Shipping a Car to or from Alaska: Your All-in-One Guide

When you’re shipping your home, you’re fighting on many fronts. Most people lose their patience during the process and end up frustrated. This happens because most people don’t have the experience or knowledge to deal with many things coming along the way. One of those things is to ship your car to or from Alaska.

This blog post has all of the answers you’re looking for, whether it’s about shipping methods, the cost to ship a car or preparations. So, what are we going to do now? Let’s get your vehicle transported as soon as possible!

5 Different Ways to Ship a Car To or From Alaska

You may be surprised to learn that there are five different ways to transport a car to or from Alaska. All of these options have advantages and disadvantages. As a result, you must decide what works for you and what does not. Let’s look at what each option has to offer so we can make the best decision for getting your car moved.

1. Drive the Car Yourself

Driving your car may appear to be the most straightforward option if you live close to Alaska. If you don’t, it’s a different story. If the distance is long, you will need to invest a lot of time.

If you decide to drive, you’ll need to budget for fuel, food, and lodging. You should also consider the wear and tear your vehicle will endure due to long-distance driving.

We recommend not doing it if you need to drive it for more than two days. Anything more will result in exhaustion and a significant financial outlay.

2. Hire a Driver

Driving a car is not a viable option for most people because it takes days, is expensive, and is stressful. If you agree, another option is to hire a driver to transport the car for you. There are a few caveats to what appears to be a simple choice.

The first concern is finding a trustworthy driver, as you will be entrusting your prized automobile to a complete stranger to transport it to or from Alaska. Companies that offer these services typically hire students and retirees as drivers.

As a result, you must be completely confident in their reliability as a person and a driver.

Another disadvantage of hiring a driver is that you will put undue strain on the engine, brakes, and tyres as with the last option.

3. Ask a friend or family member to drive

The most important factor to consider when hiring a driver is dependability. One way to avoid this is to have a known person drive the car for you. It may feel awkward to ask someone for such a favour, but it can be beneficial if you have a friend or relative who is willing to assist.

You must be completely confident in someone’s abilities before allowing them to drive your car.

4. Ship it by a plane

Shipping your car by plane is a unique option. Most people choose this option when shipping their vehicle internationally, but it is also an option if your vehicle needs to be shipped quickly. This option will cost you a lot of money, usually more than the value of your car.

5. Hire a car shipping company

The final and most logical option available to you is to hire an auto transport company. Most people who need their cars transported to Alaska or another state prefer to hire a car moving company. This is due to the dependability and comprehensive services provided by these companies.

Car transport companies are reliable because they have been verified and approved by the government. Furthermore, your vehicle is insured when you use a car shipping company.

The majority of these businesses provide door-to-door service. As a result, you don’t need to move an inch. You must sign a few documents and prepare your vehicle for shipment. Your car will arrive home before you know it.

Hiring a car shipping company may be the best option, except for the cost. Car shipping companies are more expensive than other modes of transportation. However, once you hire them, they will take care of all of your problems, allowing you to focus on more important matters. It’s a win-win situation!

Types of Shipping

If you’ve decided to use a car shipping company, you must now make another decision. This time, it’s the mode of transportation. You can ship your car using open shipping or enclosed shipping. Let’s take a look at what they have to offer.

Open Car Shipping

When you choose open car shipping, your vehicle will be loaded onto an open truck, as shown in the image. This may expose your car to rain and snow during extreme weather, but you should not be concerned. In fact, most car manufacturers ship their vehicles in this manner.

Enclosed Car Shipping

If you want to give your car extra protection, you can choose enclosed car shipping, which keeps your vehicle inside an enclosed truck. It is made of durable material and shields your vehicle from the elements such as wind, rain, and snow.

It is, as expected, the more expensive option. You’ll have to pay 30-40% more than open car shipping. It’s an excellent choice if you own an antique, rare, or expensive car.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car to or from Alaska?

Most people consider shipping costs one of the most important factors in their purchasing decisions. Be prepared to be disappointed because we cannot provide a ballpark figure. This is because a variety of factors determines it. Let’s break down each of these factors to see the big picture.

Distance

Distance is the most important factor influencing the cost of shipping a car because it directly affects driver wages and truck fuel costs. The greater the distance, the greater the cost, and vice versa.

We want to clarify that “distance” refers to the distance between the pickup and delivery points, not the distance between two states or cities. If you live in a remote area, car shipping companies will charge you more because they need to drive the car from your location to the car boarding point.

Shipping type

Whether you’re choosing open or enclosed car shipping.

Vehicle type

The car you want to ship will also impact the car shipping cost. If you have a large and heavy car, you will have to pay more because it takes more space and weighs more. Companies will request your vehicle’s model, make, and year to provide you with an accurate quote.

Condition of the Vehicle

If your car is broken and cannot be driven, the car transport company will load it onto a truck and transport it to the shipping location. This will be more expensive.

Route

Car shipping companies that ship vehicles on popular routes typically charge lower rates. As a result, make sure you ask them about it when you inquire.

Fuel Prices

When fuel prices rise, so do car shipping costs and vice versa.

We understand that you are still dissatisfied and want to know the exact cost of shipping a car to or from Alaska. We at Sakaem Logistics have got you covered. Our lightning-fast quote calculator will provide you with prices in seconds. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact our support team.

