10 Best Auto Transport Companies in Pennsylvania For 2024

Before your car arrives, you’ll want to ensure that you’re ready to travel the roads of Pennsylvania legally and safely.

1. Understand Pennsylvania Residency

This step only applies to those relocating to Pennsylvania from another state who plan to establish their permanent and principal residence in PA (i.e., it does not apply to college students living here temporarily). Pennsylvania legally requires new residents to take specific steps regarding insurance, car registration, and more based upon the date of residency. It may be challenging to establish an exact date, but the state requires proof of the following:

• You are physically present in PA for 184 days
• You maintain an abode during that period

Note: Keep the date you establish residency in mind as you review the remaining steps.

2. Update Your Insurance to Comply with PA Laws

Each state sets laws regarding auto insurance minimums. In Pennsylvania, you must purchase an insurance policy from a licensed PA insurance agent with the following coverage amounts:

• $5,000 property damage liability per accident: Property liability coverage pays for any damage done to another car or property in an accident in which you are the at-fault driver.
• $5,000 medical benefits: This coverage pays for medical bills incurred during an accident for anyone covered by your policy, regardless of who’s at fault.
• $15,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person/$30,000 per accident: Bodily injury liability coverage helps to cover another person’s injuries for which you are at fault.

Note: you must have proof of insurance coverage to title and register your car.

3. Title and Register Your Vehicle

If you bring a car into Pennsylvania from out of state, you must apply for title and registration within 20 days of establishing residency. You’ll need to visit a PennDOT location and provide the following:

• A valid form of PA identification
• Valid out-of-state title
• Tracing of vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Proof of vehicle safety inspection (without ten days of registration date)
• Proof of emissions inspection
• Completed Form MV-1 (not available online)
• Completed Form MV-1L and power of attorney (if the vehicle is a lease)
• Applicable lien, title, and registration fees

4. Obtain a Valid Pennsylvania Driver License

You must obtain a Pennsylvania license within 60 days of establishing residency. You must apply for your license in-person at a Diver License Center. During the application process, you must:

• Complete physical exam (chiropractor, physician, nurse practitioner)
• Fill out & submit Form DL-180R
• Provide proof: ID, residential address, social security card
• Pass vision screening
• Surrender your out-of-state driver license
• Have photo taken
• Pay applicable fees

5. Winter Driving Recommendations in PA

With an annual snowfall average of approximately 40 inches, Pennsylvania is no stranger to hazardous weather and road conditions. To help you stay safe, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) offers several tips. These include: keep an emergency travel kit (filled with jumper cables, flares, extra clothes, blanket, and so on), take a look at travel advisories & weather forecast, refrain from sudden driving movements, keep the gas tank at least half full, look out for black ice, avoid the use of cruise control, use low beams in bad conditions, and make sure someone knows where you’re going.

6. Purchase an E-Z Pass

The Pennsylvania Turnpike spans some 360 miles between the Ohio and New Jersey borders, connecting the dots between Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia along the way. If you plan on frequenting the Turnpike, you may want to consider setting up an E-Z Pass account. With an E-Z Pass transponder on your vehicle, you can breeze through toll plazas without having to stop and fumble around for loose change; E-Z Pass will automatically deduct the toll from your prepaid account as you drive through. With an E-Z Pass account, you can also zip through tolls in 17 other participating states from Illinois to Maine, enjoying discounted toll rates along the way.

Are you looking to ship your vehicle to Pennsylvania from another part of the country? Caravan Auto Transport’s network of vetted, licensed, and insured auto transporters offers safe, efficient transport of your automobile to its destination without running up the miles on the odometer. These reputable Pennsylvania car shipping companies provide the following services:

Open Car Transport

The most common method of car transportation, open transport carriers are ideal if you’re looking for an affordable shipping option with speedy delivery. As the name suggests, your car is loaded onto an open-air trailer along with several other vehicles headed to the same destination.

Enclosed Auto Transport

If you desire enhanced security or protection for your vehicle, you may wish to arrange enclosed carrier shipping. Inside a covered trailer, your car is protected from harsh weather conditions and road hazards like dust and dirt. Shipping your vehicle in a closed carrier also enhances its safety during transit by keeping the car concealed.

Door-to-Door Car Shipping

With a door-to-door car shipping service, you choose the desired pick-up and drop-off locations rather than having to arrange getting your vehicle to or from a transport terminal. Door-to-door shipping is the most convenient choice for shipping your car to or from Pennsylvania, saving you time and effort.

Expedited Shipping

In a hurry to get your car from one location to the next? Upgrading to expedited shipping ensures a seamless pick-up and drop-off of your vehicle on your schedule. As a priority customer, you receive fast, timely service, so you can get back to driving that much quicker.

Classic and Antique Car Transport

When it comes to transporting a classic car, you want an auto transport company that can deliver your vehicle without a single dent or scratch. From vintage Mustangs to antique DeVaux Sports Coupes, our network of classic auto transporters has the expertise and equipment to transport your classic car safely, so it arrives in pristine condition.

High End and Luxury Auto Shipping

Exotic car transporters use specialty equipment, like hydraulic lifts and sophisticated tie-downs, along with enclosed trucks, to keep your valuable car safe during every mile of transit. An enclosed car hauler ensures the ultimate protection for your high-end or luxury vehicle, protecting it from dirt, dust, and debris along the way.

From moving off to college to building your career, there are numerous reasons you may be interested in shipping a car to Pennsylvania or somewhere outside of the Keystone State. Caravan Auto Transport’s network of auto shippers streamlines the car hauling process no matter your reason for transporting your vehicle to or from PA.

Moving and Relocation

When moving cross-country or out-of-state, many people choose to ship their cars rather than add a long road trip to an already stressful and exhausting relocation experience. Leave the logistics of moving your vehicle in the hands of professionals with either open or enclosed vehicle shipping services.

Military

Pennsylvania is home to four military bases. From Carlisle Barracks Army Base in Carlisle to New Cumberland Army Depot Army Base in Fairview, thousands of military personnel are stationed in the Keystone State. If you are one of the brave men and women serving our country, we’re happy to serve you with top-notch car transportation to or from Pennsylvania.

Online Car Buyers

Whether you’ve found the perfect vehicle on Craigslist, eBay, or AutoTrader, you may need some assistance getting it home, especially if it’s sitting on the other side of the country. Instead of flying out to pick it up and putting hundreds or thousands of miles on the odometer just to get it to your driveway, arrange for a hauler to transport your new car for you.

College Students

From the acclaimed University of Pennsylvania to the more intimate Thomas Jefferson University, Pennsylvania has no shortage of top-tier colleges and universities for those seeking to further their education. If you have a college student moving to Pennsylvania from out-of-state (or vice versa), have their vehicle shipped straight to campus with a fast, affordable auto transport service.

On average, it costs between $500-$1500 to ship a car to Pennsylvania. Anticipate paying around $1 per mile for the first 1-500 miles, then approximately $.75 for every mile after that. Several factors influence the final cost of shipping your vehicle, including the origin and destination zip codes, the method of transport (open vs. enclosed), the speed of shipment, the type of vehicle, and the time of year. The best way to get an accurate estimate of car shipping costs is by requesting free quotes from our network of auto transport companies.