Louisiana to Michigan Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 1,184 miles from Louisiana to Michigan falls between $879 and $1,404. Delivery typically takes two–eight days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Michigan to Louisiana car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best Louisiana to Michigan car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Louisiana to Michigan:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Louisiana
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Louisiana who can get your vehicle to Michigan:
- Auto Driveaway: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Speedy Car Shipping: 3.5 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Louisiana to Michigan
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Louisiana for a move to Michigan, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 1,184 miles to your car on the trip from Louisiana to Michigan. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Louisiana to Michigan. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
Ship by train
This service provides a secure and budget-friendly option for transporting your car. Car shipping by train is actually the most economical choice.
Louisiana to Michigan auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Louisiana and Michigan. The average journey covers about 1,184 miles and takes roughly two to eight days.
Cost to ship a car from New Orleans, LA to Michigan
| From Louisiana to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA to Detroit, MI | $848 – $1,357 | 1,064 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Grand Rapids, MI | $856 – $1,304 | 1,068 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Warren, MI | $807 – $1,251 | 1,080 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Sterling Heights, MI | $856 – $1,370 | 1,084 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Ann Arbor, MI | $840 – $1,251 | 1,055 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Baton Rouge, LA to Michigan
| From Louisiana to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA to Detroit, MI | $941 – $1,404 | 1,122 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Grand Rapids, MI | $856 – $1,330 | 1,057 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Warren, MI | $861 – $1,333 | 1,138 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Sterling Heights, MI | $879 – $1,390 | 1,142 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Ann Arbor, MI | $888 – $1,474 | 1,112 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Shreveport, LA to Michigan
| From Louisiana to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shreveport, LA to Detroit, MI | $807 – $1,251 | 1,080 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Grand Rapids, MI | $782 – $1,370 | 1,005 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Warren, MI | $790 – $1,343 | 1,097 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Sterling Heights, MI | $879 – $1,474 | 1,101 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Ann Arbor, MI | $782 – $1,304 | 1,067 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Metairie, LA to Michigan
| From Louisiana to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie, LA to Detroit, MI | $790 – $1,251 | 1,068 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Metairie, LA to Grand Rapids, MI | $840 – $1,343 | 1,063 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Metairie, LA to Warren, MI | $790 – $1,291 | 1,084 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Metairie, LA to Sterling Heights, MI | $799 – $1,370 | 1,088 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Metairie, LA to Ann Arbor, MI | $782 – $1,370 | 1,058 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lafayette, LA to Michigan
| From Louisiana to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, LA to Detroit, MI | $870 – $1,418 | 1,176 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Grand Rapids, MI | $914 – $1,347 | 1,110 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Warren, MI | $861 – $1,474 | 1,192 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Sterling Heights, MI | $896 – $1,375 | 1,196 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Ann Arbor, MI | $905 – $1,361 | 1,165 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Louisiana to Michigan
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from Louisiana to Michigan, expect costs to range from $1,099 to $1,755.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Louisiana to Michigan
When moving your vehicle from the Pelican State to the Wolverine State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed 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 route from Louisiana to Michigan is about 1,184 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Louisiana in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Louisiana and Michigan and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Louisiana to Michigan takes two–eight days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Michigan vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in Michigan, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- 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 Louisiana
More than 4.6 million people call Louisiana home. Nicknamed the Pelican State. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
Transporting your vehicle to Michigan
About 10.0 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Louisiana and delivery in Michigan?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Louisiana and when dropping it off in Michigan.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Louisiana to Michigan?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Louisiana 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 Louisiana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
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 Louisiana to Michigan?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Louisiana to Michigan is about 1,184 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Louisiana to Michigan.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
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 Louisiana, 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 Louisiana, 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana and Michigan to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Louisiana to Michigan?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Louisiana to Michigan is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Louisiana to Michigan?
Shipping a car from Louisiana to Michigan costs $879 to $1,404.
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