Michigan to Washington Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,111 miles from Michigan to Washington ranges from $1,633 to $2,465 and takes 4–12 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Washington to Michigan car shipping guide.
Michigan to Washington auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Michigan and Washington. The average travel distance is about 2,111 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 4 to 12 days.
Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Washington
| From Michigan to Washington | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Seattle, WA | 2,349 miles | $1,568–$2,572 | 5–13 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Spokane, WA | 2,071 miles | $1,631–$2,351 | 4–12 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Tacoma, WA | 2,362 miles | $1,665–$2,444 | 5–13 days |
| Lansing, MI to Kennewick, WA | 2,209 miles | $1,563–$2,522 | 4–12 days |
| Flint, MI to Pasco, WA | 2,205 miles | $1,579–$2,446 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Washington
| From Michigan to Washington | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Seattle, WA | 2,119 miles | $1,568–$2,414 | 4–12 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Spokane, WA | 1,842 miles | $1,554–$2,235 | 3–11 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Tacoma, WA | 2,133 miles | $1,585–$2,465 | 4–12 days |
| Lansing, MI to Kennewick, WA | 1,980 miles | $1,577–$2,464 | 3–11 days |
| Flint, MI to Pasco, WA | 1,976 miles | $1,483–$2,322 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Washington
| From Michigan to Washington | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Seattle, WA | 2,308 miles | $1,633–$2,598 | 5–13 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Spokane, WA | 2,030 miles | $1,631–$2,598 | 4–12 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Tacoma, WA | 2,321 miles | $1,665–$2,547 | 5–13 days |
| Lansing, MI to Kennewick, WA | 2,168 miles | $1,601–$2,616 | 4–12 days |
| Flint, MI to Pasco, WA | 2,164 miles | $1,617–$2,540 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lansing, MI to Washington
| From Michigan to Washington | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Seattle, WA | 2,285 miles | $1,595–$2,497 | 5–13 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Spokane, WA | 2,007 miles | $1,600–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Tacoma, WA | 2,298 miles | $1,692–$2,522 | 5–13 days |
| Lansing, MI to Kennewick, WA | 2,145 miles | $1,649–$2,515 | 4–12 days |
| Flint, MI to Pasco, WA | 2,141 miles | $1,633–$2,616 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Flint, MI to Washington
| From Michigan to Washington | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Seattle, WA | 2,231 miles | $1,676–$2,548 | 4–12 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Spokane, WA | 1,953 miles | $1,545–$2,298 | 3–11 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Tacoma, WA | 2,244 miles | $1,611–$2,650 | 4–12 days |
| Lansing, MI to Kennewick, WA | 2,091 miles | $1,520–$2,573 | 4–12 days |
| Flint, MI to Pasco, WA | 2,087 miles | $1,600–$2,549 | 4–12 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Washington
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Michigan to Washington you should expect to pay between $2,041 and $3,081.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Michigan to Washington
When transporting your vehicle from the Wolverine State to the Evergreen State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Washington.
- Distance and route: The journey from Michigan to Washington spans approximately 2,111 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Michigan, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Michigan and Washington and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Michigan to Washington should take between 4 and 12 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Michigan to Washington car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Michigan to Washington:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Michigan to Washington
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,111 miles on your car going from Michigan to Washington. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Michigan to Washington for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Michigan to Washington?
- Car insurance requirements: Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
- Vehicle inspection: In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
- Driver’s license: To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.
- Additional taxes: If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Michigan
Over 39 million people call Michigan home. Nicknamed the Wolverine State, Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
Transporting your vehicle to Washington
About 22 million people are living in the Evergreen State of Washington. Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Michigan and when dropping off my car in Washington?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Michigan and when dropping it off in Washington.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to Washington?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Michigan to Washington, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Washington, which you should verify before loading your car in Michigan.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from Michigan to Washington?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to Washington is about 2111 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take 4-12 days to travel from Michigan to Washington.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
If I have a driver’s license in Michigan, will I need one in Washington?
To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.
If I bought a car in Michigan, will I be required to pay sales tax in Washington after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Michigan to Washington after purchasing it.
If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Michigan and Washington to avoid any hidden costs.
