Alaska Auto Transport: Car Shipping to Anchorage, Fairbanks & Juneau

• Pickup and delivery at your address in Alaska's 19 organized boroughs and the Unorganized Borough, or at a nearby meetpoint or port terminal where the truck cannot reach
• Open and enclosed transport on every major route
• Licensed broker MC-796224, USDOT 2336907, matched to FMCSA-compliant carriers
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees at pickup

Alaska Auto Transport Routes, Transit Times, and Pricing

Depending on the car's location, most pickup windows are 24 to 72 hours from when the vehicle is ready to be picked up. This window could take up to 5 days in remote areas. Alaska car shipping turnaround time for a destination under 1,000 miles is 2 to 3 days. From 1,000 to 1,750 miles, the transit time is estimated to be 4 to 6 days. From 1,750 to 2,500 miles, the transit time is estimated at 7 to 10 days.

Major Alaska Cities Served

Alaska's largest cities and boroughs by the Census Bureau's 2025 estimates. Towns such as Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Kodiak are served by ship, barge, or ferry, so ask us about the route when you quote.

• Anchorage
• Juneau
• Fairbanks
• Wasilla
• Sitka
• Ketchikan
• Kenai
• Palmer
• Bethel
• Homer
• Kodiak
• Utqiagvik
• Soldotna
• Unalaska
• Valdez
• Nome
• Seward
• Kotzebue
• North Pole
• Cordova

Shipping a Car to Alaska

The most popular lanes into Alaska, with the transit windows this page has always published.

No page on our site publishes a price for these five lanes into Alaska yet, so each one reads Get a quote. Your quote comes back with a real, locked number.

Shipping a Car from Alaska

The most popular lanes out of Alaska. Transit windows are this page's own.

(Transit time is calculated to and from Seattle 10 to 14 days), plus transit from corresponding states. No page on our site publishes a price for these five lanes out of Alaska yet, so each one reads Get a quote. Your quote comes back with a real, locked number.

Per-Mile Pricing Guide for Alaska Routes

The same per-mile guide appears on our Texas, New York, California, and Florida pages. A simple way to sanity check the road part of any Alaska quote.

• Short distance (under 500 miles)

  $1.00 to $1.75 per mile

• Medium distance (500 to 1,000 miles)

  $0.75 to $1.00 per mile

• Long distance (1,000+ miles)

  $0.50 to $0.75 per mile

On an Alaska move, this guide covers the road leg only, to or from the port. The ocean leg is quoted per car.

• Distance: The length of your journey is a crucial factor impacting costs, serving as a significant determinant for your quote.
• Locations: Specific cities matter, with considerations such as local traffic conditions, proximity to major highways, and ease of pickup/drop-off influencing pricing variations.
• Logistics Challenges: Given Alaska's unique geographical considerations, the logistics of transportation may present additional challenges, potentially affecting costs.
• Vehicle Details: The dimensions and weight of your car play a substantial role in determining the auto transport rate.
• Seasonality: Prices fluctuate throughout the year, influenced by the demand for car shipping. More active seasons might lead to slightly higher costs, depending on the chosen route.

For the most accurate Alaska auto transport rate, provide the following details:

• Your car's specifications and type
• Origin and destination cities within Alaska
• If possible, flexibility with shipping dates
• Preferred trailer type (open or enclosed)

By supplying this information, you'll receive a personalized car shipping rate tailored to meet the specific challenges of transporting a vehicle to or from Alaska.

Alaska Military Installations We Serve

• Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

  Anchorage. The 673d Air Base Wing has supported the joint base since 2010. Home of the 3rd Wing's F-22 Raptors, Alaskan Command, the Alaska Air National Guard's 176th Wing, and Army units at Fort Richardson.

• Eielson Air Force Base

  25 miles southeast of Fairbanks, near North Pole. Home of the 354th Fighter Wing, which flies the F-35A and F-16, RED FLAG-Alaska, and the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing.

