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Military Car Shipping: Complete PCS & Deployment Guide (2025)

January 16, 202511 min read

Military Car Shipping: Complete PCS & Deployment Guide (2025)

Active duty military members spend **$800-$2,500** shipping vehicles during PCS. Learn how to get **military discounts**, **reimbursement**, and **hassle-free shipping**.

Military Shipping Options

Option 1: Military Auto Transport Program (Government)

**Cost:** Free (for CONUS moves)

Pros:

  • No out-of-pocket cost
  • Handled by military

    • Cons:

  • Only one vehicle per PCS
  • 30-60 day wait times
  • Limited scheduling flexibility
  • Often delayed
  • No personal items allowed

    • **Best for:** Single vehicle owners with flexible timelines

    Option 2: Commercial Carrier (FreightFloo)

    **Cost:** $800-$2,500 (partially reimbursable)

    Pros:

  • Ship multiple vehicles
  • Flexible scheduling (5-10 days)
  • Real-time tracking
  • Military discounts available
  • Personal items allowed (some carriers)

    • Cons:

  • Upfront payment (reimbursed later)

    • **Best for:** Multiple vehicles, tight timelines, or deployment

    ---

    Military Shipping Discounts

    FreightFloo Military Discount:

    **15% off** for active duty, veterans, and military families

    How to claim:

    1. Verify military status (ID or LES)

    2. Discount applied automatically

    3. Save $120-$375 per shipment

    Example savings:

  • $1,500 shipment → $1,275 (save $225)
  • $2,000 shipment → $1,700 (save $300)

    • ---

    PCS Car Shipping Timeline

    8 Weeks Before PCS:

  • ✅ Get shipping quotes
  • ✅ Review reimbursement policy
  • ✅ Decide: government or commercial?

    • 4 Weeks Before:

  • ✅ Book carrier on FreightFloo
  • ✅ Submit travel voucher (if commercial)
  • ✅ Prepare vehicle for shipping

    • 2 Weeks Before:

  • ✅ Confirm pickup date/location
  • ✅ Clean & inspect vehicle
  • ✅ Remove personal items (or get approval)

    • 1 Week Before:

  • ✅ Disable car alarm
  • ✅ Take inspection photos
  • ✅ Leave 1/4 tank gas

    • PCS Day:

  • ✅ Carrier pickup
  • ✅ Sign Bill of Lading
  • ✅ Get copy for reimbursement

    • After Delivery:

  • ✅ Inspect vehicle
  • ✅ Sign delivery confirmation
  • ✅ Submit for reimbursement

    • ---

    Common PCS Routes & Costs

    From/To Major Military Bases:

    Fort Hood, TX → Fort Bragg, NC:

  • Distance: 1,200 miles
  • Cost: $900-$1,300
  • Transit: 5-7 days

    • San Diego, CA → Norfolk, VA:

  • Distance: 2,700 miles
  • Cost: $1,600-$2,200
  • Transit: 7-10 days

    • Fort Lewis, WA → Fort Benning, GA:

  • Distance: 2,800 miles
  • Cost: $1,700-$2,400
  • Transit: 8-11 days

    • Camp Pendleton, CA → Camp Lejeune, NC:

  • Distance: 2,600 miles
  • Cost: $1,600-$2,100
  • Transit: 7-10 days

    • Pearl Harbor, HI → Mainland:

  • Special: Port shipping required
  • Cost: $1,200-$2,000 (to West Coast)
  • Transit: 10-14 days

    • ---

    Military Reimbursement Guide

    What's Reimbursable (CONUS PCS):

    ✅ Actual shipping cost

    ✅ Terminal fees

    ✅ Insurance (basic)

    What's NOT Reimbursable:

    ❌ Luxury upgrades (enclosed transport)

    ❌ Extra insurance

    ❌ Expedited shipping

    ❌ Storage fees

    How to Get Reimbursed:

    1. **Get orders** (PCS/deployment orders required)

    2. **Get receipt** (Bill of Lading + paid invoice)

    3. **Submit travel voucher** (include all receipts)

    4. **Wait 2-4 weeks** for reimbursement

    **Max reimbursement:** Varies by rank and distance (check with finance)

    ---

    Deployment Shipping

    Short Deployment (3-6 months):

    **Option 1:** Leave at home with family

    **Option 2:** Store on base (free)

    **Option 3:** Ship to family ($800-$1,500)

    Long Deployment (9-12 months):

    **Option 1:** Ship to family

    **Option 2:** Sell vehicle

    **Option 3:** Long-term storage

    **FreightFloo tip:** Ship to family member's address to avoid 12 months of storage fees.

    ---

    Overseas PCS (OCONUS)

    Shipping to/from Europe:

    **Cost:** $1,500-$3,500 (port-to-port)

    **Transit:** 4-8 weeks

    Options:

  • RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) - cheapest
  • Container - more protection

    • **FreightFloo partners:** We connect you with international carriers.

