Shipping Your Car When Relocating for Work

A job offer in another city is exciting — and stressful. Between finding housing, notifying your current employer, enrolling kids in new schools, and coordinating a household move, vehicle logistics can feel like one problem too many. But here's the reality: shipping your car during a relocation is often the smartest, most cost-effective choice — and when timed correctly, it's far less complicated than it seems.

At Lepke Auto Transport, we handle hundreds of relocation shipments every year — corporate relos, remote workers making permanent moves, government transfers, and private individuals starting fresh in a new city. This guide covers everything you need to know to get your vehicle to your new home without the headaches.

Why Shipping Your Car Beats Driving During a Relocation

The instinct for many people is to drive their vehicle to the new city. It feels like the obvious choice — you own the car, the road is free, and it seems simpler than arranging transport. But the math almost always tells a different story:

The True Cost of Driving Cross-Country

Compare that to open auto transport for the same route: $700–$1,000. The cost difference is smaller than most people expect — and shipping preserves your time and energy for the hundred other things a relocation demands.

Beyond money, consider what driving 1,500 miles actually costs in time. Two full driving days, potentially with kids or pets in the car, arriving exhausted at a new city where you still need to meet a landlord, manage a moving crew, and figure out where everything goes. Shipping your car means you can fly, arrive fresh, and be functional from day one.

Does Your Employer Cover It? Relocation Reimbursement

If you're relocating for a new job or an internal transfer, auto transport may be covered by your employer's relocation package. This is more common than many employees realize, and it's worth asking about explicitly — relocation specialists often lump vehicle transport under the broader "household goods" or "miscellaneous" allowance.

Types of Corporate Relocation Coverage

• Lump sum packages: The most common modern approach. You receive a fixed dollar amount for all relocation expenses — often $5,000–$15,000 depending on the level and distance. Auto transport fits within this budget if you manage it wisely.
• Managed relocation (third-party): Large corporations often use a relocation management company (RMC) like SIRVA, Cartus, or Graebel. These companies have preferred auto transport vendors, but you usually have the option to use an independent carrier if you get approval.
• Direct reimbursement: Smaller employers may simply reimburse documented relocation expenses up to a cap. Auto transport receipts are typically accepted.
• Mileage allowance alternative: Some employers offer a mileage reimbursement in lieu of covered transport — if you're being offered $0.67/mile to drive, compare that to the actual cost of shipping and decide which makes more sense for you.

How to Get Your Auto Transport Reimbursed

1. Ask your HR or relocation contact specifically: "Does my relocation package cover auto transport?"
2. Get the covered amount and any documentation requirements in writing before booking.
3. Request an itemized receipt from your transport company — Lepke provides full documentation for reimbursement purposes.
4. Submit receipts per your employer's process within the required window (usually 60–90 days).

When to Book: Timing Your Shipment Around Your Move

Timing is one of the most important factors in a smooth relocation auto transport. Get this wrong and you'll either be waiting for your car after you've arrived, or juggling a transport booking on top of an already chaotic moving day.

The Ideal Timeline

Summer Relocation Peak Season

Summer (May–August) is the busiest season for both household movers and auto transport. If you're relocating in summer — which many people do, to align with school calendars — book auto transport early and build in flexibility. Carrier capacity tightens in peak season, rates can be 10–20% higher, and dispatch windows are longer. Booking 3–4 weeks out and offering a flexible 5–7 day pickup window gives you the best combination of pricing and reliability.

Coordinating Car Shipping with Your Moving Company

One common question: should your auto transport company be the same as your household goods mover? The short answer is no — they are specialized industries, and combining them rarely works well.

• Keep them separate: Moving companies are equipped for furniture, boxes, and appliances. Auto transport carriers are equipped for vehicles. The logistics, equipment, and regulations are entirely different.
• Align timelines: You want your car to arrive around the same time your household goods do — or slightly after. If your furniture arrives first, you have a place to stay while waiting for your car. If your car arrives first to an empty apartment, you may not be there to receive it.
• Use different delivery windows: Tell your auto transport company your target arrival window (e.g., "the week of July 14th") and coordinate from there. You don't need both trucks on the same day.
• Share addresses clearly: If you're between addresses during the move — living in temporary housing or a hotel while your new place is finalized — make sure your auto transport company has the correct final delivery address. Address changes mid-transit are possible but create complications.

Relocation Car Shipping Costs in 2026

Auto transport costs for relocation moves follow the same pricing structure as any shipment — distance, vehicle size, transport type, and timing are the main variables:

Factors That Affect Your Relocation Rate

• Flexibility: A 5–7 day pickup window consistently gets better rates than a hard 1–2 day window. If you can be flexible, say so — it gives dispatchers more options and often saves you $75–$200.
• Vehicle size: Full-size trucks, SUVs, and lifted vehicles cost 10–25% more than standard sedans due to the additional space they take on the carrier deck.
• Route popularity: High-volume routes (NY→FL, CA→TX, IL→AZ) have more carrier options and lower rates. Rural or off-route destinations may require a small premium.
• Seasonal timing: Summer relocations (May–August) typically carry a 10–20% premium due to peak demand. January–March offers the best rates and most carrier availability.