• Fort Wainwright

  Fairbanks. Home of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Tenants include the Northern Warfare Training Center and the U.S. Army Cold Regions Test Center.

• Fort Greely

  Near Delta Junction. Home of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion. Senior command of the post moved to the 11th Airborne Division on August 1, 2026.

• Clear Space Force Station

  Interior Alaska, near Anderson. Missile warning, missile defense, and space domain awareness, with Alaska Air National Guard members serving beside the Space Force.

• Coast Guard Base Kodiak

  Kodiak Island, about 250 miles southwest of Anchorage. Home of Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, whose area of responsibility spans over 4 million square miles.

• Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska

  Juneau. A multi-mission Coast Guard unit working more than 2,000 islands and 10,000 miles of shoreline. The Coast Guard also lists Station Juneau among its Alaska units.

Timing Your Shipment Around PCS Orders

PCS season runs May to August. Carrier supply tightens, prices rise, and pickup dates fill weeks ahead. Book 3 to 4 weeks out once orders are in hand. We can hold a quote for 7 days while you finalize report dates.

Know where the posts sit. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is in Anchorage. Eielson Air Force Base sits 25 miles southeast of Fairbanks, near North Pole, and Fort Wainwright is in Fairbanks. Fort Greely is near Delta Junction, Clear Space Force Station is near Anderson, and the Coast Guard units are in Kodiak and Juneau. Active duty members stationed here may keep their home state registration. Those who register here pay only the state registration fee and skip the community registration tax.

Military Discount and Who Qualifies

Military rate available for: active duty, reserve, National Guard, retired service members, and veterans. Mention your status on the call or in the quote form. Government bills of lading and DPS reimbursement requests are supported.

What Moves on Lowboy and Step Deck Trailers

• Bulldozers, excavators, and loaders
• Dump trucks and work trucks
• Snowplows and road equipment
• Skid steers, backhoes, and compact track loaders
• Cranes, lifts, and aerial booms
• Industrial generators and pumps

Why Lowboy and RGN Transport Works for Alaska

• Height Compliance

  Lowboy decks sit 18 to 24 inches off the ground. Tall machinery clears bridges and overpasses on the way to and from the port.

• Stability and Capacity

  Step deck and lowboy trailers carry the weight of full-size dozers, cranes, and combines without straining the suspension.

• Permit and Escort Expertise

  Carriers in our network handle oversize permitting, route surveys, escort vehicles, and restricted travel windows on the road leg.

Alaska Port Logistics

Ocean carriers load cars for Alaska in the Pacific Northwest. TOTE and Matson load them at Tacoma, and Alaska Marine Lines barges them from Seattle. The state ferry, the Alaska Marine Highway, carries cars you drive aboard from Bellingham to Southeast Alaska and other ports. Matson and Alaska Marine Lines do not take electric cars or plug-in hybrids. We coordinate the truck leg to or from the port, and the transit windows in our tables count the time to and from Seattle.

• Don Young Port of Alaska

  Anchorage. Owned and run by the Municipality of Anchorage, it is the state's primary inbound cargo port, with roll-on/roll-off ramps. TOTE's Anchorage terminal is here, and Alaska Marine Lines' barge terminal sits right beside the port.

• TOTE Maritime Alaska

  Tacoma to Anchorage, twice a week, on roll-on/roll-off ships built for the Alaska trade. TOTE carries personal vehicles and heavy equipment from its Port of Tacoma terminal.

• Matson

  Tacoma to Anchorage and Kodiak twice a week, and to Dutch Harbor weekly, with its own terminals at all four ports. Matson puts its sailing time from Tacoma at 3 to 7 days.

• Alaska Marine Lines

  Barges from Seattle: twice a week to Southeast Alaska, weekly to Central Alaska, and seasonal service to Western and Arctic Alaska. Cars move between its service centers only.

