Colorado Auto Transport: Daily Car Shipping Routes in Denver, Colorado Springs & Fort Collins

• Pickup and delivery at your address across all 64 Colorado counties, or a nearby meetpoint where the truck cannot fit
• 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

Colorado 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. Colorado 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 Colorado Cities Served

Every city below is covered on the same terms, and so is every town between them.

• Denver
• Colorado Springs
• Aurora
• Fort Collins
• Lakewood
• Thornton
• Arvada
• Westminster
• Greeley
• Pueblo
• Centennial
• Boulder
• Longmont
• Castle Rock
• Loveland
• Broomfield
• Commerce City
• Grand Junction
• Parker
• Littleton

Shipping a Car to Colorado

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

Prices on the New York to Colorado row are from our New York to Colorado route page. The Texas figures come from our Texas auto transport page, the California figures from our California auto transport page, and the Florida figures from our Florida auto transport page, whose table prices that lane in either direction. Lanes with no published figure read Get a quote.

Shipping a Car from Colorado

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

No page on our site publishes a price for these five lanes out of Colorado yet, so each one reads Get a quote.

Popular City-to-City Colorado Routes

City-pair pricing for the lanes we publish. Standard sedans on open or enclosed carriers.

The six New York pairs are published on our New York to Colorado route guide and the six El Paso area pairs on our Denver to El Paso route guide. The San Francisco row comes from our California page, the Austin row from our Texas page, and the Tampa row from our Florida page. The Texas and Florida tables price those rows in both directions.

Average Colorado Car Shipping Cost by Distance

When you arrange for a professional auto transport service, the total cost depends on a variety of factors, from the type of vehicle you're shipping to the distance it needs to travel. In the meantime, the charts below give you a clearer idea of how prices shift with vehicle specifications, travel ranges, and carrier options.

Average Colorado Car Shipping Cost by Vehicle Type

Per-Mile Pricing Guide for Colorado Routes

The same per-mile guide appears on our Texas, New York, California, and Florida pages. A simple way to sanity check any Colorado 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

• Distance: The length of your journey is a key element affecting costs, serving as a significant determinant for your quote.
• Locations: Specific cities matter, taking into account factors like local traffic conditions, proximity to major highways, and ease of pickup/drop-off, all contributing to pricing variations.
• Trailer Type: Opt for open-air transport for a more budget-friendly choice, or consider enclosed trailers for added protection, albeit at a higher cost.
• 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 Colorado auto transport rate, provide the following details:

• Your car's specifications and type
• Origin and destination cities
• 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 your specific needs when transporting your vehicle to or from Colorado.

Colorado Route Guides

Full pages on the lanes we run most, with city-pair pricing, transit windows, and what to do after the car arrives. The complete list is on our popular routes page.

• New York to Colorado
• Denver to El Paso

Colorado Military Installations We Serve

• Fort Carson

  Colorado Springs, CO. Home of the 4th Infantry Division, 10th Special Forces Group, and 1st Space Brigade.

• Peterson Space Force Base

  Colorado Springs, CO. Home of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command headquarters.

• Schriever Space Force Base

  East of Colorado Springs, CO. Home of Space Base Delta 41 since June 2025.

• Buckley Space Force Base

  Aurora, CO. Space Base Delta 2, missile warning, and the 140th Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard.

• United States Air Force Academy

  Colorado Springs, CO. Trains more than 4,000 cadets for the Air Force and Space Force.

• Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station

  Colorado Springs, CO. The alternate command center for NORAD and USNORTHCOM.

• Colorado National Guard Joint Force Headquarters

  Centennial, CO. The state headquarters of the Colorado National Guard.

Timing Your Shipment Around PCS Orders

Most service members get a 30 to 60 day window between orders and report date. Plan on 1 to 3 days to pickup. Two to three weeks of lead time leaves room if the date moves. PCS season runs May to August, when carrier supply tightens and pickup dates fill weeks ahead.

Be clear on the geography. Most Colorado installations are not in Denver. Fort Carson, Peterson, Schriever, the Air Force Academy, and Cheyenne Mountain all sit around Colorado Springs, which is about 70 road miles south of Denver on I-25. Buckley in Aurora is the one large installation inside the Denver metro. On our route guides, Fort Drum to Fort Carson is the biggest pairing coming west from New York, and Fort Carson to Fort Bliss leads the run south to El Paso.

