Alaska car shipping: the complete guide
Ports, ferry options, AlCan highway, winter restrictions, and cost. Everything you need for a mainland to Alaska shipment.
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Three ways to get a car to Alaska
Alaska is the second most remote state to ship to (Hawaii is first). Unlike Hawaii, there is a road option: the AlCan highway through Canada. But ocean shipping is faster, more reliable, and usually cheaper once you account for fuel and time. Most customers pick ocean.
The three options: ocean via Tacoma or Seattle to Anchorage, Whittier, or Kodiak. Ferry via the Alaska Marine Highway System for coastal Alaska. Drive yourself up the AlCan, 2200 miles through British Columbia and the Yukon. Each has tradeoffs.
The 3 Alaska shipping options
Pick the one that fits your destination and timeline.
Ocean to Anchorage
The most common route. Tacoma or Seattle to Anchorage via TOTE Maritime or Matson. 7 to 10 day transit. Standard for most customers.
Ocean to Whittier or Kodiak
Direct service for coastal and southern Alaska. Less frequent sailings, slightly higher cost.
Alaska Marine Highway ferry
Bellingham, WA to Haines or Skagway. Ferry runs limited schedule, mostly seasonal. Adds 3 to 5 days to the route.
Ocean shipping vs AlCan highway drive
Most customers ship by ocean. Here is why.
Ocean shipping
- 7 to 14 days door to door from West Coast.
- $1800 to $3500 depending on destination and vehicle.
- Door to port pickup, port to door delivery (most routes).
- Cargo insurance during transit.
- Works year round (winter weather may shift schedules by a day).
AlCan highway drive
- 5 to 10 days driving 2200 miles through Canada and Alaska.
- $1500 to $2500 in fuel, hotels, food, and border fees.
- Wear and tear on the vehicle (gravel sections, weather).
- No insurance for transit damage, you carry the risk.
- Winter (October to April) is dangerous and not recommended.
How ocean shipping to Alaska works
From your mainland driveway to Anchorage or Whittier.
1. Mainland pickup
Carrier picks up your car at your driveway, drives it to Tacoma or Seattle port.
2. Port drop
Car is dropped at TOTE Maritime or Matson terminal. Inspection, paperwork, queued for sailing.
3. Ocean transit
Ship sails to Anchorage (most common), Whittier, or Kodiak. 4 to 7 days at sea.
4. Alaska pickup
You pick up the car at the Alaska port terminal with ID and BOL. Drive home.
Alaska shipping prep
Similar to Hawaii, slightly less strict on cleaning.
- 1Wash the exterior and clean the undercarriage.
- 2Vacuum the interior, no food or trash.
- 3Remove all personal items from the cabin and trunk.
- 4Most carriers prohibit personal items in vehicles for ocean shipping.
- 5Take fuel down to quarter tank.
- 6Disable alarms and toll tags.
- 7Top off battery and antifreeze (especially for winter shipments).
- 8Photograph every panel, time stamped.
- 9Bring title, registration, and ID to port drop.
- 10Sign the ocean carrier inspection form at port drop.
- 11Verify your destination port (Anchorage, Whittier, Kodiak) on the BOL.
Cost and transit time
A standard car from Seattle or Tacoma to Anchorage typically costs $1800 to $2800 all in. East Coast origin to Anchorage runs $2500 to $3500. Outer Alaska ports (Kodiak, Whittier, Bethel) add $300 to $700. Door to door transit is typically 10 to 21 days, with the mainland leg taking 2 to 7 days, port hold 1 to 3 days, ocean leg 4 to 7 days, and final pickup 1 day.
Winter shipments (October to April) cost slightly more because weather can delay sailings. Summer shipments (May to September) are cheapest and most predictable. If you have flexibility, ship in May or September for the best rates.
Alaska shipping pro tips
Ship to Anchorage even if you live elsewhere
Anchorage has the most frequent sailings. Many Fairbanks residents ship to Anchorage and drive the last 360 miles.
Avoid winter if possible
October to April adds weather delays and higher rates. May to September is the sweet spot for Alaska shipments.
Drain washer fluid for winter
If your car sits at port in winter, regular washer fluid freezes and cracks the reservoir. Drain or replace with winter blend.
Empty the car completely
Ocean carriers prohibit personal items in vehicles for Alaska shipping just like Hawaii.
Verify destination port
Confirm Anchorage vs Whittier vs Kodiak on the BOL. They are all different terminals and pickup locations.
Plan registration in Alaska
Alaska requires registering your car within 10 days of establishing residence. Bring out of state title and insurance.
Winter shipping considerations
Alaska winters are no joke. From October through April, weather affects every leg of the shipment. Mainland carriers may face snow delays on I-5 or I-90 to the ports. Ocean sailings sometimes shift by a day for North Pacific storms. Port pickups in Anchorage can be cold enough that batteries do not start without a jump.
If you must ship in winter, prep accordingly. Replace washer fluid with winter blend. Top off antifreeze. Make sure the battery is healthy. Bring jumper cables when you pick up the car at port. Most importantly, build in 3 to 5 extra days of buffer in case weather shifts the schedule.
Alaska shipping rate estimates
All in cost (mainland leg plus ocean leg plus fees). Standard cars only.
| Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport | Transit Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle/Tacoma to Anchorage | $1800 to $2500 | $2500 to $3300 | 10 to 14 days |
| Midwest to Anchorage | $2200 to $3000 | $3000 to $3800 | 14 to 18 days |
| East Coast to Anchorage | $2500 to $3500 | $3300 to $4300 | 16 to 21 days |
| West Coast to Whittier/Kodiak | $2100 to $2900 | $2900 to $3700 | 12 to 16 days |
Estimates only, your exact rate comes from the live carrier load board. Get an instant quote at the top of the page for real numbers.
What customers say
Verified shipments. Real names. Real routes.
“Shipped from Seattle to Anchorage. Took 11 days door to door, no surprises, price stayed locked.”
“Shipped to Anchorage and drove the last leg to Fairbanks. Whipshipper helped me plan the route.”
“Used the Alaska Marine Highway ferry for the southeast leg. Whipshipper coordinated mainland to ferry, smooth handoff.”
Frequently asked questions
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