Equipment that does not fit on a step deck moves on a Removable Gooseneck (RGN) trailer. The front detaches so tracked machinery rolls on without ramps. Best for excavators, dozers, and equipment without functional drive systems.

Should You Drive Your Car to Alaska or Ship It?

No route guide covers an Alaska lane, so we do not publish a driving cost for one. There are two main ways to get a car to Alaska from the Lower 48: you drive it up the Alaska Highway through Canada, or it is picked up at your address, trucked to the port, and shipped. Here is how the two compare on everything except the price.

Driving the Alaska Highway vs. Shipping

The days come from this page's transit tables and its Seattle note. Canada's border agency recommends that U.S. citizens travel with a valid passport, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection accepts a passport, a passport card, or a Trusted Traveler card at a land crossing back into the U.S. We leave dollar figures out because your quote supplies them.

Moving to Alaska: What to Do After Your Car Arrives

Many people shipping into Alaska are relocating or reporting to a post. Alaska gives new residents 10 days to apply for registration, and with your title in hand you can start while the car is still on the way. Here is what actually applies.

Registration and Title, Inside 10 Days

If you work in Alaska or are making it your home, register your car within 10 days of entering the state or starting work. A nonresident can drive on a valid registration from another state for up to 60 days. If you hold your title, you can apply while the car is still in transit. Registration runs for two years.

If no lender holds the title, the DMV moves it into your name as part of registering. If a lender holds your title outside Alaska, the DMV issues a registration only and waives the title and lien fees, and you bring your current out-of-state registration instead.

No Sales Tax, but a Local Registration Tax

Alaska levies no statewide sales tax. You pay the biennial registration fee instead, which state law sets at $100 for a passenger car, pickup, or van, plus $10 more when you register in person. The title fee is $15, and recording a lien is another $15.

A city or borough that opts in adds a motor vehicle registration tax at the same time. It falls as the car ages, from $121 in its first year to $16 at eight years or older on the state schedule, and a local government can set a higher rate. Where it applies, it replaces local use and property taxes on the car.

No Safety Inspection, No Emissions Test

Alaska's registration steps list no safety inspection. A VIN inspection on Form 811, free at a state DMV office, comes up only when you have no title or maker's certificate of origin, or for a car first bought overseas.

Emissions testing was suspended in the Fairbanks North Star Borough on January 1, 2010, and discontinued in Anchorage on March 1, 2012. The EPA's list of state and local emissions testing programs, updated September 18, 2026, does not include Alaska.

Insurance and License

Alaska requires liability coverage of at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury or death, and $25,000 for property damage. Carry proof whenever you drive and show it when a peace officer asks. In Anchorage, a car may be impounded if you cannot show proof, and driving without the required coverage can cost you your license.

If you are moving here, transfer your out-of-state license within 90 days, or 30 days for a commercial license. Expect a written test on Alaska driving rules and a vision test, and bring identity and address documents. If you have held a license from another state in the last 5 years, you skip the road test; surrender your old license when you apply.

Mail-in transactions go to the DMV headquarters in Anchorage. Active duty members stationed here may keep their home state registration, and those who register here pay only the state fee and skip the community registration tax. Some remote communities are exempt from registration and the insurance law, and the DMV publishes the list. Check current fees with the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles before you go.

Alaska Auto Transport Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our Alaska car shipping service. For everything else, see our auto transport FAQ.

• What is the cost of shipping a car to Alaska?

  The cost of shipping a car to Alaska depends on several factors, including distance, location, trailer type, vehicle details, and seasonality. Prices fluctuate throughout the year, and busy seasons may lead to slightly higher costs. In order to get the most accurate quote, you should provide the following information: your car's type and specifications, origin and destination cities, flexible shipping dates (if possible), and preferred trailer type (open or enclosed).

• How long does it take to ship a car to or from Alaska?

