Arizona Car Shipping: 2026 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.

Preparing your vehicle for Arizona car shipping is straightforward. Here's what you need to do:

Remove Electronic Toll Devices
Arizona uses the Arizona Sun Pass system for tolled highways. Remove your transponder before shipping to avoid charges during transit and potential damage to the device.

Check Tire Pressure and Coolant
Arizona's extreme heat can affect tire pressure and engine coolant levels. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and your coolant is topped off. Heat can cause pressure changes during transport, so starting with correct levels helps prevent issues.

Remove Accessories and Personal Items
Take off any roof racks, bike racks, antennas, or other exterior accessories that could be damaged or lost in transit. Remove all personal items from inside the vehicle, including toll passes, fragile items, and valuables. Even small items can shift during transport.

Provide a Working Key
Make sure you have a key available for the carrier. This allows them to move your vehicle safely during loading and unloading.

Document Your Vehicle's Condition
Take photos of your vehicle from multiple angles before shipping. This protects you in case of any damage claims.

For more details about the shipping process, see our Vehicle Shipping Tips.

Yes, your vehicle is insured during shipment. All carriers we work with are required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Before your shipment begins, we verify that each carrier's insurance is valid and active for the duration of your transport.

This insurance protects your vehicle throughout the shipping process. We take this seriously because protecting your car is protecting your peace of mind.

We recommend scheduling your pickup at least two to three weeks in advance for the best rates and carrier availability. However, Arizona's unique seasonal patterns mean timing matters even more here.

Snowbird Season (November-March): This is Arizona's busiest shipping season. Thousands of people relocate to the Phoenix and Tucson areas during winter months. If you're shipping during this period, book three to four weeks ahead to secure a carrier. Demand far outpaces supply, and prices climb quickly.

Summer Heat (June-September): Arizona's extreme heat can affect carrier schedules. Some carriers reduce routes or operate during early morning and evening hours to avoid the worst temperatures. This doesn't require extra lead time, but it may limit your pickup window flexibility. Two weeks is usually sufficient.

College Move-In/Move-Out (August and May): Arizona State University and University of Arizona create secondary demand spikes. If you're shipping near Tempe or Tucson during these months, aim for three weeks of notice.

Off-Season (April-May, September-October): These shoulder months have lower demand. Two weeks is typically enough, and you'll often find better rates.

The sooner you post your shipment, the better. Early booking lets carriers bundle your vehicle with others heading the same direction, which keeps costs down for everyone. Arizona's carrier network is strong, but snowbird season can create real bottlenecks if you wait until the last minute.

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 guide on shipping a car with personal items 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. Learn more about designating someone else to pick up your car.

Open vs Enclosed Auto Transport

The main difference comes down to protection and cost. Open transport uses a standard trailer where your car sits exposed to weather and road debris. Enclosed transport puts your vehicle inside a protective trailer, shielding it from the elements.

Cost: Open transport is significantly cheaper—usually 40-60% less than enclosed. If you're shipping a standard vehicle on a budget, open transport works fine for most Arizona routes.

When to choose enclosed: Pick enclosed transport if you have a high-value vehicle, classic car, luxury model, or custom paint job. The extra protection is worth it when you can't afford the risk of damage from weather, road salt, or flying debris.

When open transport makes sense: For everyday vehicles in good condition, open transport gets your car from point A to point B safely and affordably. Thousands of Arizona shipments use open transport every year without issues.

At Sakaem Logistics, we help you choose what's right for your vehicle and budget. We've been transparent about these options since 2017 because we believe you deserve to understand exactly what you're paying for.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service in Arizona. This means we pick up your vehicle from your location and deliver it directly to your destination—no extra trips required.

Here's how it works: When you book with us, tell us your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our carriers will do their best to pick up and drop off at those exact locations. We're transparent about this process because we know it matters to you.

In some cases, there may be access restrictions or safety concerns at a specific address—like a narrow driveway or a location the carrier can't safely reach. If that happens, we'll work with you to find an alternative nearby, such as a gas station or parking lot. We'll discuss any changes with you upfront so there are no surprises.

Since 2012, we've been committed to breaking the monopoly that big brokers had on car shipping. Our customers consistently rate us highly because we deliver on our promises and keep things simple. When you ship with Sakaem Logistics, you get straightforward service without the hassle.

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!