A permanent change of station comes with a long list of things to arrange, and the family vehicles are near the top. Whether you are leaving Redstone Arsenal, Maxwell, Fort Rucker, or the Coast Guard station in Mobile, or reporting to one of them, this guide explains how vehicle shipping fits into a military move.
What the military covers
The rules depend on where you are going.
Moves within the continental United States. The government generally expects you to drive. You are paid a mileage allowance for driving your own vehicles to the new duty station, usually for up to two. It does not normally ship a vehicle for you on a stateside move, though exceptions exist in limited circumstances, such as when a member is physically unable to drive or there is not enough time between report dates.
Moves overseas. The government will typically ship one privately owned vehicle at its expense. You deliver the vehicle to a military vehicle processing center, and it is transported from there.
Entitlements change, and your orders control. Always confirm what applies to you with your transportation office before you make plans.
Why families pay to ship a vehicle anyway
- More cars than drivers. A household with two or three vehicles and one licensed adult available cannot drive them all.
- Distance and time. A coast-to-coast drive with children and pets takes most of a week. Flying and shipping the car can be easier on everyone.
- A second vehicle on an overseas move. Only one is shipped by the government. The other can be sent to a relative's home to be kept until you return.
- Getting to the processing center. If you are headed overseas, a transport company can deliver your vehicle to the processing center, which may be several hours away.
- Unaccompanied or short-notice orders. When the timeline is tight, shipping removes one task from it.
Scheduling around your report date
Start with two dates: the earliest day the vehicle can be released, and the day you need it at the other end. We work backward from those. As a guide, allow 1 to 3 days in transit for trips under 500 miles, 3 to 5 days up to 1,500 miles, and 7 to 10 days for cross-country routes, plus a few days for a carrier to be assigned.
Book as soon as you have orders, even if they are not final. Because we do not take a deposit, you are not at risk if dates shift. Summer is peak season for military moves across the country, so the earlier you reserve, the better.
Pickup and delivery on an installation
Some carriers have the credentials to enter a base and some do not. We check in advance. If a truck cannot come through the gate, the driver meets you at a public location just outside, at a time that suits you. The same applies at the destination.
You do not have to be the one who hands over or receives the car. A spouse, a friend, or a member of your unit can do it, provided they are an adult and you have given us their name and number.
What it costs
On an open carrier, typical prices for a standard car are $350 to $700 under 500 miles, $700 to $1,300 from 500 to 1,500 miles, and $1,100 to $1,800 for longer routes. Larger vehicles cost somewhat more. If you need a specific pickup date or a very fast turnaround, guaranteed or expedited service is available at a higher price.
Paperwork to keep
Keep your order confirmation, the bill of lading from pickup and delivery, and your final receipt. Whether any part of the cost can be reimbursed or deducted depends on your situation, so ask your finance office and a tax adviser. Having the documents costs nothing.
A PCS vehicle checklist
- Confirm your entitlements with the transportation office.
- Decide which vehicles you will drive and which you will ship.
- Request a quote and book as soon as you have orders.
- Give us a backup contact at both ends.
- Empty the vehicle, leave a quarter tank of fuel, and photograph it.
- Tell us if pickup or delivery is on an installation.
- Update your insurance and registration after you arrive.
We ship for service members throughout the year, and we understand that orders change. If yours do, call your dispatcher, and we will adjust the plan.