Ship a Car from Phoenix to Seattle
Everything you need to know about auto transport from Phoenix, AZ to Seattle, WA — pricing, transit times, seasonal tips, and how to get the best deal.
Distance
1,331 mi
Transit Time
4–6 days
Open Transport
$960 – $1,510
Enclosed Transport
$1,450 – $2,260
Phoenix to Seattle Auto Transport Overview
Phoenix to Seattle is a popular corridor connecting the Southwest desert with the Pacific Northwest. Carriers typically take I-17 north to Flagstaff, I-40 west to Barstow, then I-5 north through California, Oregon, and into Washington. An alternate route follows I-15 north to I-84 through Utah and Oregon. This lane sees strong seasonal demand from snowbirds heading north in the spring and from Pacific Northwest residents escaping to the desert in the fall.
Ranges shown are estimates from our published formula for a standard sedan in September, not quotes. Your price is set by the licensed auto transport company you choose and depends on your exact ZIPs, vehicle class, condition and pickup window. Get a free estimate for your specific vehicle and dates.
What Affects Pricing on This Route
Spring (March-May) is the busiest northbound season as snowbirds return to the Pacific Northwest, pushing rates up slightly. Summer offers excellent transit conditions on all route options. Winter can cause delays on the I-5 corridor through the Siskiyou Pass and on I-84 through the Columbia Gorge, where snow and ice are common. Fall offers moderate demand and good pricing. Phoenix summer heat is extreme but does not typically delay departures.
This route runs northbound. In our season table the lowest month is January ($890 – $1,390) and the highest is May ($1,110 – $1,740), a 25% swing on the same 1,331 mi. Flexible dates are the biggest lever you control.
How the September open-carrier estimate is built
- Distance
- 1,331 mistraight-line estimate ×1.2 (routing unavailable)
- Fixed charge
- $300Loading/unloading, dispatch and paperwork cost that does not scale with distance. Calibrated so a ~100-mile open sedan move lands near $400, consistent with published short-haul benchmarks (U.S. News, Forbes Advisor, ConsumerAffairs 2025-2026 car-shipping cost guides).
- Mileage cost
- $841Tiered marginal per-mile rates (see table)
- Diesel
- $6.53/gal (52-wk avg $4.63)EIA weekly U.S. diesel, week of 2026-09-21
- Fuel adjustment
- +8%0.206 fuel share × diesel change vs. 52-week average (ATRI 2026)
- Season
- September northbound: typical demandSeason × direction table
- Vehicle
- Sedan / coupe +0%Vehicle class table
- Transport
- Open carrier +0%Open vs. enclosed
- Pickup/delivery area
- Metro +0%Rural below 1,000 people/sq mi (2020 Census)
- Range
- $960 – $1,510 (mid-point ±22%, 1,331 mi)
| Vehicle class | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $960 – $1,510 | $1,450 – $2,260 |
| SUV / crossover | $1,080 – $1,690 | $1,620 – $2,540 |
| Pickup / large SUV | $1,210 – $1,890 | $1,810 – $2,830 |
| Van / minivan | $1,160 – $1,810 | $1,740 – $2,720 |
| Oversize / modified | $1,450 – $2,260 | $2,170 – $3,400 |
Formula v2026.09.1 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.53/gal, week of Sep 21, 2026, 52-week average $4.63 · September pricing · straight-line distance ×1.2 (road routing not yet cached for this pair).
Estimate, not a quote. Produced automatically by our published formula from public data; your price comes from the licensed auto transport partner you choose. How we estimate · Get your free estimate
Fuel: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Routing: © OpenStreetMap contributors / openrouteservice. ZIP locations: U.S. Census Bureau.
