What this guide covers for dealers and B2B clients
Auto dealer car transport runs on different rules than retail vehicle shipping. Volume pricing, dispatch reliability, auction pickup logistics, port-to-dealer distribution, and online retailer fulfillment all involve specific coordination that single-vehicle retail brokers don’t typically handle. This guide breaks down what dealers, auction buyers, fleet managers, and dealership operations should know about B2B car shipping in 2026, what’s working in the current market, and how to set up volume accounts that actually deliver.
Direct Connect Auto Transport works with auto dealers, auction houses, fleet managers, and online retailer fulfillment partners. Veteran-owned, A+ BBB rated, USDOT 2823098, with over 24 years of dealer coordination experience. Call (800) 980-2222 to set up a dealer account or get B2B pricing.
The four main B2B car shipping patterns
Most dealer and B2B car transport falls into one of four patterns. Each has different logistics, pricing, and timing considerations.
1. Auction-to-dealer transport. A dealer buys a vehicle at Manheim, ADESA, or an independent auction and needs it transported to their lot. Critical considerations: auction-required carriers, pickup window flexibility, paperwork handling (title, gate pass, condition reports), and competitive bidding for popular runs.
2. Dealer-to-dealer transport. Dealers trade vehicles with other dealerships for inventory rebalancing, customer-specific sales, and stock optimization. Critical considerations: volume pricing, consistent dispatch, multi-vehicle moves on common routes.
3. Port-to-dealer distribution. Imported vehicles arrive at major U.S. ports (Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Newark, Houston, Jacksonville, Charleston) and need transport to dealer networks across the country. Critical considerations: port pickup coordination, multi-vehicle consolidated runs, fast turnaround.
4. Online retailer fulfillment. When a customer buys a vehicle from Carvana, CarMax, Vroom, or an online dealer network, the vehicle ships from the seller’s lot to the customer’s address. Critical considerations: customer-facing delivery experience, tracking, on-time performance.
Direct Connect handles all four patterns regularly.
2026 auction transport pricing
Auction transport pricing in 2026 reflects the broader car shipping market plus auction-specific premiums. Key benchmarks:
Short auction runs (under 500 miles):
$300 to $700 per vehicle, depending on auction location, dealer destination, and pickup flexibility. Common routes: Manheim Pennsylvania to NYC dealers, ADESA Atlanta to Florida dealers, Manheim Dallas to Houston dealers.
Medium auction runs (500 to 1,500 miles):
$700 to $1,400 per vehicle. Common: Manheim Dallas to Phoenix dealers, ADESA Atlanta to Northeast dealers, Manheim California to Texas dealers.
Long auction runs (1,500+ miles):
$1,000 to $1,900 per vehicle. Common: California auctions to East Coast dealers, Florida auctions to West Coast dealers.
Multi-vehicle consolidated pricing. When dealers move 5 to 10+ vehicles on the same route, per-vehicle pricing drops 10 to 20 percent below single-vehicle rates. Direct Connect coordinates consolidated runs regularly for dealer volume accounts.
Time-sensitive auction pickup premium. Same-day or next-day pickup from auctions during competitive bidding periods adds 15 to 25 percent. Auction transport coordinators who book consistent, predictable runs typically pay closer to base rates.
For dealer-specific quotes, call (800) 980-2222 to discuss your volume and routing.
Manheim, ADESA, and major auction location coordination
Direct Connect runs regular transport from all major U.S. auctions:
Manheim locations (the largest auto auction network):
– Manheim Pennsylvania (largest single auction in the country)
– Manheim Dallas, Manheim Houston, Manheim Atlanta
– Manheim Riverside (CA), Manheim Fresno
– Manheim Statesville (NC), Manheim Orlando
ADESA locations:
– ADESA Boston, ADESA Buffalo, ADESA Charlotte
– ADESA Atlanta, ADESA Dallas, ADESA Houston
– ADESA Los Angeles, ADESA Phoenix, ADESA Seattle
Other major auction sources:
– Copart locations (typically salvage and insurance auctions)
– IAA Insurance Auto Auctions
– Independent regional auctions
What dealers should know about auction transport coordination:
- Auction-required carrier credentials. Many major auctions require specific paperwork, insurance certificates, and carrier credentials. Direct Connect’s network includes auction-approved carriers across all major locations.
- Gate pass and title coordination. We handle paperwork between the auction, the bank/dealer, and the carrier to ensure smooth pickup.
- Condition report timing. Auction condition reports vs. carrier pickup inspection sometimes don’t align. Our dispatch handles the documentation chain.
- Storage fees. Most auctions charge daily storage fees if vehicles aren’t picked up within the standard window (typically 3 to 5 business days). Booking early avoids storage charges.
Port-to-dealer distribution: the imported vehicle pipeline
The U.S. imports millions of vehicles annually through major coastal ports. Once vehicles clear customs and processing, they need transport to dealers across the country. Major import ports:
West Coast:
– Port of Long Beach (2nd-busiest container port in U.S.)
– Port of Los Angeles
– Port of Oakland
East Coast:
– Port of New York / New Jersey
– Port of Baltimore (specialized in vehicles)
– Port of Jacksonville
– Port of Charleston
Gulf Coast:
– Port of Houston
– Port of Galveston
Direct Connect coordinates port-to-dealer distribution for:
– New vehicle inventory from manufacturer/distributor to dealer networks
– Used vehicle imports for dealers specializing in specific makes/models
– Specialty vehicle imports (collector cars, JDM imports, EU specialty vehicles)
For dealer accounts managing regular port-to-dealer runs, volume pricing and dedicated dispatch contact are available.
