Military families preparing for Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders inevitably face the task of moving their vehicles. Driving a car cross-country can be highly costly in terms of fuel, wear and tear, and precious family time, especially for families with multiple cars. Military auto shipping is usually the most advantageous option for relocating vehicles.
A well-thought-out approach to PCS vehicle transportation can yield significant time and cost savings for both military and civilian families. Booking a PCS car transport as soon as orders are received can help lock in lower rates, ensure availability, and offer flexibility when negotiating pickup and delivery times.
For those receiving an order, working with a company such as Preowned Auto Logistics (PAL) understands the needs of service members and families, is beneficial. Services provided by PAL include door-to-door pickup, nationwide delivery, and pricing guarantees of our best rates. This guide will help you understand the car shipment process and options available for your PCS move.
Understanding Military Car Shipping During PCS
Though most military moves take place between May and August, relocations occur throughout the year. After all, this is an essential component of military life. May through August marks the most active time of the year in terms of military moves, with the highest volume of personnel, families, movers, packers, and auto transporters.
How PCS vehicle transport fits into military moves
Logistics are the key components for every PCS: housing logistics, family logistics, family travel logistics, and even vehicle shipping logistics. Vehicle transport services help by picking up and delivering cars across state lines or across the country, so service members and their families don’t have to make the long trek in the car themselves. For most military families making a permanent change of station, when vehicle transport services are being used, the families show up at their new duty station only to find their vehicle(s) waiting and ready for use.
Shipping a vehicle during the family PCS move is very beneficial for:
- Families shipping two or more personal vehicles
- Families moving across the continental United States (which requires long-distance cross-country driving)
- Families with members reporting on port call orders with no margin of error, and who need guaranteed delivery
- Families avoiding putting hundreds or thousands of miles on their own personal vehicle(s)
Common PCS routes
Most military Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders have classic pickup and drop-off points. Some familiar places where service members are coming from include Fort Hood in Texas, Camp Pendleton in California, and Norfolk in Virginia. Other common drop-off locations include Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Fort Drum in New York, and Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Some moves span from coast to coast, and others involve shorter hauls.
For example:
- East Coast to West Coast: 2,500 or more miles
- Southern bases (Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas): 500 to 1,000 miles
- PCS orders overseas: Require vehicles to be put in storage or special treatment
Car Shipping Options for Military Personnel
PCS season means military families everywhere are preparing for their upcoming relocations. One of the most pressing things on everyone’s to-do list is figuring out transportation for your vehicle. Understanding how different military car shipping options fit your budget, timeline, and vehicle type will empower you to make the best decision. Here are the available services so you can select the right one for your family’s unique needs and challenges.
Open vs. Enclosed Transport
When looking for information on military car shipping options, there are two categories that you will usually see: open transport and enclosed shipping.
Open transport
You’ve undoubtedly seen the large trucks carrying multiple vehicles, like eight or ten at a time, on your local highways. Those are open carriers. Open transport is the most common, cost-effective option for car shipping and is often what most families choose for their relocations. While it is exposed to the elements during transit, carriers take all the precautions needed to securely fasten, strap, and protect the vehicles on their open trailers. Open transport is excellent for standard sedans, SUVs, and trucks.
Enclosed auto transport
If you have a luxury, classic, or exotic car, a new model you want to have shipped, or want additional protection, you may want to choose enclosed shipping. This service allows you to transport your vehicle in a covered trailer. The car is protected from any weather conditions ( rain, snow, extreme heat) as well as road debris and dust while in transit. It is worth noting that enclosed transport is generally more expensive than open transport; however, for many military families with high-value vehicles, this service is worth the added expense.
Both methods include insurance coverage, tracking, and careful handling, so the decision comes down to balancing cost with protection.
Door-to-door delivery
With the strict timeframes often associated with PCS relocations, door-to-door car shipping is a fantastic benefit for service members. Essentially, your carrier picks up and delivers your vehicle to the location of your preference; your home, base housing, or an agreed-upon meeting point at either your current or new duty station.
While it’s not as cost-effective as terminal-to-terminal shipping, door-to-door service can save time. Terminal-to-terminal service requires vehicle drop-off and pickup at specified lots. With a household filled with kids, household goods, and a tight travel schedule, this convenience is critical for many families and worth every penny it costs.
Shipping a second POV or vehicle
It’s common for military families to have more than one vehicle, but PCS orders may not cover the cost of moving every single one. Privately Owned Vehicles, or POVs, usually have to be arranged independently and are rarely reimbursed by the military. Family members or dependents often choose to book with a commercial carrier for their second or additional vehicle.
A more practical solution for these instances is utilizing a shipping company, such as Preowned Auto Logistics military shipping, that can conveniently book multiple vehicles together under one order. This consolidated process keeps everything organized, ensuring that the entire household is shipped together and delivered on the same route, eliminating the stress of using multiple carriers and tracking shipments over staggered schedules.
Cross-country car shipping
Back-to-back long-distance moves are prevalent during the PCS season, particularly for those making coast-to-coast transitions. Cross-country auto transport allows you to ship your vehicle across the country without the hassle or strain of a cross-country drive. Established carriers utilize predetermined processes, follow efficient routes, and navigate state lines to get your car across the country within estimated timelines that are coordinated with your overall PCS timeline.
For example, moving from the East Coast to the West Coast, such as Virginia to California, would take approximately 5–7 days via truck transport. Instead of incurring additional expenses for time off, hotels, and high miles on your odometer, shipping your car can cut the logistical stress and drive time, helping everything stay on schedule.