Open vs. Enclosed: What to Choose for a Relocation Move

For most relocation shipments, open transport is the right choice. Here's a quick breakdown:

Many relocation customers ask: "Should I use enclosed because I really care about my car?" The honest answer is that open transport is completely safe for virtually all everyday vehicles. The cars that come off open carriers look exactly as they went on — the transport industry has been doing this for decades. If you'd feel significantly more peace of mind with enclosed, go ahead, but don't let anyone upsell you on enclosed for a Honda Accord.

Preparing Your Car for Shipment

A relocation is a busy time, but a little prep work before your car gets loaded will save headaches at the other end:

Arrival Logistics: Receiving Your Car at the New Home

When your car arrives at the new city, you or a trusted person needs to be available to receive it. Here's what the delivery process looks like:

1. Driver contact: Your carrier driver will call 12–24 hours before delivery to confirm the delivery address and give you a more specific arrival window.
2. Inspection at delivery: Before signing the delivery Bill of Lading, do a thorough walkthrough of the vehicle — compare against your pre-shipping photos. Check all four sides, the roof, bumpers, and any previously noted areas.
3. Note any damage before signing: If you find new damage, note it specifically on the BOL before signing. Photograph it immediately. Do not accept a "we'll follow up" promise without written documentation on the BOL itself.
4. Payment: The remaining balance (after any deposit) is due at delivery via cash, cashier's check, Zelle, Venmo, or credit card (with a processing fee for card).
5. Keys and paperwork: You'll receive your keys, a copy of the signed BOL, and the carrier's contact info. Keep these documents until you're satisfied with the vehicle's condition.

If You Can't Be There Personally

If you're not yet in the new city when your car arrives, you can designate a trusted representative — a friend, family member, or neighbor — to receive the vehicle. Make sure they know to do the full inspection and only sign a clean BOL if the car is in the expected condition. Do not have someone sign a BOL without inspecting the vehicle first.

Relocating with Multiple Vehicles

Households with two or more vehicles face an additional decision: ship them together or separately? Here's how to think about it:

• Simultaneous shipment: Most transport companies can book multiple vehicles on the same carrier if space allows. This simplifies logistics — one dispatch, one driver contact, one delivery window. For two similar-route vehicles, ask for a multi-vehicle discount (typically $50–$150 per vehicle).
• Separate shipments: Practical when vehicles are being picked up from different locations, or when one vehicle needs to arrive earlier than the other. Book separately with clear delivery windows.
• One person drives, one ships: If you have two adults making the move, driving one and shipping the other can be a reasonable compromise — especially if the drive is manageable (under 500 miles) and one person actually enjoys road trips. Just factor in the driving costs honestly.

Relocation Car Shipping FAQs

How far in advance should I book auto transport for a relocation?

2–4 weeks is the sweet spot for most relocation moves. This gives dispatchers enough lead time to find a well-priced carrier on your route without booking so far ahead that the carrier assignment keeps getting recycled. For summer moves (May–August), lean toward 4 weeks. For off-season moves, 2–3 weeks is plenty.

Can I put household items in my car during transport?

Technically, federal DOT regulations don't allow carriers to transport household goods — only the vehicle itself. In practice, most carriers allow up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk as a courtesy. However, those items are not covered by the carrier's insurance if damaged or lost. For a relocation, we strongly recommend putting household goods with your moving company and keeping the car clear of anything valuable.

What happens if my start date changes and I need to adjust the pickup window?

Job start dates shifting and closing delays are common with relocations. A reputable transport company can adjust your pickup window with reasonable notice — typically 3–5 days of notice to shift dates without penalty. Communicate changes early. Last-minute changes (same-day cancellations after a carrier is already dispatched) may incur a cancellation fee.

Is my car insured during the move?

Yes. Every carrier in Lepke's network carries cargo insurance — minimum $50,000 per vehicle for open transport, up to $150,000+ for enclosed. The carrier's Certificate of Insurance (COI) is available on request. If your personal auto insurance policy also covers transport (some comprehensive policies do), you may have overlapping coverage — check with your insurer before the move.

Should I update my car insurance before the move?

Yes — once you establish residency in a new state, you typically have 30–90 days to transfer your vehicle registration and update your insurance to reflect your new address. Failure to update your residence can affect coverage in some states. Check your new state's DMV requirements early.

Can I track my car during transport?

Lepke provides regular status updates throughout transit. Most carriers don't offer real-time GPS tracking to customers directly, but your Lepke representative will keep you informed of dispatch confirmation, estimated transit time, and delivery ETA. For exact location, your driver's phone number is provided — you can call or text to get a status update.

What if my car arrives before I do?

This is the most common relocation timing challenge. The best options: (1) have a trusted local contact receive and inspect the car on your behalf, (2) ask your carrier about flexible delivery scheduling — many can hold dispatch for a few extra days if you need more time to arrive, or (3) if you have a landlord or property manager at the new address, they can often receive the vehicle. Coordinate all of this before the carrier departs — don't try to work it out mid-transit.