Michigan to Rhode Island Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 891 miles from Michigan to Rhode Island ranges from $859 to $1,347 and takes 2–7 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Rhode Island to Michigan car shipping guide.

Michigan to Rhode Island auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Michigan and Rhode Island. The average travel distance is about 891 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 7 days.

Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Rhode Island

From Michigan to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Detroit, MI to Providence, RI $813 – $1,183 705 miles 1 – 6 days
Detroit, MI to Warwick, RI $805 – $1,136 716 miles 1 – 6 days
Detroit, MI to Cranston, RI $813 – $1,183 704 miles 1 – 6 days
Detroit, MI to Pawtucket, RI $837 – $1,160 706 miles 1 – 6 days
Detroit, MI to East Providence, RI $813 – $1,183 703 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Rhode Island

From Michigan to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Grand Rapids, MI to Providence, RI $904 – $1,249 830 miles 2 – 7 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Warwick, RI $826 – $1,223 841 miles 2 – 7 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Cranston, RI $861 – $1,275 834 miles 2 – 7 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Pawtucket, RI $870 – $1,262 829 miles 2 – 7 days
Grand Rapids, MI to East Providence, RI $818 – $1,275 833 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Warren, MI to Rhode Island

From Michigan to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Warren, MI to Providence, RI $846 – $1,231 703 miles 1 – 6 days
Warren, MI to Warwick, RI $854 – $1,242 715 miles 1 – 6 days
Warren, MI to Cranston, RI $788 – $1,219 707 miles 1 – 6 days
Warren, MI to Pawtucket, RI $796 – $1,242 705 miles 1 – 6 days
Warren, MI to East Providence, RI $837 – $1,183 706 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Sterling Heights, MI to Rhode Island

From Michigan to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sterling Heights, MI to Providence, RI $809 – $1,112 699 miles 1 – 6 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Warwick, RI $813 – $1,160 711 miles 1 – 6 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Cranston, RI $854 – $1,171 703 miles 1 – 6 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Pawtucket, RI $825 – $1,193 698 miles 1 – 6 days
Sterling Heights, MI to East Providence, RI $846 – $1,219 702 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Rhode Island

From Michigan to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Ann Arbor, MI to Providence, RI $866 – $1,300 792 miles 2 – 7 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Warwick, RI $891 – $1,212 785 miles 2 – 7 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Cranston, RI $823 – $1,237 789 miles 2 – 7 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Pawtucket, RI $823 – $1,187 799 miles 2 – 7 days
Ann Arbor, MI to East Providence, RI $883 – $1,187 792 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Rhode Island

Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Rhode Island you should expect to pay between $1,074 and $1,684.

Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Michigan to Rhode Island

When transporting your vehicle from the Wolverine State to the Ocean 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 Rhode Island.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Michigan to Rhode Island spans approximately 891 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island should take between 2 and 7 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

The best Michigan to Rhode Island car shipping companies

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • No deposit
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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 Rhode Island:

Best for Accurate Pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best Cross-Country Shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
At A Glance
  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for Quick Pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
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  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for Discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
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  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from Michigan to Rhode Island

What else should you know about shipping a car from Michigan to Rhode Island?

  • Car insurance requirements: When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
  • Driver’s license: If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
  • Additional taxes: When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

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 Rhode Island

About 22 million people are living in the Ocean State of Rhode Island. Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Michigan and when dropping off my car in Rhode Island?

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 Rhode Island.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to Rhode Island?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Michigan to Rhode Island, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Rhode Island, 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. When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.

How long does it take to ship a car from Michigan to Rhode Island?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to Rhode Island is about 891 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-7 days to travel from Michigan to Rhode Island.

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.

All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.

If I have a driver’s license in Michigan, will I need one in Rhode Island?

If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.

If I bought a car in Michigan, will I be required to pay sales tax in Rhode Island after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Michigan to Rhode Island after purchasing it.

When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Michigan and Rhode Island to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Rhode Island?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Rhode Island is to ship it on a train or to choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pick-up dates.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Michigan to Rhode Island?

Shipping a car from Michigan to Rhode Island costs $859 to $1,347.

Helpful Michigan resources