Louisiana 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 transit in Louisiana requires a few key steps to protect it during shipping. Start by removing any toll transponders like the LA TOLL tag used on Louisiana highways. These devices can be damaged or interfere with carrier operations.

Since Louisiana has a hot, humid climate, check your tire pressure and coolant levels before shipping. Heat and humidity can affect both, and you want your vehicle in good working condition when it arrives. If your car has been exposed to salt air near coastal areas, rinse off any salt residue from the exterior and undercarriage—salt can accelerate rust and corrosion.

Remove any fragile items, personal belongings, and aftermarket accessories from inside and outside your vehicle. This includes roof racks, spoilers, custom mirrors, or any loose items in the cabin. Take photos of your vehicle's condition before pickup as documentation.

Make sure you have a valid key available for the carrier to access your vehicle if needed. Check your fuel tank—carriers typically prefer vehicles with a quarter tank or less to reduce weight and liability.

Finally, if your vehicle requires a Louisiana state inspection, complete this before shipping. A current inspection shows the vehicle is roadworthy and can help avoid delays.

For more details about preparing your vehicle, see our Vehicle Shipping Tips.

Yes, your vehicle is insured when you ship it through us. 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 entire duration of transport.

This means your vehicle is protected throughout the shipping process. We take this seriously—it's one of the ways we make sure you get real value when shipping your car.

Book your pickup at least two to three weeks in advance for the best rates and availability in Louisiana. The sooner you schedule, the better—carriers can bundle your shipment with others heading the same direction, which saves everyone money.

Louisiana-specific timing to consider:

Hurricane season (June through November) can delay pickups and deliveries. Late summer and early fall often see carrier shortages as routes become unpredictable. Plan ahead during these months.

Summer heat waves (July and August) sometimes affect carrier schedules. Extreme temperatures can limit driving hours, so give yourself extra buffer time if you're shipping during peak summer.

Winter weather (December through February) rarely causes major delays in Louisiana itself, but ice storms do happen occasionally. If you're shipping from Louisiana to northern states during winter, expect potential delays due to conditions up north.

Holiday periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's) see increased demand. Book 3-4 weeks ahead if you need a pickup during these times.

College season (August and May) can spike demand if you're shipping to or from areas near LSU, Tulane, or other universities.

Louisiana is a high-demand state for carriers due to its location and port activity, which works in your favor. You'll typically find good carrier availability compared to rural areas. Still, the two to three-week window gives you the best combination of pricing and flexibility.

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 Transport is the most affordable option. Your car travels on an open trailer exposed to the elements and road conditions. This works great for most vehicles and everyday cars. The main trade-off is that your vehicle is vulnerable to weather, dust, and debris during transit.

Enclosed Transport costs more—typically 50% to 100% higher than open transport. Your car travels in a fully enclosed trailer, protected from weather, road salt, and debris. This option makes sense if you're shipping a classic car, luxury vehicle, or a car with a custom paint job that needs extra protection.

The Bottom Line: Choose open transport if you want to save money and your vehicle can handle standard road conditions. Choose enclosed transport if your car is high-value or you want maximum protection. Since 2012, we've helped thousands of people in Louisiana find the right transport option for their budget and their vehicle.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service in Louisiana. When you book with us, we'll ask for your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our carriers will pick up and deliver your vehicle directly to those locations whenever possible.

We're transparent about what can happen: if there are transportation restrictions or safety concerns at your address, the carrier will work with you to find an alternative nearby location, such as a gas station or parking lot. This keeps your vehicle safe and the shipment on track.

Since 2012, we've been committed to giving people real value in car shipping. Our highly rated reviews show that our straightforward approach and reliable service set us apart. Let us help you ship your car with confidence.

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!