Tennessee 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 Tennessee is straightforward, but there are a few state-specific steps to keep in mind.

Remove toll transponders: Tennessee has the I-PASS system used on some tolled roads. Check your vehicle for any toll pass devices and remove them before shipping, as carriers cannot be responsible for toll charges incurred during transport.

Address weather-related items: Tennessee winters can bring ice and snow, especially in the eastern regions. Remove any snow chains, ice scrapers, or roof racks that could be damaged or cause damage during transit. Also check for salt and road treatment residue on your vehicle's undercarriage and exterior—rinse these off before shipping to prevent rust and corrosion during the journey.

Check your tire pressure and fluids: Tennessee's humidity and temperature fluctuations can affect tire pressure. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and your coolant levels are adequate before shipping. These simple checks help prevent issues during transport.

Remove interior and exterior accessories: Take off or secure any custom additions like roof racks, bike racks, spoilers, or loose trim pieces. Inside, remove toll passes, air fresheners, phone mounts, and any other items that could shift or fall during transit.

Provide a working key: Make sure you have a spare key available for the carrier. They'll need it to move your vehicle on and off the transport trailer.

For more detailed information, check out our Vehicle Shipping Tips. We've been helping people ship cars fairly since 2017, and these steps will help ensure your Tennessee vehicle arrives in great condition.

Yes, your vehicle is protected with insurance when you ship through us in Tennessee. 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 your transport.

This insurance protects your vehicle during the shipping process. We've been vetting carriers since 2017, and we take this responsibility seriously to make sure your car gets the protection it deserves.

We recommend scheduling your pickup at least two to three weeks in advance for Tennessee shipments. The sooner you book, the better your chances of getting a carrier that fits your timeline and location.

Tennessee has some unique seasonal factors that affect carrier availability:

Winter Weather (November-March): Ice storms and snow can hit Tennessee unexpectedly, especially in the eastern mountains and the Nashville area. Carriers may experience delays or avoid routes during severe weather. If you're shipping during winter months, add extra buffer time to your schedule.

Summer Heat (June-August): High temperatures can slow down carrier operations, particularly for routes in West Tennessee. Drivers may take longer breaks, and some carriers reduce their schedules during peak heat. Plan ahead if you need summer shipping.

College Move Season (August-September and May): Tennessee has major universities like Vanderbilt, UT Knoxville, and Belmont. Carrier availability tightens significantly during move-in and move-out periods in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis. If you're shipping during these months, schedule at least three to four weeks out.

Holiday Traffic (November-December and July): Thanksgiving and Christmas create heavy traffic on Tennessee interstates. Fourth of July weekend also sees increased congestion. Give yourself extra time during these periods.

Snowbird Season (October-April): While Tennessee isn't a major snowbird destination like Florida or Arizona, outbound shipments to warmer states increase in fall and winter. This can affect carrier availability heading south.

The bottom line: Book at least two to three weeks ahead, and add a week if you're shipping during college move season or winter months. The earlier you post your shipment, the more carriers can bundle it with others heading the same direction, which helps you get better value.

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 is the most affordable option. Your car travels on an open trailer exposed to the elements—sun, rain, wind, and road debris. It's safe for most vehicles, but not ideal if you want maximum protection.

Enclosed transport shields your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer. This protects against weather, dust, and debris. The tradeoff? It typically costs 50% more than open transport.

When to choose each:

Open transport works well for daily drivers, newer cars with standard paint, and budget-conscious shippers. Most vehicles ship this way without issues.

Enclosed transport makes sense for classic cars, luxury vehicles, custom paint jobs, or anything you want extra protection for. If your car is valuable or irreplaceable, the extra cost is worth the peace of mind.

Both methods are safe and reliable. The choice depends on your vehicle's value and your budget. At Sakaem Logistics, we help you find the right option for your specific situation—that's how we've been ending the monopoly since 2017.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service in Tennessee. This means we'll pick up your vehicle from your preferred location and deliver it directly to your destination address.

When you book with us, just let us know where you'd like your car picked up and where it should be delivered. Our carriers will work to accommodate your specific addresses whenever possible.

That said, we believe in being transparent: sometimes pickup or delivery at your exact address isn't feasible due to road conditions, parking restrictions, or safety concerns. If that happens, your carrier will contact you to arrange a nearby alternative location, like a local gas station or parking lot. We'll never leave you guessing—we'll work with you directly to find a solution that works.

Since 2012, we've been committed to giving people real value in car shipping and cutting through the confusion. Our highly rated reviews show we deliver on that promise, whether you're shipping across Tennessee or beyond.

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!