10 Best Auto Transport Companies in Michigan For 2024

You’ll probably be itching to go exploring as soon as your car arrives in Michigan. Before you take off for your first adventure, be sure to go over the following steps.

1. Understand Michigan Residency

If you’re moving to the state of Michigan from another state and plan to establish permanent residence here, you’ll need to take the required steps when it comes to vehicle registration, car insurance, and more. It can be challenging to establish a precise date of residency, but there are several ways to help prove you are a resident of the Great Lake State:

• You obtain a MI driver license
• You register your vehicle here
• You vote in the state of Michigan
• You register a recreational vehicle
• You pay in-state tuition
• You file state taxes
• You become a licensed professional

2. Update Insurance to Comply with MI Laws

Each state sets its own laws regarding auto insurance minimums. Michigan legally requires you to buy an insurance policy from a licensed CT insurance agent with the following coverage:

• $10,000 property damage liability per accident: Property liability coverage pays for any damage done to another car or property in an accident in which you are the at-fault driver.
• $20,000 bodily injury liability per person/$40,000 per accident: Bodily injury liability coverage helps to cover another person’s injuries for which you are at fault.
• Personal injury protection (unlimited): PIP, also known as no-fault insurance, covers the medical expenses of both injured passengers and policyholders.
• $1 million property protection within Michigan: This portion of insurance covers up to $1 million in damages caused by your vehicle to another person’s property.

3. Title and Register Your Vehicle

If you ship a car into Michigan from out of state and plan to live here permanently, you must apply for title and registration immediately (there is no grace period).

• Title: A title shows your proof of ownership of the vehicle in the state of Michigan. To obtain a certificate of title, you must provide proof of identity, ownership, and required insurance coverage, complete the application form along with a VIN verification, and pay any applicable fees and taxes. For more information on titling your car, click here.
• Registration: Additionally, you must register your vehicle, plus obtain a metal license plate, a registration certificate, and a registration decal. You can complete the initial registration at the time of titling. For more information on motor vehicle registration, click here.

4. Obtain a Valid Michigan Driver License

You must obtain a Michigan license immediately (there is no grace period). You must surrender your out-of-state driver license or apply for a new one at a Secretary of State office. During the application process:

• Pass a vision test
• Pass physical standards
• Surrender your out-of-state license
• Bring documentation: social security number, photo ID, US citizenship or legal presence, and proof of Michigan residency
• Pay applicable fees

5. Winter Driving Recommendations

No two ways about it – Michigan winters can be brutal. Frigid and snowy conditions require you to exercise diligence when navigating roads. The Department of State and the Michigan Sheriff’s Department highly recommend you have the following in the trunk of your vehicle: flashlight, blanket, extra set of warm clothes, shovel, battery-operated radio, a bag of cat litter or sand (for traction), and a tow rope.

Looking to ship your vehicle to Michigan from another part of the country? Caravan Auto Transport’s network of vetted, licensed, and insured auto transporters offers safe, efficient transport of your automobile to its destination without running up the miles on the odometer. These reputable Michigan car shipping companies provide the following services:

Open Car Transport

The most common method of car transportation, open transport carriers are ideal if you’re looking for an affordable shipping option with speedy delivery. As the name suggests, your car is loaded onto an open-air trailer along with several other vehicles headed to the same destination.

Enclosed Auto Transport

If you desire enhanced security or protection for your vehicle, you may wish to arrange enclosed carrier shipping. Inside a covered trailer, your car has protection from harsh weather conditions and road hazards like dust and dirt. Shipping your vehicle in a closed carrier also enhances its safety during transit by keeping the car concealed.

Door-to-Door Car Shipping

With a door-to-door car shipping service, you choose the desired pick-up and drop-off locations rather than having to arrange getting your vehicle to or from a transport terminal. Door-to-door shipping is the most convenient choice for shipping your car to or from, saving you time and effort.

Expedited Shipping

In a hurry to get your car from one location to the next? Upgrading to expedited shipping ensures a seamless pick-up and drop-off of your vehicle on your schedule. As a priority customer, you receive fast, timely service, so you can get back to driving that much quicker.

Classic and Antique Car Transport

When it comes to transporting a classic car, you want an auto transport company that can deliver your vehicle without a single dent or scratch. From vintage Mustangs to antique DeVaux Sports Coupes, our network of classic auto transporters has the expertise and equipment to transport your classic car safely, so it arrives in pristine condition.

High End and Luxury Auto Shipping

Exotic car transporters use specialty equipment, like hydraulic lifts and sophisticated tie-downs, along with enclosed trucks, to keep your valuable car safe during every mile of transit. An enclosed car hauler ensures the ultimate protection for your high-end or luxury vehicle, protecting it from dirt, dust, and debris along the way.

From moving off to college to settling into your golden years along the Great Lakes, there are so many reasons you may be interested in shipping a car to Michigan or somewhere outside of the Great Lake State. Caravan Auto Transport’s network of auto shippers streamlines the car hauling process no matter your reason for transporting your vehicle to or from MI.

Moving and Relocation

When moving cross-country or out-of-state, many people choose to ship their cars rather than add a long road trip to an already stressful and exhausting relocation experience. Leave the logistics of moving your vehicle in the hands of professionals with either open or enclosed vehicle shipping services.

Limited Outdoor Recreation

Are you dreaming of all the activities & destinations in Michigan? The Great Lake State certainly does not disappoint! From the Great Lakes and Mackinac Island to Tahquamenon Falls, there’s an endless list of things to do in the great outdoors: boating, fishing, kayaking, hunting, hiking, and so much more. Start your adventures that much sooner by shipping your car and meeting it at your Michigan destination – whether your home base is in Detroit or along the Lake Superior shores in Marquette.

Military

Michigan is home to 2 military bases. From Selfridge ANGB Air Force Base in Harrison to Detroit Arsenal Army Base in Warren, tens of thousands of military personnel call the Great Lake State home. If you are one of the brave men and women serving our country, we’re happy to serve you with top-notch car transportation to or from Michigan.

Online Car Buyers

Whether you’ve found the perfect vehicle on Craigslist, eBay, or AutoTrader, you may need some assistance getting it home, especially if it’s sitting on the other side of the country. Instead of flying out to pick it up and putting hundreds or thousands of miles on the odometer to get it to your driveway, arrange for a hauler to transport your new car for you.

College Students

From the Top 25 school University of Michigan to the more intimate Hillsdale College, Michigan has no shortage of top-tier colleges and universities for those seeking to further their education. If you have a college student moving to Michigan from out-of-state (or vice versa), have their vehicle shipped straight to campus with a fast, affordable auto transport service.

On average, it costs between $500-$1500 to ship a car to Michigan. Anticipate paying around $1 per mile for the first 1-500 miles, then approximately $.75 for every mile after that. Several factors influence the final cost of shipping your vehicle, including the origin and destination zip codes, the method of transport (open vs. enclosed), the speed of shipment, the type of vehicle, and the time of year. The best way to get an accurate estimate of car shipping costs is by requesting free quotes from our network of auto transport companies.