Who this is for: Small dealership owners and managers using open-carrier moves to source, balance, and deliver inventory nationwide.
Small dealerships—defined here by annual revenue, not rooftop count—depend on predictable, affordable auto transport to keep inventory moving. Industry norms say many dealers plan shipments 2–3 weeks in advance, and dealer-to-dealer moves can stretch 3–14 days depending on distance and handoffs.
Because we’re an asset-based carrier (we dispatch our own trucks), we control routing, driver schedules, and load design. That control is what lets our team compress timelines—even on long distances—while maintaining visibility and care in transit.
For this article, we’re talking about independent and small-chain businesses operating at small to mid-market revenue levels—lean teams that juggle auction purchases, trade-ins, dealer swaps, and increasingly, direct-to-consumer (D2C) deliveries. The U.S. retail landscape is fragmented; most dealership locations are run by smaller operators rather than mega-chains, and even by sales volume, a majority of transactions still flow through small and mid-sized dealers.
Common lanes we see:
Every day a unit sits is floorplan interest, a missed sale, or both. When transport entails multiple handoffs (common with brokered moves), dwell creeps in. Our asset-based routing reduces handoffs and dead time, improving on-lot availability and delivery promises—small advantages that compound across dozens or hundreds of annual moves. Industry context: dealers coordinate frequent transports—often 1–2 moves per day at franchise rooftops—so small efficiency gains at each step add up quickly.
Open carriers are the most cost-effective solution for standard retail inventory; we run them nationwide. Edge cases—very low ground clearance, heavily modified vehicles, or inoperables—just require advance notice so we can plan the right approach without impacting the rest of a multi-stop load. (Inops and specials move every day; good planning prevents surprises.)
Because we control our own trucks, long-haul times shorten and pickups happen sooner—we’re not waiting on third parties to assemble capacity. Here’s what that looks like with us:
By comparison, brokered moves can be efficient too—but outcomes often depend on marketplace availability and how many handoffs sit between you and the truck. When priority and predictability are critical, direct access to the fleet makes a difference. (Industry references acknowledge the rising logistics complexity dealers juggle.)
As a reference point, many dealerships plan 2–3 weeks ahead for best rates and capacity; distance drives the delivery window when handoffs are involved. During peak periods (tax season, month/quarter close, model-year changeovers), our partners receive priority scheduling. With capacity reserved, stores avoid frantic last-minute searches and can keep promised delivery dates intact. Industry trends—from tight OEM supply to online buying—have only increased the need for reliable transport partners.
When everything is ready on-site, our experienced drivers typically aim for ~30 minutes per vehicle at pickup. Here’s what “site-ready” looks like:
Those basics keep multi-stop loads on schedule and reduce variance at delivery.
A small Midwest dealer needs three auction purchases and two trades moved to the lot before Saturday. Market quotes suggest a 7–10 day window. By placing the moves directly on our fleet, we dispatch a truck already exiting a nearby lane, group the units in a single multi-stop plan, and complete pickup in next-day and two-day waves—arriving several days sooner than the dealer expected. The immediate result is earlier recon and listing, and a weekend-ready sales lineup.
We’re explicitly sharing this as a hypothetical (not a customer story) to illustrate how fleet control + multi-stop load design can compress timelines in practice.
Partnering with us lets your store offer white-label D2C delivery—a customer-experience upgrade that also broadens your sales geography. Dealers increasingly deliver to buyers’ homes (even out-of-state) to win online sales; transport partners make that feasible at scale. Our team coordinates scheduling windows, customer communication, and POD (Proof of Delivery) so your staff can stay focused on sales and service.
How fast can you pick up?
If your site is ready and the lane aligns with our fleet, we can often pick up faster than typical market windows because we control our dispatch. We’ll confirm timing when you book. (Industry reference windows are 2–3 weeks planning, 3–14 days transit depending on distance.)
Do you handle inoperable vehicles?
Yes—with advance notice. We stage the right equipment and time slots so inops don’t impact the rest of a multi-stop load.
Do you offer enclosed transport?
Our core operation is open-carrier. If you need enclosed for select units, tell us your timelines; we’ll advise options.
Can you deliver to a customer’s home?
Yes. We support white-label D2C delivery with scheduled handoff and POD to help you close non-local sales.
For small dealers, transport isn’t a commodity—it’s a lever for inventory turn and customer experience. Asset-based control compresses timelines, reduces risk, and keeps visibility high, especially during peak demand. With the right planning and a ready site, those saved days show up as earlier recon, earlier listing, and earlier sales.
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