In auto transport, delays happen. Many unforeseen things can push back pickup and delivery schedules. Most of the time, these delays are outside of a company’s or driver’s control. Although our goal is always to pick up and deliver car shipments as quickly as possible, it’s important to understand that delays are a normal part of the process.
Common Causes of Delays
There are several reasons why a shipment might not always be on schedule:
- Customers
Believe it or not, one of the biggest causes of delays is other customers. Carriers can handle up to 10 vehicles at a time—that’s 10 pickup schedules and 10 delivery schedules they need to coordinate. When a customer isn’t ready for whatever reason (car won’t start, flight delayed, etc.), it creates a domino effect for the rest of his schedule.
- Mechanical Issues
The next biggest cause of delays is truck breakdowns. These can be from minor issues like a tire blow out that delays a pickup or delivery by a few hours to major mechanical failures that result in delays lasting days or sometimes even weeks. - Weather
Weather plays a big part in transport delays especially during the winter season. For example, some states experience harsh weather conditions such as heavy snowfall or severe thunderstorms that lead to road closures and hazardous driving conditions. - Traffic
Traffic can be unpredictable, especially in large metropolitan areas. Morning commutes and rush-hour traffic can turn a 30 minute drive into hours, while accidents or road construction can make delays even worse. - Hours of service
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict regulations on the number of hours truck drivers can drive each day and week. When drivers reach the maximum number of Hours of Service (HOS) allowed, they are required by law to take a mandatory 10 hours rest period before resuming driving. These hours are monitored and recorded through Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), which are required in all commercial trucks.
How to Minimize Delays and Stay on Schedule
There are ways to prepare and plan for potential delays, especially when you’re working with a desired or specific schedule. The following options can help create a smooth transport experience and improve the chances of staying on schedule:
- Book Early
Plan ahead and book early. We recommend scheduling your transport at least two weeks in advance. This gives companies more time to coordinate with carriers while routes and loads are still being organized. Waiting until the last minute often means you’ll be limited to whatever schedules are still available. - Have a Flexible Schedule
If you weren’t able to book ahead, having a flexible schedule can make it easier to manage any potential delays. This doesn’t mean your vehicle won’t be picked up or delivered on your ideal dates, it’s still possible, but flexibility gives the carrier more days to work with. - Choose a Different Service Type
Some services are more readily available than others. For example, open transport is the most common, which makes it easier to schedule. Enclosed carriers are less available, which means scheduling could take longer, but in some cases may offer faster transit times. - Expedited Transport
When flexibility is not an option and your schedule is non-negotiable, expedited transport may be the best solution. This premium service gives your shipment priority over other loads and can help with faster pickup, transit, and delivery times. - Prepare Your Vehicle & Be Ready
As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest causes of delays is customers not being ready. Preparing your car ahead of time helps avoid unnecessary waits during pickup. Likewise, being available at delivery prevents delays for the carrier, and other customers waiting on their vehicles.
While delays are sometimes unavoidable, we’ve continued to improve our process to help keep your shipment on track. We provide customers with more resources to plan ahead and create a smoother transport experience. We can’t guarantee a completely delay-free transport, but we can guarantee honest communication and the best options available to keep your shipment moving.
Want to learn more about your options? Contact us today for a free quote and let our team help schedule your next rv transport.