Will the Military Ship My Personal Vehicle?
The short answer: sometimes, but not always. The Department of Defense covers Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) shipping in specific situations:
OCONUS PCS moves (outside the Continental United States — Hawaii, Alaska, overseas) typically include one POV shipment as part of your move entitlement. The military arranges this shipping through approved carriers.
CONUS PCS moves (within the continental U.S.) generally do NOT include POV shipping as an entitlement. You're expected to drive your vehicle to your new duty station, or arrange and pay for shipping yourself. Some special situations allow reimbursement, but the standard expectation is self-arranged transport.
Second vehicles (the family has 2+ cars) are almost never covered by the military, even on OCONUS moves. The standard entitlement is one POV. The second vehicle is on the service member.
This is why so many military families end up needing civilian auto transport for at least one vehicle during PCS moves.
PCS Timing Challenges
PCS orders have specific report-by dates, and military families often have very compressed move windows. A typical PCS scenario:
• Orders received: 60-90 days before report date
• House search and packing: weeks 1-4
• Movers pack household goods: 2-3 days, typically week 5-6
• Service member reports to new station: specific date, no flexibility
• Family follows: within weeks of the service member
Within this timeline, your vehicle(s) need to be shipped, in transit, and delivered on a schedule that doesn't leave you without transportation. The challenge is coordinating pickup before you fly out of the old duty station and arranging delivery shortly after you arrive at the new one.
The solution: book your shipment 4-6 weeks in advance when possible. This locks in capacity and gives flexibility on pickup/delivery timing. Last-minute PCS shipments (within 2 weeks) cost 25-50% more and have limited carrier availability.
PCS Auto Transport Costs
Military PCS shipments cost the same as any other auto transport — there's no special 'military pricing' from honest carriers (despite what some companies advertise). However, the real factors matter:
Common PCS routes from Alabama military installations:
- Fort Rucker (Daleville/Enterprise) to Fort Bragg NC: $700-$900
- Maxwell AFB (Montgomery) to Fort Hood TX: $750-$950
- Redstone Arsenal (Huntsville) to Aberdeen Proving Ground MD: $850-$1,100
- Anniston Army Depot to Schofield Barracks HI: $2,500-$3,500 (POV through DOD)
- Alabama installation to Joint Base Lewis-McChord WA: $1,400-$1,800
- Alabama installation to Fort Stewart GA: $500-$700
Many auto transport companies offer legitimate military discounts of $50-$100. Heartland honors military discounts for active duty, Reserve, Guard, and veterans on every shipment. We just don't pretend the discount is bigger than it is.
Working with the Military's Approved Carriers vs. Civilian Carriers
If your PCS shipment is government-funded (typically OCONUS), the DOD selects the carrier through its transportation office. You work with the carrier they assign. The process is structured and has specific timelines.
If your shipment is self-funded (typical for CONUS PCS or second vehicles), you choose any civilian auto transport company. This gives you flexibility on timing, vehicle handling preferences, and carrier selection. Most service members find civilian transport more responsive and accommodating to PCS schedules than government-funded options.
Heartland Auto Transport works with military families on PCS orders constantly. We accommodate the unique timing challenges, communicate clearly throughout the process, and never use the 'they're locked in by orders, so we'll squeeze them' approach that some less reputable companies take with military customers.
PCS Shipping Tips for Military Families
Book early — but stay flexible. A 4-6 week advance booking with a 5-7 day pickup window gets you the best pricing and reliable scheduling.
Consider shipping ahead of yourself. If your family is flying to the new duty station, you can have your vehicle shipped ahead so it's waiting when you arrive. This avoids the rental car gap and makes house-hunting easier.
Decide which vehicle to drive vs. ship. Most PCS families drive the primary vehicle and ship the second. The driving vehicle handles luggage, pets, and items not packed by movers. The shipping vehicle goes empty (or with packed items in the trunk under the 100-lb limit).
Document everything. Military families move often, and damage claims need documentation. Take detailed photos at pickup and delivery. Compare against the Bill of Lading carefully.
Verify the company's military experience. Ask about the company's history with PCS shipments. Honest carriers will share references and specifics. Bait-and-switch brokers will speak in generalities.
Watch for scams. PCS service members are targets for auto transport scams — companies that lowball quotes to win the booking, then increase prices once you're committed. Stick with reputable, verifiable carriers with real reviews.
Heartland Honors Military Service
We're proud to work with the military community in Alabama and across the country. Heartland Auto Transport offers a military discount on every PCS shipment, accommodates the timing flexibility your PCS orders require, and treats your vehicle like it's our own. Call (205) 578-6129 to discuss your PCS shipment, or get a free online quote in under 60 seconds. Thank you for your service.