Rhode Island to Tennessee Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,091 miles from Rhode Island to Tennessee ranges from $950 to $1,504 and takes 2–8 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Tennessee to Rhode Island car shipping guide.

Rhode Island to Tennessee auto transport costs and transit times

The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Rhode Island and Tennessee. The average travel distance is about 1,091 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 8 days.

Cost to ship a car from Providence, RI to Tennessee

From Rhode Island to Tennessee Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Providence, RI to Nashville, TN 1,072 miles $1,019–$1,520 2–8 days
North Smithfield, RI to Memphis, TN 1,283 miles $1,129–$1,746 3–8 days
Valley Falls, RI to Clarksville, TN 1,117 miles $1,056–$1,755 2–8 days
Newport East, RI to Knoxville, TN 894 miles $986–$1,516 2–7 days
Warren, RI to Chattanooga, TN 1,004 miles $1,029–$1,520 2–8 days

Cost to ship a car from North Smithfield, RI to Tennessee

From Rhode Island to Tennessee Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Providence, RI to Nashville, TN 1,082 miles $940–$1,568 2–8 days
North Smithfield, RI to Memphis, TN 1,293 miles $1,152–$1,710 3–8 days
Valley Falls, RI to Clarksville, TN 1,127 miles $1,078–$1,637 2–8 days
Newport East, RI to Knoxville, TN 904 miles $1,028–$1,548 2–7 days
Warren, RI to Chattanooga, TN 1,014 miles $1,039–$1,536 2–8 days

Cost to ship a car from Valley Falls, RI to Tennessee

From Rhode Island to Tennessee Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Providence, RI to Nashville, TN 1,079 miles $980–$1,584 2–8 days
North Smithfield, RI to Memphis, TN 1,290 miles $1,106–$1,835 3–8 days
Valley Falls, RI to Clarksville, TN 1,124 miles $1,024–$1,688 2–8 days
Newport East, RI to Knoxville, TN 901 miles $1,008–$1,471 2–7 days
Warren, RI to Chattanooga, TN 1,011 miles $990–$1,568 2–8 days

Cost to ship a car from Newport East, RI to Tennessee

From Rhode Island to Tennessee Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Providence, RI to Nashville, TN 1,071 miles $1,010–$1,631 2–8 days
North Smithfield, RI to Memphis, TN 1,283 miles $1,199–$1,746 3–8 days
Valley Falls, RI to Clarksville, TN 1,117 miles $1,078–$1,772 2–8 days
Newport East, RI to Knoxville, TN 894 miles $1,036–$1,516 2–7 days
Warren, RI to Chattanooga, TN 1,004 miles $960–$1,504 2–8 days

Cost to ship a car from Warren, RI to Tennessee

From Rhode Island to Tennessee Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Providence, RI to Nashville, TN 1,083 miles $1,029–$1,631 2–8 days
North Smithfield, RI to Memphis, TN 1,294 miles $1,141–$1,764 3–8 days
Valley Falls, RI to Clarksville, TN 1,128 miles $1,099–$1,704 2–8 days
Newport East, RI to Knoxville, TN 905 miles $1,048–$1,517 2–7 days
Warren, RI to Chattanooga, TN 1,015 miles $1,010–$1,615 2–8 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Rhode Island to Tennessee

Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?

If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Rhode Island to Tennessee you should expect to pay between $1,188 and $1,880.

Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Rhode Island to Tennessee

When transporting your vehicle from the Ocean State to the Volunteer State, these factors will influence your final price:

  • Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
  • Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Tennessee.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Rhode Island to Tennessee spans approximately 1,091 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
  • Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Rhode Island, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
  • Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Rhode Island and Tennessee and the varying gas prices across the country.
  • Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Rhode Island to Tennessee should take between 2 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

The best Rhode Island to Tennessee car shipping companies

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Transparent pricing
  • Fully insured
Check prices (864) 492-1221

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
Check prices (888) 259-6046

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.35 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable
Check prices (866) 563-0804

% of users select this mover

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Rhode Island to Tennessee:

Alternative ways to ship your car from Rhode Island to Tennessee

What else should you know about shipping a car from Rhode Island to Tennessee?

  • Car insurance requirements: Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
  • Driver’s license: To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.
  • Additional taxes: When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist

Transporting your vehicle from Rhode Island

Over 39 million people call Rhode Island home. Nicknamed the Ocean State, Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.

Transporting your vehicle to Tennessee

About 22 million people are living in the Volunteer State of Tennessee. Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Rhode Island and when dropping off my car in Tennessee?

Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Rhode Island and when dropping it off in Tennessee.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Rhode Island to Tennessee?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Rhode Island to Tennessee, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Tennessee, which you should verify before loading your car in Rhode Island.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.

How long does it take to ship a car from Rhode Island to Tennessee?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Rhode Island to Tennessee is about 1091 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-8 days to travel from Rhode Island to Tennessee.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.

In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.

If I have a driver’s license in Rhode Island, will I need one in Tennessee?

To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.

If I bought a car in Rhode Island, will I be required to pay sales tax in Tennessee after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Rhode Island to Tennessee after purchasing it.

When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Rhode Island and Tennessee to avoid any hidden costs.

Helpful Rhode Island resources