Route guide · CO → TN
Shipping a car from Colorado to Tennessee
Shipping a running sedan from Denver to Nashville-Davidson costs about $925–$1,325 on an open carrier and $1,400–$2,000 in an enclosed trailer, with 3–5 days in transit. It ranks #197 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,125
- Road miles
- 1,200
- Days in transit
- 3–5
- People moving a year
- 5.1K
- Companies at both ends
- 31
City to city
What it costs between Colorado and Tennessee cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Pueblo and Nashville-Davidson, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga — 990 to 1,400 road miles apart.
| From | Nashville-Davidson | Memphis | Knoxville | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | $925–$1,3251,200 mi · 3–5 days | $875–$1,2751,040 mi · 3–5 days | $975–$1,4001,380 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,3751,320 mi · 3–5 days |
| Colorado Springs | $925–$1,3251,180 mi · 3–5 days | $850–$1,2501,010 mi · 3–5 days | $975–$1,4001,370 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,3751,310 mi · 3–5 days |
| Fort Collins | $950–$1,3501,220 mi · 3–5 days | $875–$1,2751,070 mi · 3–5 days | $1,000–$1,4001,400 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,4001,350 mi · 3–6 days |
| Pueblo | $925–$1,3251,170 mi · 3–5 days | $850–$1,250990 mi · 2–4 days | $975–$1,4001,350 mi · 3–6 days | $950–$1,3751,290 mi · 3–5 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
Denver to Nashville-Davidson, 1,200 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 | $925–$1,325 | $1,400–$2,000 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,050–$1,500 | $1,550–$2,225 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,175–$1,675 | $1,750–$2,500 |
| Pickup truck | $1,200–$1,725 | $1,825–$2,600 |
| Motorcycle | $550–$800 | $825–$1,200 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Colorado to Tennessee is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,125 Peak: about $1,225
About this route
Why so many cars go from Colorado to Tennessee
About 5,064 people moved from Colorado to Tennessee in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (6,148 in 2023, 3,980 in 2024). That is 2.4% of everyone who left Colorado for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 4,162 people a year move from Tennessee back to Colorado — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,125, shipping from Colorado to Tennessee costs more than sending a car to Illinois ($1,075) and California ($1,050) but less than to Georgia ($1,200) and North Carolina ($1,275). That works out to about 94¢ a mile.
Distance and transit time
Your car spends 3–5 days on the road for the roughly 1,200 miles from Denver to Nashville-Davidson, after a pickup window of a few days while the carrier assembles a full load. The car heads east and crosses one time zone — from Mountain to Central 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.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Colorado and Tennessee, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Colorado
16 companies based in Colorado: 16 carriers, 1 brokers, 269 trucks in total, 10 years in business on average.
- Supreme Auto Transport Inc Longmont · 207 trucks · since 2000 · USDOT 912923
- TK Auto Trans Inc Aurora · 22 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2388239
- Sterling Auto Carriers Inc Montrose · 6 trucks · since 2015 · USDOT 2777033
- Your Auto Express Aurora · 5 trucks · since 2021 · USDOT 3705965
- Amiron Auto Trans LLC Commerce City · 4 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2961725
Delivery end Tennessee
15 companies based in Tennessee: 15 carriers, 1 brokers, 190 trucks in total, 12 years in business on average.
- American Transportation Company Knoxville · 91 trucks · since 2000 · USDOT 868890
- Heartbeat Auto Transport Inc La Vergne · 52 trucks · since 2014 · USDOT 2465955
- GT Transportation LLC Winchester · 8 trucks · since 2014 · USDOT 2515264
- Turon Express LLC Sevierville · 7 trucks · since 2018 · USDOT 3124588
- Class Custom Carriers LLC Linden · 4 trucks · since 2002 · USDOT 1038733
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Tennessee but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Colorado? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Colorado to states near Tennessee
To Tennessee from states near Colorado
FAQ
Colorado to Tennessee car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Tennessee's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Colorado to Tennessee?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $925–$1,325 from Denver to Nashville-Davidson (1,200 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $850–$1,400. An SUV costs about $1,050–$1,500, a pickup $1,200–$1,725, and an enclosed trailer $1,400–$2,000 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Colorado to Tennessee?
Transit is usually 3–5 days after pickup for the 1,200-mile trip from Denver to Nashville-Davidson. The wait for pickup is separate: typically 1–5 days, or 1–2 days if you pay about 30% more for expedited service.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Colorado to Tennessee?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in Tennessee after moving?
Tennessee requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. Apply for title and registration through your local county clerk.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Colorado to Tennessee?
Driving 1,200 miles takes about 3 days: roughly $150 in gas and 2 nights of hotels and meals (about $280). Shipping a sedan costs about $925–$1,325. Add wear on the car and 3 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Colorado to Tennessee?
Our directory lists 16 companies based in Colorado and 15 based in Tennessee, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.