    Shipping to/from Asia/Pacific:

    **Cost:** $2,000-$5,000

    **Transit:** 4-10 weeks

    Popular routes:

  • Okinawa ↔ California
  • Guam ↔ Hawaii

    • Shipping to/from Hawaii/Alaska:

    **Cost:** $1,200-$2,500

    **Transit:** 10-14 days

    **Method:** Port shipping via barge/ferry

    ---

    Military Shipping FAQs

    Can I ship my POV (Personally Owned Vehicle)?

    **Yes.** You can ship:

  • Personal cars
  • Trucks
  • SUVs
  • Motorcycles

    • Not allowed:

  • RVs/campers (too large)
  • Boats (different process)
  • Commercial vehicles

    • How many vehicles can I ship?

    **Government:** 1 vehicle per PCS (free)

    **Commercial:** Unlimited (at your expense, partially reimbursable)

    Can I ship my spouse's car?

    **Yes.** Use commercial carrier like FreightFloo. May be partially reimbursable.

    What if my PCS gets cancelled?

    Contact carrier within 24 hours to cancel. Most carriers offer free cancellation with 48+ hours notice.

    Can I store my car instead?

    **Yes.** On-base storage is usually free for deployed members. Off-base storage: $100-$300/month.

    ---

    Why Military Members Choose FreightFloo

    1. Military Discount (15% off)

    **Automatic savings** for active duty & veterans

    2. PCS-Friendly Scheduling

  • Book 2-8 weeks in advance
  • Flexible pickup dates
  • Fast 5-10 day transit

    • 3. Reimbursement-Ready Documentation

  • Detailed invoices
  • Bill of Lading
  • All paperwork for travel voucher

    • 4. Last-Minute Bookings

    PCS orders changed? We can ship on short notice (3-7 days)

    5. Multiple Vehicle Discounts

    Shipping your car + spouse's car? Save 15% on second vehicle

    6. Deployment Storage Alternatives

    Ship to family instead of paying storage fees

    ---

    Real Military Customer Stories

    Captain Sarah M. (Army, Fort Hood → Fort Carson)

  • Vehicle: 2021 Toyota Camry
  • FreightFloo: $975 (after military discount)
  • Government option: 45-day wait
  • **Chose FreightFloo:** Needed car in 7 days for PCS
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    • SSgt Mike T. (Marines, Camp Pendleton → Okinawa)

  • Vehicle: 2019 Ford F-150
  • Sold vehicle instead of shipping overseas
  • Used FreightFloo to ship to brother in Texas first
  • Cost: $1,150 (vs $3,500 overseas shipping)
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    • Lt. Jennifer K. (Navy, Norfolk → San Diego)

  • Vehicles: 2 cars (hers + husband's)
  • FreightFloo: $1,600 each = $3,200 total
  • Multi-vehicle discount: $3,000 (saved $200)
  • Transit: 8 days
  • **Reimbursement:** $1,400 approved
  • **Out-of-pocket:** $1,600
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    • ---

    Military Shipping Checklist

    Before PCS:

  • ☐ Get PCS orders
  • ☐ Decide: government or commercial?
  • ☐ Get 3-5 quotes
  • ☐ Apply military discount
  • ☐ Book carrier 2-4 weeks out
  • ☐ Review reimbursement policy

    • Prep Vehicle:

  • ☐ Wash exterior
  • ☐ Take photos (all angles)
  • ☐ Remove personal items (unless approved)
  • ☐ 1/4 tank gas
  • ☐ Disable alarm
  • ☐ Check tire pressure
  • ☐ Lock windows/sunroof

    • Paperwork:

  • ☐ Driver's license (ID)
  • ☐ PCS orders (copy)
  • ☐ Vehicle registration
  • ☐ Insurance card

    • After Delivery:

  • ☐ Inspect thoroughly
  • ☐ Note any damage on BOL
  • ☐ Take delivery photos
  • ☐ Keep all receipts
  • ☐ Submit travel voucher

    • ---

    Get Your Military Shipping Quote

    FreightFloo makes PCS shipping easy:

    1. **15% military discount** automatically applied

    2. **Fast quotes** (15 minutes)

    3. **PCS-friendly** scheduling

    4. **Reimbursement-ready** documentation

    5. **Real-time tracking** during transit

    Average military member savings: $250-$400 vs traditional brokers

    [Get Free Military Quote →](/signup?type=shipper&military=true)

    Thank you for your service! 🇺🇸

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