($470) Cost to ship a car from Wilmington, DE to Hartford, CT
Quick answer: Shipping a car 239 miles from Wilmington, Delaware, to Hartford, Connecticut, typically costs between $470 and $654. Final pricing depends on details like your vehicle type, shipping method, and the time of year. For personalized pricing, try our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Hartford to Wilmington car shipping guide.
The best Wilmington to Hartford car shipping companies
Our team has reviewed thousands of companies and narrowed down the top car shipping companies to safely move your vehicle from Wilmington to Hartford:
- Best for Real-Time Tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for Budget-Conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for Exact Pickup Dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Wilmington
If you’d rather work with a local car shipper than a national one, check out the leading car shipping companies in Wilmington, DE:
- Safe Auto Trucking LLC: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Royal Auto Ship: 3.64 out of 5 stars
- Philadelphia Car Transport: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Moverjet Logistics LLC: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Pride Car Shipping: 3.5 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Car shipping alternatives from DE to CT
If you’re relocating from Wilmington to Hartford, moving your vehicle is an important step. Below are the most common car transport choices, each with unique pros and cons.
Coordinate with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Wilmington to Hartford, many long-distance movers have partnerships with nationwide auto transporters. They’ll manage the car shipping logistics for you, but you won’t have control over which company is used or how much it costs.
Drive your car
There are lots of pros and cons of driving your car versus shipping it. You may be able to incorporate the 239-mile drive from Wilmington to Hartford into a fun road trip, and you’ll likely save money. But all that mileage will put some wear and tear on your vehicle, and you could face inclement weather or other dangerous driving conditions.
Use a driving service
You could hire a professional driver to take your car from Delaware to Connecticut, though this tends to be a pricey choice. You’ll also need to ensure the driver is reliable enough to get your car from Wilmington to Hartford safely. Keep in mind, this option still adds mileage to your vehicle.
Ship your car via train
For a budget-friendly and reliable option, consider shipping your car by train to Hartford. It’s actually the least expensive way to transport a vehicle. The trade-off is slower delivery and more limited pickup and drop-off points compared to other methods.
Factors affecting Wilmington to Hartford car shipping costs
When you’re arranging vehicle transport from Wilmington to Hartford, keep these cost factors in mind:
Transport method
You have a few different options for shipping your car from Wilmington to Hartford, including open, enclosed, and top-loaded transport. The method you should choose depends on your specific needs.
Open carriers are the most cost-effective option, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re uncertain which option to use to get your vehicle to Hartford, refer to our guide on comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
Vehicle size and type
The kind of car you’re shipping out of Wilmington has a major impact on cost. Bigger vehicles require more room and increase the carrier’s load, which drives the price up. That’s why transporting a large SUV to Hartford will cost more than moving a smaller car.
Distance and route
Simply put, the farther you ship your car, the more it will cost. Longer trips mean higher fuel and labor costs, plus added expenses like tolls and carrier maintenance. For example, transporting your vehicle 239 miles from Wilmington to Hartford will cost more than a shorter move within Delaware.
Your destination plays a role as well. Routes that follow major highways are usually cheaper, while deliveries to remote areas tend to be more expensive.
The time of the year
Both seasonal trends and local weather in Wilmington and Hartford can influence what you’ll pay for car shipping.
Wilmington has with hot and humid summers, cool to cold winters, and precipitation evenly spread throughout the year.
June, August and September are the best months if you're considering to move to Hartford. Seasonally, the period from May through October is warm to hot in Hartford. Winters are cold, with periods of snow, while summers are warm to hot and humid. Spring and fall are normally transition seasons, with weather ranging from mild to cool.
High-demand periods such as summer and the winter holidays often drive up prices. If you plan to ship your car from Wilmington to Hartford during these busy times, expect higher costs due to increased demand.
Fuel prices
Changes in fuel prices have a major impact on shipping costs. With 239 miles between Wilmington and Hartford, fluctuating fuel rates across regions can significantly affect your price. Higher fuel costs almost always mean higher transport charges.
Delivery expectations
Being flexible with your delivery dates can sometimes lead to discounts from your auto shipper. However, shipping a car from Wilmington to Hartford typically takes between one and four days. Flexibility in delivery times can save costs, whereas expedited services ensure quicker delivery but at a premium cost.
Comparing Wilmington and Hartford vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Wilmington: Meters accept nickels, dimes, and quarters. Parking rates are posted on each meter. You may purchase 15 minutes of parking for a quarter, 6 minutes of parking for a dime, and 3 minutes of parking for a nickel. You may park at a meter for up to two hours.
- Hartford: There are paid parking around Hartford that would require you to have an app. Kindly check with the City of Hartford for details about parking permits and restrictions that you should know about before your move to Hartford.
Car insurance requirements
- Wilmington: Delaware mandates that vehicle owners carry a minimum of liability car insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury liability in case of an accident involving multiple people and $10,000 for property damage per accident.
- Hartford: The basic car insurance requirements in the state of Connecticut is as follow: Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Vehicle inspections
- Wilmington: In Delaware, vehicles are required to undergo an emissions inspection every two years, unless the vehicle is less than seven years old. Additionally, a vehicle inspection is required every time you register or re-register your vehicle, but it must be completed within 90 days of the registration date to be valid.
- Hartford: In Connecticut, all vehicles must undergo an emissions inspection every two years, with a few exceptions. Additionally, a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection, which confirms the vehicle's identity, is required when registering the vehicle in the state.
Driver’s license
- Wilmington: Drivers moving to Delaware from another state must update their driver's license within 60 days of becoming a resident.
- Hartford: As a new resident of Connecticut, you must obtain a Connecticut driver's license within 30 days. Residency is defined as living in the state for over 6 months in a year.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Wilmington to Hartford?
The cost to ship a car from Wilmington, DE to Hartford, CT varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed car shipping), vehicle size and weight, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from Wilmington to Hartford will range from $470 to $654.
How long will it take to ship my car from Wilmington to Hartford?
It will take approximately one to four days to ship your car the 239 miles from Wilmington to Hartford. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Wilmington to Hartford?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Wilmington to Hartford. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.
Is it cheaper to ship my car or drive it from Wilmington to Hartford?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Wilmington to Hartford than to ship it. However, when deciding whether to drive your car or ship it, you need to factor in related costs like maintenance fees that could result from the additional wear-and-tear on your vehicle during the 239-mile trip. Long-distance trips also involve food and possibly lodging, which can add up quickly.
We recommend that you reach out to at least a few of the top car shippers to ask about seasonal rates and auto transport discounts. You can also use our car shipping calculator to quickly generate and compare quotes from multiple companies.
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