Commercial Vehicle Delivery: Dealership Transport Services Guide

Shopping for a new work truck or van can be stressful. Your first considerations range from vehicle size and drivetrain requirements to upfit configurations. All too often though, once you bring your list of needs to the marketplace, you come to find that there’s no locally available match. Which brings you to the next consideration—if you want to buy a vehicle from out of town, how are you going to get it to your business location?

For business owners and fleet managers, vehicle delivery is a critical part of the buying process that directly impacts operations. For instance, maybe the only employee qualified and trusted to bring your new vehicle back to your yard is also critical to an ongoing job. Maybe that person is you, and taking multiple days off to retrieve a new work truck just isn’t in the cards.

Perhaps truckaway transportation is the solution.

What is Truckaway Transport?

Truckaway transport is a method of vehicle delivery where trucks, vans, and other commercial vehicles are hauled on specialized trailers rather than driven to their destination. For business owners and fleet managers, this approach offers several operational advantages over traditional driveaway services, which involve designating one of your own employees or hiring a temporary driver to pilot the vehicle to its destination.

This distinction matters, especially when you're purchasing and transporting upfitted, heavy-duty, or specialized vehicles, such as dump trucks, box trucks, or bucket trucks that aren’t suited for long-distance driving or your team simply can't spare the time or manpower.

Key benefits of truckaway transport include:

• Preservation of vehicle condition: No added mileage, wear, or exposure to road hazards
• Time efficiency: Faster delivery timelines with fewer logistical dependencies
• Equipment compatibility: Ideal for vehicles with custom dimensions or specialized upfits
• Operational continuity: No need to pull staff away from active jobs for a “pickup run”
• Expanded buying options: Frees you to purchase from non-local dealers when you can’t source locally, without compromising delivery logistics

By removing geographic constraints, truckaway transport empowers buyers to prioritize vehicle specs, pricing, and dealer service—not just proximity. That flexibility can be a game-changer when local inventory falls short of your operational needs.

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How to Incorporate Truckaway Transport into Your Vehicle-Buying Strategy

If you’re shopping for a work truck or van and local inventory isn’t meeting your needs, truckaway transport can be the key to unlocking better options, without disrupting your operations. But not every dealership offers it, and not all transport providers are equipped to handle commercial vehicles with the care and precision your business demands.

Here’s how to make truckaway part of your buying process:

Ask the Right Questions

When evaluating dealerships, go beyond price and specs. Ask:

• Do you offer truckaway transport for out-of-area purchases?
• Is delivery handled in-house or through a specialized logistics partner?
• Can I get a quote and delivery timeline before I commit to the sale?

These questions signal that you’re thinking strategically — and they help you avoid surprises later.

Look for Value-Added Services

Quality dealerships offer truckaway transport with commercial truck transport companies such as Crestline Logistics. Delivery options should include:

• Real-time quoting tools so you can factor delivery into your budget
• Electronic documentation for faster processing and fewer delays
• Dedicated support to coordinate logistics and keep you informed

Bottom line: These services streamline the experience and reduce friction between purchase and deployment.

Expand Your Search Radius

With truckaway transport in play, you’re no longer limited to what’s available locally. That can mean:

• Access to better pricing, configurations, or upfits from out-of-market dealers
• More flexibility in timing and availability
• A stronger position to negotiate based on total value, not just proximity

Think Long-Term

If you manage multiple purchases per year or oversee a growing fleet, building relationships with dealers who offer truckaway transport services can save time and money over the long haul. It’s not just about one vehicle—it’s about creating a repeatable, scalable process.

Whether you're buying one truck or managing a growing fleet, truckaway transport can turn vehicle delivery from a logistical hurdle into a competitive advantage.

The ideas in this article are excerpted from the following interview with Alan Levy, Founder and President of Crestline Logistics. Click here to get the full story.