Michigan to Ohio Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 365 miles from Michigan to Ohio ranges from $713 to $891 and takes 1–4 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 Ohio to Michigan car shipping guide.
Michigan to Ohio auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details 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 1 to 4 days.
Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Ohio
| From Michigan to Ohio | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Columbus, OH | 203 miles | $561–$714 | 1–4 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Cleveland, OH | 170 miles | $478–$679 | 1–4 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Cincinnati, OH | 263 miles | $528–$713 | 1–4 days |
| Lansing, MI to Toledo, OH | 58 miles | $252–$443 | 1–4 days |
| Flint, MI to Akron, OH | 193 miles | $521–$719 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Ohio
| From Michigan to Ohio | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Columbus, OH | 321 miles | $642–$869 | 1–4 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Cleveland, OH | 299 miles | $600–$803 | 1–4 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Cincinnati, OH | 355 miles | $679–$956 | 1–4 days |
| Lansing, MI to Toledo, OH | 186 miles | $523–$647 | 1–4 days |
| Flint, MI to Akron, OH | 324 miles | $611–$818 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Ohio
| From Michigan to Ohio | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Columbus, OH | 188 miles | $487–$660 | 1–4 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Cleveland, OH | 168 miles | $467–$630 | 1–4 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Cincinnati, OH | 249 miles | $527–$700 | 1–4 days |
| Lansing, MI to Toledo, OH | 53 miles | $252–$447 | 1–4 days |
| Flint, MI to Akron, OH | 191 miles | $542–$712 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lansing, MI to Ohio
| From Michigan to Ohio | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Columbus, OH | 259 miles | $544–$765 | 1–4 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Cleveland, OH | 239 miles | $573–$728 | 1–4 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Cincinnati, OH | 320 miles | $618–$835 | 1–4 days |
| Lansing, MI to Toledo, OH | 124 miles | $428–$608 | 1–4 days |
| Flint, MI to Akron, OH | 262 miles | $572–$779 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Flint, MI to Ohio
| From Michigan to Ohio | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Columbus, OH | 244 miles | $538–$700 | 1–4 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Cleveland, OH | 223 miles | $540–$733 | 1–4 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Cincinnati, OH | 304 miles | $649–$835 | 1–4 days |
| Lansing, MI to Toledo, OH | 109 miles | $404–$600 | 1–4 days |
| Flint, MI to Akron, OH | 246 miles | $538–$729 | 1–4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Ohio
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 Michigan to Ohio you should expect to pay between $891 and $1,114.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Michigan to Ohio
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 1 and 4 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Michigan to Ohio car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Michigan to Ohio:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
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 hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Michigan to Ohio?
- 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
Over 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 of Ohio. 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 picking up my car in Michigan and when dropping off my car in Ohio?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to 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.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
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 1-4 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.
