Are you in the process of moving to Alaska, or are you just considering it? If so, one thing you’ll need to do is figure out how to get your car there. Shipping a vehicle to Alaska can be tricky, but it can be done relatively easily with the right information. In this article, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about shipping cars to Alaska – from why you should do it to the different types of shipping available. We’ll also discuss how much it costs, factors influencing the price, and ways to reduce the overall cost of auto transport services. Keep reading for all the details!
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Alaska Car Shipping Options
You have two options when it comes to shipping your car to Alaska:
Driving the Car to Alaska Yourself
If you are a fan of road trips and enjoy spending time behind the wheel, this option might be for you. Shipping your car to Alaska by driving it up is certainly the most adventurous way to go about it, but it’s not without its challenges.
You must consider your route if you are still up for this journey. A few options are:
- The Alaska-Canada Highway- The Alcan highway is the most popular route for driving to Alaska. It starts in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and goes up to Delta Junction, Alaska. The journey is around 2,224 Km. Although the road is mostly paved, there are a few sections with gravel.
- The Trans-Canada Highway- The Trans-Canada highway is another option for driving to Alaska but is a bit longer than the Alcan highway. The road is all paved, making it a smoother journey overall.
- The Stewart-Cassiar Highway- This is another option for driving to Alaska. It’s shorter than the Trans-Canada highway and lengths around 1,976.4 km. However, the road is mostly paved but has a few gravel sections. This car journey will take you across British Columbia’s most stunning scenery.
- The Alaska Marine Highway- The Alaska Marine Highway is one of the shortest routes to reach Alaska. The ferry trip starts from Bellingham, WA, and takes you to Haines or Skagway, Alaska.
If you have decided to drive your vehicle up to Alaska, there are a few things you need to do to prepare your car.
- Make sure your car is in good working condition, get your vehicle serviced, check your tires, & fill up your gas tank.
- Ensure that you have a good map and know your route.
- Have an emergency kit in your car in case of breakdowns or accidents.
- Make sure you have all the required documents with you.
Hiring a Professional Car Shipping Company to Transport Your Vehicle to Alaska
Shipping your car with a transportation company is by far the easiest way to get your vehicle to Alaska. And, although it’s more expensive than driving it up yourself, it’s well worth the money – especially if you’re short on time or don’t want to deal with the hassle. If you’re not up for the challenge of driving your car to Alaska yourself, then you can always hire a professional car shipping company.
How To Ship Your Car to Alaska?
- Choose the type of transportation you want: plane or boat: The first step is to decide how you want your vehicle shipped – by plane or by boat. Shipping by plane is the fastest option but also the most expensive. Shipping by boat takes longer but is cheaper.
- Research different car shipping companies and get quotes: Next, research different car shipping companies and get quotes from them. This will give an idea about the average cost of shipping your car to Alaska. Do not forget to ask about any additional fees or charges. And while analyzing the quotes, look at the company’s reviews and ratings.
- Choose the company you wish to use and book your shipment: Once you have compared the quotes and read the reviews, you can choose the company you wish to use. Make sure to book your shipment in advance to get the best rates.
- Prepare your car for shipping: Now it’s time to prepare your vehicle for shipping. This includes cleaning your car inside and out, checking fluid levels, & disconnecting the battery.
- Clear everything out: Take out all your personal belongings, including electronics and important documents. Auto Shipping companies will not be responsible for any items left in the car.
- Clean your vehicle properly: A clean car will be easier to inspect. It will also give you a good idea about any dings and dents it has before the move. This way, you can easily identify any new damage after it arrives.
- Take photos: Take photos of your car from different angles. These photos will come in handy if there are any disputes about the condition of your vehicle later on.
- Disable the alarm system: Be sure to disable the alarm system to avoid any issues during transit.
- Get the required documents ready: You will need to provide the auto shipping company with documents, such as the current registration and title and your driver’s license.
- Drop off your vehicle at the port or terminal: On the day of shipment, you will need to drop off your vehicle at the port or terminal. The auto shipping company will inspect your car and load it onto the transport vessel.
- Wait for your vehicle to be delivered: Once your car has been loaded, it will be transported to Alaska. And once it arrives, you will need to pick it up from the port or terminal.
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Why Should You Ship a Car to Alaska When Moving There?
While relocating to another state, many people think it is cheap to drive their own car. But it is not always the case. The method of shipping your vehicle to Alaska differs from shipping it to any other state.
It’s a Long Drive
If you are familiar with the world map, you know that Alaska is quite far from the contiguous states. Even if you live in Washington, the distance from Washington to Alaska is nearly 2,288.3 miles. It takes around 42 hours to drive.
Anchorage is considered to be the largest and most populated city in Alaska. And it is around 2269 miles away from Seattle, and it takes more than 40 hours which is quite a long distance to cover. Similarly, driving from Seattle, Washington, to Juneau, Alaska, is quite long and takes around 37 hours and 1,700 miles.
Even if you live in a neighboring state, it’s a long way to drive. So, it would be best if you consider shipping your car instead of driving it all the way to Alaska.
Crossing Too Many Borders
While shipping your car to Alaska, you will cross not one but two different borders – US-Canada. It can be challenging to get all the paperwork in order, and it can be complicated and time-consuming.
Winter Roads
You will need to be careful while driving on icy and snow-covered roads. To go to Alaska, you need to be equipped with proper winter gear, tire chains & winter tires. Though most of the highways in Alaska are paved, conditions can be challenging, and you need to be extra careful.
