Quick answer: To ship a Tesla, charge it to about half, turn off Sentry Mode and Cabin Overheat Protection, give the driver a key card, and make sure the carrier knows Tesla’s rule: the car must never be towed with its wheels on the ground. If it has to be winched, the driver uses Tow Mode (often called Transport Mode). Open transport suits most Teslas; choose enclosed auto transport for a new, high-spec or wrapped car.
Whether you are moving across the country, buying a used Tesla from another state or sending one to a new owner, shipping it is not hard. It does need a few Tesla-specific steps that a gas car does not. This guide gives you a checklist, explains Tow Mode and Tesla’s towing rules, and covers cost, timing and what to check at delivery.
Tesla Shipping Checklist
| Task | When | How | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charge to about half | The day before pickup | Set the charge limit in the Tesla app or on the touchscreen | Enough to load, unload and reach a charger, without leaving the battery full for days |
| Turn off Sentry Mode | Before pickup | In the Tesla app or the Safety settings on the touchscreen | Sentry Mode uses power and records every movement on the truck |
| Turn off Cabin Overheat Protection | Before pickup | In the climate or Safety settings | It can run the air conditioning on a hot trailer and drain the battery |
| Cancel scheduled charging and departure | Before pickup | In the charging and climate settings | The car cannot charge on the trailer and may wake itself up |
| Have a key card ready | At pickup | Hand the driver a key card (or key fob on Model S and X) | The driver cannot use your phone key to move the car |
| Tell the carrier about Tow Mode | When you book | Controls > Service > Towing | Needed if the car is winched; Tesla forbids towing with wheels on the ground |
| Remove toll tags and belongings | Before pickup | Check the glove box, console, trunk and front trunk | Avoids toll charges on the truck’s route; items inside are not insured |
| Photograph the car | Before pickup | Every panel, the wheels, the glass roof and the screen | Your record if you need to make a damage claim |
Why Shipping a Tesla Is Different
Most of the process is the same as shipping any car: you get a quote, book, the driver inspects the car at pickup and delivery, and you sign the bill of lading. A few things are different:
- Weight. The battery makes Teslas heavy. A Model X weighs over 5,000 pounds and a Cybertruck over 6,000, which counts against the truck’s load limit and can affect which spot on the trailer the car can use.
- No towing on the wheels. The motors generate power whenever the wheels turn. Tesla says the car must always be moved with all four tires off the ground, apart from slow, short moves in Tow Mode.
- Tie-down points. Tesla tells transporters not to run straps over body panels or through the wheels, and not to attach them to the suspension or chassis.
- Keys. Many owners use a phone key. The driver needs a key card or fob.
- Glass and sensors. Large glass roofs and cameras mean straps and loading ramps need care.
Open or Enclosed Transport for a Tesla?
Open transport is the standard choice and works well for most Model 3 and Model Y owners. Your car rides on an open trailer with other vehicles, exposed to weather and road dust, much as it would be if you drove it.
Enclosed transport keeps the car inside a covered trailer, away from weather and stone chips, and usually costs 40 to 60 percent more. It makes sense for a new or low-mileage Tesla, a Model S or Model X Plaid, a Cybertruck you want delivered spotless, or any car with a wrap, ceramic coating or custom paint. For more, see our comparison of open vs enclosed car shipping.
How to Prepare Your Tesla for Shipping
Charge It to About Half
Aim for roughly half a charge, or whatever level your carrier asks for. That is enough for the driver to drive the car on and off the trailer and for you to reach a charger after delivery. Avoid a full battery that will sit for a week, and avoid a nearly empty one: if the car runs flat on the trailer, unloading becomes much harder.
Turn Off Sentry Mode and Cabin Overheat Protection
Sentry Mode keeps the cameras and computer running, which uses battery, and every bump and passing car on the truck can set it off. Cabin Overheat Protection can run the air conditioning on a hot trailer. Turn both off, along with any scheduled charging or scheduled departure. You can turn them back on when the car arrives.
Sort Out the Keys
Give the driver a key card, or a key fob for a Model S or Model X. Do not share your Tesla account login. If you only have a phone key, order a key card from Tesla before pickup day.
Remove Personal Items and Toll Tags
Empty the cabin, the trunk and the front trunk. Car carriers are not licensed to move household goods, and items left inside are not covered by the carrier’s insurance. Take out any toll transponder so you are not billed for tolls along the truck’s route. See what you can leave in your car for the full list.
Photograph and Note Its Condition
Wash the car, then take dated photos of every panel, the wheels, the glass roof, the bumpers, the screen and the interior. Note any existing chips or scratches. Our car shipping checklist covers the rest.
How to Turn On Tow Mode (Transport Mode)
Tesla’s owner’s manuals call this feature Tow Mode, though many drivers still call it Transport Mode. It keeps the parking brake released so the car can be winched onto a flatbed or rolled a short distance. Most carriers simply drive a working Tesla onto the trailer, so Tow Mode is mainly needed if the car must be winched, for example if it has no power. According to Tesla’s instructions:
- Make sure the car is not plugged in, a key is detected, and the car has low-voltage power. If the 12-volt battery is flat, it needs a jump start first.
