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What a military move costs
CONUS POV shipping is priced like any other route, and base-to-base lanes are often cheaper than average because they run between high-volume corridors.
Military Car Shipping
Dispatch Dudes ships privately owned vehicles (POVs) for active-duty service members, veterans and military families on permanent change of station (PCS) moves anywhere in the continental United States. We are a licensed auto transport broker — USDOT 3446819, MC-1120978.
Transport Options We Arrange
Every option below is arranged door to door — collected at your address and delivered to the destination address.
When the government pays — and when it doesn’t
This is the part most service members are never told clearly, and it decides whether you need a company like ours at all.
- OCONUS moves (overseas): under the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), the Department of Defense will ship one privately owned vehicle at government expense when you have PCS orders. That shipment is handled by International Auto Logistics (IAL) through the PCSmyPOV programme, and you drop the vehicle at a designated Vehicle Processing Center (VPC).
- CONUS moves (within the lower 48): the government generally does not pay to transport your POV. You are expected to drive it, and you are reimbursed mileage instead. If driving 1,800 miles with a family, a second vehicle or a deployment window is not practical, shipping it is your own arrangement.
That second case is where we operate. If your move is OCONUS, use your JTR entitlement through PCSmyPOV first — it is free, and we will tell you so rather than sell you something you do not need.
How It Works
Step 1 – Request a Quote
Share your vehicle details, pickup location, destination, and preferred shipping dates. Our team provides a transparent, competitive quote with no hidden fees.
Step 2 – Carrier Assignment
Once you confirm your booking, we match your vehicle with a licensed, insured carrier servicing your route. We vet every carrier for compliance, safety, and reliability.
Step 3 – Vehicle Pickup
The carrier arrives at your location, completes a pre-transport inspection, and documents the vehicle’s condition before loading. You receive a copy of the inspection report.
Step 4 – Delivery & Final Inspection
A final inspection confirms your vehicle’s condition upon arrival. Our team stays in contact throughout transit to provide updates and answer any questions.
What you need to have ready
- A copy of your PCS orders — carriers and terminals ask for them, and they are what unlock military pricing
- Military ID (CAC) for the person releasing and receiving the vehicle
- A power of attorney if a spouse or family member will release or collect the vehicle in your absence — this is the single most common cause of a failed pickup during deployment
- Registration and proof of insurance in the owner’s name
- Lienholder authorisation if the vehicle is financed and the move is overseas
Deployment and short-notice moves
PCS timelines move. We hold pickup as a window rather than a fixed date, and we will re-dispatch without a rebooking fee if your report date shifts. If you are deploying and the vehicle needs collecting after you have left, arrange the power of attorney before you go — a carrier cannot legally release a vehicle to someone who is not the owner or an authorised agent.
What to Look for in a Military Car Shipping Company
Not every car shipping broker understands what a PCS move actually involves. A few things separate the ones worth calling from the ones you’ll regret booking.
According to Military OneSource’s PCS entitlements guide, service members may be entitled to ship or store one POV at government expense when PCS orders are issued. That government-contracted shipment goes through your installation’s transportation office , private brokers like the ones above handle everything else, including additional vehicles, motorcycles, and situations where you want more control over timing than the government contract allows.
One more thing worth noting: PCS moves carry real stress beyond the logistics. For veterans and active-duty families dealing with the mental weight of frequent relocation, resources like online trauma counseling for veterans in California can provide support during difficult transitions , not just for the move itself, but for everything that comes with it.
The companies that work best for military members are the ones that pick up fast, communicate clearly during transit, and understand that your report-by date isn’t negotiable. That’s the standard we hold ourselves to at Dispatch Dudes, and it’s what you should demand from any shipper you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
The government covers shipment of one POV (Privately Owned Vehicle) for most PCS moves. Your entitlement depends on your orders, rank, and whether the move is CONUS or OCONUS. Contact your installation’s local transportation office to confirm what’s covered. Any additional vehicles , or situations where you want a faster or more flexible timeline , are handled privately through brokers like Dispatch Dudes.
Private military car shipping is priced like any other route. Base-to-base lanes often price better than average because they run between high-volume corridors. Enclosed transport costs more than open. We quote your specific lane against live carrier availability.
Transit time depends on distance. Regional moves of a few hundred miles typically take two to five days. Cross-country shipments generally run seven to fourteen days. Expedited options can shorten that window, but availability varies by route. Book as early as possible once orders are confirmed , carrier availability tightens quickly, especially during the summer peak PCS season between May and August.
Most auto transport carriers prohibit personal items in the vehicle, or limit contents to under 100 pounds in the trunk. Personal belongings aren’t covered by carrier insurance during transport. Remove everything from the cabin, glove box, and back seat before pickup. The trunk can hold a small amount of military gear, but check your shipper’s specific policy first , some carriers refuse any contents at all.
Open transport is the standard option , your vehicle rides on an open multi-car carrier, exposed to weather and road debris. It’s less expensive and widely available. Enclosed transport uses a covered trailer, protecting the vehicle from the elements. Open is fine for most daily drivers. Enclosed makes sense for luxury vehicles, classic cars, or shipments through harsh weather corridors. Dispatch Dudes offers both options with fully insured carriers.
You or a designated representative needs to be available for both pickup and delivery. The carrier documents the vehicle’s condition on a Bill of Lading at pickup , you sign it and keep a copy. At delivery, inspect the vehicle against that original report before signing off. If you can’t be present personally, a trusted person with your authorization can handle the handoff. Dispatch Dudes coordinates timing to fit your schedule.
THREE Easy steps
How do I book with the Dispatch Dudes?
Step 1
Get A Quote
Give us a call, email, or request a quote below to get started with the most premium auto-shipments.
Step 2
Confirm Your Booking
Verify your pick-up & drop-off dates, then place your order.
Step 3
Get Your Car Shipped
We can have your car scheduled for shipment in as little as 24 hours.
Get a PCS vehicle shipping quote
Tell us your origin and destination bases and your report date window. No deposit until a carrier is assigned and their USDOT number and insurance certificate are sent to you.
Planning a PCS move involving North Carolina? Use the North Carolina car shipping guide for the destination context, then give dispatch the exact address, report-by date and base-access instructions. Confirm whether the handoff can happen at the installation or needs an accessible meeting point outside it; a transit estimate does not confirm gate access.
Call 754-201-8264 or email support@dispatch-dudes.com, Monday–Friday 9am–5pm ET.