Shipping a car for an extended stay lets you have your own vehicle during a long work assignment, seasonal home, sabbatical or family visit without driving it there. Most people book an open carrier for about $500–$1,900 each way, plan 1–3 days for short routes or 7–10 days coast to coast, and set up the return trip before they leave. The bigger questions are usually insurance, registration and how long you can stay before your new state expects you to switch over.
Key takeaways
- For stays of a month or more, shipping your own car often beats a long-term rental on total cost.
- Tell your auto insurer where the car will be garaged, since your rate and coverage can depend on it.
- Visitors can usually keep their home-state plates, but if you become a resident of the new state, registration rules change. Check with that state's DMV.
- Book both legs early, especially around snowbird season, holidays and summer.
- Arrange a plan for the car's return before you go, including who will hand it over if you fly home early.
Who ships a car for an extended stay?
An extended stay is anything longer than a normal vacation but not a permanent move. Typical examples include:
- Travel nurses and contract workers on 8- to 13-week assignments.
- Snowbirds who spend winter in Florida, Arizona, Texas or California. See our snowbird car shipping guide.
- Remote workers spending a few months in a new city.
- Families helping a relative through a health issue or a new baby.
- Students and interns on a semester or summer program. Our college car shipping page has more for students.
- Service members on temporary duty. See military car shipping.
- Owners of second homes in places like Hawaii, the mountains or the coast.
Ship your car or rent one? A cost comparison
For a weekend, renting is easy. For a long stay, rental costs add up fast. Monthly rental rates vary a lot by city and season, and in busy markets they can run well over $1,000 a month. Shipping is a fixed cost per leg, so the longer you stay, the better it looks.
| Length of stay | Long-term rental | Shipping your own car (round trip) | Usually the better fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2 weeks | Lower total cost | Two shipping legs | Rental |
| 3–6 weeks | Costs climb weekly | About $1,000–$3,800 for two open legs | Depends on route and season |
| 2–6 months | Several months of rental fees | Same two legs, no added monthly cost | Often shipping |
| 6+ months | High total cost | Same two legs | Usually shipping |
These are rough ranges. Your exact numbers depend on distance, vehicle size and the time of year. Use our car shipping cost calculator to price your route.
Non-cost reasons to bring your own car
- You know its condition and history.
- Your car seats, phone mount, tools and accessories are already set up.
- No mileage caps or worries about rental damage fees.
- No need to share personal info with a new rental company each month.
Insurance for a car on an extended stay
Insurance is the part people most often forget. Your policy is priced partly on where the car is usually kept, called the garaging address.
What to ask your insurer
- Does my policy cover the car while it is kept in another state for several months?
- Do I need to update the garaging address, and will my rate change?
- Does my coverage meet the minimum liability limits of the state I am staying in?
- Does my comprehensive coverage apply while the car is on a transport truck?
Most insurers handle temporary stays easily, but they want to know. Failing to report a long-term move could cause problems with a claim later.
Coverage during transport
While the car is on the truck, the carrier's insurance is the main coverage for transport damage. CTS works with licensed and insured carriers, and coverage up to $2M is available for high-value vehicles. Read how car shipping works for more on the inspection and paperwork process.
Registration, plates and residency
This is where an extended stay differs from a move. In general, visitors can drive in another state on their valid home-state registration and license. The rules change when you become a resident.
When does a visitor become a resident?
Each state defines residency its own way. Common triggers include taking a local job, enrolling kids in local schools, registering to vote, or staying past a set number of days. Once you are a resident, many states typically expect you to register your car and get a local license within a deadline, often somewhere between 10 and 90 days depending on the state.
Because these rules differ and change, confirm with the official DMV or motor vehicle agency for the state you are staying in before you go. If you are not becoming a resident, keep your home registration current and make sure it will not expire while you are away.
Special cases
- Students attending school out of state are often treated as non-residents for vehicle purposes, but check the state's rules.
- Active-duty military generally have special protections that let them keep their home-state registration. Confirm with your base and the state.
- Hawaii has its own requirements for cars brought to the islands, including registration and a safety inspection. See our Hawaii car shipping guide and confirm details with the county.
Planning both legs of the trip
An extended stay means two shipments: out and back. Planning them together saves stress.
The outbound leg
- Book 1–2 weeks before your preferred pickup date.
- Have the car arrive a day or two before you do, or at the same time, with someone to receive it.