Different Types of Car Shipping Available
Instead of driving your car yourself, you may ship it to Alaska. If you want to avoid all the hassle and expenses or if you don’t have enough time, you can choose any of the below car shipping methods:
Open Shipping
Open shipping is the most popular and economical way to ship a car. It works great for all types of vehicles, but it’s beneficial for those with standard models or used cars. Your car is shipped on an open trailer along with other vehicles in open shipping.
One of the major disadvantages of this shipping method is that your car is exposed to the elements while in transit to Alaska, which means it’s more susceptible to weather damage and road debris.
Enclosed Shipping
Enclosed car shipping offers more protection for your car because it is shipped in a container or on a flatbed trailer that is completely enclosed. This protects your car from weather damage, road debris, and curious onlookers.
This car shipping method is especially useful for new cars, exotic automobiles, or classic vehicles. However, enclosed shipping is more expensive than open shipping, but it’s worth the extra cost if you want to be sure your car arrives in Alaska in the same condition as when it left.
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Related: 5 Best Enclosed Car Shipping Companies of 2022
Most parts of Alaska are easily accessible by boat; hence transport companies also offer different services to ship your car by boat. Many car transport companies provide shipping services from the Port of Seattle and the Port of Tacoma, Washington, to the ports of Anchorage and Juneau, Alaska.
Cost to Ship A Car To Alaska
It costs about $1,600 to $4,500 to ship a car to Alaska from the Lower 48. The approximate price to ship a vehicle to Alaska from the contiguous United States varies depending on the size & weight of your car, pick-up and delivery location, the type of transportation, additional auto transport services, and the time of year.
Factors That Affect Shipping Costs
Various factors that are responsible for the cost of shipping a car to Alaska are as follows:
- Delivery preference: You can choose to have your vehicle delivered to a port or terminal in Alaska or deliver it directly to your home. Shipping to a port is less expensive than shipping to a residential address.
- Type of transportation: Shipping by boat is less expensive than shipping by plane, but it takes longer.
- Time of year: The cost to ship a car to Alaska is higher in the summer than in the winter because demand is higher.
- Car shipping options: Shipping your car on an open trailer is less expensive than shipping it in an enclosed trailer.
- Distance and location: Shipping your car from the Lower 48 to Alaska is more expensive than shipping it within the state. Transporting a vehicle to Anchorage is less expensive than shipping it to Juneau because Anchorage is closer to the port cities in Washington state.
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Ways to Reduce The Car Shipping Costs
There are several ways you can reduce the cost of shipping your car to Alaska:
- Timing: If you are not in a hurry to ship your car to Alaska, then you can wait till the off-season to ship your vehicle. Shipping your car in the off-season is less expensive than shipping it during the summer.
- Terminal to Terminal Transport: Many people opt for door-to-door service, which is more expensive. Instead, you can choose to have your car delivered to a terminal in Alaska and pick it up from a terminal. It is less expensive. However, if you choose this method of transportation, you need to pick up your car on the same day as it was delivered; otherwise, you have to pay a daily storage fee.
- Choose an Open Transportation Service: If your car is not a new car or sports or antique model car, then you can choose an open transportation service as it is less expensive than an enclosed transportation service.
- Get Multiple Quotes: Car shipping companies offer different rates. You should get quotes from at least three companies to find the best rate.
- Ask For Discount: Many car shipping companies offer different types of discounts like student discounts, military discounts, etc. You should ask the auto shipping company if they offer any discount.
What Documents Are Required For Shipping A Car To Alaska?
When you ship your car to Alaska, you need to have the following documents:
- Photo Identification: You need to have a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, or passport
- Car Insurance Details: You need to have proof of car insurance. Though you are not legally required to have car insurance documents when shipping your car, a few car shipping companies may ask you to have them.
- Ownership Proof: You need to have proof of ownership of your car, such as the title documents of your vehicle.
- Information Related to Your Vehicle: To obtain a quote on a vehicle shipping to Alaska, you’ll need to provide additional details about your cars, such as the manufacturing year and its model.
5 Best Companies for Alaska Car Transport
Below is the list of 5 top-rated professional car companies that can help you transport your car to Alaska:
Bottom Line
Shipping your car to Alaska is not as difficult as it may seem. You need to know the process and have all the required documents. Shipping your car to Alaska can be expensive, but if you follow the tips given in this article, you can reduce the shipping cost of your car to Alaska. We hope this guide was helpful in giving you a better understanding of Shipping cars to Alaska.
Frequently Asked Questions
How expensive is it to ship a car to Alaska?
A standard-size car will cost around $1,600 to $4,500 to ship to Alaska. However, the cost may vary depending on the size of the vehicle, time of year, and type of transportation.
Can you ferry your car to Alaska?
Yes, you can ferry your car to Alaska. Ferries in Alaska take walk-on passengers, cars, and recreational vehicles up to 60 feet long on most vessels.
Can I drive to Alaska without going through Canada?
No, you cannot drive to Alaska without going through Canada. The only way to get to Alaska by car is by driving through the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.
How much does the ferry from Seattle to Alaska cost?
The cost of a ferry from Seattle to Alaska is determined by the type of vehicle you are shipping. For example, a pre-booked ferry for a standard automobile transport costs between $400 and $800.
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