You found the perfect car. The price was right, the color was right, and the mileage was right. There’s just one problem: it’s three states away.
If you bought a car out of state, you’re not alone. Thanks to online car shopping, more people than ever are buying vehicles from dealers and private sellers far from home. But getting that car back to your driveway is the part nobody talks about.
Here are your options, what to know before you go, and the easiest way to get your new car home.
Your Options When You Buy a Car Out of State
When you bought a car out of state, you basically have three ways to get it home.
Option 1: Fly Out and Drive It Home Yourself
This is what most people think of first. You buy a one-way plane ticket, pick up the car, and drive it back.
It sounds simple. However, it often means a flight, a hotel night or two, meals on the road, and several days off work. Plus, you’re driving a car you don’t know yet, on roads you may not know either, for hundreds of miles.
Option 2: Ship It on a Car Carrier
You can also book a car shipping company. Your new car goes on a truck with several other vehicles.
The catch? Carriers usually give you a pickup window, not a set date. Then the truck stops for every other car along the way. So your new car might sit for days before it even starts the trip, and then take a week or more to arrive.
Option 3: Hire a Professional Driver to Bring It Home
Here’s the option many people don’t know about. You hire a professional driver who travels to the car, picks it up, and drives it straight to your door.
That way you don’t take time off work. You don’t wait on a truck. And your car is the only car on the trip.
Why a Professional Driver Makes Sense When You Bought a Car Out of State
There are a few big reasons people choose a driver over doing it themselves or shipping it.
You stay home. No flights, no hotels, and no burning vacation days on a long drive.
It’s faster than shipping. Our driver heads straight to you. There are no stops to pick up or drop off other people’s vehicles.
Someone checks the car at pickup. Our driver does a walk-around at pickup and notes the car’s condition before leaving. That’s a big deal when you’re buying from far away.
You know who’s driving. You’ll get the driver’s name and direct cell number. No brokers, no terminals, and no rotating carriers.
It’s not on a truck. Your new car isn’t stacked on an open trailer for days, exposed to weather and road debris.
What to Know Before Your Car Can Be Driven Home
Before anyone drives your new car across state lines, take care of a few things. Rules vary by state, so check with the seller and your local DMV.
Get Temporary Tags or a Transit Permit
A car needs legal plates or temporary tags to be driven on the road. Dealers can often issue temporary tags. If you bought from a private seller, ask your state DMV about a temporary or transit permit.
Make Sure It’s Insured
Call your insurance company before pickup and add the new car to your policy. Ask how your coverage works when a professional driver is behind the wheel.
Get the Paperwork Together
Make sure you have the signed title or purchase paperwork, the bill of sale, and anything else the seller or your state requires. Keep copies with the car if the seller or DMV recommends it.
Ask About the Car’s Condition
If you can, get a pre-purchase inspection from a local mechanic before you buy. Then let us know about any warning lights, leaks, or known issues before the trip.
Common Out-of-State Car Purchases We Handle
People call us after buying a car out of state for all kinds of reasons:
- Online dealership purchases. The car is at a dealer hundreds of miles away.
- Private sales. You bought from a seller you found online in another state.
- Classic and specialty cars. That one-of-a-kind car finally popped up, just not nearby.
- Gifts for family. You bought a car for your college student or your parents in another state.
- Trucks and towing setups. You bought a truck and a trailer, and both need to come home.
Wherever the car is, we can probably bring it to you. We serve customers nationwide. See all the locations we proudly serve.
Safety You Can Count On
You just made a big purchase. You want it handled with care.
Every Professional Drivers driver is carefully vetted, background checked, and drug screened. It’s one driver from pickup to arrival, start to finish.
For more than 40 years, Professional Drivers has served over 20,000 customers and completed millions of accident-free miles nationwide. We’re also a Veteran Owned Business, an alumni company of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, and a member of the NDTA (National Defense Transportation Association).
Want to see what our customers say? Read our reviews.
How Much Does It Cost?
Every trip is different. The price depends on the distance, the type of vehicle, and whether anything is being towed.
Here’s how we price it. There’s a base charge for the driver and the trip. Then fuel, tolls, and driver travel are billed at actual cost. We never mark up expenses.
Want to compare all your options side by side? Read our guide on how to hire someone to drive your car across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
I bought a car out of state. Can you pick it up from the dealer?
Yes. Just give us the dealer’s address and a contact, and our driver will pick it up and bring it to you.
Can you pick it up from a private seller?
Yes. We’ll coordinate with you on the pickup location and time.
Do I need to be there at pickup?
Usually not. Just make sure the paperwork, keys, and any temporary tags are ready for our driver.
Can you bring the car straight to my house?
Yes. We drive it door to door.
Is it faster than shipping?
Usually, yes. Our driver goes straight to you without stopping for other vehicles.
How do I get a quote?
Call us or fill out our quote form. Tell us where the car is, where it’s going, and what kind of vehicle it is.
Bring Your New Car Home the Easy Way
You did the hard part. You found the car. Now let a professional handle the drive.
If you bought a car out of state, call Professional Drivers today at (214) 444-7544, or request your free quote.
