Rhode Island to Louisiana Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,560 miles from Rhode Island to Louisiana ranges from $1,065 to $1,568. Expect the trip to take around three–nine 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 Louisiana to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island to Louisiana car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Rhode Island to Louisiana:
- 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
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove 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 Rhode Island
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Rhode Island can deliver your vehicle to Louisiana:
- Beacon Shipping Logistics Inc: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Virginia Transportation Corp: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- East Coast Auto Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- United Road Services: Davisville: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Natales Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Beacon Shipping Logistics Inc
25 Messenger Dr, Warwick, RI 02888 US
beaconshippinglogistics.com
3.8 / 5.0
Beacon Shipping Logistics has garnered mixed reviews from customers. Many praise the company for its excellent communication, responsiveness, and timely delivery, often highlighting the professionalism of team members like John and Matt. However, some customers reported negative experiences, specifically citing issues with rude staff, lack of accountability for damage, and dissatisfaction with pricing structures.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2268269
Virginia Transportation Corp
141 James P Murphy Ind Hwy, West Warwick, RI 2893 US
virginiatransportation.com
3.76 / 5.0
The company has provided a range of experiences for customers and employees. Positive feedback highlights effective communication and professionalism, while negative comments focus on invasive practices and logistical issues.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Multi-car transport
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 643760
East Coast Auto Transport
111 Amaral St, Riverside, RI 02915 US
eastcoastautotransport.com
3.58 / 5.0
East Coast Auto Transport receives commendation for their professional service, timely delivery, and effective communication from many satisfied customers. However, significant frustration arises from reports of poor customer service, vehicle damage complaints, and concerns regarding delays and lack of communication regarding transport statuses.
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Electric vehicles
Discounts
- Military
- Student
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1625076
United Road Services: Davisville
40 Thompson Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852 US
unitedroad.com
3.5 / 5.0
United Road Services generally offers excellent customer service, friendly representatives, and good vehicle care. However, they face criticism for poor communication, unreliable delivery times, and issues with the quality of their subcontracted drivers, leading to frustration among many customers.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2234402
Natales Transport
2708 S County Trl East, East Greenwich, RI 02818 US
natalestransport.com
3.5 / 5.0
Customers express strong praise for the professionalism and timely service of Natale’s Transport, highlighting Rob Natale’s reliability. However, some reviewers raise serious concerns about delays in payment and label the service as a scam.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- ATVs
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1569601
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 Rhode Island to Louisiana
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Rhode Island to Louisiana, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 1,560 miles to your car on the trip from Rhode Island to Louisiana. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Rhode Island to Louisiana is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
Rhode Island to Louisiana auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Rhode Island and Louisiana. The average travel distance is about 1,560 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to nine days.
Cost to ship a car from Providence, RI to Louisiana
| From Rhode Island to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RI to New Orleans, LA | $1,053 – $1,552 | 1,491 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Providence, RI to Baton Rouge, LA | $1,054 – $1,490 | 1,549 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Providence, RI to Shreveport, LA | $1,084 – $1,561 | 1,600 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Providence, RI to Metairie, LA | $1,074 – $1,521 | 1,497 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Providence, RI to Lafayette, LA | $1,084 – $1,709 | 1,604 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Warwick, RI to Louisiana
| From Rhode Island to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick, RI to New Orleans, LA | $991 – $1,491 | 1,485 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Warwick, RI to Baton Rouge, LA | $1,098 – $1,537 | 1,542 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Warwick, RI to Shreveport, LA | $1,087 – $1,646 | 1,593 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Warwick, RI to Metairie, LA | $1,011 – $1,506 | 1,489 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Warwick, RI to Lafayette, LA | $1,054 – $1,568 | 1,596 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cranston, RI to Louisiana
| From Rhode Island to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cranston, RI to New Orleans, LA | $1,001 – $1,475 | 1,488 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Cranston, RI to Baton Rouge, LA | $1,076 – $1,646 | 1,545 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Cranston, RI to Shreveport, LA | $1,098 – $1,646 | 1,596 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Cranston, RI to Metairie, LA | $1,022 – $1,567 | 1,492 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Cranston, RI to Lafayette, LA | $1,076 – $1,552 | 1,599 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Pawtucket, RI to Louisiana
| From Rhode Island to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawtucket, RI to New Orleans, LA | $1,043 – $1,491 | 1,498 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Pawtucket, RI to Baton Rouge, LA | $1,131 – $1,615 | 1,553 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Pawtucket, RI to Shreveport, LA | $1,096 – $1,693 | 1,604 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Pawtucket, RI to Metairie, LA | $1,120 – $1,599 | 1,500 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Pawtucket, RI to Lafayette, LA | $1,153 – $1,725 | 1,607 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from East Providence, RI to Louisiana
| From Rhode Island to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Providence, RI to New Orleans, LA | $991 – $1,537 | 1,492 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| East Providence, RI to Baton Rouge, LA | $1,065 – $1,490 | 1,549 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| East Providence, RI to Shreveport, LA | $1,142 – $1,693 | 1,600 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| East Providence, RI to Metairie, LA | $1,043 – $1,598 | 1,496 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| East Providence, RI to Lafayette, LA | $1,130 – $1,709 | 1,603 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Rhode Island to Louisiana
Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.
For this route from Rhode Island to Louisiana, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $1,331–$1,960.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Rhode Island to Louisiana
When arranging car transport from the Ocean State to the Pelican State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to Louisiana.
- Distance and route: The journey from Rhode Island to Louisiana spans approximately 1,560 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Rhode Island around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Rhode Island and Louisiana.
- 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 Rhode Island to Louisiana should take between three and nine days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Louisiana vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Louisiana, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Rhode Island
More than 1.1 million people call Rhode Island home. Nicknamed the Ocean State. 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.
Transporting your vehicle to Louisiana
About 4.6 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Rhode Island and delivery in Louisiana?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Rhode Island and when dropping it off in Louisiana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Rhode Island to Louisiana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Rhode Island to Louisiana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Louisiana, which you should verify before loading your car in Rhode Island.
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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Rhode Island to Louisiana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Rhode Island to Louisiana is about 1,560 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from Rhode Island to Louisiana.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in Rhode Island, will I need one in Louisiana?
New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in Rhode Island, will I be required to pay sales tax in Louisiana after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Rhode Island to Louisiana after purchasing it.
In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Rhode Island and Louisiana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Rhode Island to Louisiana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Rhode Island to Louisiana 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 Rhode Island to Louisiana?
Shipping a car from Rhode Island to Louisiana costs $1,065 to $1,568.
