Washington to Michigan Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 2,031 miles from Washington to Michigan falls between $1,295 and $2,044. Delivery typically takes four–twelve 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Washington that can relocate your vehicle to Michigan:
- Diesel Auto Express: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- Carworx Auto Transport Inc: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- Auto Shipping Group Inc: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- Seattle Auto Shipping Group: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Better-Haul Auto Logistics: 3.64 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 Washington to Michigan
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Washington to Michigan, 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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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 2,031 miles on your car to travel between Washington and Michigan. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Washington to Michigan, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
Washington to Michigan auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in Washington and Michigan. The typical distance is about 2,031 miles, with shipping times generally falling between four and twelve days.
Cost to ship a car from Seattle, WA to Michigan
| From Washington to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA to Detroit, MI | $1,322 – $2,001 | 2,332 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Seattle, WA to Grand Rapids, MI | $1,245 – $1,985 | 2,097 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Seattle, WA to Warren, MI | $1,270 – $2,042 | 2,339 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Seattle, WA to Sterling Heights, MI | $1,257 – $2,022 | 2,343 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Seattle, WA to Ann Arbor, MI | $1,305 – $2,023 | 2,289 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Spokane, WA to Michigan
| From Washington to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane, WA to Detroit, MI | $1,308 – $2,084 | 2,054 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Spokane, WA to Grand Rapids, MI | $1,283 – $1,737 | 1,819 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Spokane, WA to Warren, MI | $1,245 – $2,024 | 2,062 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Spokane, WA to Sterling Heights, MI | $1,270 – $2,024 | 2,066 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Spokane, WA to Ann Arbor, MI | $1,308 – $2,064 | 2,012 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tacoma, WA to Michigan
| From Washington to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma, WA to Detroit, MI | $1,257 – $1,981 | 2,345 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Tacoma, WA to Grand Rapids, MI | $1,296 – $2,057 | 2,110 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Tacoma, WA to Warren, MI | $1,348 – $2,063 | 2,353 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Tacoma, WA to Sterling Heights, MI | $1,231 – $2,146 | 2,357 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Tacoma, WA to Ann Arbor, MI | $1,244 – $2,063 | 2,303 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Vancouver, WA to Michigan
| From Washington to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver, WA to Detroit, MI | $1,283 – $2,166 | 2,390 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Vancouver, WA to Grand Rapids, MI | $1,305 – $2,064 | 2,285 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Vancouver, WA to Warren, MI | $1,348 – $2,104 | 2,398 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Vancouver, WA to Sterling Heights, MI | $1,308 – $1,973 | 2,402 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Vancouver, WA to Ann Arbor, MI | $1,231 – $1,981 | 2,348 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bellevue, WA to Michigan
| From Washington to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue, WA to Detroit, MI | $1,244 – $2,042 | 2,326 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bellevue, WA to Grand Rapids, MI | $1,228 – $2,084 | 2,221 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Bellevue, WA to Warren, MI | $1,244 – $2,022 | 2,334 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bellevue, WA to Sterling Heights, MI | $1,244 – $2,125 | 2,338 miles | 5 – 13 days |
| Bellevue, WA to Ann Arbor, MI | $1,266 – $1,941 | 2,284 miles | 5 – 13 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Washington 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 Washington to Michigan, expect costs to range from $1,619 to $2,555.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Washington to Michigan
Transporting your vehicle from the Evergreen State to the Wolverine State comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- 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: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Michigan.
- Distance and route: The route from Washington to Michigan is about 2,031 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Washington, 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 Washington 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 four–twelve days, but you can pay for expedited service.
Michigan vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Michigan, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- 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 Washington
More than 7.8 million people call Washington home. Nicknamed the Evergreen State. Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!
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 Washington 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 Washington and when dropping it off in Michigan.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Washington to Michigan?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Washington 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 Washington.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road 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 Washington to Michigan?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Washington to Michigan is about 2,031 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take four to twelve days to travel from Washington to Michigan.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
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 Washington, 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 Washington, 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 Washington 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 Washington and Michigan to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Washington to Michigan?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Washington 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 Washington to Michigan?
Shipping a car from Washington to Michigan costs $1,295 to $2,044.
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