10 Best Auto Transport Companies in Washington For 2024

1. Understand Washington Residency

This step only applies if you’re relocating from another state and plan to establish your permanent and principal residence in Washington. The information does not apply to snowbirds or college students who live in Washington temporarily. Washington legally requires new residents to take specific steps regarding auto insurance, vehicle registration, driver license, and more based upon the date that you establish residency. The state suggests residency is established if any of the following occur:

• You sign a lease, mortgage, or deed for a Washington residence.
• You are registered to vote in Washington.
• You have a Washington professional or business license.
• You use your Washington address for federal or state taxes.
• You have a valid Washington state driver's license.

2. Update Insurance to Comply with WA Laws

Each state sets its own laws regarding auto insurance minimums. In Washington, you must purchase an insurance policy from a licensed WA insurance agent within 30 days of establishing residency. The minimum coverage amounts are:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person/$50,000 per accident: Helps cover costs of injuries when you cause an accident with your car.
• $20,000 property damage liability: Helps cover costs of damage to another’s car or property when you are at fault for the accident.

To cover financial risk, you may feel more comfortable increasing the amounts of liability insurance. You can also purchase comprehensive, collision, uninsured, and underinsured motorist insurance to reduce your risk. An umbrella policy will provide coverage for persons who have many assets.

3. Title and Register Your Vehicle

If you bring a car into Washington from out of state, you must apply for title and registration within 30 days of establishing residency. You can send in your registration paperwork by mail or go to a local licensing office in person to get your license plates and complete the forms. Either way, you’ll need to submit:

• A signed Vehicle Certificate of Ownership (Title) Application (Form TD-420-001)
• Your out-of-state vehicle title
• The odometer disclosure statement for vehicles up to ten years old
• The bill of sale or the dealer purchase agreement if you’ve owned the vehicle for less than 90 days
• Payment of the registration fees
• You do not need to show your WA insurance card when you register your vehicle, but auto insurance is mandatory by Washington law, and you face hefty fines without it.
• You can pay an additional $50 to get your registration and title immediately at a Quick Title Office.

4. Obtain a Valid Washington Driver License

You must obtain a Washington driver license within 30 days of establishing residency. You’ll be able to pre-apply online and make an appointment. Then you’ll visit an office to complete your application and bring the following:

• Proof of WA residency
• Proof of identity
• Your valid out-of-state driver license
• Your social security number
• Fee payment (cash, check, or credit card)

5. Purchase a Good To Go Pass

The cheapest and easiest way to pay Washington tolls is with a Good To Go Pass. You’ll start by depositing $30 in your account to cover future tolls, and then your account will be refilled automatically when your balance gets low. A Good To Go pass works on every WA toll facility and not only saves you $2 on each use but saves you time because you don’t need to stop at toll booths.

Washington’s five toll facilities cover about 30 miles of bridges and roadway in the Seattle-Tacoma regions. Tolls are charged for the SR 99 Tunnel south of Seattle, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the SR 520 Bridge across Lake Washington, the I-405 express lanes between Lynnwood and Bellevue, and the SR 167 HOT Lanes between Renton and south of Auburn. Toll rates can vary according to the time of day.

Are you looking to ship your vehicle to Washington 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 Washington 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 has protections 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 Washington, 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 a vintage Mustang to an antique DeVaux Sports Coupe, our network of classic auto transporters has the expertise and equipment to safely transport your classic car, 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 heading South for the winter, there are numerous reasons you may be interested in shipping a car to Washington or somewhere outside of The Evergreen 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 WA.

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.

Snowbirds

Do you fly South for the winter? Many Washington residents enjoy getting some winter warmth and sunshine. Start enjoying your escape from those cold, super-short winter days that much sooner by shipping your car and meeting it at your winter escape destination – whether you’re spending the season in laid-back Palm Springs or toney Palm Beach.

Military

Washington is home to seven military bases. From Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane to Kitsap Navy Base in Silverdale, Washington is home to 69,125 military personnel. If you’re one of the brave men and women serving our country, we’re happy to provide you with free quotes and connect you with top-notch car transportation to or from Washington.

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 to get it to your driveway, arrange for a hauler to transport your new car for you.

College Students

From the venerable University of Washington in Seattle to the private Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington has no shortage of top-tier colleges and universities for those seeking to further their education. If you have a college student moving to Washington 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 Washington. 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.