You can ship a car to Alaska, and for most people the route runs through a port in Tacoma, Washington. Your car is trucked to Tacoma if it starts inland, sails north on a cargo vessel, and is released at Anchorage or another Alaska port. The two largest ocean carriers publish starting rates of roughly $2,576 to $2,671 for a standard car on that sailing, with about 3 to 7 days at sea. Here is what that price covers, what the ports require, and how to avoid the mistakes that hold vehicles on the dock.
Ship a Car to Alaska: Quick Answers
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| How does a car get to Alaska? | Typically by ocean vessel from Tacoma, WA to Anchorage. Cars from other states are trucked to Tacoma first. |
| What does it cost? | Published starting rates for the ocean leg: $2,576.15 (TOTE Maritime, small vehicle) and $2,670.91 (Matson). Coming south from Anchorage is cheaper, from $1,912.62 to $2,025.08. |
| How long does it take? | TOTE lists a three-day transit from Tacoma to Anchorage. Matson lists 3 to 7 days depending on the Alaska destination. Add time for the truck leg and for loading. |
| Can I ship an electric car? | Not with the ocean carriers checked here. Matson, TOTE, and Alaska Marine Lines do not accept EVs or plug-in hybrids. |
| Can I pack things in the car? | Sometimes, for a fee, and only within each carrier’s loading rules. Ask before you load anything. |
Carrier figures were checked on each carrier’s website on October 1, 2026. Ocean rates and rules change, so treat them as planning numbers and confirm them when you book.
How Shipping a Car to Alaska Actually Works
The road to Alaska is long and crosses Canada, so most shipments go by water. The main northbound route is Tacoma to Anchorage. Matson also lists Kodiak and Dutch Harbor as Alaska ports, and Alaska Marine Lines serves Seattle to Southeast Alaska, Central Alaska, and seasonal Western Alaska and Arctic routes. Shipping to Hawaii follows a similar truck-then-ship model; see how to ship a car to Hawaii for that route.
If your car is in Washington, you may be able to drop it at the port yourself. If it is in Texas, Ohio, or Florida, it first needs a truck to Tacoma, which is where open auto transport or enclosed transport comes in. A carrier’s published ocean rate covers the sailing, not the drive from your driveway to the dock. When you price a move from the Midwest or East Coast, you are pricing two moves: a truck to the port, then the ship. Freedom Auto Transport serves Alaska with open and enclosed options and door-to-door service, and the Alaska car shipping page lists the cities it covers, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Wasilla, and Kodiak.
What It Costs to Ship a Car to Alaska
Here are the published starting rates for the ocean leg, taken from each carrier’s own page:
| Carrier and Vehicle Size | Tacoma to Anchorage | Anchorage to Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| TOTE Maritime, small (under 68″ tall, under 260″ long) | $2,576.15 | $1,912.62 |
| TOTE Maritime, medium (under 84″ tall, under 260″ long) | $3,220.04 | $1,912.62 |
| TOTE Maritime, large (under 102″ tall, under 275″ long) | $4,714.83 | Not published |
| Matson, standard car (up to 21’7″ long, 6’11” wide, 5’6″ tall northbound) | $2,670.91 | $2,025.08 |
Three things move your final number:
- Vehicle size. TOTE prices by height and length, and a pickup or SUV can land in the medium or large tier. Oversized vehicles need a custom quote.
- Where you start. A car already in Tacoma costs far less to move than one in Atlanta. The inland truck leg is priced like any other car shipping job, using the same cost factors of distance, vehicle size, and timing.
- What is inside. TOTE charges a flat $181 for personal effects, subject to its loading guidelines. Matson also charges extra for limited personal items.
TOTE says its rates include the ocean fuel surcharge, port charge, terminal charge, and a modernization charge, so the posted number is closer to the real number than many freight quotes. Because the inland leg varies so much, the most reliable figure is a quote for your exact origin and destination. Flexible pickup dates and open transport for the truck leg are the usual ways to keep that part down.
How Long Does It Take?
The sailing itself is short. TOTE lists a three-day transit from Tacoma to Anchorage with cargo available on the fourth day, and sails twice a week year-round. Matson lists 3 to 7 days depending on the Alaska destination. Add the time to get an inland car to Tacoma, plus a booking and drop-off window before the ship leaves. Ask for a firm drop-off date and a sailing date when you book, and allow extra time if you are heading to a smaller port. For the mainland leg, see how long it takes to ship a car.
Port Rules That Trip People Up
Cars get turned away or delayed for small, avoidable reasons. These are the rules the ocean carriers state:
- Low fuel. Alaska Marine Lines requires less than a quarter tank, citing Coast Guard rules. Ask your carrier what applies to your sailing.
