Michigan to Ohio Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 365 miles from Michigan to Ohio ranges from $548 to $811 and takes one–four days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • Established in 2007
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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Ohio to Michigan car shipping guide.

The best Michigan to Ohio car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
At A Glance
  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from Michigan to Ohio

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 365 miles on your car going from Michigan to Ohio. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
  • Ship it with your movers. If you need to ship your car from Michigan for a move to Ohio, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from Michigan to Ohio for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
  • Ship by train. If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!

MI to OH auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Michigan and Ohio. The average travel distance is about 365 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Ohio

From Michigan to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Detroit, MI to Columbus, OH $444 – $594 202 miles 1 – 4 days
Detroit, MI to Cleveland, OH $410 – $560 170 miles 1 – 4 days
Detroit, MI to Cincinnati, OH $462 – $636 263 miles 1 – 4 days
Detroit, MI to Toledo, OH $196 – $365 58 miles 1 – 4 days
Detroit, MI to Akron, OH $460 – $598 191 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Ohio

From Michigan to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Grand Rapids, MI to Columbus, OH $509 – $694 321 miles 1 – 4 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Cleveland, OH $539 – $708 301 miles 1 – 4 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Cincinnati, OH $582 – $749 355 miles 1 – 4 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Toledo, OH $427 – $583 186 miles 1 – 4 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Akron, OH $488 – $666 322 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Warren, MI to Ohio

From Michigan to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Warren, MI to Columbus, OH $475 – $588 219 miles 1 – 4 days
Warren, MI to Cleveland, OH $431 – $583 187 miles 1 – 4 days
Warren, MI to Cincinnati, OH $460 – $654 280 miles 1 – 4 days
Warren, MI to Toledo, OH $265 – $453 76 miles 1 – 4 days
Warren, MI to Akron, OH $462 – $594 209 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Sterling Heights, MI to Ohio

From Michigan to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sterling Heights, MI to Columbus, OH $472 – $592 223 miles 1 – 4 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Cleveland, OH $447 – $552 190 miles 1 – 4 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Cincinnati, OH $465 – $635 284 miles 1 – 4 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Toledo, OH $262 – $453 79 miles 1 – 4 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Akron, OH $447 – $564 212 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Ohio

From Michigan to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Ann Arbor, MI to Columbus, OH $405 – $549 188 miles 1 – 4 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Cleveland, OH $408 – $540 168 miles 1 – 4 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Cincinnati, OH $434 – $631 249 miles 1 – 4 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Toledo, OH $210 – $354 53 miles 1 – 4 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Akron, OH $447 – $541 190 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Ohio

Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Michigan to Ohio you should expect to pay between $685 and $1,014.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from MI to OH

When transporting your vehicle from the Wolverine State to the Buckeye 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 Ohio.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Michigan to Ohio spans approximately 365 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan and Ohio 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 Michigan to Ohio should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Ohio vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: In Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.
  • Driver’s license: In Ohio, you have 30 days to transfer your license and get an Ohio title and license plates for your vehicle. Failure to do so can result in trouble from law enforcement and government agents.
  • Additional taxes: Ohio requires sales tax if a vehicle was purchased out of state less than 6 months before moving to Ohio. However, a credit for sales tax paid to the other state may be allowed. If the vehicle was purchased at least 6 months before moving, no Ohio sales tax is due and the exemption code CV should be used when titling the vehicle.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Michigan

More than 39 million people call Michigan home. Nicknamed the Wolverine State, Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.

Transporting your vehicle to Ohio

About 22 million people are living in the Buckeye State. Ohio forms a part of what's considered both the snowbelt and the tornado alley which means your move may be affected if either of these are impacting the state on your move day.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Michigan and delivery in Ohio?

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Michigan and when dropping it off in Ohio.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to Ohio?

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

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.

In Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced protection.

How long does it take to ship a car from Michigan to Ohio?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to Ohio is about 365 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Michigan to Ohio.

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

Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.

New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.

If I have a driver’s license in Michigan, will I need one in Ohio?

In Ohio, you have 30 days to transfer your license and get an Ohio title and license plates for your vehicle. Failure to do so can result in trouble from law enforcement and government agents.

If I bought a car in Michigan, will I be required to pay sales tax in Ohio after shipping it there?

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

Ohio requires sales tax if a vehicle was purchased out of state less than 6 months before moving to Ohio. However, a credit for sales tax paid to the other state may be allowed. If the vehicle was purchased at least 6 months before moving, no Ohio sales tax is due and the exemption code CV should be used when titling the vehicle.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Michigan and Ohio to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Ohio?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Ohio is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Michigan to Ohio?

Shipping a car from Michigan to Ohio costs $548 to $811.

Helpful Michigan resources