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A Permanent Change of Station comes with orders, deadlines, and a to-do list that doesn't quit. If your new duty station is across the country – or you're juggling two cars and one driver – shipping a vehicle can take the longest drive off your plate. Here's how to make it work with a PCS timeline.
Orders drive everything
Report dates aren't flexible, so plan backward from yours:
- Book 1-2 weeks before you want the car picked up.
- Expect a pickup window of about 3-5 days from booking.
- Transit runs a few days for regional moves to about one to two weeks coast to coast, depending on the route.
Tell your broker your report date and your travel dates up front. A good one builds the shipment around them and flags early if the timing is tight.
The two-car problem
Most military families own two vehicles and can only drive one. Shipping the second car is the standard solution – one spouse drives, the other car rides a carrier, and nobody does a relay race across three states.
Shipping to or from a base
Carriers deliver to bases regularly, but access rules vary. Some installations allow large trucks to housing areas; others require meeting at the visitor center or a lot just outside the gate. Let your broker know the delivery is on-base so the driver can plan – and make sure whoever receives the car has their ID and base access squared away.
Deployment and storage situations
If you're shipping a car because of a deployment rather than a PCS – sending it to family, or to storage – the process is the same, but be clear about who's authorized to give and receive the car. Power of attorney holders, spouses, and family members can all hand off or receive a vehicle as long as the broker knows in advance.
Cost notes for military families
- Ask about military discounts when you book – many brokers offer them.
- For stateside moves, shipping your POV is usually out of pocket – the mileage and travel allowances on your orders generally do not cover vehicle shipping. Keep every receipt anyway, and check with your transportation office about exactly what your orders cover before you book.
- Flexible dates, even by a few days, often mean a meaningfully better price.
HIYAAKS Inc is glad to serve military families. Nothing is charged before pickup – a flat $150 deposit is collected by credit card once the carrier picks up your vehicle, and the balance is due at delivery. Get your free quote at hiyaaksincautoshipper.com.
