Route guide · MI → AZ
Shipping a car from Michigan to Arizona
Shipping a running sedan from Detroit to Phoenix 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 #91 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
- 7.2K
- Companies at both ends
- 74
City to city
What it costs between Michigan and Arizona cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Flint and Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma and Flagstaff — 1,750 to 2,170 road miles apart.
| From | Phoenix | Tucson | Yuma | Flagstaff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $1,150–$1,6501,980 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6501,970 mi · 4–7 days | $1,200–$1,7252,170 mi · 5–8 days | $1,125–$1,6001,890 mi · 4–7 days |
| Grand Rapids | $1,100–$1,6001,850 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,5751,840 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6752,030 mi · 5–8 days | $1,075–$1,5501,750 mi · 4–7 days |
| Lansing | $1,125–$1,6251,910 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6001,900 mi · 4–7 days | $1,175–$1,7002,090 mi · 5–8 days | $1,100–$1,5751,810 mi · 4–7 days |
| Flint | $1,150–$1,6251,960 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6251,950 mi · 4–7 days | $1,200–$1,7252,150 mi · 5–8 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
Detroit to Phoenix, 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 Michigan to Arizona 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 Michigan to Arizona
About 7,216 people moved from Michigan to Arizona in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (6,740 in 2023, 7,691 in 2024). That is 5% of everyone who left Michigan for another state.
Traffic is lopsided: only about 4,050 people a year go the other way, Arizona to Michigan. Trucks heading into Arizona fill up quickly, so pickups are usually fast — but carriers have less reason to discount in peak months.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,400, shipping from Michigan to Arizona costs more than sending a car to Florida ($1,200) and Texas ($1,125) but less than to California ($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, Detroit to Phoenix 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 west-southwest and crosses 2 time zones — from Eastern to Mountain 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 Michigan and Arizona, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup 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
Delivery 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
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Arizona but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Michigan? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Michigan to states near Arizona
To Arizona from states near Michigan
FAQ
Michigan to Arizona car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Arizona's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Michigan to Arizona?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,150–$1,650 from Detroit to Phoenix (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 Michigan to Arizona?
Transit is usually 4–7 days after pickup for the 1,980-mile trip from Detroit to Phoenix. 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 Michigan to Arizona?
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 Arizona after moving?
Arizona requires new residents to register right away — there is no grace period. Arizona expects registration as soon as you become a resident. Cars kept in the Phoenix or Tucson areas may need an emissions test first.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Michigan to Arizona?
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 Michigan to Arizona?
Our directory lists 33 companies based in Michigan and 41 based in Arizona, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.