Phoenix to Seattle by month
| Month | Season | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -8% | $890 – $1,390 | $1,330 – $2,080 |
| February | typical demand | $960 – $1,510 | $1,450 – $2,260 |
| March | typical demand | $960 – $1,510 | $1,450 – $2,260 |
| April | +15% | $1,110 – $1,740 | $1,660 – $2,600 |
| May | +15% | $1,110 – $1,740 | $1,660 – $2,600 |
| June | +8% | $1,040 – $1,630 | $1,560 – $2,450 |
| July | +8% | $1,040 – $1,630 | $1,560 – $2,450 |
| August | +8% | $1,040 – $1,630 | $1,560 – $2,450 |
| September (now) | typical demand | $960 – $1,510 | $1,450 – $2,260 |
| October | -5% | $920 – $1,430 | $1,380 – $2,150 |
| November | -5% | $920 – $1,430 | $1,380 – $2,150 |
| December | -8% | $890 – $1,390 | $1,330 – $2,080 |
Formula v2026.09.1 · EIA U.S. diesel $6.53/gal, week of Sep 21, 2026, 52-week average $4.63 · September pricing · straight-line distance ×1.2 (road routing not yet cached for this pair).
Estimate, not a quote. Produced automatically by our published formula from public data; your price comes from the licensed auto transport partner you choose. How we estimate · Get your free estimate
Fuel: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Routing: © OpenStreetMap contributors / openrouteservice. ZIP locations: U.S. Census Bureau.
Open Transport
$960 – $1,510
The most popular and affordable option. Your vehicle rides on an open carrier alongside other vehicles. Ideal for standard cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Learn about open transport →Enclosed Transport
$1,450 – $2,260
Premium protection from weather, road debris, and other elements. Recommended for luxury, classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles.
Learn about enclosed transport →Tips for Shipping from Phoenix to Seattle
The Flagstaff segment on I-17 involves a dramatic 5,000-foot elevation gain with steep grades — this is routine for experienced carriers but worth mentioning if you are shipping a heavy or oversized vehicle. If your Seattle delivery address is in the city proper, discuss access logistics with the carrier in advance, as Seattle has steep hills and narrow streets. Suburban locations near I-5 or I-405 work best for delivery.
Before You Ship
- ✓Remove personal items from the vehicle (carriers are not liable for personal belongings)
- ✓Document your vehicle's condition with dated photos before pickup
- ✓Leave about a quarter tank of gas — enough for loading and unloading
- ✓Disable any toll transponders or aftermarket alarms
- ✓Make sure the vehicle starts, steers, and brakes (inoperable vehicles cost more)
Phoenix to Seattle Shipping FAQ
In September, our published formula estimates open transport from Phoenix, AZ to Seattle, WA at $960 – $1,510 for a standard sedan and enclosed transport at $1,450 – $2,260, over 1,331 mi of road. These are estimates, not quotes: the price is set by the licensed auto transport company you choose and depends on your exact ZIPs, vehicle class, condition and pickup window. Get your free estimate and compare offers for your specific vehicle.
Transit time from Phoenix, AZ to Seattle, WA is typically 4–6 days for the 1,331 mi route, allowing 350 to 500 miles a day plus a day at each end for pickup and delivery scheduling. This includes stops for fuel, rest, and other vehicle pickups and deliveries along the way. Weather, traffic, and seasonal demand can affect the exact timeline.
Open transport is the most popular choice for the Phoenix to Seattle route, estimated at $960 – $1,510 in September. It is suitable for most standard vehicles. Enclosed transport, estimated at $1,450 – $2,260, is recommended for luxury, classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles that need extra protection from weather and road debris over the 1,331 mi distance. Learn more about open transport and enclosed transport.
Spring (March-May) is the busiest northbound season as snowbirds return to the Pacific Northwest, pushing rates up slightly. Summer offers excellent transit conditions on all route options. Winter can cause delays on the I-5 corridor through the Siskiyou Pass and on I-84 through the Columbia Gorge, where snow and ice are common. Fall offers moderate demand and good pricing. Phoenix summer heat is extreme but does not typically delay departures.
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