Preparing Your Vehicle for PCS Shipping
The car shipping process during PCS season runs most smoothly when preparations begin early. A few simple, proactive steps help ensure an efficient pickup and delivery process, guard your vehicle’s condition during transport, and minimize the risk of potential delays. Service members who follow these best practices typically experience a seamless process from beginning to end.
Gather required documents
Transporters require specific documentation before the vehicle can be loaded on the truck. The following documents should be collected in advance for easy access:
- Orders and ID: You may need to present PCS orders or a military ID at the pickup location for identity verification and to ensure eligibility for the military rate.
- Vehicle registration: A copy of the registration for the vehicle being shipped may also be required.
- Insurance information: A copy of your car insurance may be required over the phone in certain situations, so ensure you have the current insurance card available.
- Shipping contract: Read through the contract with the transporter thoroughly, which includes the pickup and delivery dates as well as the insurance policy and what it covers.
Having these documents organized ahead of time can help avoid last-minute problems and keep the transporter on schedule for the shipment.
Clean and inspect the vehicle
Ensure the vehicle is in its best condition for transport by cleaning and making a thorough inspection. Wash the exterior of your car, vacuum the inside, and remove any extraneous personal items that may be lingering. Motor vehicle transporters usually prohibit households from using the vehicle as a space for shipping goods, like toy boxes and tools, so make sure to empty your trunk and remove any non-essential items strapped to the car.
After the vehicle is clean, conduct a thorough inspection. Walk around the car and take one or more pictures of every side and corner. Note any scratches, dents, or existing damage. While most transporters do a thorough inspection at the time of pickup, documenting the car’s condition before it leaves can protect you if a claim arises later.
- Prepare your car for shipping
Although you won’t be the one driving your vehicle, it still needs to be roadworthy. Here’s how to get it in shape for travel:
- Check the tire pressure.
- Top off all critical fluids (brake, oil, coolant, windshield).
- Inspect the battery(ies) for charge and corrosion.
- Leave about a quarter-tank of fuel. It needs enough to get on and off the truck without adding excess weight.
Schedule the pickup and delivery.
Since a PCS move is a time-sensitive process, you need to make sure you coordinate car shipping with your move. When booking the pickup, be sure to schedule it a few days before your actual departure date to allow for any delays or changes. Relay the pickup and delivery dates to your carrier so that they can schedule delivery closer to your reporting date.
If you’re not able to schedule gate delivery to housing due to base access restrictions, contact the carrier you booked with to see what drop-off points would be available for you.
Know your military reimbursement options.
Generally, the military pays to ship one POV during a PCS. However, whether they reimburse you for shipping depends on your destination and the specifics of your orders. If you’re shipping more than one vehicle, the cost of shipping the second and third vehicles is usually out of pocket.
Documents to retain before and during shipping include the receipts/proof of payment, shipping contracts, and documentation showing your vehicle was picked up and delivered. Be sure to organize everything properly. Submitting the proper documentation prevents headaches down the line and assists in expediting the process if delays do occur.
Have insurance in place.
Carriers that ship for you include basic insurance with every shipment. However, you should inquire about what kind of insurance they carry to protect your vehicle, the coverage limits, and what the claims process is should the vehicle become damaged.
Pros and Cons of Military Vehicle Transport
Pros
- Reduces the stress of your already complicated move by eliminating the long drives.
- Saves wear and tear on your vehicle, minimizing mileage, scuff marks, dents, and scratches.
- Guarantees your timing with precisely scheduled/predictable deliveries and the ability to track your vehicle’s journey.
- Provides door-to-door service, scheduling pickups and deliveries around your reporting dates to new and old duty stations.
Cons
- Special services, like enclosed auto transport for high-end vehicles, may necessitate out-of-pocket expenses, which can be burdensome before reimbursement.
- During peak PCS travel seasons, limited transport service availability can result in premium costs for last-minute bookings; therefore, planning is crucial.
Both sides of the auto transport decision need to be thought about before making a final call. However, the benefits of using military transport services far exceed the challenges when you plan, handle your paperwork correctly, and work with a knowledgeable provider.
Why Military Families Choose Preowned Auto Logistics
With extensive experience in military car shipping, Preowned Auto Logistics understands the time constraints of the PCS season. It makes it easy to schedule transport around complex reporting times and travel orders. Military families appreciate the door-to-door car shipping approach that saves time and ensures service members’ vehicles can be delivered right to the door of temporary or new base housing. PAL’s coast-to-coast network makes an easy option for transporting vehicles, whether you’re moving cross-country or regionally.
PAL understands that PCS orders change, so the company remains flexible when adapting pickup and delivery schedules as needed based on routing changes. Our dedicated agents also actively communicate throughout the shipment process. Plus, our insurance and inspection processes ensure service members’ peace of mind.
Besides reliability, PAL expresses appreciation through military shipping discounts, which help families save money during the relocation process. Choosing PAL doesn’t feel like simply hiring a vehicle transport service; it feels like joining forces with a company that understands your life.
Conclusion
For military families, PCS season comes with its own unique set of challenges, and arranging car shipping often tops the list. However, shipping a vehicle to your new base is a daunting task – but it doesn’t have to be. Using trusted military car shipping services saves you time, protects your vehicle, and ensures that it’s ready and waiting for you upon arrival at your new location.
When you choose a military vehicle transport company, prepare ahead and take advantage of military car shipping benefits, you alleviate stress and enjoy peace of mind. Preowned Auto Logistics serves military families with door-to-door nationwide transport and discounts explicitly designed for service members.
Don’t wait for the rush! Connect with Preowned Auto Logistics today to get your free vehicle shipping quote and ship your vehicle confidently this PCS season.
