You found the car. It's exactly what you wanted. The problem is it's in Bellingham, Washington, and you're in Denver. Shipping it takes 3–10 business days from pickup. Flying is typically faster — and often more enjoyable than waiting for a transporter.
More and more buyers are doing the math and choosing to fly-and-drive — and we've made the process so smooth at MB Motors that most customers tell us it was actually the most enjoyable car-buying experience they've ever had.
Here's how it works, what to expect, and why it might be the right move for you.
What Is Fly-and-Drive?
Fly-and-drive is exactly what it sounds like: you fly to the dealership's city, complete the purchase in person, and drive the car home. For buyers in the western US — Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah — Bellingham is a very driveable return trip. For buyers in the Midwest or Southeast, it's still very doable for the right vehicle.
The advantages over shipping:
- You inspect the car in person before buying — no surprises on delivery
- You drive it home — you know immediately how it feels
- Faster — same day or next day vs. 3–7 days for transport
- Often cost-effective — a one-way domestic flight can compare favorably to cross-country auto transport
- More personal — you meet the team who sold you the car
Our Fly-and-Drive Process at MB Motors
We've done this enough times that we've built a real process around it. Here's what to expect:
Before you fly We'll do a full virtual video walkaround before you commit to traveling. No one should book travel without seeing the car on camera first. We'll go bumper to bumper with you on a video call, walk through the Carfax, show you service records, and answer every question. If you're not confident after the call, we'll tell you to wait.
The day of Land at Bellingham International Airport (BLI) — it's small, easy, and less than 10 minutes from our lot. We'll pick you up at arrivals. No Uber, no rental car, no hassle.
At the dealership Your car will be detailed and ready. We'll do a final walk-around together, you'll take it for a test drive, and then we'll sit down to complete the paperwork. Most buyers are in and out in 90 minutes. We work with 50+ lenders, so if you haven't pre-arranged financing, we can often get you approved on the spot.
The drive home This is the best part. You're in a car you just bought, taking whatever route you want home. Many customers turn it into a road trip — through the North Cascades, down the Oregon Coast, or straight through the Columbia River Gorge.
Real Customers Who've Done It
We've had fly-and-drive buyers from California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Idaho, Montana, and even Florida. The feedback is consistent: it was easier and more fun than expected.
One customer from Boise drove 8 hours home in a lifted 4Runner and texted us photos from three different mountain passes along the way. Another couple from the Bay Area flew up, drove back down the coast over three days, and called it the vacation they'd been putting off.
We're not just a transaction — we want your fly-and-drive to be memorable.
What Makes MB Motors Right for This?
A lot of dealerships claim to support out-of-state buyers, but it's not always true in practice. At MB Motors, we have specific people on our team who handle remote and fly-and-drive purchases. We know how to:
- Process out-of-state titling and registration correctly
- Provide the temporary permit paperwork you'll need to drive legally before your home state plates arrive
- Handle e-signing for financing documents so more of the paperwork is done before you even land
- Work with buyers in all 50 states
We've been family-owned in Bellingham since 2009. Our reputation is everything to us. When an out-of-state buyer flies in to pick up a car, we treat that as a big deal — because it is.
Is Fly-and-Drive Right for Your Purchase?
It makes the most sense when:
- The vehicle is in a range where the travel cost is a small percentage of the deal
- You're within a comfortable drive — roughly within 1,500 miles
- The vehicle is something you want to inspect in person (higher-end, higher-mileage, or specialty vehicles)
- You've already seen the car on video and are 90% sure but want to be 100%
For buyers farther away or those buying lower-cost vehicles, auto transport might be the better call. We're happy to help you think through which option makes more sense for your situation.
Financing Your Vehicle Before You Fly
One thing that makes fly-and-drive remarkably smooth: having financing sorted before you arrive. We can run your credit application remotely, get lender approval in place, and have your paperwork mostly completed before you get here.
We work with 50+ lending partners, so we can often find competitive rates for out-of-state buyers across a range of credit situations. If you're bringing your own financing from a credit union or bank, that works too.
Interested in flying to Bellingham for your next car? Call us at (360) 312-3004 and let's talk through your options. Plan your fly-and-drive experience with MB Motors — we'll handle everything from the airport pickup to the keys in your hand.
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