especially common when:
You're located in a tight residential area
The original truck can’t maneuver safely
Final delivery needs to happen on short notice
While it may seem odd to see your car delivered on a different setup than it left on, it’s a standard practice in the industry.
Many customers expect real-time GPS tracking, but the reality is: not all drivers use it. While some carriers are tech-enabled, others still rely on phone updates or paper logs. If GPS is available, it’s usually dependent on the driver enabling location sharing, and it’s not guaranteed unless specifically offered by your broker.
We mention this in our own terms: GPS tracking is driver-dependent and not guaranteed on all shipments.
This is one of the most misunderstood parts of auto transport: drivers are not customer service reps. They’re focused on pickups, drop-offs, navigating traffic, and maintaining DOT compliance.
That’s why most brokers, including us, clearly state that all communication should go through us, not the carrier directly. We coordinate updates, resolve delays, and handle logistics on your behalf. Trying to reach the driver directly often leads to more frustration — or worse, misinformation.
What feels like disorganization is often just the complexity of coordinating multi-leg, multi-vehicle, cross-country shipping through a network of independent operators.
That doesn’t mean your frustration isn’t valid — it just helps to know what’s really happening behind the scenes.
Check out the original Reddit post that inspired this article:
🔗 Why Auto Transport Feels Disorganized Sometimes – r/AutoTransport
And as always, if you’re planning a shipment or have questions about how it works, feel free to contact us.