Car Shipping Transit Times from Tacoma
- Estimates clearly labeled
- Independent company rankings
- Free to compare
Tacoma at a glance
- Typical price
- $585 – $4,935
- Open transport
- $0.35–$1.89 per mile
- Transit time
- 1–9 days
- Trips within Washington
- $240 – $660
Free · No obligation · About a minute
Get a Tacoma car shipping quote
1–2 days
Under 500 miles
Nearby states
2–6 days
500–2,000 miles
Regional and mid-distance
5–12 days
2,000+ miles
Cross-country
11 hours a day
Driving limit
Federal hours-of-service rule
Transit times from Tacoma to major cities
Estimated days on the road after pickup, from nearest to farthest.
| Destination | Distance | Standard transit | Open transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | 140 mi | 1–2 days | $240 – $660 |
| Boise, ID | 470 mi | 1–2 days | $375 – $1,035 |
| Billings, MT | 800 mi | 2–4 days | $585 – $1,510 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1,130 mi | 3–5 days | $790 – $2,135 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,320 mi | 3–6 days | $925 – $2,495 |
| Chicago, IL | 2,090 mi | 5–9 days | $775 – $3,950 |
| Houston, TX | 2,260 mi | 5–10 days | $835 – $4,270 |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,610 mi | 6–11 days | $915 – $4,935 |
| New York City, NY | 2,890 mi | 6–12 days | $1,010 – $5,460 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 2,940 mi | 6–12 days | $1,030 – $5,555 |
Pickup window vs. transit time
- Day 0
Book
Compare estimates, choose a company and confirm the price, pickup window and payment terms in writing.
- Before pickup
Carrier assigned
Your order goes to a carrier with space on your route. Busy routes usually fill faster than rural ones.
- A range of days
Pickup window
Pickup happens within an agreed window, not at an exact hour. Drivers usually call ahead to set a time.
In transit
Time on the road depends on distance, weather, other stops and drivers' required rest breaks.
- On arrival
Delivery
Inspect the car against the Bill of Lading and note any new damage before you sign.
What can slow a shipment from 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.
Truck drivers may drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, which is why long routes are measured in days, not hours. Source: FMCSA hours of service
Standard vs. expedited shipping
Example: Tacoma to Los Angeles.
Standard shipping
3–5 days in transit
- Most cost-effective
- Widest choice of carriers
- Good for flexible schedules
Expedited shipping
Sooner pickup; similar time on the road
- Priority carrier assignment
- Shorter wait for pickup
- Costs more
Delivery dates are estimates. Weather, freeway closures and other stops on the truck's route can add time, so plan a little buffer.
Ready to ship your car from Tacoma?
Enter your route to compare estimated prices, pickup dates and transport companies.