Alaska to Washington Car Shipping

We do not publish a flat rate for Alaska to Washington, because the cost depends on details that change from one car to the next. The calculator or a manager will give you a figure for your specific pickup city and delivery city. Here is what moves the number:

• The sea leg. Most vehicles go by sea from the Port of Anchorage to a Washington port such as Tacoma or Seattle. Port handling and the ocean portion are part of the job, so this lane is priced differently from a road-only route.
• Where the car starts. A pickup in Anchorage is the simplest case. A car in Fairbanks or on the Kenai Peninsula first has to reach the port, which adds a leg.
• Where it finishes. Delivery in the Seattle-Tacoma area is the straightforward option. Spokane or Vancouver, Washington means more road miles once the car is off the ship.
• The vehicle. Size, weight, whether it runs, and open or enclosed loading all change the quote.

Ask for the quote early, since you will want it before you decide between shipping and driving yourself.

Timing for Alaska to Washington depends on the ship schedule more than on the miles, so we do not promise a fixed number of days. A manager can tell you what the current schedule looks like for your dates.

The overall trip has several parts:

• Pickup from your address, or a drop-off at the port, once you book.
• Waiting at the port for the next sailing.
• The crossing itself, followed by unloading in Washington.
• Final delivery from the Washington port to your address, if you chose door-to-door.

Moves out of Alaska pile up in late spring and summer, when families relocate and the weather is best, so booking a few weeks ahead usually gives you a better choice of sailings. Winter storms can occasionally disturb schedules, so leave yourself some slack if you need the car by a fixed date.

There are two ways to get a vehicle from Alaska to Washington. The usual one is by sea: the car is loaded at the Port of Anchorage, sails south and is unloaded at a Puget Sound port, most often Tacoma or Seattle. From there it can be delivered locally or moved on by truck, for example over I-90 to Spokane or along I-5 to Everett and Vancouver, Washington.

The second is overland through Canada on the Alaska Highway. This is a very long drive through Yukon and British Columbia, it involves border crossings with the right paperwork, and winter driving can be demanding. For most customers who are not driving themselves, shipping by sea is the simpler path.

A few practical points that save time:

• Bring the title or registration and a photo ID. If the car is financed, check with your lender about moving it.
• Remove personal items. Carriers and ports generally do not allow belongings inside the car.
• Keep fuel low and photograph the car before pickup.

Most cars from Alaska travel on standard open transportation on the trucks that serve the port. If you are moving a classic, a collector car or a vehicle you want protected from road spray and weather, ask about enclosed transportation for the Washington end of the trip. Availability varies, so mention it when you request your quote.