Tennessee Car Shipping: Costs & Routes

Tennessee is long and narrow, and I-40 runs almost its whole length. Memphis sits at the western end on the Mississippi River. Nashville is in the middle, and Knoxville is in the east near the Great Smoky Mountains. I-65, I-24, I-75 and I-81 cross the state from north to south, so Tennessee sees heavy freight traffic in every direction.

That traffic helps most shipments. Memphis is a major freight and distribution hub where I-40 meets I-55. Nashville and its suburbs keep growing, and new residents arrive from across the country. Chattanooga sits on the Georgia line on I-75 and I-24.

People ship cars to and from Tennessee for job relocations, retirement moves and seasonal homes in the mountains. Military families move through Fort Campbell, which straddles the Kentucky line near Clarksville. Workers come for jobs at the Nissan plant in Smyrna, GM in Spring Hill and Volkswagen in Chattanooga. Students at Vanderbilt, the University of Tennessee and other campuses add seasonal peaks. This page covers what moves the price, how pickup works from the Mississippi to the mountains, and what to do after you arrive.

Table of Contents

Tennessee Car Shipping Costs and Transit Times

On our main Tennessee routes, open transport for a standard sedan runs from $250 (Tennessee to Georgia) to $2,144 (Washington to Tennessee). Each route page breaks the price down and compares it with driving.

Shipping a car from Tennessee

Route	Distance	Transit	Open transport	Enclosed transport
Tennessee to Florida	421 mi	1-2 days	$700-$1,200	$900-$1,600
Tennessee to New York	915 mi	2-4 days	$973-$1,223	$1,125-$1,475
Tennessee to Georgia	334 mi	1-2 days	$250-$450	$450-$700
Tennessee to Ohio	380 mi	1-2 days	$600-$800	$1,000-$1,150
Tennessee to Indiana	288 mi	1-2 days	$464-$714	$656-$956

Shipping a car to Tennessee

Route	Distance	Transit	Open transport	Enclosed transport
New York to Tennessee	826 mi	2-4 days	$700-$1,363	$1,000-$1,750
Washington to Tennessee	2,450 mi	5-8 days	$1,700-$2,144	$2,300-$3,066
Virginia to Tennessee	550 mi	2-4 days	$768-$1,018	$1,006-$1,306
Indiana to Tennessee	288 mi	1-2 days	$300-$550	$500-$800
North Carolina to Tennessee	450 mi	1-2 days	$450-$750	$700-$1,150

Prices are for a standard sedan and change with the vehicle, exact addresses and season. For a price on your car, use the instant quote calculator or call +1 (866) 607-8459.

What Changes the Cost of Shipping a Car in Tennessee

Being close to the interstates keeps Tennessee quotes competitive. A car in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville or Chattanooga sits on corridors carriers drive every day. The farther your address is from those lanes, the more time a driver needs to reach it.

East Tennessee mountains. Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and the cabin roads in Sevier County are a tough job for a car hauler. Steep, winding driveways and narrow mountain lanes often rule out door-side loading. Plan for a meeting point in town, which keeps the price down.

Rural Middle and West Tennessee. Small towns away from I-40 and I-65 see fewer passing trucks. A wider pickup window lets us fit your car onto a load already heading your way.

Nashville demand. Steady inbound moves to Nashville and its suburbs keep trucks heading into the city full. Outbound trucks can be easier to book at certain times of year, because carriers want loads for the return leg.

I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge. The stretch of I-40 between Tennessee and North Carolina has seen long closures from rockslides and storm damage. When it is closed or restricted, carriers reroute through other passes, which adds time on routes to the Carolinas.

Weather. Spring storms and tornadoes in Middle and West Tennessee can delay pickups for a day. Winter ice and mountain snow can slow I-40 and I-75 in the east.

Vehicle and service. Trucks and SUVs take more space than a sedan and cost more on any route. Enclosed transport suits classic cars, show vehicles and high-value cars.

The figures in the table above are for a standard sedan on open transport. Your quote reflects your vehicle, your exact addresses and your dates.

Car Pickup and Delivery Across Tennessee

Every shipment is door to door. The carrier collects the car at your address and delivers it at the other end. A full-size car hauler needs room to stop, load and turn, which shapes where the handoff happens.

Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Suburbs such as Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville and Mount Juliet are reached easily from I-65, I-24 and I-40. Many newer subdivisions have HOA rules on large trucks, so check before pickup day. In East Nashville, Germantown and 12 South, narrow streets and street parking may mean meeting at a nearby lot.

Memphis and West Tennessee. Memphis is a busy freight hub, and carriers pass through often. Older Midtown streets can be tight, while suburbs such as Germantown, Collierville and Bartlett usually allow curbside loading.

Knoxville and East Tennessee. Knoxville sits where I-40 meets I-75. Most city addresses are easy to reach. The Tri-Cities area of Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol is served along I-81 and I-26.

The Smokies. Cabins and rental homes around Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville sit on steep, winding roads. A driver will almost always ask to meet in a flat lot in town.