- Personal items. Alaska Marine Lines allows personal effects on Alaska shipments but not in the front seat, on the driver-side floor, on the roof, or above truck bed level, and it requires 360-degree visibility. It prohibits hazardous materials, high-value goods, and firearms. Matson allows an extra set of tires at no charge on the Alaska-Tacoma route.
- Electric vehicles. Matson has suspended acceptance of used and new EVs and plug-in hybrids. TOTE stopped accepting them on August 1, 2025, though it still accepts mild hybrids. Alaska Marine Lines does not accept them either. If you drive an EV, ask about options before you plan the move around it.
- Size. TOTE requires vehicles under 900 cubic feet, measured with trailers, antennas, mirrors, and modifications included. TOTE does not accept motorcycles.
- Booking and payment. Alaska Marine Lines requires advance booking and prepayment unless you have established credit, and inspects the vehicle on arrival.
Our car shipping preparation checklist covers photos, maintenance, and paperwork that apply to any long haul. Take date-stamped photos of every side before the car leaves your hands, and keep a copy of the bill of lading from the truck carrier.
Open or Enclosed for the Truck Leg?
The ocean crossing is the same either way, so the choice only affects the truck ride to and from the port. Most daily drivers go by open carrier, the lowest-cost option, and our open car shipping guide covers how safe it is in practice. Enclosed transport costs more and shields the car from weather and road debris, which matters for classic, exotic, and low-clearance cars. If you are undecided, see open vs. enclosed car shipping. For pickup at your door, read door-to-door vs. terminal car shipping: a large truck cannot always reach a narrow street, and dockside drop-off is its own errand when you are across the country.
Insurance: Ask for the Liability Terms in Writing
The pages checked for this guide did not spell out the ocean carriers’ liability limits for Alaska, so this guide does not quote any. Matson’s Hawaii route, for comparison, states that it does not provide insurance and caps liability at the vehicle’s market value and no more than $1,000 per 40 cubic feet. Do not assume the Alaska sailing is different. Ask your carrier for its liability terms before you book, and talk to your own auto insurer about coverage for the sea leg. Our guide to car shipping insurance explains how carrier coverage and your own policy fit together.
Should You Ship It at All?
Shipping makes sense when the car is worth more than the crossing costs, when you need a specific vehicle, or when replacing and registering another one would cost more. It makes less sense for an older car worth about what the shipping bill costs, since selling it and buying locally may come out even or ahead. Run the numbers on both. Active-duty families have their own timing and allowance rules, covered in our military car shipping guide.
Choosing a Company for an Alaska Shipment
Get two or three quotes for the same service and ask each company who will move the car at each stage. A broker arranges the move, and the carriers and ocean line do the hauling. A quote far below the rest usually means the price rises later. Our guide on how to choose an auto transport company covers what to compare, and how to spot auto transport scams covers the red flags.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to Alaska?
Published starting rates for the ocean leg from Tacoma to Anchorage are $2,576.15 for a small vehicle with TOTE Maritime and $2,670.91 with Matson. If your car is not near Tacoma, add the cost of trucking it there. Larger vehicles are priced in higher tiers.
How long does it take to ship a car to Alaska?
TOTE lists a three-day transit from Tacoma to Anchorage. Matson lists 3 to 7 days depending on the Alaska destination. Add the time to reach Tacoma if your car starts inland, plus booking and drop-off time before sailing.
Can you ship a car to Alaska from anywhere in the U.S.?
Yes. Cars from other states are trucked to a port such as Tacoma and then shipped by sea. The mainland truck leg is a separate part of the total cost.
Can I ship an electric car to Alaska?
The ocean carriers checked for this guide do not accept electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. TOTE accepts mild hybrids. Ask your shipper for current options before you plan your move around an EV.
Can I pack my belongings in the car?
Possibly, within each carrier’s rules. TOTE charges a flat $181 for personal effects, and Alaska Marine Lines restricts where items can sit and bans hazardous materials, high-value goods, and firearms. Confirm what is allowed before you load anything.
Is it cheaper to ship a car from Alaska to the mainland?
Yes, the published rates are lower southbound: $1,912.62 with TOTE and $2,025.08 with Matson, against $2,576.15 and $2,670.91 northbound.
Have a question this didn’t cover? Check our full auto transport FAQ or call 888-509-1102.
Get a Quote for Your Move to Alaska
Tell us where the car is and where in Alaska it is going, and we will price the whole trip, including the mainland truck leg and the ocean crossing. Get a free estimate or call 888-509-1102.