For many military members and their families, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out what to do with their privately owned vehicles (POVs) when they receive permanent change of station (PCS) orders. Fortunately, there are abundant military car shipping options available.
The Best Car Shipping Companies for Military Moves
Looking for reliable car shipping companies for military moves? The following companies rank as our top picks:
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Military Car Shipping Options
Military members and their families typically have two car shipping options from which to choose: Personally procured move (PPM) and government-issued transport company.
Here’s a quick breakdown of each:
- PPM: With a PPM, military personnel choose their car shipper and get reimbursed through the U.S. government. For military members who want more control over how their vehicle is shipped (and how much they’ll pay), a PPM is the way to go. However, it’s important to note that this is the more DIY approach of the two. If you choose a PPM, you’ll be responsible for handling each step of the process, including scheduling pickup and delivery.
- Government-issued transport company: Using a government-issued transport company means the military will manage your car shipping arrangements for you and pay the costs upfront. This is a good option if you’d rather have car shipping details taken off your plate, but you will be subject to the company the military chooses.
Comparing the Best Military Car Shipping Companies
So, how do the best car shipping companies compare? Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which is best for you.
| Company | Superlative | Services | Military Discount | State availability | BBB rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherpa Auto Transport | Best for Military Discounts | Car shipping | $100 | 48 states (not in AK or HI) | A+ |
| Montway Auto Transport | Best for GPS Tracking | Car and motorcycle shipping | $50 | All 50 states | A+ |
| AmeriFreight | Best for Affordable Prices | Car, RV, and motorcycle shipping | $35 | All 50 states | A+ |
| Easy Auto Ship | Best for Specialty Vehicles | Car, motorcycle, RV, golf cart, heavy equipment shipping | Varies (call to confirm) | All 50 states | A+ |
| uShip | Best for Quick Quotes | Car and motorcycle shipping | Up to $60 | All 50 states | A+ |
Best for Military Discounts: Sherpa Auto Transport
Sherpa Auto Transport is an excellent military auto transport option, in part thanks to its generous $100 military discount. But that’s not the only area where it excels. In addition to organizing deliveries to base housing, Sherpa Auto Transport offers a “Price Lock Promise” that guarantees your vehicle shipping quote.
Sherpa’s carriers are thoroughly vetted and are required to carry $1 million in liability coverage and $100,000 in cargo insurance coverage. With expedited pickup options and even a free car wash, Sherpa has a lot to love for CONUS (continental U.S.) moves.
However, Sherpa isn’t right for every military move. The company does not service Hawaii, Alaska, or international moves. They also exclusively transport cars, trucks, and SUVs — no help for motorcycles, RVs, or other vehicles. A lack of guaranteed pickup and delivery can also be challenging for military moves.
Pros:
- $100 military discount
- Free car wash
- Price Lock Promise locks in your quote
- Provides door-to-door shipping, including to base housing
- Strong customer reviews thanks to thoroughly vetted carrier partners
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer shipments to Hawaii or Alaska, or international destinations
- Doesn’t transport motorcycles, RVs, or other vehicles
- Final payment must be made with cash or certified check
Best for GPS Tracking: Montway Auto Transport
Montway Auto Transport stands out from other car carriers thanks to its GPS tracking for vehicle shipments. Thanks to this feature, you’ll always know exactly where your vehicle is and can have a better idea of when it will arrive at your new base.
Serving all 50 states, Montway has made a name for itself thanks to its competitive shipping costs (including a $50 military discount) and overwhelmingly positive reviews. With more than 15,000 shipping partners, Montway can also facilitate international auto transport. And with multiple insurance coverage options, you can have peace of mind for every shipment.
However, Montway’s online quotes are not binding and expire after one week. Though they do not require an initial deposit, they charge a $249 cancellation fee.
Pros:
- Ships to Alaska and Hawaii and internationally
- Has added insurance to cover any gaps in carrier insurance
- $50 military discount is available to dependents
- Guaranteed pickup dates and on-time deliveries available
Cons:
- $249 cancellation fee
- Does not ship RVs
- Online quotes aren’t binding
Best for Affordable Prices: AmeriFreight
While AmeriFreight’s military discount is only $35, this popular car shipping company is still a worthwhile option thanks to its highly competitive average prices. The company provides flexible payment options to military service members to further streamline shipping. AmeriFreight also notably offers guaranteed rates, meaning you don’t have to worry about hidden fees or paying more than your initial quote.