Chattanooga. Chattanooga is on I-75 and I-24, close to Georgia. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain roads are steep and narrow, so plan for a meeting point below.

Fort Campbell. Civilian drivers usually cannot enter without an escort. Many families meet the carrier in Clarksville.

Someone aged 18 or older must hand over and receive the car and sign the condition report. Remove any toll transponder so it is not charged as the truck crosses toll roads in other states.

When to Ship a Car to or from Tennessee

Summer is peak season for car shipping in Tennessee. Families move between school years, Nashville sees steady relocations, and military moves at Fort Campbell rise. From late May through August, book a couple of weeks ahead.

Fall brings crowds to the Smoky Mountains. Leaf season in October fills Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge with visitors, and traffic on the roads into the mountains can be slow. If you are shipping to a cabin there, ask for a weekday handoff.

Retirees heading to Florida for the winter often ship cars from Tennessee in the fall. Southbound trucks on I-75 and I-65 fill quickly in October and November. The return trips peak in March and April.

Spring is storm season in Middle and West Tennessee. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can stop pickups for a day while roads are cleared. Keep your dates flexible from March through May.

Winter is usually mild in Memphis and Nashville, but ice can close roads for a day or two. East Tennessee and the mountains get more snow. Deliveries to higher elevations between December and February may need extra flexibility.

College moves add peaks in August and May around Vanderbilt, the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, the University of Memphis and Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro.

Registering Your Car After Moving to Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Revenue advises new residents to register their vehicles within 30 days of moving to the state. See the department’s new resident guidance. Out-of-state students attending a Tennessee school are among the limited exceptions.

Where to apply. Title and registration applications are handled only by your local county clerk. See the state’s initial registration page.
What to bring. Bring your most current out-of-state registration and, if the car is financed, the name and address of your lender. If you don’t have the registration, bring your out-of-state title. You also need proof of identification and proof of Tennessee residency.
New identity documents. From January 1, 2027, the state requires documentation of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence or authorized presence to register a vehicle. Check the page above for the list.
Emissions testing. Tennessee no longer runs vehicle emissions testing programs. Testing ended in early 2022, according to a Tennessee General Assembly fiscal memorandum.

New residents must also get a Tennessee driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency, according to the Department of Safety.

Procedures can differ from county to county, so call your county clerk before your visit. Shipping the car first is common. It can travel on its out-of-state plates until you register.

Tennessee Car Shipping FAQs

How much does it cost to ship a car to or from Tennessee?

On our main Tennessee routes, open transport for a standard sedan runs from $250 (Tennessee to Georgia) to $2,144 (Washington to Tennessee). Enclosed transport runs from $450 to $3,066. Your quote depends on the exact addresses, the vehicle and the season.

How long does car shipping to or from Tennessee take?

Transit on these routes takes from 1 day (Tennessee to Florida) to 8 days (Washington to Tennessee), counted from pickup. Pickup is scheduled after you book. A flexible pickup window shortens the wait, and each route page lists its own transit time.

Can a car hauler reach a cabin in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge?

Usually not to the door. Cabin roads in the Smokies are steep, narrow and winding, and a full-size hauler cannot safely climb them. The driver will arrange to meet you in a flat parking lot in town. From there, it is a short drive up the mountain in your own car.

Can I ship a car to or from Fort Campbell on the Tennessee side?

Yes. Fort Campbell sits on the Tennessee and Kentucky line, and the main gates face Clarksville and Oak Grove. Civilian drivers usually cannot enter without an escort, so most handoffs happen just outside the gate. Tell us your report date when you book, and we’ll set a convenient meeting point.

Do I need an emissions test to register my car in Tennessee?

No. Tennessee ended its vehicle emissions testing programs in early 2022, including the Nashville program. You can go straight to your county clerk to title and register the car. Bring your out-of-state registration or title, proof of identification and proof of Tennessee residency.

Does an I-40 closure near the North Carolina line affect my shipment?

It can. The I-40 corridor through the Pigeon River Gorge has had long closures and restrictions after rockslides and storm damage. Carriers reroute through other mountain passes when needed, which can add time on routes between East Tennessee and the Carolinas. We’ll let you know if your route is affected.

See how Tennessee’s I-40, I-65 and I-75 lanes fit into the national network in our guide to popular car shipping routes and corridors.
Moving to Nashville or Chattanooga for a new job? Read about employee relocation car shipping.
Reporting to Fort Campbell? Plan the move with our guide to military PCS car shipping.
Heading south for the winter? See our guide to snowbird car shipping to Florida.

Why Ship Your Car With Tempus Logix in Tennessee

Tempus Logix is a licensed and bonded auto transport broker, USDOT #3117533 and MC #86120, and BBB accredited. Every carrier we assign is vetted, and its insurance is verified before your vehicle is collected. Covered damage carries a zero deductible for the vehicle owner.

We price each load at a rate carriers actually accept, explain what the quote covers before you commit, and tell you plainly when a date looks tight.

Ready to move your car? Get a free quote with our auto transport quote calculator or call a transport coordinator at +1 (866) 607-8459.