Shipping your car for a new job lets you fly to your new city, start work on time, and have your car delivered a few days later instead of spending a week on the road. For most job moves, book transport two to three weeks before your start date, plan for 1 to 3 days of transit on shorter routes and 7 to 10 days coast to coast, and ask your employer early whether car shipping is covered in your relocation package.
Key takeaways
- Shipping usually makes sense once the drive is longer than about 500 to 600 miles or your start date is tight.
- Many relocation packages cover car shipping, either directly or through a lump sum. Ask HR before you book and keep every receipt.
- Typical costs run about $500–$1,900 on an open carrier and $800–$2,900 enclosed. Prices vary by route, season and timing.
- Time the pickup so the car arrives shortly after you do. A short gap can be covered with a rental or rideshare.
- Plan for new-state registration, a new driver's license and updated insurance after you arrive.
Should you ship your car or drive it to a new job?
Driving feels free, but it rarely is. A 1,500-mile move takes most people three days of steady driving. A coast-to-coast move takes five or six. Add up gas, two to five nights of hotels, meals and the wear on your car, and the real cost of driving can approach the price of shipping, especially on long routes.
Time is the bigger factor for a new job. Many employers want you to start on a fixed date. Driving eats into the days you could spend finding housing, setting up utilities, or simply resting before a big change. Flying and shipping your car lets you arrive fresh.
Side-by-side: drive vs. ship
| Factor | Drive it yourself | Ship it |
|---|---|---|
| Time off before starting | 2–6 days on the road | One travel day (flight) |
| Out-of-pocket costs | Gas, hotels, meals, possible repairs | Transport fee plus a flight |
| Miles added to your car | The full distance | Almost none |
| Fatigue and safety | Long days behind the wheel | No driving |
| Flexibility | You control the schedule | Pickup window of 1–3 days is common |
| Best for | Short moves, tight budgets, moving belongings in the car | Long moves, firm start dates, multiple cars |
If you have two cars, a common plan is to drive one with your belongings and ship the other. For more on long-distance moves, see our guide to cross-country car shipping.
Will your employer pay to ship your car?
Many companies that hire from out of town offer relocation help. Packages range from full-service moves to a flat lump sum you spend as you like. Car shipping is often included, but not always, so ask before you book.
Questions to ask HR or your recruiter
- Does the relocation package cover vehicle shipping? For how many vehicles?
- Is it direct billing, reimbursement, or part of a lump sum?
- Do you have a preferred relocation company, or can I book my own transport?
- What receipts or documents do you need for reimbursement?
- Is there a deadline to submit expenses?
- Will relocation payments be grossed up for taxes?
A quick note on taxes
Under current federal rules, most non-military workers cannot deduct moving expenses, and employer relocation payments or reimbursements are generally treated as taxable income. Some employers "gross up" the payment to cover the extra tax. State rules can differ. Tax law changes, so confirm your situation with a tax professional or the IRS before you file.
How to time your car shipment around your start date
Good timing means your car arrives close to when you do, without paying extra for a rush you do not need.
A sample timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4–6 weeks before start | Accept the offer, ask HR about relocation benefits, research your new city |
| 2–3 weeks before start | Get quotes and book car transport; choose open or enclosed |
| 1 week before start | Confirm pickup window and delivery address; prep the car |
| 3–10 days before start | Car picked up (earlier for longer routes) |
| Travel day | Fly or drive your other car to the new city |
| First week at the job | Receive car, inspect it, update insurance |
| First 30–60 days | New license and registration, based on your state's deadline |
Transit times to plan around
Typical transit runs 1 to 3 days for trips under 500 miles, about 3 to 6 days for mid-range moves, and 7 to 10 days coast to coast. Weather, holidays and rural pickup spots can add time. If you must have the car on a specific date, ask about a guaranteed delivery date option or expedited car shipping.
What if your housing is not ready?
If you are staying in temporary corporate housing, ask whether the car can be delivered there. Some apartment complexes have tight streets that a big truck cannot enter, so the driver may meet you in a nearby large lot. If you will not be available, an adult you trust can receive the car. You can also ask about short-term terminal storage, though availability varies.
What it costs to ship a car for a job move
Price depends on distance, route popularity, vehicle size, open or enclosed transport, season and how flexible your dates are. Popular routes between big cities often cost less per mile than rural routes because more trucks run them.
