Michigan to Arizona Car Shipping

Getting your car ready for the journey from Michigan to Arizona is simple. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth and safe transport:

• Clean your vehicle: Wash your car inside and out before pickup. This makes it easier to spot any pre-existing scratches or dents during the inspection.
• Document the condition: Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles. This protects you in the unlikely event of a dispute after delivery.
• Remove personal items: Clear out any personal belongings from the interior. Most carriers are not insured to cover personal items left in the vehicle.
• Remove or secure accessories: Take off any exterior accessories like bike racks, spoilers, or antennas that could be damaged in transit. Fold in your side mirrors if possible.
• Remove your toll pass: Detach any toll transponders (like an E-ZPass or Michigan’s I-Pass) to avoid unexpected charges during the drive.
• Check your fluids and tire pressure: Make sure there are no fluid leaks and that your tires are properly inflated. Your car will be driven on and off the carrier truck.
• Keep the gas tank low: Aim for about a quarter tank of gas. A full tank adds unnecessary weight to the carrier.
• Disable your car alarm: If possible, deactivate your alarm system or provide the carrier with clear instructions on how to turn it off.
• Leave a spare key: Provide your carrier with a key so they can safely load and unload your vehicle.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Preparing properly helps ensure your car arrives in Arizona in the same condition it left Michigan!

Yes, your vehicle is insured when shipping from Michigan to Arizona with Sherpa Auto Transport. Here is exactly how your car is protected:

• Carrier Liability Insurance: Every carrier we work with is required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance.
• Cargo Insurance: All carriers must also hold a minimum of $100,000 in cargo insurance, which directly covers your vehicle during transport.
• Policy Verification: Before your car is ever loaded onto a truck, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing for the full duration of your shipment.
• Sherpa as Certificate Holder: All contracted carriers are required to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy, giving you an extra layer of accountability and protection.

It is also a good idea to check with your personal auto insurance provider before your shipment. Some policies offer additional coverage during transport, which can give you extra peace of mind on the long haul from Michigan to Arizona.

Have questions about coverage? Contact our team — we are happy to walk you through the details before you book.

The sooner you book, the better. We recommend scheduling your pickup from Michigan at least two weeks in advance. If your move date is flexible, booking three to four weeks ahead gives carriers more time to bundle your vehicle with other shipments heading to Arizona, which can also help lower your rate.

Keep in mind that demand can spike during peak seasons — especially in the fall and winter, when many snowbirds are shipping vehicles to Arizona. During these busy periods, last-minute bookings can be harder to arrange and may cost more. Get a quote early to lock in the best price and ensure your vehicle arrives on time.

No payment is due at the time of booking. We do require a payment method on file so that it is available to charge once a carrier is secured. We accept all major debit and credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. The most convenient option is to pay for your shipment in full by credit card at the time a carrier is secured.

We also allow you to pay for your Initial Payment via credit or debit card and then pay the outstanding balance on delivery day via cash or a certified check made out to the carrier.

Your Sherpa shipment includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If you are shipping to or from a port or your shipment includes ocean transit, your vehicle must be emptied of all items. Sherpa and your assigned carrier cannot be responsible for personal items left inside the vehicle. See our Vehicle Shipping Tips for more details.

Yes. It is important that you, or another adult that you trust, is there for pickup and delivery of your vehicle. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle’s condition.

Open transport is the most popular and affordable option for shipping your car from Michigan to Arizona. Your vehicle rides on an open-air trailer — the same type used to deliver cars to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and the go-to choice for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 50–75% more than open transport, but it provides extra protection. Your car travels inside a covered trailer, shielded from road debris, weather, and the elements along the way from Michigan to Arizona.

So which one is right for you? Here’s a simple rule of thumb:

• Choose open transport if you have a standard everyday vehicle and want the best value.
• Choose enclosed transport if you own a luxury car, classic car, exotic vehicle, or a car with a custom paint job that you can’t risk exposing to road debris.

The long haul from Michigan to Arizona (roughly 1,700–1,900 miles) crosses several states and varying terrain, so enclosed transport can offer extra peace of mind for high-value vehicles on such a lengthy route. For most drivers, though, open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice. Learn more in our open vs. enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments, including routes from Michigan to Arizona. This is the most convenient way to ship your vehicle — no need to drop it off at a terminal or travel out of your way.

Here’s how it works: when you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Michigan and your delivery address in Arizona. Your assigned carrier will come directly to those locations to pick up and drop off your vehicle.

Keep in mind that large car carriers cannot always access every street safely. If your address has low-hanging trees, narrow roads, or tight turns, your driver will contact you to arrange a nearby meeting spot — like a parking lot or gas station. This is common and easy to coordinate.

The bottom line: door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. It’s the most popular option for customers shipping cars from Michigan to Arizona, and it’s included as our standard service.

Many Auto Transport companies try to tease customers with lower rates, only to surprise you with “hidden costs” later. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we do things differently. We provide one locked-in price upfront and stick to it. If unexpected costs arise, we pay them out of our own pocket.

While we may not always be the cheapest option at first glance, our commitment to transparency and reliability offers exceptional value. As a premium service, we ensure an stress-free experience from start to finish.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles across the nation, including service to Alaska and Hawaii. At this time, we do not service boats, golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship both operable and inoperable vehicles so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. We can also ship electric vehicles.

Visit Sherpa’s FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!