Getting a car to Alaska means a ship from the Lower 48 or a long haul up the Alaska Highway through Canada. See what each option costs, how long it takes, and which companies Alaska shippers rate highest.
Updated Reviewed by Transportvibe Editorial Team
Shipping a standard sedan between the mainland and Alaska costs $1,750–$2,450 port to port in 2026, and $2,300–$4,200 door to door. Price depends on the departure port, vehicle size and sailing schedule. Moves within Alaska are priced separately.
Typical prices for a standard sedan on the most-quoted Alaska routes. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.
| Route | Distance | Open transport | Enclosed transport | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma, WA to Anchorage, AK | Ocean (port to port) | $1,750–$2,450 | $2,550–$3,925 | 7–12 days |
| Anchorage, AK to Tacoma, WA | Ocean (port to port) | $1,750–$2,450 | $2,550–$3,925 | 7–12 days |
| Seattle, WA to Fairbanks, AK | Ocean (port to port) | $2,350–$3,350 | $3,400–$5,350 | 10–16 days |
| Seattle, WA to Juneau, AK | Ocean (port to port) | $1,600–$2,300 | $2,325–$3,675 | 8–14 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Anchorage, AK | Ocean, plus 1,130 mi by truck | $2,575–$3,500 | $3,725–$5,600 | 9–16 days |
| Dallas, TX to Anchorage, AK | Ocean, plus 2,010 mi by truck | $2,875–$3,875 | $4,175–$6,200 | 11–19 days |
| Anchorage, AK to Fairbanks, AK | 310 mi | $450–$575 | $650–$925 | 1–3 days |
| Phoenix, AZ to Anchorage, AK | Ocean, plus 1,320 mi by truck | $2,650–$3,600 | $3,850–$5,750 | 10–17 days |
Most cars go by ship from Tacoma to Anchorage, which is the cheapest and most predictable option. Driving or trucking up the Alaska Highway through British Columbia and Yukon takes longer, adds border paperwork and is rarely cheaper unless the car is already near the route.
If you live outside the Pacific Northwest, you pay for a truck to Tacoma plus the sailing. A car coming from Texas or Florida can cost more to reach the port than to cross the water.
Port-to-port to Anchorage is the baseline. Delivery to Fairbanks, Kenai or the Mat-Su Valley adds trucking, and Southeast Alaska towns like Juneau need a barge. Communities off the road system may require air or seasonal barge freight.
Snow, ice and short daylight from November through March slow trucking north of Anchorage and widen delivery windows. Summer is the busiest moving season, so book sailings several weeks ahead for June through August.
Most vehicles reach Alaska by sea into Anchorage, then move by truck on the state's highway network. Juneau has no road connection to the rest of the state.
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Nearly every car shipped to Alaska arrives through the Port of Alaska in Anchorage on regular sailings from Tacoma. Port-to-port service is the cheapest option: you drop the car in Washington and collect it here. Door delivery inside the Anchorage bowl is widely available.
Fairbanks is reached by truck from Anchorage on the Parks Highway, or overland from the Lower 48 on the Alaska Highway. Winter pickups and deliveries depend on road conditions and daylight, so expect wider delivery windows from November through March.
The Mat-Su Valley is close enough to Anchorage that most carriers deliver here at little extra cost. Rural addresses off the main highways may need to meet the truck in Wasilla or Palmer.
Juneau has no road link to the rest of Alaska or Canada. Cars arrive by barge from Seattle or on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Bellingham. Barge schedules are less frequent than Anchorage sailings, so book early.
Kenai and Soldotna are served by truck from Anchorage via the Seward and Sterling highways. Summer fishing season fills the peninsula with RVs and trucks, which can slow scheduling in June and July.
Ranked by TrustScore, using FMCSA records and reviews from people who shipped to or from Alaska. Companies cannot pay to change their rank.
Compare FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers side by side by TrustScore, verified Alaska reviews, insurance and complaint history.
TrustScore weighs reputation, on-time performance, pricing accuracy, customer experience and FMCSA compliance. Companies cannot pay to change their score; sponsored placements are always labeled. How TrustScore works.
Most cars sail to Alaska as standard roll-on or container cargo. Choose enclosed or a dedicated container for high-value cars or when the car must stay sealed from sea air and road salt.
| Open carrier | Enclosed carrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Alaska price | $1,750–$2,450 | $2,550–$3,925 |
| Truck availability | Standard option on Tacoma–Anchorage sailings, with regular departures. | Limited. Usually means a container or enclosed space on the vessel, booked well ahead. |
| Protection | Exposed to weather, road grime and debris | Fully covered. Keeps sea spray, road salt and gravel highway debris off the car. |
| Best for | Daily drivers, leases, used cars, most relocations | Classics, exotics, show cars, low-clearance and new luxury vehicles |
| Insurance limit (typical) | $100,000–$250,000 cargo coverage | $250,000–$1,000,000 cargo coverage |
Typical demand for Alaska routes by month. Higher demand means higher prices and longer waits for a truck.
Summer (June to August) is the peak moving and military PCS season, and sailings fill up weeks ahead. Spring is a good balance of road conditions and availability. Winter sailings still run on schedule, but trucking north of Anchorage slows and delivery windows widen.
Enter your pickup and delivery ZIPs. Compare companies by TrustScore, Alaska reviews and price, not price alone.
Check the company's USDOT or MC number and insurance. Get the pickup window, price and deposit terms in writing.
Empty the car completely, leave no more than a quarter tank, and photograph every side. Ocean carriers check both before loading.
Walk around the car with the driver and note any damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign it.
What to do after your car arrives. Requirements can change, so confirm with the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles.
Shipping a sedan to Alaska costs $1,750–$2,450 on an open carrier in 2026. Most vehicles move by ocean carrier, and port-to-port rates from the mainland run $1,750–$2,450. SUVs, pickups, non-running cars and enclosed transport cost more.
Ocean transit from the West Coast to Alaska takes 7–12 days port to port, plus time to deliver the car to the departure port and pick it up on arrival. Book well ahead of your move date, since sailings run on fixed schedules.
The cheapest option is usually port-to-port ocean shipping, where you drop the car at the mainland port and pick it up at the Alaska port yourself. Door-to-door service costs more because it adds trucking on both ends.
Someone aged 18 or older needs to be present at both ends to hand over or receive the keys, inspect the car with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading. It doesn't have to be you, but it should be someone you trust to note damage before signing.
Yes. Many companies offer door-to-port service: a truck collects the car anywhere in the Lower 48, delivers it to the Tacoma terminal, and it sails to Anchorage. You pay for both legs, but you don't have to drive it there yourself.
For sailings from Washington, expect to show the title or registration, photo ID, and a lienholder letter if the car is financed. If the car crosses Canada on the Alaska Highway, the carrier also needs customs documents, so confirm requirements with them before booking.
Look up the company's USDOT or MC number on FMCSA and confirm its operating authority is active and insurance is on file. Then check its TrustScore and reviews from people who shipped to or from Alaska. Be cautious of quotes far below market and of companies asking for a large deposit before a carrier is assigned.
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