Here are some cost-cutting suggestions for shipping your car to or from Alaska:

• Plan ahead of time
• Request shipping discounts from the shipping company
• Choose the best time of year to ship
• Attempt to ship multiple vehicles together
• Go for open car shipping
• Plan ahead of time
• Request shipping discounts from the shipping company
• Choose the best time of year to ship
• Attempt to ship multiple vehicles together
• Go for open car shipping

How Long Will It Take to Ship My Car From or To Alaska?

It goes without saying that the distance will heavily influence the time it takes to ship your car to or from Alaska. As a result, we can’t say anything without knowing the precise location. But there are a few things we’d like to share with you.

Car shipping time is divided into two components: pickup time and delivery time. The pickup time is the amount of time it will take the car shipping company to pick up your vehicle. It could take anywhere from one to five working days.

The following factors influence the time it takes to get your car to or from Alaska:

• The number of stops made by the carrier each day
• The flow of traffic
• Climate conditions
• Detours
• Road development
• Traffic congestion
• Locations for Pickup/Delivery

How does the process of shipping a car to or from Alaska work?

Most people consider the car shipping process to be difficult and time-consuming. Let us assure you that it is not the case. You can ship your car thousands of miles without moving an inch. All that is required is a phone and an internet connection. Let’s see how it goes!

Step 1: Get multiple quotes

What is the first step? Obtaining quotes. How do you go about it? Simple, go to the websites of various car shipping companies. They will request information such as pickup and delivery zip codes, vehicle information, and the shipping mode you prefer. You will receive a quote in seconds.

As a general rule, obtain at least three quotations to have enough information to compare and make the best decision.

Step 2: Order shipping

After you’ve received the quotes and decided on a car shipping company, the next step is to place an order to confirm the booking. But, before you do so, double-check all details, such as terms, offerings, costs, and so on, to avoid any surprises.

Step 3: Have your vehicle picked up

When you order shipping, professionals from the auto transport company will arrive to pick up your vehicle. The team will arrive to inspect your vehicle and record any damages on the Bill of Lading (BoL), which you must sign. They will then load your vehicle onto the shipping truck.

How to Get a Car Shipping Quote to or From Alaska

The first step in getting things started is to generate a quote, and guess what? It is extremely simple to obtain quotes for car transport to Alaska.

To reiterate our earlier point, you should obtain at least three quotes to select the best one among them. Furthermore, it would be best to thoroughly examine each quotation because some companies tend to add additional fees later on. If necessary, clarify this in writing with the shipping companies.

These quotes can be generated instantly from moving company websites. To generate quotes, enter the following information:

• Pickup and delivery locations (zip codes)
• Shipping method (open/enclosed)
• Information about the vehicle, such as its model, year of manufacture, and company
• First available pickup date
• Phone number and email address

Usually, car shipping quotes will have the following details:

• Shipping costs
• Your vehicle details
• The delivery address and pickup location
• Car condition
• Type of service: Open or Closed
• First shipping date
• Distance to be covered
• Timeframe for delivery

How to Choose the Best Car Shipping Company in Alaska?

If you choose the wrong one, you could be in for a bumpy ride. Choosing the right shipping company will ease the process and give you peace of mind. As a result, when choosing a car shipping company to transport your vehicle to or from Alaska, you must proceed with extreme caution.

We’ve put together a list of the most important things to consider when looking for a car shipping company.

Licence and Insurance

The government must licence car shipping companies to transport vehicles across state lines. You can confirm it by looking up their US DOT number on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website. Furthermore, before you confirm the shipment, we recommend obtaining all necessary insurance.

BBB Score

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredits companies by rating them. It’s an excellent source of information about a company’s credibility. As a result, verifying the BBB rating has to be a must.

Customer Feedback

There is no better way to determine a company’s dependability than to read testimonials from previous customers. It is critical to check them on neutral websites and social media platforms.

Service Experience

Rather than doing everything via email and website, we highly suggest that you converse with car transport companies and inquire about everything possible. This will help you understand their internal processes and the level of experience you can expect if you choose to hire them.

Questions and Answers (FAQs)

What documentation am I required to send with my vehicle?

Before the vehicle is picked up, you must have the following documents in your possession:

• Vehicle registration documents
• Insurance documents
• Bill of sale/Bill of lading
• Original vehicle title
• Unexpired identification (i.e. driver’s licence or passport)

How should I prepare my car for shipping?

• Remove documents and personal items from your car
• Keep one-fourth of your fuel in the tank
• Keep the battery in fully-charged condition
• Ensure tires are in good shape
• Take pictures of your car to verify damages later

What if my vehicle is damaged during shipping?

Car shipping companies provide insurance coverage to protect your vehicle from damage. However, you must confirm all coverage details with your car shipping company before you confirm the order.

How do I make payment to the auto transport company?

The majority of car shipping companies accept both credit and debit cards. Some of them accept PayPal payments as well.

What exactly is a Bill of Lading (BoL)? What difference does it make?

A bill of lading (BoL) is a type of documentation that describes the condition of the vehicle, including any damages and the make, model, and date of purchase. It is necessary to sign the document when you pick it up or deliver it to indicate your acceptance. It ensures complete transparency between the client and the company shipping your vehicle.

What exactly is expedited car shipping?

Express shipping expedites the transport of your vehicle. It is an additional service provided by some car shipping companies that will cost more than usual. It’s a good option if you need your vehicle relocated quickly and don’t mind paying a few extra dollars.

How long is a quote valid?

The validity of a quote may differ depending on which shipping company you choose. The majority of quotes will be valid for seven business days. Prices may vary depending on the factors discussed previously.

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