- If you start a job on a fixed date, consider the guaranteed delivery date option.
The return leg
- Get a return quote at the same time so you know the full budget.
- Book the return about 1–2 weeks before you leave, or sooner during peak seasons.
- If you fly home before pickup, choose a trusted adult to hand over the car and sign the Bill of Lading.
- Plan for delivery at home after you arrive, with a neighbor or family member as a backup.
If your stay gets longer or shorter
Plans change. A contract gets extended, a family situation wraps up early, or you decide to stay through another season. A few tips:
- Do not lock in the return date too early if your end date is uncertain. Get the quote, then book once your date is firm.
- If you leave early, the car can still ship later. A trusted adult can release it to the driver after you fly home.
- If your stay stretches past a few months, revisit the residency and insurance questions above.
- If you decide to stay for good, the trip back is not needed, but registration and license deadlines in your new state will apply.
Delivery to apartments, rentals and gated communities
Short-term housing is often in apartment complexes, gated neighborhoods or busy downtown areas where a large car carrier cannot stop. Ask your landlord or property manager where a truck can safely load and unload. A nearby shopping center lot is a common backup. Learn more about door-to-door car shipping and how drivers handle tight spots.
Typical transit times
| Distance | Typical transit |
|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | 1–3 days |
| 500–1,500 miles | About 3–6 days |
| 1,500–2,500 miles | About 5–8 days |
| Coast to coast | 7–10 days |
Pickup is usually within a few days of your first available date. Same-day pickup is available in most metros if your plans change quickly.
Seasonal timing and price tips
Extended stays often follow the seasons, and so do car shipping prices.
- Snowbird season: Demand into Florida, Arizona and Texas rises from about October through December, and out of those states from about March through May. Book early.
- Summer: Family moves and summer programs keep carriers busy nationwide.
- Holidays: Fewer drivers work around major holidays, so pickup windows can stretch.
- Off-season routes: Shipping against the main flow, such as heading north in fall, can be cheaper.
Popular snowbird corridors include New York to Florida and routes into Arizona and Texas.
Getting the car ready to go, and ready to sit
A car on an extended stay may sit for days or weeks at a time. Prep for both the trip and the stay.
Before shipping
- Wash the car and take dated photos and video of every side.
- Remove personal items and toll tags.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel.
- Check tires, battery and fluids, and fix any leaks.
- Make sure registration and insurance will stay valid through your whole stay.
- Bring a copy of your registration and insurance card in your luggage.
- Schedule any oil change or service due during your stay before you leave.
If the car will sit a lot
- Consider a battery maintainer if it will sit for several weeks.
- Keep tires at the recommended pressure to avoid flat spots.
- Park in a covered or secure spot if possible.
- For EVs, follow the maker's storage guidance on charge level. Our electric vehicle shipping guide covers EV prep.
For a complete list, see our vehicle shipping checklist.
Open or enclosed for an extended stay?
Most people use open transport. It costs less and is how most cars on the road are shipped. If you are bringing a luxury car, classic or convertible to a seasonal home, enclosed shipping adds protection from weather and debris and typically costs about $800–$2,900 per leg.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book for an extended stay?
About 1–2 weeks before your preferred pickup date is ideal. During snowbird season, summer or holidays, booking a bit earlier helps you get your preferred window.
Can I keep my home-state plates during a long stay?
Usually yes, if you are a visitor and not becoming a resident. Once you become a resident of the new state, you will typically need to register the car there within a set time. Check with that state's DMV for exact rules.
Do I need to tell my insurance company?
Yes. Tell your insurer where the car will be kept and for how long. Your coverage and rate can depend on the garaging address.
Can someone else hand over my car for the return trip?
Yes. Any adult you trust can release the car to the driver and sign the Bill of Lading. Just give your shipping company their name and contact details ahead of time.
Can I ship my car to a hotel or short-term rental?
Often yes, as long as the property allows it and there is room for a large truck to load and unload safely. If not, the driver can meet you at a nearby open lot.
Is a round-trip shipment cheaper than two one-way bookings?
Each leg is usually priced on its own route and season, since the outbound and return trips often happen months apart. Booking both early and keeping your dates flexible are the best ways to save. CTS also offers a Best Price Guarantee if you have a lower written quote.
Planning a few months away? Get a free quote for both legs of your trip, with $0 deposit and 24/7 updates while your car is on the road.
Updated November 4, 2026