Online retailer fulfillment: Carvana, CarMax, and direct-to-consumer
The online used car market continues to be significant in 2026 despite some shakeout in the sector. Direct Connect handles vehicle shipping for online retailer partners and individual dealers selling to out-of-state customers. Critical considerations:
Customer-facing experience matters. Unlike auction or dealer-to-dealer transport, online retailer fulfillment shipments end with the customer. Pickup professionalism, delivery condition, and on-time performance all affect the retailer’s customer reviews.
Tracking visibility. Customers expect real-time tracking. Direct Connect provides tracking on every shipment.
Damage liability. Online retailers typically require carrier insurance well above industry minimums. Our carrier network meets these requirements.
Delivery window flexibility. Most online retailers schedule delivery windows; carriers must coordinate with the customer for actual delivery timing.
For online retailer fulfillment partnerships, call (800) 980-2222 to discuss volume and service level expectations.
Fleet vehicle shipping
Beyond traditional dealer transport, Direct Connect handles fleet operations:
Corporate fleet transitions. When companies reassign vehicles between regional offices, replace fleet vehicles, or relocate fleet operations, multi-vehicle coordination matters.
Rental car fleet positioning. Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, and other rental fleets occasionally need vehicle repositioning that exceeds in-house capacity.
Specialty fleet (limousine, livery, hospitality). Hospitality, casino, and limousine fleets need specialty vehicle transport that often warrants enclosed transport.
Commercial fleet. Service vehicles, delivery fleets, and commercial trucks (within applicable size limits) for relocation or rebalancing.
Setting up a dealer account with Direct Connect
For dealers, auction buyers, fleet managers, and B2B clients, setting up a volume account offers:
Negotiated volume pricing based on monthly/annual shipping volume
Dedicated dispatch contact who knows your routing patterns
Invoiced billing vs. per-shipment payment
Priority dispatch during peak periods
Documentation packages that align with your accounting and inventory systems
To set up an account, call (800) 980-2222 and ask for our dealer accounts team.
Have ready:
– Estimated monthly/quarterly vehicle volume
– Common routes (pickup locations and delivery destinations)
– Typical vehicle mix (sedans vs. trucks vs. SUVs, standard vs. specialty)
– Service level expectations (transit time, pickup window flexibility, insurance requirements)
What to watch for when choosing a B2B carrier
The B2B car shipping market has the same broker-bait pattern problems as retail, with some additional dealer-specific risks:
Brokers without auction credentials. Some brokers can’t actually run at major auctions. They sell the load, then scramble to find a carrier. Verify auction credential coverage before committing volume.
Unverifiable insurance. Many online retailers and major dealer networks require specific insurance levels. Verify carrier insurance certificates match your requirements.
Inconsistent dispatch on volume accounts. A broker who handles one auction pickup well doesn’t necessarily handle a 10-vehicle monthly volume well. Volume reliability is its own skill.
Hidden fees. Watch for storage fee passthroughs, fuel surcharges that aren’t quoted upfront, and special-handling fees that emerge during dispatch.
Direct Connect quotes transparent B2B pricing with no hidden fees. Our USDOT number (2823098) is verifiable on the FMCSA website, and we provide insurance certificates for any dealer account that requests them.
Frequently asked questions about B2B car transport
How much does dealer-to-dealer car shipping cost in 2026?
Per-vehicle rates depend on distance, route, and volume. Single-vehicle dealer transport runs $300 to $1,900 depending on distance. Multi-vehicle consolidated runs typically drop 10 to 20 percent below single-vehicle rates.
Can you pick up at Manheim, ADESA, or other major auctions?
Yes. Direct Connect runs regular transport from all major U.S. auctions, including Manheim Pennsylvania, Dallas, Atlanta, Riverside, and the full ADESA network. We have the carrier credentials required for auction pickup.
How do volume pricing accounts work?
Dealer volume accounts get negotiated per-vehicle pricing based on monthly/quarterly shipping volume. Higher volume produces better rates. Set up an account by calling (800) 980-2222 and discussing your typical routing and volume.
Can you coordinate consolidated multi-vehicle runs?
Yes. When dealers ship 5 to 10+ vehicles on the same route, consolidated runs offer better per-vehicle pricing and often faster delivery. We coordinate pickup timing across multiple vehicles when scheduling allows.
Do you handle port-to-dealer distribution?
Yes. Direct Connect coordinates regular runs from Port of Long Beach, Port of LA, Port of Oakland, Port of Houston, Port of Jacksonville, Port of Charleston, and other major U.S. ports to dealers across the country.
Can you ship for Carvana, CarMax, and online retailers?
Yes. Direct Connect partners with online retailers and individual dealers selling to out-of-state customers. We meet the insurance levels and service level expectations these partners require.
How do I set up a dealer account?
Call (800) 980-2222 and ask for our dealer accounts team. Have your typical volume, routing, and service level requirements ready. Account setup typically takes 1 to 3 business days.
How do I get a B2B car shipping quote?
For one-time dealer shipments, use our online quote form for an instant estimate. For ongoing volume accounts or multi-vehicle consolidated runs, call (800) 980-2222.
Get a dealer B2B car shipping quote
Direct Connect Auto Transport has been coordinating auto dealer transport for over 24 years. Veteran-owned, A+ BBB rated, with auction credentials across all major U.S. auctions, port-to-dealer distribution networks, and online retailer fulfillment partnerships. Call (800) 980-2222 to set up a dealer account or get a free quote.