Anchorage, AK Car Shipping Guide

How shipping a car to Anchorage works, and how ABC Auto Shipping can get your vehicle to the Seattle or Tacoma port.

  •  USDOT Licensed

  • MC Authorized

  • Fully Bonded & Insured

  • BBB Accredited

  • 4.8 | 1107 reviews

  • No Deposit Required

Please note: ABC Auto Shipping does not ship vehicles to or within Alaska. We created this page to help people planning a move to Anchorage understand how Alaska car shipping works. Getting a car to Anchorage involves two stages: an overland trip to a Pacific Northwest port, then an ocean crossing with a marine carrier. We can handle the first stage, picking up your vehicle anywhere in the contiguous US and delivering it to the Seattle or Tacoma area ahead of the sailing you book directly with the ocean carrier. No deposit required. Pay once your carrier is secured.

How Car Shipping to Anchorage Works

Alaska is not connected to the Lower 48 by a practical road route for car carriers, so most vehicles bound for Anchorage travel by sea. The usual route is by Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) vessel or barge from the Port of Tacoma or Seattle, WA, arriving at the Port of Anchorage or Whittier. Ocean carriers such as TOTE Maritime, Matson and Alaska Marine Lines run these services and set their own sailing schedules, rates and drop-off rules.

A typical Anchorage shipment has three parts: getting the car from your home to the Pacific Northwest port, the ocean voyage to Alaska, and collecting the vehicle at the Alaska terminal. ABC Auto Shipping does not operate or book the ocean voyage and does not deliver anywhere in Alaska. Our role is limited to the first part, moving your vehicle from anywhere in the contiguous US to the Seattle or Tacoma area so it is ready for the sailing you have booked.

ABC Auto Shipping is USDOT-registered (#2340626), MC-authorized (#797279) and BBB Accredited A+. To arrange transport to the port, call 877-686-5611 and have your sailing date and terminal details ready.

Why CHoose US

Why Alaska-Bound Customers Use ABC Auto Shipping

When you are shipping a car to Alaska, the overland leg to the port has to line up with a fixed sailing date. Here is why customers trust ABC Auto Shipping with that part of the journey.

Licensed, Bonded & 
Fully Insured

ABC Auto Shipping is USDOT-registered (#2340626) and MC-authorized (#797279), fully bonded and insured. The carriers in our network carry cargo and liability insurance to protect your vehicle from pickup to delivery anywhere in USA.

Transparent Flat-Rate Pricing, No Upfront Deposit

The quote you accept is the price you pay. No hidden fees and no fuel surcharges. No deposit required for open or enclosed transport. Pay only once your carrier is secured.

Vetted Nationwide Carrier Network

ABC Auto Shipping only works with trusted transporters in our network that we have built relationships with over the years – the same carriers trusted by private individuals, auto dealers, military personnel, and corporations.

Home Pickup, Delivery to the Port

From residential addresses anywhere in the contiguous US, we pick up your vehicle and deliver it to the Seattle or Tacoma area, as close to your specified location as legally and safely possible. We do not deliver within Alaska.

Dedicated Dispatch & Proactive Updates

A single coordinator handles your entire shipment. The driver will call you as they get closer to your location, and you can contact us anytime via email or phone for delivery status updates.

Exceptional Customer Service

Real people answering real calls – no robots, no runaround, no endless hold music.

Our Lower 48 Services

How We Help Before Your Car Sails

ABC Auto Shipping does not ship to Alaska, but every Alaska shipment starts with an overland trip to the port. These are the transport options we offer for that leg, and for any move within the contiguous US.

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Open Auto Transport

Our most affordable and most popular option. Your vehicle is transported on a multi-car open carrier, the same type trusted by dealerships, making it a reliable choice for standard sedans, SUVs, and trucks.

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Enclosed Auto Transport

Premium protection for luxury, exotic, classic, and high-value vehicles. Fully covered trailers shield your car from weather, road debris, and prying eyes.

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Door-to-Port Car Shipping

We pick up at your address anywhere in the contiguous US and deliver to the Seattle or Tacoma area ahead of your sailing. The ocean voyage and any delivery within Alaska are arranged separately with a marine carrier.

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Expedited & Guaranteed Pickup

Need your car moved fast? Our expedited service prioritizes your pickup. We recommend booking 7-30 days in advance for best availability, but we can often help on short notice. Local terminal pickup/delivery is available for guaranteed dates (additional $150-$300 fee).

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Cross-Country & State-to-State Auto Transport

Whether you’re moving a vehicle to a neighboring state or across the country, ABC Auto Shipping provides reliable interstate and long-distance auto transport across the United States.

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Military Auto Transport

Special rates and priority scheduling for active-duty service members and their families, including the Lower 48 leg of PCS moves headed to Alaska.

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Classic, Exotic & Motorcycle Transport

White-glove handling, soft tie-downs, and enclosed transport for collector vehicles, show cars, and motorcycles. Boat and heavy equipment transport is also available.

