Car Shipping During a PCS Move: Everything Military Families Need to Know
For many military families a PCS move involves more than just household goods. It involves vehicles. And shipping a car across the country or overseas adds a layer of logistics, cost, and planning that catches many families off guard the first time they go through it.
Here is what you need to know about car shipping during a PCS move before you need to know it.
When Car Shipping Becomes Necessary
Not every PCS move requires shipping a vehicle. For shorter moves or moves where driving is practical, many families simply drive their vehicles to the new duty station. But for OCONUS moves, for families with multiple vehicles, or for situations where driving is not practical due to timeline or distance, vehicle shipping becomes a necessary part of the relocation plan.
Understanding early whether your move will require vehicle shipping gives you time to research options, get quotes, and make arrangements without the pressure of a last minute scramble.
What the Military Covers and What It Does Not
For most PCS moves the military covers the shipping of one privately owned vehicle for OCONUS moves. The specifics of what is covered depend on your orders, your rank, and whether you are moving to an accompanied or unaccompanied tour location.
For CONUS moves vehicle shipping is generally not covered by the military which means families who choose to ship a vehicle rather than drive it are doing so at their own expense. Understanding what your specific orders cover before you make car shipping arrangements prevents surprises later.
How to Choose a Car Shipping Company
The car shipping industry has a wide range of providers from highly reputable companies with decades of military relocation experience to brokers who may not have direct control over which carrier actually handles your vehicle.
When evaluating car shipping companies look for providers with specific experience in military vehicle shipping, verifiable credentials, clear written contracts, and strong review histories from real military families. The difference between an open carrier and an enclosed carrier matters for vehicle protection during transport and is worth understanding before you book.
The HomeScoop vendor directory includes car shipping services near military installations that have been filtered for quality and review history. Search by base name or ZIP code to find verified providers.
Timing Is Everything
Car shipping timelines during peak PCS season can be significantly longer than at other times of year. A shipment that might take two weeks in January can take four to six weeks in June or July when every other military family is also trying to move their vehicles.
Book your car shipping as early as possible once your orders are confirmed. Waiting until a few weeks before your report date during peak PCS season limits your options and often results in higher costs.
Prepare Your Vehicle Before Shipping
Before handing your vehicle over to a shipping company document its condition thoroughly. Take dated photographs of every angle including any existing scratches, dents, or damage. This documentation protects you if damage occurs during transport and you need to file a claim.
Remove personal belongings from the vehicle before shipping. Most car shipping contracts explicitly prohibit personal items in the vehicle during transport and your items will not be covered by the shipping company's insurance if they are damaged or go missing.
The Bottom Line
Car shipping during a PCS move requires the same early research and planning as every other part of the relocation. Done well it is a manageable logistical step. Done last minute during peak season it becomes an expensive scramble with limited options.
Start your research early, verify credentials, get everything in writing, and use the right tools to find providers you can trust.
Find verified car shipping services near your base at https://homescoop.app/vendors?utm_source=konrad&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=military_directory&utm_content=vendor_directory
Konrad Johanna is a contributing writer at HomeScoop and an Army spouse who has navigated four PCS moves firsthand.
