Route guide · AZ → MI
Shipping a car from Arizona to Michigan
Shipping a running sedan from Phoenix to Detroit costs about $1,150–$1,650 on an open carrier and $1,725–$2,475 in an enclosed trailer, with 4–7 days in transit. It ranks #180 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,400
- Road miles
- 1,980
- Days in transit
- 4–7
- People moving a year
- 4.1K
- Companies at both ends
- 74
City to city
What it costs between Arizona and Michigan cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma and Flagstaff and Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Flint — 1,750 to 2,170 road miles apart.
| From | Detroit | Grand Rapids | Lansing | Flint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $1,150–$1,6501,980 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,6001,850 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6251,910 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6251,960 mi · 4–7 days |
| Tucson | $1,150–$1,6501,970 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,5751,840 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6001,900 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6251,950 mi · 4–7 days |
| Yuma | $1,200–$1,7252,170 mi · 5–8 days | $1,150–$1,6752,030 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,7002,090 mi · 5–8 days | $1,200–$1,7252,150 mi · 5–8 days |
| Flagstaff | $1,125–$1,6001,890 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5501,750 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,5751,810 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6001,870 mi · 4–7 days |
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Phoenix to Detroit, 1,980 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $1,150–$1,650 | $1,725–$2,475 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,275–$1,850 | $1,925–$2,750 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,425–$2,050 | $2,150–$3,075 |
| Pickup truck | $1,500–$2,125 | $2,225–$3,200 |
| Motorcycle | $675–$975 | $1,025–$1,475 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in December (the holidays and winter weather up north), running about 10% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Arizona to Michigan is March–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,400 Peak: about $1,525
About this route
Why so many cars go from Arizona to Michigan
About 4,050 people moved from Arizona to Michigan in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (4,049 in 2023, 4,050 in 2024). That is 2.2% of everyone who left Arizona for another state.
This is the lighter direction: about 7,216 people a year move Michigan to Arizona. Carriers that bring cars into Arizona need loads back toward Michigan, so it's worth asking for a backhaul price on this leg.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,400, shipping from Arizona to Michigan costs more than sending a car to Ohio ($1,375) and Illinois ($1,300) but less than to North Carolina ($1,450) and Florida ($1,525). That works out to about 71¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
At roughly 1,980 road miles, Phoenix to Detroit is a cross-country haul. Federal hours-of-service rules cap truck drivers at 11 hours behind the wheel a day, so plan on 4–7 days in transit once the car is loaded. The car heads east-northeast and crosses 2 time zones — from Mountain to Eastern time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- The route crosses mountain passes in the West; from November to March, snow and chain laws can hold trucks for a day or two.
- Winter storms in Michigan can slow pickups and deliveries in December through February — leave slack in your schedule.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Arizona and Michigan, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Arizona
41 companies based in Arizona: 30 carriers, 5 brokers, 154 trucks in total, 13 years in business on average.
- Motor Car Auto Carriers Inc Glendal · 45 trucks · since 2000 · USDOT 915692
- Auto-Matic Auto Carriers LLC Tucson · 23 trucks · since 2009 · USDOT 1965940
- J&S Transportation Tucson · 14 trucks · since 2000 · USDOT 911585
- Zemo Auto Transport LLC Peoria · 6 trucks · since 2015 · USDOT 2781497
- J & J Auto Transport LLC Litchfield Park · 5 trucks · since 2019 · USDOT 3244816
Delivery end Michigan
33 companies based in Michigan: 29 carriers, 3 brokers, 88 trucks in total, 8 years in business on average.
- A Line Transportation Westland · 9 trucks · since 2016 · USDOT 2919373
- Auto Moto Transport LLC Warren · 8 trucks · since 2020 · USDOT 3380547
- Stimson Transport LLC Davison · 8 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 3035222
- Detroit Auto Carriers West Bloomfield · 4 trucks · since 2014 · USDOT 2528377
- JMS Transport LLC New Boston · 4 trucks · since 2015 · USDOT 2780708
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Michigan but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Arizona? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Arizona to states near Michigan
To Michigan from states near Arizona
FAQ
Arizona to Michigan car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Michigan's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Arizona to Michigan?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,150–$1,650 from Phoenix to Detroit (1,980 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,075–$1,725. An SUV costs about $1,275–$1,850, a pickup $1,500–$2,125, and an enclosed trailer $1,725–$2,475 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Arizona to Michigan?
Transit is usually 4–7 days after pickup for the 1,980-mile trip from Phoenix to Detroit. Getting the car picked up takes another 1–5 days on a standard booking; expedited pickup within 1–2 days costs about 30% more.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Arizona to Michigan?
March–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 10% more. Whatever the month, a flexible pickup date booked 2–3 weeks out gets the best price.
How soon do I have to register my car in Michigan after moving?
Michigan requires new residents to register right away — there is no grace period. Michigan has no grace period: title and register right away with proof of Michigan no-fault insurance.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Arizona to Michigan?
Driving 1,980 miles takes about 4 days: roughly $250 in gas and 3 nights of hotels and meals (about $420). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,150–$1,650. Add wear on the car and 4 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Arizona to Michigan?
Our directory lists 41 companies based in Arizona and 33 based in Michigan, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.