Ohio to Michigan Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 368 miles from Ohio to Michigan ranges from $511 to $721. Expect the trip to take around one–four days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Michigan to Ohio 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 Ohio to Michigan car shipping companies
Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Ohio to Michigan:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- 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
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Ohio
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Ohio ready to move your vehicle to Michigan:
- Diesel Auto Express: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport: 3.7 out of 5 stars
- Ceva Logistics: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- USTA Transport: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Tiger Auto Transport: 3.52 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 Ohio to Michigan
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Ohio to Michigan, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 368 miles on your car going from Ohio to Michigan. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Ohio to Michigan for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
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.
Ohio to Michigan auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in Ohio and Michigan. The typical distance is about 368 miles, with shipping times generally falling between one and four days.
Cost to ship a car from Columbus, OH to Michigan
| From Ohio to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH to Detroit, MI | $423 – $576 | 204 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbus, OH to Grand Rapids, MI | $470 – $688 | 322 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbus, OH to Warren, MI | $428 – $558 | 220 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbus, OH to Sterling Heights, MI | $454 – $569 | 224 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbus, OH to Ann Arbor, MI | $396 – $515 | 194 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cleveland, OH to Michigan
| From Ohio to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH to Detroit, MI | $385 – $499 | 169 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Cleveland, OH to Grand Rapids, MI | $452 – $636 | 299 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Cleveland, OH to Warren, MI | $406 – $555 | 185 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Cleveland, OH to Sterling Heights, MI | $398 – $544 | 189 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Cleveland, OH to Ann Arbor, MI | $383 – $533 | 170 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cincinnati, OH to Michigan
| From Ohio to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH to Detroit, MI | $444 – $600 | 263 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Cincinnati, OH to Grand Rapids, MI | $543 – $750 | 359 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Cincinnati, OH to Warren, MI | $471 – $617 | 279 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Cincinnati, OH to Sterling Heights, MI | $475 – $611 | 284 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Cincinnati, OH to Ann Arbor, MI | $410 – $600 | 253 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Toledo, OH to Michigan
| From Ohio to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toledo, OH to Detroit, MI | $200 – $340 | 59 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Toledo, OH to Grand Rapids, MI | $386 – $555 | 186 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Toledo, OH to Warren, MI | $242 – $427 | 75 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Toledo, OH to Sterling Heights, MI | $245 – $419 | 79 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Toledo, OH to Ann Arbor, MI | $200 – $344 | 57 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Akron, OH to Michigan
| From Ohio to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH to Detroit, MI | $413 – $548 | 191 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Akron, OH to Grand Rapids, MI | $484 – $655 | 321 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Akron, OH to Warren, MI | $444 – $527 | 208 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Akron, OH to Sterling Heights, MI | $439 – $571 | 212 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Akron, OH to Ann Arbor, MI | $430 – $542 | 192 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Ohio 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 Ohio to Michigan, expect costs to range from $639 to $901.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Ohio to Michigan
If you’re shipping a car from the Buckeye State to the Wolverine State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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 trip from Ohio to Michigan covers roughly 368 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Ohio, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Ohio and Michigan may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is one–four days, but you can pay for expedited service.
Michigan vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Michigan, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- 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 Ohio
More than 11.8 million people call Ohio home. Nicknamed the Buckeye State. Ohio forms a part of what's considered both the snowbelt and the tornado alley which means your move may be affected if either of these are impacting the state on your move day.
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 Ohio 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 Ohio and when dropping it off in Michigan.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Ohio to Michigan?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Ohio 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 Ohio.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced protection.
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 Ohio to Michigan?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Ohio to Michigan is about 368 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Ohio to Michigan.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.
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 Ohio, 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 Ohio, 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 Ohio 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 Ohio and Michigan to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Ohio to Michigan?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Ohio 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 Ohio to Michigan?
Shipping a car from Ohio to Michigan costs $511 to $721.
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