AmeriFreight’s damage protection plan gives you up to 48 hours to check your vehicle for damage after it has been delivered. And with gap coverage of up to $2,000 available, you don’t have to worry about paying for potential damage.
While AmeriFreight facilitates PCS shipments to all 50 states, they do not service international shipments. It’s also worth noting that they do not guarantee pickup and delivery dates, which can be challenging if you lack flexibility with your PCS orders.
Pros:
- Ships motorcycles and RVs
- Guaranteed rates
- Up to $2,000 gap insurance coverage available
- Up to 48 hours to check for damage after delivery
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer guaranteed pickup or delivery dates
- Doesn’t provide international shipments
- No GPS tracking
Best for Specialty Vehicles: Easy Auto Ship
If you have other vehicles besides a standard car or truck, finding a military car shipper who can meet your transportation needs can be a challenge. That isn’t a problem with Easy Auto Ship. This carrier can also transport motorcycles, RVs, heavy farming equipment, golf carts, and more.
The company has several additional benefits that can be useful when shipping a POV. For example, Easy Auto Ship offers free car washes for dirty vehicles, and if your shipment is more than 14 days late, they’ll cover your rental car expenses.
Easy Auto Ship services all 50 states and also partners with international carriers for shipments to and from U.S. ports. An easy online booking system also makes them easy to use.
Despite its many pros, Easy Auto Ship does have a few drawbacks. The company doesn’t offer guaranteed pickup or delivery, nor does it provide vehicle tracking. While Easy Auto Ship does give military discounts, you’ll need to call to get more information for your move.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use online booking system
- Can ship motorcycles, RVs, golf carts, and more
- No hidden fees
- Free rental car if your shipment is over 14 days late
Cons:
- No guaranteed pickup or delivery options
- No tracking while your vehicle is in transit
- Need to call for information on military discounts
Best for Quick Quotes: uShip
Comparing quotes from several different shipping companies can be a time-consuming process — and depending on the nature of your PCS orders, you may not have a lot of time. As an online marketplace, uShip offers a convenient one-stop shop to get instant pricing from several different providers.
With uShip, you can list what type of vehicles you need to transport and any other moving services you need, then get quotes from several providers in your area. This makes it easy to quickly compare quotes and availability from different carriers. And even with its marketplace setup, uShip still offers military discounts of up to $60.
While uShip can help you find great deals, it’s important to keep in mind that uShip does not vet its carriers. You need to carefully evaluate driver reviews and background information yourself.
Depending on your route, you might have difficulty finding a carrier, which would require you to go back to getting quotes from other military car shipping companies.
Pros:
- Quickly compare quotes from several different providers in all 50 states
- Can pay up front or pay cash at delivery
- Can book other moving services
- Secure payment options
Cons:
- Doesn’t service international PCS moves
- Carrier availability and quality can vary by location
- No guarantee find a carrier who can meet your moving date and locations
How We Chose the Best Car Shipping Companies
We requested quotes from dozens of car shipping companies, read thousands of customer reviews, evaluated service offerings, and more before we landed on the best car shipping companies to get your vehicle from Hawaii.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what we did:
- Vetted licenses: We evaluated each company to ensure they had valid USDOT numbers and all FMCSA licenses.
- Investigated customer satisfaction: We read customer reviews across several review sites and assessed Better Business Bureau ratings to more fully understand each company’s reputation in the auto transport industry.
- Compared shipping options: We looked at how many shipping services each company offered and how easy it was to customize your package.
- Analyzed pricing: We requested quotes, assessed each company’s price transparency, and compared it to other Hawaii car shipping companies.
How Much Does Military Car Shipping Cost?
The cost for military car shipping can vary significantly, depending on several factors unique to your shipment. That being said, the average cost for most car shipments will range from $0.40 to $1.00 per mile. For most CONUS moves, you should expect to pay $900–$1,500 per vehicle.
Factors that will directly impact your costs:
- Open transport or enclosed transport: Your choice between these open and enclosed car shipping options will have the biggest influence on your total cost. Shipping your car on an enclosed trailer offers greater protection against the elements, but it can increase your quote by as much as 50%.
- Distance: Generally speaking, the greater the distance of your shipment, the more expensive it will be to ship your vehicle. However, the cost per mile actually goes down with longer shipments.
- Vehicle condition: You’ll be charged more to ship an inoperable vehicle due to the additional care and handling required in comparison to a car in good working condition.