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Student & Snowbird Discounts

Save 5-15% on student & snowbird auto transport. Discounted rates for college students, snowbirds making seasonal moves, military personnel, returning customers, and multi-vehicle shipments.

WHERE WE PICK UP

Lower 48 Pickup Points for
Alaska-Bound Vehicles

ABC Auto Shipping does not operate in Anchorage or anywhere else in Alaska. We pick up Alaska-bound vehicles across the contiguous US and deliver them to the Pacific Northwest ports. Common starting points include:

  • Port of Tacoma, WA
  • Seattle, WA
  • Portland, OR
  • Spokane, WA
  • Boise, ID
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Denver, CO
  • Chicago, IL

Starting somewhere else? We cover pickups in all 48 contiguous states. Enter your zip code with Tacoma or Seattle, WA as the destination for an instant quote.

How It Works

How It Works: Getting Your Car to the Port in 4 Steps

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Step 01

Get Your Free Instant Quote

Enter your pickup zip code, use Tacoma or Seattle, WA as the destination, and add your vehicle details and the date your car needs to reach the port. Receive a transparent, all-inclusive price in under 60 seconds.

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Step 02

Book With Zero Deposit

Lock in your rate with no upfront payment. A dedicated coordinator confirms your pickup window and assigns a vetted carrier.

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Step 03

Pickup & Inspection

The driver meets you at your pickup location, inspects the vehicle, completes the Bill of Lading, and loads it onto the carrier. You will receive live tracking updates throughout transit.

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Step 04

Delivery to the Port Area

Your vehicle arrives in the Seattle or Tacoma area, is re-inspected, and handed over to you or your authorized agent for drop-off with your ocean carrier. Final payment is due on delivery.

Popular Routes

Popular Routes to the Port of Tacoma

Most Alaska-bound vehicles start their trip somewhere in the Lower 48. These are common overland routes we handle to the Tacoma and Seattle area. Times are estimates and do not include the ocean voyage.

Los Angeles CA

Tacoma WA: 3-5 days

Phoenix AZ

Tacoma WA: 4-6 days

Denver CO

Tacoma WA: 4-6 days

Dallas TX

Tacoma WA: 5-7 days

Chicago IL

Tacoma WA: 5-8 days

New York NY

Tacoma WA: 7-10 days

TRUST STRIP

Licensed, Insured, and Industry-Recognized

  • USDOT Licensed & MC Authorized

  • 4.9★ on Google (338 reviews) · 4.7★ on Trustindex (540 reviews)

  • BBB Accredited Business, A+ rating

  • FMCSA Registered Broker · USDOT #2340626 · MC #797279

  • 20+ years of industry experience · Thousands of vehicles shipped nationwide

  • No deposit required to book · Pay once your carrier is secured

Reviews

What Our Clients Say

See how our services have made a difference through honest reviews from those who trust us. Your feedback drives us to keep improving.

FAQs

How long does it take to ship a car to Anchorage from the Lower 48?

Door-to-door, most shipments take around 2 to 4 weeks in total. That includes the overland trip to the Pacific Northwest port, usually 3 to 10 days depending on distance, plus the ocean carrier’s sailing schedule and voyage time. ABC Auto Shipping handles only the overland leg, so check sailing times directly with the ocean carrier.

Most vehicles leave from the Port of Tacoma or Seattle, WA. Depending on the ocean carrier, they arrive at the Port of Anchorage or at Whittier, southeast of Anchorage. Confirm the terminal and drop-off requirements with your ocean carrier before booking the overland leg.

No. ABC Auto Shipping does not ship vehicles to or within Alaska, including Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and other communities. We can transport your vehicle from anywhere in the contiguous US to the Seattle or Tacoma area, and you book the ocean shipment to Alaska directly with a marine carrier.

Most cross-country shipments to the Tacoma and Seattle area take 7 to 10 days, while shorter regional moves can take 1 to 4 days. Pickup usually happens within 1 to 5 business days of booking, so build in a few days of buffer before your sailing date.

Yes. Every ABC Auto Shipping carrier is required to carry active cargo insurance. Your vehicle is covered from the moment it is loaded until it is safely delivered. We provide insurance documentation on request.

Open transport ships your car on a multi-vehicle open trailer – it is the most affordable and most common option. Enclosed transport uses a fully covered trailer and offers premium protection from weather and road debris, ideal for luxury, classic, or exotic vehicles.

Not necessarily. You or an authorized representative must be available at pickup to sign the Bill of Lading and release the vehicle. At delivery, someone must be present to inspect the vehicle and sign off. We coordinate pickup and delivery windows directly with you.

Remove all personal items from the vehicle, leave the fuel tank 1/4 full or less, ensure the battery is charged and the car is in drivable condition, disable any alarm systems, and document any existing exterior damage with photos before pickup.

Need Your Car at the
Port of Tacoma?

Get a free, no-obligation quote for the overland leg to Seattle or Tacoma, or talk to a shipping advisor at 877-686-5611. Please note we do not ship to or within Alaska. No deposit required to book. Pay once your carrier is secured. USDOT #2340626, MC #797279, BBB Accredited A+.

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