Providence
I-95, I-195 · To Chicago, IL: $750–$975Providence is on I-95 about an hour from Boston. Brown, RISD and other schools bring late-August and May peaks, and narrow College Hill streets mean pickups often happen at a lot.
Car Shipping in Rhode Island: 2026 Costs, Transit Times & Vetted Carriers
Shipping a car to Providence, down to Newport, or south to Florida for the winter. See what Rhode Island routes cost, how long they take, and which carriers Rhode Island shippers rate highest.
Updated Reviewed by Transportvibe Editorial Team
How much does it cost to ship a car in Rhode Island?
Shipping a standard sedan to or from Rhode Island costs $325–$1,825 on open transport in 2026, depending on distance. In-state moves run $350–$525, regional moves to neighboring states $425–$800, and coast-to-coast routes $1,450–$1,825. Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
- Transit time: 1–3 days in state, 6–9 days coast to coast.
- Cheapest months: January and February. Summer and fall snowbird season are busiest.
- Main carrier corridors: I-95, I-295 and RI-146.
- Average cost, sedan, open
- $325–$1,8252026 estimate, depends on distance
- Average transit time
- 1–9 daysPickup to delivery
- Cheapest months
- January and FebruaryLowest demand for Rhode Island routes
- Enclosed transport adds
- 40–60%Over open-carrier price
Rhode Island car shipping costs by route
Typical open-carrier prices for a standard sedan on the most-quoted Rhode Island routes. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.
| Route | Distance | Open transport | Enclosed transport | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RI to Los Angeles, CA | 3,090 mi | $1,450–$1,825 | $2,100–$2,925 | 6–9 days |
| Warwick, RI to Hartford, CT | 80 mi | $325–$475 | $475–$750 | 1–3 days |
| Newport, RI to Boston, MA | 70 mi | $325–$475 | $475–$750 | 1–3 days |
| Seattle, WA to Providence, RI | 2,980 mi | $1,400–$1,800 | $2,025–$2,875 | 6–9 days |
| Providence, RI to Phoenix, AZ | 2,730 mi | $1,350–$1,700 | $1,950–$2,725 | 6–9 days |
| Denver, CO to Newport, RI | 2,110 mi | $1,150–$1,475 | $1,675–$2,350 | 4–7 days |
| Westerly, RI to Providence, RI | 40 mi | $325–$475 | $475–$750 | 1–3 days |
What changes the price of shipping a car in Rhode Island
Small state, busy corridor
Almost every Rhode Island address is close to I-95, so pickups are usually quick. Island and coastal towns can take a little longer.
Summer season
Newport, Block Island and South County beach towns fill in summer. Shipping in late spring or out after Labor Day is busiest.
Snowbird routes
Many residents winter in Florida. Southbound routes fill from October through December.
Winter weather
Nor'easters and ice from December through March can delay carriers.
Shipping a car to and from Rhode Island's main cities
Rhode Island sits on I-95 between New York and Boston, so carriers pass through constantly. Most of the state is a short drive from the interstate.
I-95RI-146RI-4RI-138
Schematic, not to scale. Tap a city to jump to it.
Warwick
I-95, I-295 · To Chicago, IL: $750–$975Warwick sits next to T.F. Green Airport, where I-95 meets I-295. It's often the easiest pickup in the state.
Newport
RI-138, RI-24 · To Chicago, IL: $750–$975Newport is reached over the Newport Pell Bridge or from Massachusetts on RI-24. Summer homes and Naval Station Newport bring seasonal and military moves.
Westerly
I-95 · To Chicago, IL: $750–$950Westerly is on the Connecticut line near the beaches of South County. Summer brings extra demand.
Woonsocket
RI-146 · To Chicago, IL: $750–$950Woonsocket is in northern Rhode Island near Massachusetts, connected to Providence by RI-146.
Kingston
RI-138, RI-4 · To Chicago, IL: $750–$975Kingston is home to the University of Rhode Island, which brings August and May student moves.