- Open carrier: about $500–$1,900 for most moves. This is the standard for daily drivers.
- Enclosed carrier: about $800–$2,900. Worth it for luxury, classic or freshly detailed cars.
- Extra for: large trucks and SUVs, inoperable cars, very tight dates, and peak summer months.
Use the car shipping cost calculator to get a quick estimate. CTS requires a $0 deposit to book and backs quotes with a Best Price Guarantee, which helps if you need to submit the lowest quote to your employer for approval.
Paperwork after you start your new job
Moving for work usually means becoming a resident of a new state. That brings a few to-dos.
Driver's license
Most states expect new residents to get a local driver's license within a set period, often 30 to 90 days. Confirm the deadline on your new state's official DMV site.
Registration and title
Registration deadlines also vary, commonly 10 to 60 days after you establish residency. Some states require a safety inspection, emissions test or VIN verification first. If your car is financed or leased, the lender or lessor will need to send the title to your new state. See our guides on shipping a financed car and shipping a leased car.
Insurance
Call your insurer with your new address once the car arrives. Rates and minimum coverage requirements change from state to state, and some insurers do not write policies in every state.
Prep checklist for a job-move car shipment
- Book transport and save the confirmation for HR.
- Clean the car inside and out so the inspection is accurate.
- Remove personal belongings. Most carriers do not allow household goods in the car, and those items are not covered by cargo insurance.
- Remove toll transponders and parking permits.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel.
- Check tire pressure and battery charge.
- Take dated photos of all sides, the roof and the odometer.
- Give the carrier the best phone contact for you and a backup person.
- Keep the bill of lading and final invoice for your reimbursement claim.
Our full vehicle shipping checklist has more tips.
Special situations
Moving for a job with two cars
Families moving for one partner's new job often have two cars. A common plan is to ship both on the same truck, which can lower the per-car price, or ship one and drive the other with essentials like clothes, documents and pets. If you ship both, give the carrier both cars' details when you book so they can reserve two spots on one trailer.
Starting a remote job or a temporary assignment
If your new role is a contract or a short-term assignment, you may not need to change your registration right away. Many states base the deadline on when you become a resident, not when you arrive. Check your new state's rules, and keep your home-state insurance company informed about where the car is kept.
Shipping an electric vehicle
EVs ship much like gas cars, but carriers usually ask for a charge level of about 30 to 50 percent, enough to drive on and off the trailer without being so full it adds risk. Plan your first charge stop near your new home before the car arrives. Ask your carrier about any charge-level rules when you book.
Your employer uses a relocation company
Some companies hand moves to a relocation management firm. That firm may book the car shipment for you, or it may give you a budget and let you choose. If you book your own, ask for the vendor rules in writing so your invoice is accepted.
Picking up at a terminal instead of your door
Door-to-door delivery is the norm, but in big cities a driver may suggest meeting at a large parking lot nearby if your street is narrow or has low trees. That is normal and still counts as door-to-door service. Pick a well-lit lot with space for a long truck, like a big-box store, and confirm the spot the day before.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking too late. Last-minute bookings may cost more or have fewer pickup options.
- Packing the car full. It can lead to extra fees, refused pickup, or lost items.
- Not asking HR first. Some employers only reimburse vendors they approve.
- Forgetting the receipts. Without an invoice, reimbursement can stall.
- Choosing the lowest quote blindly. A price far below market may sit unassigned while you wait. Read about how pricing works on how car shipping works.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book car shipping for a new job?
Two to three weeks ahead is ideal. You can book closer to your date, and same-day pickup is available in most metro areas, but early booking gives you more options and steadier pricing.
Can I put boxes in my car when I ship it?
Generally no. Carriers are not licensed to haul household goods, and those items are not insured. Ship belongings with your movers instead.
Will my company reimburse car shipping?
Many relocation packages do, but policies differ. Ask HR what is covered and what receipts you need before you book.
What if my car arrives before I do?
Someone you trust can receive it, or you can ask about short-term storage. Let the carrier know ahead of time so delivery goes smoothly.
Is shipping cheaper than driving for a job move?
On long routes it is often close, once you add gas, hotels, meals and lost days. For short moves under a few hundred miles, driving is usually cheaper.
Starting a new job soon? Get a free quote and lock in your pickup date, with $0 deposit and 24/7 updates while your car is on the way.
Updated November 4, 2026