Car Shipping in Tennessee: 2025 Costs & Routes

Our team has been in the car shipping industry for a long time. We worked for some of the largest brokers and knew there was a better way to do things.

So we set out to create a company that would be different. We want to walk you through how the process works and we guarantee to match any price you hear from a competitor.

We’re a scrappy team that looks forward to earning your business.

How to prepare your vehicle for transit in Tennessee

Follow these simple steps to ensure a smooth, damage‑free move:

• Remove all personal items, toll tags, and loose accessories from the interior and exterior. Anything not bolted down can shift or get lost.
• Check that the fuel tank is no more than a quarter full. This reduces weight and limits fire risk.
• Make sure the battery is securely connected and the keys are available for the carrier.
• Document existing damage with photos. This helps resolve any claims if needed.
• Disable or remove any aftermarket parts (roof racks, spoilers, bike racks) that could be damaged or interfere with loading.
• Ensure the vehicle is clean enough to spot new dents or scratches during inspection.

By taking these steps, you help the driver load and unload safely and protect your car’s condition throughout the journey.

Yes. Every carrier we work with carries at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Before your car leaves the terminal, we verify that the carrier’s policy is active and in good standing for the whole trip. This coverage protects you against loss or damage up to the policy limits. If you want, you can ask the driver for a copy of the insurance certificate before loading. In short, your vehicle is insured while it is being shipped in Tennessee.

Plan ahead. The sooner you book, the more options you’ll get. We recommend scheduling your pickup at least 14 days in advance. This gives carriers enough time to bundle your load with other nearby shipments, which can lower costs and keep your delivery on schedule. If you’re shipping during peak periods (spring moving season, holidays, or summer), add a few extra days — aim for 3‑4 weeks — to avoid delays. Booking early also lets you lock in a price before rates fluctuate.

We accept all forms of payment. We can arrange credit cards or arrange for you to pay the carrier directly through cash/certified check. We even accept payment via Cash/Zelle/Venmo.

Your shipment with SAKAEM includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If your shipment includes ocean transit (Hawaii shipments), your vehicle must be emptied of all items. SAKAEM and your assigned carrier are not responsible for personal items left inside your vehicle. See our Auto Transport Process Article for more details.

A designated (adult) must be present at pickup and delivery. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle’s condition.

Open auto transport uses a standard flatbed trailer with the vehicle exposed to the elements. It is the most common method in Tennessee, offers the lowest price, and works well for everyday cars, trucks, and SUVs. The carrier secures the vehicle with straps, but rain, sun, dust, or road debris can touch the paint.

Enclosed auto transport places the vehicle inside a fully covered trailer. The interior is protected from weather, wind‑blown stones, and accidental scratches. Because the trailer holds fewer cars, the cost is typically 40‑60% higher than open transport. This option is best for classic cars, exotic models, vehicles with custom paint, or any high‑value shipment.

In Tennessee, choose open when you need a budget‑friendly move and the car is not a collector or newly purchased vehicle. Choose enclosed when the vehicle’s value, finish, or personal sentiment justifies the extra expense and you want maximum protection during the trip.

Yes, Sakaem Logistics provides door-to-door auto transport throughout Tennessee. When you book, we ask for the exact pick-up and drop-off addresses. Our carrier will travel to those locations, load your vehicle, and deliver it directly to the destination address you gave.

If a street is too narrow, a weight‑limit road exists, or the address is in a gated community, the driver will contact you to arrange a nearby safe spot—often a gas station or a parking lot—so the shipment stays on schedule.

Our service covers all major Tennessee cities, including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga and the surrounding areas. Because we work with a network of vetted carriers, we can often match your schedule and budget while keeping the process simple and transparent.

We track the truck in real time and send you status updates, so you always know where your car is. No hidden fees, no surprise stops—just a straightforward door-to-door move.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, electric vehicles, vans and motorcycles across all 48 continental states + Hawaii. Our services even provide shipment for golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship vehicles that don’t run so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. The only exception is boats, which we do not transport.

Visit SAKAEM Logistics’ FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!