Alaska Car Shipping & Auto Transport Services

We do not publish a price table for Alaska, and that is on purpose. Our estimates for lower 48 routes are built from road distance, but an Alaska move is not priced that way. The cost depends on how the car gets there, which can be a long overland haul through Canada or a truck leg to a port followed by an ocean crossing. A single mileage figure would not describe either one, so every Alaska shipment is quoted individually.

These are the main things that shape the cost of shipping a car to or from Alaska:

• Overland or ocean. An overland trip runs through Canada on the Alaska Highway, also called the Alcan, and depends on drivers who take that route. The ocean option sends the car by truck to a port such as Seattle or Tacoma and then by vessel to Anchorage. Your coordinator will explain which option fits your move and what each one includes.
• Where the car starts or ends. A pickup in the Pacific Northwest is usually the simplest to arrange. A car in the Southeast or Northeast first needs a long truck leg before the Alaska stage begins, and that leg adds to the quote.
• Season. Summer is the main shipping and moving season in Alaska, and winter road conditions can slow or limit the overland route. Prices and availability can shift with the time of year.
• Road conditions and distance inside Alaska. Delivery to Anchorage is usually the easiest. A destination in the Interior, on the Kenai Peninsula or in a town off the road system may need an extra local leg.
• Vehicle size and condition. A lifted truck, a large SUV or a van takes more space than a compact car, and a vehicle that does not run needs special handling.
• Port and handling arrangements. Sailing dates, drop-off requirements and port procedures are set by the shipping line, and your coordinator will confirm them for your shipment.

To get a clear picture of your own move, tell us where the car starts, the town it is going to in Alaska, the vehicle and the date you would like it to move. A coordinator reviews the details and confirms in writing what the quote covers. The most requested lanes include Seattle to Anchorage, Tacoma to Anchorage and Anchorage to Seattle.

An Alaska shipment does not have a single standard transit time. The schedule depends on whether the car travels overland or by sea, and on how far it must go before and after that main stage. That is why we do not quote one number for the whole trip.

1. Pickup. If you booked pickup from your address, a carrier is normally assigned and arrives 1–3 business days after booking. If you plan to drop the car at a terminal or port yourself, your coordinator agrees the date with you.
2. The lower 48 leg. From a pickup outside the Northwest, the car first travels by truck to the departure point. The time depends on how far that stretch is. The mainland route pages show what applies for each pair.
3. The Alaska stage. The car either continues overland through Canada or is checked in at a port to wait for a suitable sailing. Overland timing depends on weather and driver availability. Sailing dates and cut-offs are set by the shipping line, and your coordinator will confirm them.
4. Border and port steps. An overland trip crosses the Canadian border, and a sea shipment goes through port check-in and unloading. Your coordinator will explain which documents or steps apply to your shipment.
5. Delivery in Alaska. You collect the car, or a local carrier brings it to your address. Winter snow and ice can affect that last stretch, so stay flexible about the delivery day.

If you have a fixed date, such as a start date at a new job or a military report date, book well ahead and build in extra time. Shipping from Alaska to the lower 48 follows the same stages in reverse.

Open carriers are the usual choice for everyday cars and generally cost less. An enclosed trailer protects the car from road debris, gravel and weather, which can matter on a long trip toward Alaska where highway conditions vary. Enclosed space is more limited and not every option is available on every lane or at every time of year, so ask early. You can read more about enclosed transport and open transport. If your car is shipped by ocean, the vessel is run by the shipping line, which decides how the car is loaded and secured, so an enclosed trailer applies mainly to the truck legs. Your coordinator will confirm which protection options exist for your shipment and how they change the quote.