  Most pickup windows are 24 to 72 hours from when the vehicle is ready to be picked up. In remote areas, it could take up to 5 days. Here are some estimated transit times based on distance: 10 to 14 days from Washington, 16 to 18 days from California, 17 to 21 days from Texas, 17 to 24 days from New York, and 18 to 24 days from Florida, calculated to and from Seattle plus transit from your state.

• What types of vehicles can I transport to or from Alaska?

  Number 1 Auto Transport handles all your vehicle relocation needs, from everyday cars and trucks like coupes, sedans, SUVs, and pickups to minivans and passenger vans. We've got you covered for specialty vehicles too, including electric cars, motorcycles, and all-terrain rides like ATVs and UTVs. Need your golf cart or a John Deere Tractor shipped? If it has wheels, we can ship it!

• Can I transport a car to or from Alaska if it's not running?

  Yes, carriers in our network are equipped with a winch to help pull the vehicle onto the trailer. Please let your dedicated shipping agent know if the car breaks, rolls, and steers.

• Can I pack my car when transporting it to or from Alaska?

  While some personal belongings can be transported inside your vehicle for your convenience, there are restrictions. The total weight must be under 100 pounds, and for security reasons, they should be stored in the trunk or back seat, remaining below the window line. It's important to note that any personal belongings shipped within the car are not covered by the standard transport insurance in case of damage or loss.

• Does my vehicle need to have plates when shipping it to or from Alaska?

  No, but sometimes a carrier will have to meet in a parking lot due to the size of his truck and the destination street layout. If so, you will most likely have to drive the car a few blocks.

• How should I prep my car before shipping it?

  It's recommended to wash your car so the transport carrier can do a proper inspection at pickup. Remove any toll tags so you don't incur fees while in transit. It's also best to remove any loose parts to prevent any damage during transport.

• What is the cheapest way to transport a car to or from Alaska?

  The cheapest way to ship a car to or from Alaska is on an open car trailer.

• Should I drive or ship my car to Alaska?

  If the trip is a short distance, you should consider driving it to save money. Shipping is ideal for long distances, valuable cars, or if you don't want the hassle of driving yourself.

• Is my vehicle insured when using an Alaska car shipping service?

  Yes, all the carriers in our network are vetted and screened with the DOT and FMCSA to make sure they have up to date and adequate cargo coverage to fully protect your car during transport.

• How do I get a quote for shipping my car to Alaska?

  Most car shipping carriers request a 3-day (weekday) window for pickup. Once you have your desired pickup window, provide us with the year, make, model, and we will be able to provide you with an Alaska car shipping rate.

• How do I pay for my Alaska auto transport service?

  Number 1 Auto Transport offers a variety of convenient payment methods to ensure a smooth transaction for our customers. We accept all major credit cards for your convenience. Additionally, we facilitate secure electronic transfers through established platforms (Zelle, Venmo, Cashapp, Paypal) as well as ACH and wire transfers. For alternative payment preferences, certified and bank checks are also accepted.

• What documents do I need to provide to ship my car?

  You do not need to provide any documents to ship your car. However, it is recommended to sign a Bill of Lading before the carrier leaves.

• What happens upon pick-up and delivery of my car?

  The transport carrier will conduct a thorough inspection with you at the predetermined pickup location, noting any existing dents or scratches. The same inspection will be done upon delivery.

• How far in advance do I need to schedule my Alaska car shipping service?

  To ensure we can fulfill your preferred delivery timeframe, scheduling your car shipment with ample lead time is highly recommended. Ideally, booking your transport at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance allows for optimal planning and execution.

• Do I have to register my car in Alaska after it arrives?

  Yes, if you are moving here. Alaska requires you to apply for registration within 10 days of entering the state or taking a job here, and with your title in hand you can apply while the car is still in transit. Alaska has no statewide sales tax, no safety inspection, and no emissions test, but a local registration tax may apply. The minimum liability coverage is $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. You have 90 days to transfer your driver license.