Car Shipping to Alaska from the Lower 48
Alaska is legally a U.S. state but logistically a separate world. There's no continuous road network from the Lower 48 that doesn't cross Canada, so most cars travel by a combination of trucking and ocean freight. Here's how it works, what it costs, and how it compares to driving.
Starting Prices
Estimated starting rates for Alaska vehicle transport:
Mainland USA to Alaska
starting at $2,349
Alaska to Mainland USA
starting at $2,349
These are estimated starting rates. The final price depends on the vehicle's size, make, model, and condition, your pickup and delivery locations, port and terminal requirements, carrier availability, seasonal demand, and open or enclosed transport where applicable. We provide a final quote after reviewing the complete vehicle and route details.
How a Car Gets to Alaska
Most vehicles are trucked to a port in Washington State, typically Seattle or Tacoma, and then travel by barge or cargo ship to an Alaskan port such as Anchorage. Carriers like Matson, Alaska Marine Lines, and TOTE offer port-to-port vehicle transport on this route. The standard, most affordable method is RoRo (roll-on, roll-off), where the car is driven onto a specialized vessel. A fully enclosed container protects the car from the elements but typically adds $1,000 to $2,000 or more.
Why Shipping to Alaska Costs More
The price isn't arbitrary. It reflects real logistics:
Distance and infrastructure
Alaska sits more than 2,000 miles from the Lower 48 with no continuous road network that stays in the U.S., so a shipment relies on linehaul trucking plus sea barges.
The empty return trip
Carriers often come back from Alaska with empty cargo holds, because the state imports far more than it exports. Shippers effectively pay for the round trip either way.
Weather and remote handling
Extreme conditions and remote destinations add operational cost that doesn't exist on a standard interstate route.
What It Costs
Across the market, shipping a car to Alaska commonly runs roughly $1,800 to $4,500, depending on the starting location, vehicle size, and shipping method. A few things move the number:
- •Vehicle size: A large SUV, van, or pickup typically adds roughly $300 to $500 over a standard sedan.
- •Container vs. RoRo: An enclosed container adds $1,000 to $2,000 or more.
- •Season: Summer, May through September, brings a surge in demand from military relocations and tourism, which pushes rates up. Winter is usually cheaper, though heavy weather can cause significant port delays.
- •Lead time and flexibility: Booking 2 to 4 weeks ahead and keeping a flexible 2 to 3 day pickup window helps carriers secure better rates for the trucking leg.
- •Where you start: If you can deliver the car to the Tacoma, Washington port yourself instead of paying a carrier to haul it across the country, you can save hundreds of dollars.
Shipping vs. Driving to Alaska
Driving is possible, but it's a real expedition. The main route is the Alaska Highway (the Alcan), about 1,387 miles from Dawson Creek, British Columbia to Delta Junction, Alaska, and the Cassiar Highway is a more rugged alternative. Either way you cross into Canada, which means a valid passport, license, insurance, and registration, and Canadian entry rules apply to everyone in the vehicle, including past criminal history such as a DUI. Plan on roughly 5 to 10 days each way, gas stations that can be 90 to 100 miles apart, and fuel that can easily exceed $1,500 for the round trip, plus hotels and the wear of long gravel stretches. A round trip takes at least two weeks of your time.
There's also a third option: the Alaska Marine Highway, a state ferry system that takes vehicles from Bellingham, Washington into Southeast or Southcentral Alaska, with a trip of a few days.
Whether shipping beats driving depends on who's traveling. For one or two people, flying and shipping the car is worth pricing out against fuel, hotels, and two weeks of your time. For a family of three or four, sharing the drive can be competitive with buying several plane tickets.
See our car shipping guide for the general ship-or-drive math
Shipping From Alaska to the Lower 48
The route works the same way in reverse: vehicles typically leave an Alaskan port such as Anchorage by barge or cargo ship, arrive in Washington State, and continue by truck to their destination. We quote the Alaska-to-mainland direction at the same starting price, and the same seasonal pattern applies, with summer the busiest and most expensive stretch.
Heavier Vehicles and Electric Vehicles
Weight matters more on this route than on a standard shipment. Heavy trucks and electric vehicles cost significantly more to ship because of their weight, and certain carriers restrict electric vehicles altogether, so mention it upfront if that's what you're moving.
See our car shipping guide for how vehicle size affects costPreparing Your Vehicle
- •Clean, safe, and operable.
- •Fuel at a quarter tank or less. For electric vehicles, the government's PCS program asks for roughly a 30 to 50% charge.
- •Personal items: Policies vary by carrier and by whether your vehicle ships by RoRo or container. For port shipments, assume the vehicle needs to be empty unless we confirm otherwise. Some carriers also restrict electric vehicles.
Military PCS Moves
If you're moving to Alaska on PCS orders, the Department of Defense generally covers shipping one privately owned vehicle through its own PCSmyPOV program, because Alaska counts as OCONUS for these moves. The car is dropped at an assigned Vehicle Processing Center, and mileage to the nearest one may be reimbursed, so that program is the place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to Alaska?
Our starting price is $2,349 in either direction, with the final quote based on your vehicle and route. Market costs commonly run roughly $1,800 to $4,500.
Why is it so expensive to ship to Alaska?
Distance of more than 2,000 miles, no continuous road network, reliance on barges and ocean freight, carriers returning from Alaska nearly empty, and weather and remote handling all add cost.
Can I just drive my car to Alaska?
Yes, through Canada via the Alaska Highway or the Cassiar Highway, with a valid passport and about 5 to 10 days of driving each way. For one or two people, shipping the car and flying is worth pricing out once fuel, hotels, and time are counted, while a larger family may find the drive competitive.
Can I ship an electric vehicle to Alaska?
Often yes, but some carriers restrict electric vehicles and heavy EVs cost more to ship because of their weight, so mention it upfront when you request a quote.
What time of year is cheapest?
Winter is usually cheaper, but weather can delay port operations. Summer, May through September, is the most expensive because of military relocations and tourism.
Does the military pay to ship my car to Alaska?
Generally yes, for one vehicle on PCS orders, through the government's own PCSmyPOV program and an assigned Vehicle Processing Center.
Shipping a Car to or from Alaska?
Get a quote with your vehicle and pickup location, and we'll confirm the route, timing, and final price.