Rivalane arranges licensed, insured, door to door car shipping for service members and their families. Whether you move on PCS orders, head out on deployment, or buy a vehicle in another state, we handle the route so you can focus on the move.
Military car shipping moves a service member's privately owned vehicle during a relocation, most often on PCS orders when driving it to the next duty station is not practical. Instead of adding thousands of miles or splitting up your travel plans, you hand the vehicle to a carrier and it meets you at the new base. Rivalane arranges this for active duty members, veterans, and their families, and applies a verified military discount to the shipment.
It works for a permanent change of station, a deployment, or an out-of-state purchase, and for any service member, veteran, or military spouse who would rather not drive the miles. Whether your next station is across the country or overseas, Rivalane matches your vehicle to a carrier and coordinates pickup and delivery around your orders.
Military car shipping follows a clear process from your first quote to delivery at your new station, and each step is handled with your orders and your timeline in mind.
Once you request a quote, we match your vehicle to a licensed, insured carrier based on your pickup and delivery locations, your vehicle, and your report date. You choose open or enclosed transport before we confirm the carrier.
At pickup, the driver inspects the vehicle and records its condition, and we recommend taking your own photos first. Your car then travels to the destination, where it is inspected again before you sign off.
Communication matters most on a military move. Because report dates and base access can shift, we keep you updated from carrier assignment through delivery.
Ship your POV directly from your current station or home to your next base when orders send you across the country. We plan the route around your report date so the car arrives when you need it.
Move your vehicle to a trusted contact or safe location before you deploy. We arrange pickup on your schedule so the car is handled before you leave.
Bought or sold a vehicle in another state? We coordinate pickup and delivery between any two points so the car reaches you or your buyer without a long solo drive.
PCS moves can follow different rules depending on your branch, your orders, and whether the move is CONUS or OCONUS. Knowing which one applies helps you plan the vehicle early instead of scrambling near your report date.
CONUS means inside the continental United States. OCONUS means outside it, including overseas assignments and, depending on your orders, Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. OCONUS moves usually route through a port and run on a longer timeline.
If the government is handling or authorizing your POV shipment, you may need to follow official instructions, use a designated vehicle processing center, and track the move through the official system. Your orders tell you which path applies, so read them first.
If you are arranging the shipment yourself, Rivalane coordinates private military car shipping with licensed and insured carriers, matched to your route, pickup timing, delivery location, and vehicle type. We apply your military discount after we verify your service.
Open transport
Best for
Most daily drivers, SUVs, trucks, and family vehicles
Main advantage
Usually more affordable and easier to schedule
Things to know
Vehicle is exposed to normal weather and road conditions
Enclosed transport
Best for
Luxury cars, classics, sports cars, and collector vehicles
Main advantage
More protection during transit
Things to know
Usually costs more and may need more scheduling flexibility
For most military relocations, open transport is the practical option. Enclosed makes more sense when the vehicle carries higher value or you want maximum protection. Tell us about your vehicle and your orders, and we will recommend the option that fits your move.
The cost of military car shipping depends on the route, distance, vehicle size, carrier availability, pickup timing, delivery access, and transport type.
Main price factors include:
• Distance and route
• Vehicle size and weight
• Open or enclosed transport
• Pickup and delivery ZIP codes
• Season and carrier availability
• Pickup window flexibility
• Running or non-running vehicle
• Base access or pickup location
• Urgent or short-notice booking
A long distance PCS move with flexible timing is usually easier to price than a last minute shipment with a narrow pickup window. If your report date is close, request a quote as early as possible, and we apply your military discount after we verify your service.
Military Pricing
Rivalane can offer military friendly pricing when available for active duty service members, veterans, reservists, National Guard members, military spouses, and immediate family members.
Discount availability can depend on the route, carrier pricing, season, and transport type. The best approach is to mention your military relocation when you request a quote, so the team can check what is available for your shipment.
Rivalane ships privately owned vehicles to and from duty stations in all 50 states as part of our nationwide carrier network. Here are a few of the states where military families request pickup and delivery most often.
Virginia
See Virginia shipping details →North Carolina
See North Carolina shipping details →California
See California shipping details →Washington
See Washington shipping details →Not seeing your base's state? We ship privately owned vehicles to and from all 50 states.
Get a quote to check your route →
Before You Ship
A little preparation keeps your pickup on schedule, from your current station to your next base.
Most of these take only a few minutes, and having them ready lets the driver focus on loading and securing your vehicle instead of sorting out basics on the spot.
PCS or Travel Orders
Have your orders ready. They confirm the move and support any reimbursement claim you plan to file for the shipment.
Valid ID
Bring a government or state issued ID for whoever releases the vehicle at pickup and receives it at delivery.
Power of Attorney
If someone other than you will hand off or accept the car, a power of attorney lets them sign for the shipment on your behalf.
Registration and Lien Info
Have current registration on hand, plus lender authorization if the vehicle carries a loan or lien. Note any keys and accessories so they are recorded at inspection.
A military move runs on orders and deadlines, and Rivalane builds every shipment around that. We work only with licensed, insured carriers, apply your military discount after we verify your service, and match your vehicle to a carrier and route that fit your report date. From your first quote to delivery at your new station, one team stays with your move and keeps you updated.
✓
Verified military discount, applied before you book
✓
Carriers who understand base access and report dates
✓
One point of contact from quote to delivery
Verified Military Discount
Licensed & Insured
Nationwide to Any Base
In these articles you will find simple and real explanations of how car shipping works: What to expect, and how to avoid common mistakes. We also cover how to spot scams, understand the quotes and choose a reliable company for a smooth transport. Shipping a car in the U.S. is not just booking a date and waiting.. It depends on the routes, carrier availability and timing, which is why prices and delivery windows can vary.
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