Pennsylvania to Michigan Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 633 miles from Pennsylvania to Michigan ranges from $906 to $1,243 and takes 1–6 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 Michigan to Pennsylvania car shipping guide.

Pennsylvania to Michigan auto transport costs and transit times

The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Pennsylvania and Michigan. The average travel distance is about 633 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 6 days.

Cost to ship a car from Philadelphia, PA to Michigan

From Pennsylvania to Michigan Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Philadelphia, PA to Detroit, MI 583 miles $834–$1,261 1–6 days
Pittsburgh , PA to Grand Rapids, MI 715 miles $952–$1,331 1–6 days
Erie, PA to Ann Arbor, MI 585 miles $825–$1,249 1–6 days
Reading, PA to Lansing, MI 652 miles $932–$1,326 1–6 days
Scranton, PA to Flint, MI 637 miles $915–$1,243 1–6 days

Cost to ship a car from Pittsburgh , PA to Michigan

From Pennsylvania to Michigan Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Philadelphia, PA to Detroit, MI 285 miles $612–$779 1–4 days
Pittsburgh , PA to Grand Rapids, MI 417 miles $736–$968 1–4 days
Erie, PA to Ann Arbor, MI 284 miles $612–$771 1–4 days
Reading, PA to Lansing, MI 355 miles $693–$919 1–4 days
Scranton, PA to Flint, MI 339 miles $624–$914 1–4 days

Cost to ship a car from Erie, PA to Michigan

From Pennsylvania to Michigan Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Philadelphia, PA to Detroit, MI 271 miles $555–$705 1–4 days
Pittsburgh , PA to Grand Rapids, MI 403 miles $721–$958 1–4 days
Erie, PA to Ann Arbor, MI 270 miles $566–$779 1–4 days
Reading, PA to Lansing, MI 341 miles $676–$923 1–4 days
Scranton, PA to Flint, MI 325 miles $663–$843 1–4 days

Cost to ship a car from Reading, PA to Michigan

From Pennsylvania to Michigan Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Philadelphia, PA to Detroit, MI 541 miles $783–$1,128 1–6 days
Pittsburgh , PA to Grand Rapids, MI 672 miles $923–$1,248 1–6 days
Erie, PA to Ann Arbor, MI 542 miles $791–$1,161 1–6 days
Reading, PA to Lansing, MI 610 miles $923–$1,248 1–6 days
Scranton, PA to Flint, MI 594 miles $825–$1,153 1–6 days

Cost to ship a car from Scranton, PA to Michigan

From Pennsylvania to Michigan Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Philadelphia, PA to Detroit, MI 527 miles $800–$1,083 1–6 days
Pittsburgh , PA to Grand Rapids, MI 659 miles $868–$1,248 1–6 days
Erie, PA to Ann Arbor, MI 526 miles $775–$1,083 1–6 days
Reading, PA to Lansing, MI 593 miles $834–$1,261 1–6 days
Scranton, PA to Flint, MI 581 miles $825–$1,201 1–6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Pennsylvania to Michigan

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 Pennsylvania to Michigan you should expect to pay between $1,133 and $1,554.

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

When transporting your vehicle from the Keystone State to the Wolverine 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 Michigan.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Pennsylvania to Michigan spans approximately 633 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania and Michigan 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 Pennsylvania to Michigan should take between 1 and 6 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

The best Pennsylvania to Michigan car shipping companies

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Transparent pricing
  • Fully insured
Check prices (864) 492-1221

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
Check prices (888) 259-6046

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.35 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable
Check prices (866) 563-0804

% of users select this mover

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Pennsylvania to Michigan:

Alternative ways to ship your car from Pennsylvania to Michigan

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

  • Car insurance 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.
  • Vehicle inspection: Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
  • Driver’s license: Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
  • Additional taxes: In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist

Transporting your vehicle from Pennsylvania

Over 39 million people call Pennsylvania home. Nicknamed the Keystone State, Pennsylvania experiences cold winters and humid summers. Summers are generally hot and humid. Moving toward the mountainous interior of the state, the winter climate becomes colder, the number of cloudy days increases, and snowfall amounts are greater. Tornadoes occur annually in the state, sometimes in large numbers, such as 30 recorded tornadoes in 2011; generally speaking, these tornadoes do not cause significant damage.

Transporting your vehicle to Michigan

About 22 million people are living in the Wolverine State of Michigan. 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.

FAQ

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

Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Pennsylvania and when dropping it off in Michigan.

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Pennsylvania to Michigan, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Michigan, which you should verify before loading your car in Pennsylvania.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. When relocating to Pennsylvania, ensure compliance with state regulations by obtaining car insurance with minimum liability coverage: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $5,000 for property damage per accident. Consider enhancing your coverage with options like collision and comprehensive coverage. It's crucial to carry proof of insurance in your vehicle at all times.

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.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Pennsylvania to Michigan is about 633 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 1-6 days to travel from Pennsylvania to Michigan.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

If you are moving to Pennsylvania and bringing a vehicle with you, you will need to have it inspected within 10 days of establishing residency. This includes safety and emission test. You can find a list of inspection stations on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation website or by searching for "vehicle inspection near me". It's a good idea to schedule an appointment in advance and bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.

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

Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.

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

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

In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.

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

Helpful Pennsylvania resources