Military Car Shipping Guide for PCS Moves

What military car shipping may cover

For U.S. service members making an approved permanent change of station, or PCS, move, the military will usually pay to ship one vehicle. Additional vehicles generally require the service member to pay separately one vehicle during a PCS. Eligibility, coverage, and reimbursement should be verified against the member’s specific orders and with the appropriate military contact before booking.

If you are shipping an additional vehicle, budget for that move independently unless your military contact confirms otherwise. Separate the coverage decision from the transportation decision: first verify whether the specific move is approved or reimbursable, then choose the service that fits the route, vehicle, and schedule.

Military OneSource treats shipping privately owned vehicles, or POVs, as a distinct PCS moving topic shipping privately owned vehicles.

How the shipping process works

A PCS vehicle shipment generally follows these steps:

1. Choose a provider. Decide whether you want to work with a broker or a direct carrier, then request shipment-specific information.
2. Book the shipment. Provide the vehicle details, pickup and delivery locations, and preferred timing.
3. Prepare the vehicle. Clean it, remove personal items, and get it ready for the pickup inspection.
4. Complete the pickup inspection. The driver inspects the vehicle and documents its condition before transportation.
5. Transport the vehicle. Transit time depends on the route and operating conditions.
6. Receive the vehicle. Inspect it again at delivery and confirm the handoff location in advance.

A broker connects customers with licensed carriers, while a carrier owns the trucks and performs the physical transportation broker and carrier roles. A broker may offer broader carrier availability and scheduling flexibility, while a direct carrier may provide more direct communication but have more limited routes and schedules.

When comparing providers, ask who will schedule the shipment, who will provide updates, and who will be your main contact if the pickup or delivery plan changes. Keep the quote and booking details with your PCS records.

Compare the main shipping choices

The right choice depends on the vehicle and the move. Open transport may be practical for a standard daily-use vehicle, while enclosed transport may be worth considering for a vehicle that needs additional protection. If timing is especially important, ask how the requested timeframe affects the quote and whether pickup is guaranteed or only estimated.

Understand cost and transit estimates

Shipping cost can vary based on the vehicle, distance, delivery timeframe, transport type, whether the vehicle operates, season, pickup and delivery locations, and fuel costs factors affecting shipping cost. Remote or rural locations may increase both cost and transit time. Request quotes that clearly identify the vehicle, route, transport method, timing, and whether the quote covers the PCS-supported vehicle or an additional vehicle.

For trips longer than 2,000 miles, one industry estimate is seven to nine days seven to nine day estimate. This is not a guaranteed delivery time. Remote locations, traffic, weather, construction, stops, detours, and driver-hour limits can extend the trip.

As general planning advice, leave room between the estimated delivery date and important personal travel or reporting commitments. Ask the provider what the pickup window means and how delivery updates will be handled if route conditions cause delays.

Plan delivery near a military installation

Do not assume a carrier can enter the installation. The driver may need to meet you at the gate or at a nearby location delivery at a base gate. Confirm whether the carrier can enter the installation and, if not, arrange the gate or nearby handoff with:

• The provider or broker
• The assigned driver, when available
• The appropriate military contact

Resolve the meeting point before the shipment begins so the provider, driver, and military contact have the same delivery plan.

Vehicle preparation checklist

Before pickup:

• Clean the interior and exterior so the vehicle’s condition is easier to document.
• Remove personal items from the vehicle.
• Confirm whether the vehicle operates and communicate its condition accurately.
• Photograph or otherwise document the vehicle’s condition before pickup.
• Review the pickup inspection record.
• Confirm the delivery location, especially if a gate or nearby handoff is required.

Document the vehicle’s condition at pickup and inspect it again at delivery. Removing personal items is also a practical preparation step because items left in the vehicle may be lost or damaged during transportation.

A practical decision framework

Use this order when planning a PCS vehicle shipment:

1. Verify eligibility. Confirm whether your specific U.S. PCS orders cover or reimburse one vehicle.
2. Set the vehicle count. Identify which vehicle is covered and how additional vehicles will be paid for.
3. Define the route and timing. Include the actual pickup area, destination, preferred dates, and any reporting deadline.
4. Choose the service type. Compare broker versus carrier and open versus enclosed transport.
5. Check the delivery access plan. Confirm whether the carrier can enter the installation; otherwise, arrange a gate or nearby handoff.
6. Prepare and document the vehicle. Remove belongings, clean the car, and record its condition at pickup.
7. Keep a buffer. Treat transit estimates as estimates, particularly for long-distance or remote routes.

The central planning mistake is booking transportation before confirming coverage and delivery access. Resolve those two questions first, then compare shipment-specific quotes from registered providers whose service matches your vehicle and PCS schedule.