- Vehicle make and model: The make and model of your vehicle can influence shipping costs based on its size, insurance costs, and other related factors.
- Time of year: Summer is the busy season for both PCS moves and standard residential moves, which often results in higher car shipping costs due to increased demand.
- Location: Certain locations experience higher demand, which can increase prices. Alternatively, more remote bases may be less easily accessible for carriers, and therefore more expensive for shipping.
Discounts For Military Car Shipping
Military members can enjoy discounts from most major car shipping companies to help make their moving costs more manageable. Of course, you should always request a free quote from the companies you’re considering so you can compare your prices with and without discounts.
Here are the military discounts offered by our picks for the best military shipping companies:
- Montway Auto Transport: $35
- AmeriFreight: $50
- uShip: Up to $60
- Sherpa Auto Transport: $100
- Easy Auto Transport: Varies (call to confirm)
Our Take
Regardless of where military families are being transferred or how the transfer is being facilitated, working with companies that specialize in military moves will go a long way toward ensuring everything goes smoothly.
Remember, military personnel who have received PCS orders may ship one vehicle to or from a military base outside the United States at the government’s expense. Service members are responsible for covering transport services for shipping more than one vehicle.
When comparing the companies on our list (or others), be sure to keep the following factors in mind:
- Customer reviews: It’s always a good idea to check reviews from other military service members. This can help you gauge a shipper’s overall service quality, as well as identify any potential red flags.
- Shipping timeline: How soon can a carrier get your vehicle to your new base? Delivery timelines can vary from company to company, and you don’t want to be left without a vehicle for several weeks.
- Availability: PCS orders often come at the last minute, and some carriers may already be fully booked and unable to help you ship your vehicle. In these instances, finding a military car shipping company that can help with last-minute moves is a real life-saver.
- Carrier options: Shipping options can vary from company to company. Whether you want open or enclosed transport, a certain level of insurance coverage, or help transporting a specialty vehicle, you should double check that your preferred carrier offers the type of service that you need.
How To Prepare Your Car For Military Shipping
Unless you’re planning on driving your car or motorcycle to your new duty station, you’ll need to prepare your vehicle for the shipping process before dropping it off with the carrier.
Be sure to take care of the following tasks before drop-off:
- Remove personal items. Most car shipping companies don’t want you sending household goods inside the vehicle due to the risk of theft or damage. From moving boxes full of military memorabilia to charging cables, take it out unless you confirm that your car shipper will allow some personal belongings.
- Gather documents. Carriers need proof that you are shipping your own vehicle, so have your registration, insurance information, vehicle title, and ID handy when you drop off your vehicle for shipment. Make sure you also have your PCS order documents.
- Wash your car and check for damage. Wash your car before drop-off, as this makes it easier to check for damage. Then, document any existing damage and photograph your vehicle to record its current condition. This will make it easier to file a claim if any damage occurs while it’s in transit.
- Take care of basic maintenance. Before dropping off your car, make sure the tires are full, the batteries are charged, and that there aren’t any fluid leaks that could cause problems during transportation. Carriers prefer that your vehicle only have a quarter tank of gas, so be sure to empty your tank as well.
FAQ
Does the military ship cars for free?
For active duty service members with PCS orders, the military will cover the expense of shipping one car from a military base outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS) to a continental base or vice versa. However, military service members typically have to pay if they want to use an auto transport company for CONUS moves.
How do I ship my car in the military?
If you select to use a government-issued transport company, the military will make car shipping arrangements for you. They will select the company and arrange your shipment date, but you will still need to drop off your vehicle.
If you do a personally procured move, the military will provide a reimbursement for vehicle shipping expenses for one car for transfers to OCONUS destinations. As with standard car shipping, you will be responsible for picking a car carrier, booking your shipment, and dropping off and picking up your vehicle.
How many cars will the military ship for you?
According to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, which provides payment services for the U.S. Department of Defense, the military will cover the transport costs of one vehicle for moves involving an overseas base.
Which car company has the best military discount?
Sherpa Auto Transport provides the largest military discount of $100. However, several other companies also offer military discounts, so it’s a good idea to compare quotes to see what the best overall price is for your move.
Who is the most reliable car transport company?
Of the auto shippers on our list, all of them can offer a stress-free transportation experience and have a strong reputation for reliability. For the ultimate peace of mind, however, we’d recommend Montway thanks to their GPS tracking services that ensure you always know exactly where your vehicle is during the shipping process. To read more about our recommendations, check out our recommendations for local car shipping companies.
