Military Personnel Car Shipping Service

20 Years Experience Shipping Cars
4.6 Average Star Rating Google Reviews & BBB Accredited
No Personal Information Required for Quotes
We created the first car shipping quote calculator!

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Ship your car in the U.S. faster, smarter, and safer with #1 Direct Express Auto Transport

Military Car Shipping Services

20 Years Experience Shipping Cars
4.6 Average Star Rating Google Reviews & BBB Accredited
No Personal Information Required for Quotes
We created the first car shipping quote calculator!

Get Your Car Shipping Quote!

Ship your car in the U.S. faster, smarter, and safer with #1 Direct Express Auto Transport

See Why People Prefer

Direct Express Auto Transport

What Is Military Personnel Car Shipping?

Moving military vehicles, also referred to as military auto transport, is a specialized service exclusively designed for military personnel, both those currently serving and retired. When you receive unexpected orders for a permanent change-of-station (PCS) to relocate to another military base, our assigned military car transporters will go the extra mile to get the job done.

We are experts in the car shipping industry and understand the difficulty of military vehicle shipping and the tight timeframes and stress involved. Our carriers will work extra hard to pick up and deliver your vehicle(s) as close to your locations as possible. Active military personnel who receive PCS orders may also be reimbursed by the government for the transportation of a single vehicle. Ask your superior officer about that.

How does military PCS car shipping work?

Members who are assigned to a new duty station often have the benefit of their military PCS vehicle shipped at government expense. As per the guidelines set by the Department of Defense, only one privately owned vehicle (POV) can be shipped. However, to make alternate base requests, you should seek approval from the Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC). Be sure to check with your base logistics personnel team.

Will the military ship your car for free?

Normally no. But If you are an active member of the armed forces and have recently received permanent change of station (PCS) orders, there is a possibility that your car can be shipped free of charge by the military. However, if they do it at all, it is important to note that the government will only cover the transportation expenses for one privately owned vehicle (POV), as stated by the Department of Defense.

Might There Be A Military Discount to Ship a Car?

ODirect Express Auto Transport offers an exclusive $25 military discount specifically for active and retired members of the military. If you reach out to our customer service representative, make sure to inquire about the available discount for military personnel.

Additional Personal Items

Like all our customers, we kindly request that you limit your items to no more than two suitcases or boxes, weighing no more than 100 lbs., which can be safely stored in the trunk of your car, or below the window line in the backseat.

We get the stress of military personnel

Understanding the potential stress that comes with receiving a PCS order for you and your family, we want to alleviate some of that burden by offering our assistance in taking care of your family vehicles. We want to allow you to dedicate your time and energy towards transitioning yourself and your loved ones to your new home. You have enough to worry about. We’ll handle moving your car.

What types of auto transport services do military personnel most often choose?

An option that is highly favored by military personnel, both those who have retired and those currently serving, is open-air car transport. It is cheaper and faster. About 97% of all customers choose Open-Air Transport. While door-to-door transport is the favored choice, we also provide the option of base-to-base transport. Same thing. It is important to note, however, that confirmation is required to ensure that the trucking company is permitted access to the military base. In most instances, car transporters are not allowed on base due to terrorism concerns.

Military members and families have chosen Direct Express Auto Transport For 2 Decades

Pay Only When Your Vehicle Ships

In our commitment to fast service, we assign only reliable carriers with a proven track record to transport your vehicle. Additionally, we operate with the utmost transparency by only processing your credit card payment once we have secured a trusted car hauler for your vehicle delivery. Most of the time, the carrier fee is paid in cash or money order upon delivery.

Safe & Secure Military Car Shipping

Rest easy knowing that our car transport carriers have comprehensive insurance coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Transport

How much does it cost to ship a car?

Not as much as you would suppose. If only one thing goes wrong, a tire blowout or overheated radiator for instance, then it would be actually cheaper to ship a car across country. About 97% of all auto transport shipments are delivered in an Open-Air trailer. It’s proven to be a very safe method with statistically few problems. You may notice multiple vehicles being delivered to car dealerships near you in an Open-Air trailer, and that’s because it’s reliable. It is also cheap car shipping. If you have a collector car or really expensive automobile, however, then we recommend car shipping services with an Enclosed carrier. Expect to pay about 50% more for Enclosed transport. Our car shipping cost calculator automatically adds the extra amount to your auto transport quote

How should I pay for the car shipping costs?

Making a nominal partial credit card payment to the auto transport broker is preferred by car shipping carriers but not essential. Carriers like getting paid with Cash or Money Order upon delivery, and who doesn’t? Services paid immediately for services rendered. But a full credit card payment upfront also works if the car shipping carrier trusts the auto transport broker. Carriers have known Direct Express Auto Transport for nearly twenty years and the trust is there. So either method works with us

How long does a car shipping company take to deliver my vehicle?

The auto transport delivery is the final step in the process, and also the simplest part. Once your vehicle has been assigned to a car shipping carrier and picked up, not too much can go wrong. It generally takes one day of transit time for every 500 miles of distance. The auto transport driver will call ahead from the road to announce his estimated time of arrival.

Car Delivery Time Estimate

100-500 miles takes 1 or 2 days
500-1000 miles takes 2 or 3 days
1000-1500 miles takes 3 or 4 days
1500-2000 miles takes 4 or 5 days
2000-2500 miles takes 5 or 6 days
2500-3000 miles takes 6 or 7 day

Depending on the distance, weather conditions and population centers it could be a few days or weeks until a vehicle reaches its destination. The car shipping carriers usually estimate about 10 days on coast to coast trips, but they frequently arrive earlier.

How far in advance should I ship my car?

We recommend scheduling your auto transport service anywhere from two days to two weeks in advance. We are often able to assign your vehicle on the very same day, but providing us with longer lead times allows us to schedule your auto transportation easier. You want the most current car shipping cost, and you get that by staying within two weeks of your first available date to ship. Believe it or not, the auto transport service market can change quickly. It is seasonal. If the car shipping quote is too low, that can delay your order getting on the road. To avoid that, try not to book more than a month in advance and preferably within two weeks, because seasonal changes can impact the current pricing. Conversely, you should enjoy the savings if the rates were to go down, so having the most current pricing is always best. Our auto transport rate calculator on this page was the first one in the industry in 2004.

How long do car shipping companies take to pick up my vehicle?

Over 90% of our car shipping orders are assigned and picked up within one week. Mostly because the overwhelming majority of the U.S. population lives nearby a major metropolitan area.

Can I store things inside my vehicle during auto transport?

Yes and no. The strict interpretation is no, you can’t ship items inside your vehicle. The reality is that almost all auto transport carriers look the other way on items that weigh less than 100 pounds, roughly the equivalent of 2 suitcases. We recommend placing any additional items in the trunk and out of sight. The U.S. Transportation Law states that a carrier can be fined $10,000 for hauling household items in the vehicle, but it is rarely enforced. Please know that car delivery drivers estimate every vehicle’s weight that they carry and don’t want problems at weight scales. They must keep the personal items to a minimum to make it through the scales. Some drivers will accept a tip ($50-$250) for hauling extra stuff, and some won’t. Rule of thumb, don’t take advantage. The car transporter is there to ship a car, not move the owner’s personal belongings. Our car shipping calculator will not add a charge for extra items because it would be presumptuous to expect the driver to agree. If you want to include extra items in your vehicle, please discuss that first with the driver and come to a mutual agreement.