Military Discount and Who Qualifies

Active duty, reservists, National Guard, and veterans all qualify for a military rate. Mention your status on the quote form or when you call. Bring your CAC, military ID, or DD-214 at pickup. Spouses moving on PCS orders qualify at the same rate.

What Moves on Lowboy and Step Deck Trailers

• Excavators, dozers, and loaders
• Skid steers, backhoes, and compact track loaders
• Cranes, lifts, and aerial booms
• Drilling rigs and oilfield equipment
• Combines, tractors, and farm implements
• Industrial generators and pumps

Why Lowboy and RGN Transport Works for Colorado

• Height Compliance

  Lowboy decks sit 18 to 24 inches off the ground. Tall machinery clears bridges and overpasses on I-25 and I-70.

• 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 CDOT oversize and overweight permits, route surveys, escort vehicles, and restricted travel windows.

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 or Ship Your Car to or from Colorado?

Driving it yourself looks cheap until you total the receipts. These figures come from our New York to Colorado route guide, for a one-way run of 1,500 to 1,800 miles.

The Hidden Cost of Driving It Yourself

Typical figures for a sedan, two nights on the road, and three days of driving. The total leaves out the flight back, 1,800 miles on the odometer, tire wear, and three days of your time.

Driving vs. Shipping, Side by Side

Moving to Colorado: What to Do After Your Car Arrives

Most people shipping into Colorado are relocating. Colorado gives you more time than most states to register, then charges a yearly tax that catches newcomers off guard. Here is what actually applies.

The Yearly Tax That Surprises Newcomers

Colorado charges a Specific Ownership Tax every year when you register. The state calls it a property tax for your vehicle. Taxable value is 85 percent of the original MSRP, not what the car is worth today. The rate falls by model year: 2.1 percent the first, 1.5 the second, 1.2 the third, 0.9 the fourth, 0.45 the fifth through ninth, then $3.

Use tax is a separate question with better news. The Department of Revenue says no use tax applies to a vehicle a nonresident acquired outside of Colorado and brought in when acquiring Colorado residency.

No Safety Inspection, but a VIN Check and Front Range Emissions

Colorado wants a DR 2698 Verification of Vehicle Identification Number when you bring a vehicle in from out of state. A Colorado law enforcement officer, licensed dealer, Air Care Colorado station, or county clerk can sign it.

Emissions testing is a Front Range rule. Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties are covered, plus parts of Adams, Arapahoe, Larimer, and Weld. Gas vehicles are exempt for their first seven model years, then test every two years. Cars from 1981 and older test yearly at $20. Electric vehicles are exempt. Everything else is $35.

The DMV's registration requirements list covers VIN verification, emissions where required, insurance, and ID. The checklist has no line for a safety inspection.

Insurance and Your License

Colorado requires liability coverage of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. You cannot register a vehicle without proof of active Colorado auto insurance, and a new resident must obtain a Colorado-compliant policy before registering.

Colorado tells new residents to transfer your driver's license within 30 days, while the registration window runs 90. Active duty members and their spouses with a valid out-of-state license are exempt.

Bring form DR 2504 with proof of residency, the DR 2698 VIN verification, your out-of-state title, proof of Colorado insurance, and a passing emissions certificate if your county needs one. Title transfer is $7.20. Colorado publishes no flat registration fee: the annual bill is the Specific Ownership Tax plus weight-based and county fees, paid at your county office. Check current numbers with the Colorado DMV.

Colorado Auto Transport Frequently Asked Questions

The questions we get most on Colorado moves. For everything else, see our auto transport FAQ.

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

  The cost of shipping a car to Colorado 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 Colorado?

  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: under 1,000 miles, 2 to 3 days. 1,000 to 1,750 miles, 4 to 6 days. 1,750 to 2,500 miles, 7 to 10 days.

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

  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 Colorado 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 Colorado?

  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 Colorado?

  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 Colorado?

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

• Should I drive or ship my car to Colorado?

  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 a Colorado 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 Colorado?

  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 a Colorado car shipping rate.

• How do I pay for my Colorado 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 Colorado 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 Colorado after it arrives?

  Yes, if you are moving here. New residents have 90 days after establishing residency to title and register the vehicle, and 30 days to transfer the driver license. No use tax applies to a car you brought with you when you became a resident, but the county charges the yearly Specific Ownership Tax. You need Colorado insurance and a DR 2698 VIN verification, and the Front Range counties require an emissions test. There is no safety inspection.