Tacoma, WA car shipping
Car Shipping in Tacoma, WA
- Estimates clearly labeled
- Independent company rankings
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$585 – $4,935
Typical price
Sedan, open transport
1–9 days
Transit time
Most major cities
Los Angeles, Portland
Top destinations
$240 – $660
Trips within Washington
Published range for an in-state trip
Free · No obligation · About a minute
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About car shipping in Tacoma
Tacoma is where cars leave for Alaska. Ocean service runs from the port here rather than from Seattle, so an Alaska move is a short truck leg plus a sailing rather than a long haul north. The other thing shaping this market is Joint Base Lewis-McChord just south of the city, which puts a steady stream of military moves onto the same roads.
- Twice-weekly ocean service runs from Tacoma to Anchorage
- An Alaska move starts here, not in Seattle
- Joint Base Lewis-McChord drives steady PCS demand
- On I-5 with easier access than Seattle a few miles north
- Main highways
- I-5, SR-16, SR-167
- Typical transit
- 1–9 days
- In-state trips
- $240 – $660
Car shipping rates from Tacoma
Estimated from published industry figures for a standard car. Your quote depends on season, vehicle and exact addresses.
| Destination | Distance | Open transport | Enclosed transport | Transit time | Route page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 1,130 mi | $790 – $2,135 | $1,030 – $3,415 | 3–5 days | Washington to California |
| Portland, OR | 140 mi | $240 – $660 | $290 – $1,055 | 1–2 days | Washington to Oregon |
| Houston, TX | 2,260 mi | $835 – $4,270 | $1,085 – $6,835 | 5–10 days | Washington to Texas |
| Jacksonville, FL | 2,940 mi | $1,030 – $5,555 | $1,340 – $8,890 | 6–12 days | Washington to Florida |
| Boise, ID | 470 mi | $375 – $1,035 | $455 – $1,655 | 1–2 days | Washington to Idaho |
| New York City, NY | 2,890 mi | $1,010 – $5,460 | $1,315 – $8,740 | 6–12 days | Washington to New York |
Prices move with the season
No source publishes monthly prices by city, so this is what the studies say about timing.
Summer moving season and the holidays tighten truck space, while mid-January to February is usually the quietest stretch of the year.
Direct Connect Auto Transport reports 2026 versus 2025 running 3% to 8% higher.
Published price adjustments
- Pickup truckPickups cost about 38% more to ship than standard cars.Source: Move.org
- SUVAt 500 miles, an SUV averaged $743 against $696 for a car.Source: Move.org
- Non-running vehicleAdd $150 to $300 for a vehicle that does not run.Source: Direct Connect Auto Transport
Transit times from Tacoma
Typical days on the road after pickup.
- Portland, OR · 140 mi1–2 days
- Boise, ID · 470 mi1–2 days
- Billings, MT · 800 mi2–4 days
- Los Angeles, CA · 1,130 mi3–5 days
- Phoenix, AZ · 1,320 mi3–6 days
- Chicago, IL · 2,090 mi5–9 days
- Houston, TX · 2,260 mi5–10 days
Popular routes from Tacoma
Car shipping companies serving Tacoma
Researched companies ordered by Trustpilot rating, adjusted for review count. Not ranked by city data.
Pickup areas around Tacoma
Where trucks reach easily, and where a meeting point helps.
- Port of Tacoma and FifeBuilt for freight, and the staging point for Alaska sailings.
- Lakewood, Puyallup, Federal WayRight off I-5 with room to load.
- North End and ProctorOlder narrow streets; a nearby lot is simpler.
Good to know in Tacoma
- The Alaska sailing leaves from hereTOTE Maritime runs twice-weekly service between Tacoma and Anchorage. For a car going to Alaska that means the road leg ends at the port a few miles from downtown, and the rest is an ocean booking. Quotes that describe driving the Alaska Highway are describing a different, much slower service.
- Base moves set the busy seasonJoint Base Lewis-McChord sits on I-5 just south of the city and generates a wave of household moves each summer on orders. Capacity tightens from late spring, and carriers will meet you outside the gate rather than drive on base.
- Loading here is easier than in SeattleTacoma has flatter ground, wider streets and far less of the hillside problem that makes Seattle addresses awkward. Some people living in south King County find it quicker to hand the car over in Tacoma than to arrange a meeting point closer to home.
- Moving to TacomaIf you're moving from another state, you'll generally need to register your vehicle in Washington. Check Washington's motor vehicle agency for deadlines and inspection rules.
Other Washington cities
Starting prices on popular routes.
Helpful guides for Tacoma
Why ship from Tacoma?
- Carriers already serving Washington
- Door-to-door pickup where trucks can reach
- Open and enclosed transport options
- Published price ranges you can compare before booking
- Common for relocations, students, military moves and car purchases
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from Tacoma?
Published figures put a standard car on an open carrier at about $585 – $4,935 from Tacoma to other major cities, depending on distance, season and vehicle. Shorter trips, such as to Portland, run about $240 – $660.
Car shipping cost calculatorHow long does it take to ship a car from Tacoma?
About 1–2 days to Portland and 6–12 days to Jacksonville, plus the pickup window before the car is loaded.
How long car shipping takesCan the truck pick up at my home in Tacoma?
Often, yes. On narrow, busy or restricted streets, the driver may ask to meet at a nearby open lot where a full-size carrier can load safely.
Door-to-door car shipping
Should I ship open or enclosed from Tacoma?
Open transport suits most everyday cars and costs less. Consider enclosed for luxury, classic or exotic cars, or anything with fresh paint.
Open vs. enclosed shippingIs my car insured when shipping from Tacoma?
Licensed carriers must carry liability insurance, and most carry cargo coverage for the cars they haul. Ask for the certificate of insurance before pickup.
Car shipping insuranceWhat's the cheapest way to ship a car from Tacoma?
Choose open transport, be flexible with dates, book one to three weeks ahead and meet the truck near a main highway if your street is hard to reach.
Cheapest way to ship a car
Where these figures come from
Published industry studies, not Haulwide shipments. Checked Sep 16, 2026.
- SGT Auto Transport(opens in a new tab)
Published Sep 9, 2026. 30 months of the company's own shipping data (January 2024 to June 2026) across all 50 states and 1,581 state-to-state lanes, limited to completed single-vehicle open transport deliveries and mix-adjusted for distance.
- Move.org(opens in a new tab)
Published Mar 4, 2026. Nearly 800 broker quotes analyzed, priced for a running 2025 Toyota Camry with a one-week lead time using October 2025 quotes.
- Kelley Blue Book(opens in a new tab)
Published Jan 12, 2026. Quotes requested from eight transport companies for a 2025 Honda Accord on three routes from Orlando, on standard open carriers.
- Direct Connect Auto Transport(opens in a new tab)
No publication date given. The company's own carrier data for an operable sedan on open transport; the page states no publication date.
- RoadRunner Auto Transport(opens in a new tab)
Published Sep 1, 2026. The company's completed shipment history, which it describes as over 1 million vehicles delivered across 30+ years, updated September 2026. Its nationwide average is $1,215 at a median distance of 987 miles and a median $1.23 per mile.
The sources disagree, so figures are shown as the span across them rather than a single price. Pricing methodology
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