Highest-rated car shipping companies serving Rhode Island
Ranked by TrustScore, using FMCSA records and reviews from people who shipped to or from Rhode Island. Companies cannot pay to change their rank.
See every company that ships to and from Rhode Island
Compare FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers side by side by TrustScore, verified Rhode Island 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.
Open or enclosed transport for Rhode Island?
Most Rhode Island shipments go on open carriers. Choose enclosed when the car's value, finish or clearance makes road exposure a real risk.
| Open carrier | Enclosed carrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Rhode Island price | $325–$1,825 | $475–$2,925 |
| Truck availability | High on I-95, I-295 and RI-146. Fastest scheduling in the larger metros. | Lower. Often routed through the nearest major hub, so allow extra days. |
| Protection | Exposed to weather, road grime and debris | Fully covered. Shields against salt air, road salt and coastal humidity. |
| 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 |
Best time to ship a car in Rhode Island
Typical demand for Rhode Island routes by month. Higher demand means higher prices and longer waits for a truck.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
High demandModerateLow
Summer brings beach and Newport traffic. Fall sends snowbirds south. Spring brings them back, and winter can be cheaper with occasional storms.
How shipping a car in Rhode Island works
Compare quotes
Enter your pickup and delivery ZIPs. Compare companies by TrustScore, Rhode Island reviews and price, not price alone.
Verify and book
Check the company's USDOT or MC number and insurance. Get the pickup window, price and deposit terms in writing.
Prepare the car
Remove personal items and toll tags, leave about a quarter tank, and photograph every side in daylight.
Inspect at delivery
Walk around the car with the driver and note any damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign it.
Moving to Rhode Island with a car
What to do after your car arrives. Requirements can change, so confirm with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles.
- Register and title your vehicleNew residents register [VERIFY: new-resident registration deadline] through the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Bring your out-of-state title or lienholder details, ID and proof of Rhode Island insurance.
- Switch to a Rhode Island driver licenseHandled by the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Most states expect this within the same window as registration.
- Carry Rhode Island minimum insurance[VERIFY: minimum liability insurance limits]
- Inspections and emissionsRhode Island requires a safety and emissions inspection every two years.
Rhode Island car shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to Rhode Island?
Shipping a sedan to Rhode Island costs $325–$1,825 on an open carrier in 2026. Shorter moves within the state run about $350–$525, while cross-country routes cost $1,450–$1,825. SUVs, pickups, non-running cars and enclosed transport cost more.
How long does it take to ship a car to or from Rhode Island?
Most Rhode Island shipments are delivered in 1–3 days within the state, 2–5 days to neighboring states, and 6–9 days coast to coast. Add one to five days for the carrier to schedule pickup, more for rural addresses far from an interstate.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car in Rhode Island?
The cheapest option is an open carrier with flexible pickup dates, booked two to three weeks ahead. Meeting the driver near I-95, I-295 and RI-146 instead of at a remote address usually lowers the price and shortens the wait.
Do I need to be there for pickup and delivery?
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.
Does Rhode Island require an inspection for a car shipped from another state?
Yes. Rhode Island requires a safety and emissions inspection every two years, and new registrations need one soon after registering.
Can I ship a car to Block Island?
Car carriers can't reach Block Island directly. Cars go by ferry from Point Judith, so arrange delivery to the ferry terminal and book the ferry separately.
How do I check that a Rhode Island car shipping company is legitimate?
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 Rhode Island. Be cautious of quotes far below market and of companies asking for a large deposit before a carrier is assigned.
Keep planning
Neighboring states
Popular Rhode Island routes
- Rhode Island to California
- California to Rhode Island
- Rhode Island to Washington
- Washington to Rhode Island
Guides and tools
- Open vs enclosed car shipping
- How to prepare your car for shipping
- What is a Bill of Lading?
- Car shipping in every state
Ready to ship your car in Rhode Island?
Compare quotes from FMCSA-checked companies Rhode Island shippers trust. Free, no obligation.