- Shift into Park and chock the tires, or make sure the car cannot roll.
- Press and hold the brake pedal, then touch Controls > Service > Towing on the touchscreen.
- Touch Enter Tow Mode. The button turns blue when it is on.
In Tow Mode the car rolls freely, so it should only move at walking pace. Tesla limits the tires to under 5 mph and less than 30 feet. To winch the car, use the tow eye stored in the front trunk, screwed fully into place, never the chassis or suspension. To leave Tow Mode, shift into Park or touch Exit Tow Mode.
Can You Tow a Tesla?
Not with its wheels on the ground. Tesla’s instructions say a flatbed truck is the recommended way to move the car. If a flatbed is not available, wheel lifts and dollies can be used only if all four wheels are off the ground, for no more than 35 miles and within the dollies’ speed rating. Towing with any wheels on the road can damage the car and overheat the motors, and Tesla does not cover damage from improper transport under its warranty.
That is one reason to use a professional car carrier for a long move rather than flat-towing a Tesla behind a motorhome or moving truck.
How the Carrier Should Secure Your Tesla
Tesla recommends an eight-point tie-down method, with straps around the tires. Metal hooks and buckles should be kept away from paint and wheel faces. Straps should not run over body panels or through the wheels, and should not be fixed to the suspension, chassis or other body parts. A driver used to EVs will know this, but it is worth asking when you book.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
- Has the carrier shipped Teslas before, and is the driver familiar with Tow Mode?
- Can the trailer take your model’s weight? This matters most for a Model X or Cybertruck.
- Does the driver use wheel straps or wheel nets around the tires?
- What is the carrier’s per-vehicle cargo insurance limit, and does it cover your car’s value? Ask for the certificate of insurance.
- Are the company’s USDOT and MC numbers active on the FMCSA website?
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Tesla?
Tesla shipping is priced like any other car, by distance, size, open or enclosed, season and route. As a guide from our car shipping cost guide, a running sedan on an open carrier typically costs $400 to $700 for trips under 500 miles and $1,000 to $1,700 for 2,000 miles or more. Enclosed usually adds 40 to 60 percent. Heavier and larger models, such as the Model X and Cybertruck, can cost more because they take more of the truck’s weight and space.
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Tesla?
The same as any car. Most shipments are picked up within 1 to 5 business days. Transit usually takes 1 to 3 days for nearby states, 3 to 5 days for a few states away and 7 to 10 days coast to coast. Enclosed carriers can take a day or two longer to schedule. Our transit time guide has the full table.
What to Check When Your Tesla Arrives
- Walk around every panel, the bumpers and the wheels, and compare them with your photos and the bill of lading.
- Check the glass roof and windshield for chips.
- Wake the car with your key, and check the screen for warning messages.
- Open the front trunk and charge port door.
- Note the charge level, then turn Sentry Mode and your other settings back on.
Write any new damage on the bill of lading before you sign. Our guide on how to inspect your car at delivery explains why that matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charge level should a Tesla have for shipping?
About half, or whatever your carrier asks for. That leaves enough to load and unload the car and drive to a charger, without leaving the battery full while it sits on the truck.
Should I turn off Sentry Mode before shipping?
Yes. Sentry Mode uses battery power, and the movement of the truck and other cars will keep setting it off. Turn off Cabin Overheat Protection and scheduled charging too.
Can you tow a Tesla?
Not with its wheels on the ground. Tesla recommends a flatbed. Wheel lifts and dollies are allowed only with all four wheels off the ground, for up to 35 miles.
How do I put a Tesla in Transport Mode?
Tesla now calls it Tow Mode. With the car in Park and a key detected, press and hold the brake, then touch Controls > Service > Towing and Enter Tow Mode. It is meant for winching or rolling the car slowly over short distances.
Should I ship my Tesla open or enclosed?
Open works for most Model 3 and Model Y owners. Choose enclosed for a new or high-value Tesla, a Plaid model, a Cybertruck or any car with a wrap or custom finish.
Does shipping drain a Tesla’s battery?
A parked Tesla loses some charge each day, and features like Sentry Mode make it lose more. Starting at about half and turning those features off keeps plenty in reserve for delivery.
What key should I give the driver?
A key card, or a key fob for a Model S or Model X. Never share your Tesla account login.
Can I leave things in my Tesla during shipping?
Most carriers allow up to about 100 pounds in the trunk, below the window line, but those items are not insured. Keep valuables and charging cables you need with you.
Ship Your Tesla With ABC Auto Shipping
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker that matches your Tesla with an insured carrier, open or enclosed, door to door. Tell us your model when you book so we can confirm the trailer and driver suit your car. Get a free quote today. There is no deposit to book.
