Step-by-Step Guide
How to Send My Car to Another State
Everything you need to do to send your car to another state, from booking the truck to registering it once it gets there.
Shipment Details
20+ YEARS
of combined auto transportation experience.
10,000+
top-rated, vetted carriers within our network.
$0
due upfront. You only pay when we assign a carrier.
Where to Start
Sending Your Car to Another State Is Easier Than It Sounds
Maybe you're moving for a new job. Maybe your kid is heading off to college, or you sold a car to someone three states away. Whatever the reason, you need your car somewhere else, and you'd rather not spend days driving it there.
The good news is that the shipping part is the easy part. You book a carrier, hand over the keys, and the car shows up at the new address. Most of the real to-do list is the paperwork after it arrives.
Here's the whole thing, step by step.
Your To-Do List
- 1Decide whether to ship or drive.
- 2Get a quote and book.
- 3Check with your lender or leasing company.
- 4Get the car ready for pickup.
- 5Hand off the car and sign the Bill of Lading.
- 6Inspect it at delivery.
- 7Register it and update your insurance.
Step by Step
How to Send Your Car to Another State
- 1
Decide: Ship or Drive?
For trips under a few hundred miles, driving is often cheaper. Past that, gas, hotels, and time off add up fast, and shipping often comes out about even.
Compare your options → - 2
Get a Quote & Book
Give us the pickup and delivery addresses, the vehicle, and your dates. You'll get a final price that's good for 7 days, and there's $0 due when you book.
- 3
Check With Your Lender
If your car is financed or leased, call the lender or leasing company before you move it out of state. Some want to know, and you'll need them later to register the car in your new state.
- 4
Prep the Car
Wash it, take photos, leave a quarter to half a tank of gas, pull out toll tags, and keep personal items under 100 pounds and below the window line.
- 5
Pickup & Delivery
You (or someone 18+ you trust) meet the driver at both ends, inspect the car together, and sign the Bill of Lading. That's all the driver needs besides the keys.
- 6
Register & Insure
Update your insurance to your new address, then register the car in your new state. Most states give new residents a set window to do this, so check the DMV deadline right away.
After It Arrives
Paperwork in Your New State
Every state does this a little differently. Here's what to expect and where people usually get tripped up.
| Task | What to Know | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Update car insurance | Your rates and required coverage can change when you move. Some states, like Michigan, have their own insurance rules. | Call your insurer before the car ships so coverage doesn't lapse. |
| Register the car | New residents have a deadline that ranges from right away to about 60 days, depending on the state. | Look up your new state's DMV rules the week you arrive. |
| Inspection or emissions test | Some states and counties require a safety or emissions check before you can register. Others don't. | Check whether your new county requires it. |
| Get a new driver license | Most states want you to switch your license within a set time after moving. | Bring the same documents you'll need for registration. |
| Financed or leased car | The lender or leasing company usually holds the title, so the new state may need to request it from them. | Start this early. It can take a few weeks. |
Rules vary by state and change over time. Always confirm with your new state's DMV.
Not Moving With It?
Sending a Car to Someone Else
Plenty of people send a car to another state without going along. Parents ship cars to college students. People sell cars online to buyers across the country. Grandparents pass a car down to a grandkid in another state.
That works fine. You just need someone at each end. Anyone 18 or older that you trust can hand over the keys at pickup and sign for the car at delivery. They'll inspect it with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading.
If you're transferring ownership, handle the title and bill of sale separately. Those don't travel with the shipment.
Common Reasons People Ship
- Moving for work or family
- A car for a college student
- Selling a car to an out-of-state buyer
- Buying a car from an out-of-state dealer
- Seasonal moves between two homes
- Military or corporate relocation
Why NEXLogistix
Send Your Car With Confidence
A licensed, bonded, and insured broker (DOT 4238940 | MC-1641261).
Texas-Based Broker
We're a family-owned company headquartered in Lake Jackson, Texas, arranging car shipping nationwide.
15+ Years in Auto Transport
Deep industry experience and relationships with more than 10,000 vetted carriers.
Final-Price Quotes
The price we quote is the price you pay. No bait-and-switch, no surprise fees.
$0 Due at Booking
You don't pay anything until a carrier is actually dispatched for your vehicle.
FAQ
Sending Your Car to Another State FAQs
What's the easiest way to send my car to another state?
Hire a door-to-door car shipping service. You book online, someone hands the driver the keys at pickup, and the car is delivered to the new address. You don't need to drive it or meet it at a terminal.
How much does it cost to send a car to another state?
It depends on distance, the size of the vehicle, open or enclosed transport, the time of year, and how flexible your dates are. Request a free quote and you'll get a final price that's good for 7 days.
Can I ship a car that's still financed or leased?
Usually, yes. Check with your lender or leasing company first, since some have rules about moving the car out of state. You'll also need to work with them to register the car in your new state, because they typically hold the title.
Do I need to be there when my car is picked up?
Someone needs to be there at both pickup and delivery, but it doesn't have to be you. Any trusted person 18 or older can hand over the keys and sign the Bill of Lading.
Do I need license plates on the car to ship it?
No. All we need is the vehicle and its keys.
How soon do I have to register my car after moving?
It depends on the state. Some expect it right away, and others give new residents up to about 60 days. Check your new state's DMV website as soon as you arrive.
Is my car insured during transport?
Yes. Every carrier we work with is required to carry active cargo insurance. Your vehicle's condition is documented on the Bill of Lading at pickup and checked again at delivery. Personal items left in the vehicle are not covered.
Do I have to pay upfront?
No. There's $0 due at booking. Once a carrier is assigned, you can either pay a small deposit and the remaining balance directly to the driver at delivery, or pay in full at that point so nothing is due at delivery.
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Ready to Send Your Car?
Get a free, final-price quote in minutes. Nothing is due at booking, and you don't pay a thing until a carrier is dispatched.
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Licensed, bonded & insured broker · DOT 4238940 | MC-1641261