Shipping a Car from Phoenix, AZ to Seattle, WA
The Phoenix–Seattle run covers roughly 1,326 road miles northwestbound, through Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. A carrier needs about three days on the road at the usual 500 miles a day, and we estimate 2–4 days in transit once the car is loaded. Plenty of trucks run this lane, which helps availability.
The Route and Corridor
Along the way the route touches Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. In Nevada, I-15 and I-80 span big gaps between services. Arizona: I-10 and I-40 cross long desert stretches with few services. Washington: I-5 runs the Puget Sound corridor and I-90 crosses the Cascades. Pickup is on Mountain time and delivery on Pacific time, so a driver's call can come an hour off your clock.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Phoenix. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the usual reference point for staging in the area. Phoenix is a seasonal-resident destination, so fall and spring bring surges of traffic. Phoenix sits on busy trucking corridors, which helps with availability.
Delivery in Seattle. The nearest major airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. Cold-season storms around Seattle can push pickup dates back by a day or two. Trucks serving Seattle lean on I-5 and I-90.
Timing and Seasonality
Spring brings a rush of northbound cars from Phoenix, so lock in dates early between March and May. From December to March, mountain weather is the biggest timing risk, and carriers may wait out a storm. Desert heat rarely stops trucks, but midday loading can be hard, so early-morning pickups are common. For a 1,326-mile trip, request quotes about three weeks before pickup. Across Arizona expect desert heat above 110°F in summer and snow near Flagstaff on I-40; across Washington, rain and snow on Snoqualmie Pass and the Cascades.
What Phoenix to Seattle Costs
Expect open transport for a standard sedan at $795–$1,125, which is about $0.72 per mile over 1,326 miles. Enclosed shipping adds about 45% ($1,155–$1,630), while SUV and truck surcharges bring open pricing to $890–$1,260. A comparable-length trip, Miami, FL to Newark, NJ (1,298 mi), is priced at $780–$1,105. Going the other way, Seattle, WA to Phoenix, AZ is estimated at $785–$1,110. Ending in Tacoma instead (34 mi from Seattle) is estimated at $785–$1,110.
| Service | Vehicle | Estimated Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $795–$1,125 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $890–$1,260 | Taller, heavier vehicles |
| Open | Minivan | $890–$1,260 | Taller, heavier vehicles |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $1,155–$1,630 | Luxury, classic and low-clearance cars |
Estimates are for a standard sedan; your quote depends on exact addresses, condition and season.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Pad winter dates. If you ship between December and March, build in slack for pass closures.
- Ask for a call-ahead. Request a heads-up several hours before the truck reaches Seattle.
- Vet the carrier. Check the MC number on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and get insurance terms in writing before paying a deposit.