Michigan to Rhode Island Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 891 miles from Michigan to Rhode Island ranges from $872 to $1,212 and takes two–seven 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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  • Price lock promise
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  • Door-to-door service
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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Rhode Island to Michigan car shipping guide.

The best Michigan to Rhode Island car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (224) 206-5633
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
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Get a quote (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Get a quote (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Get a quote (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (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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Get a quote (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (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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Get a quote (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Michigan to Rhode Island

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 891 miles on your car going from Michigan to Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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 RI 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 Rhode Island. The average travel distance is about 891 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days .

Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Rhode Islandtoggle

From Michigan to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Detroit, MI to Providence, RI $825 – $1,189 700 miles 1 – 6 days
Detroit, MI to Warwick, RI $825 – $1,177 711 miles 1 – 6 days
Detroit, MI to Cranston, RI $793 – $1,166 705 miles 1 – 6 days
Detroit, MI to Pawtucket, RI $774 – $1,152 698 miles 1 – 6 days
Detroit, MI to East Providence, RI $801 – $1,143 703 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Rhode Islandtoggle

From Michigan to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Grand Rapids, MI to Providence, RI $790 – $1,194 830 miles 2 – 7 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Warwick, RI $856 – $1,182 841 miles 2 – 7 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Cranston, RI $832 – $1,294 833 miles 2 – 7 days
Grand Rapids, MI to Pawtucket, RI $815 – $1,219 833 miles 2 – 7 days
Grand Rapids, MI to East Providence, RI $815 – $1,256 833 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Warren, MI to Rhode Islandtoggle

From Michigan to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Warren, MI to Providence, RI $833 – $1,189 703 miles 1 – 6 days
Warren, MI to Warwick, RI $817 – $1,177 715 miles 1 – 6 days
Warren, MI to Cranston, RI $793 – $1,109 706 miles 1 – 6 days
Warren, MI to Pawtucket, RI $833 – $1,143 702 miles 1 – 6 days
Warren, MI to East Providence, RI $793 – $1,154 706 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Sterling Heights, MI to Rhode Islandtoggle

From Michigan to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Sterling Heights, MI to Providence, RI $789 – $1,119 699 miles 1 – 6 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Warwick, RI $801 – $1,177 711 miles 1 – 6 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Cranston, RI $809 – $1,097 703 miles 1 – 6 days
Sterling Heights, MI to Pawtucket, RI $774 – $1,074 698 miles 1 – 6 days
Sterling Heights, MI to East Providence, RI $769 – $1,189 702 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Rhode Islandtoggle

From Michigan to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Ann Arbor, MI to Providence, RI $779 – $1,142 743 miles 1 – 6 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Warwick, RI $787 – $1,183 787 miles 2 – 7 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Cranston, RI $853 – $1,159 789 miles 2 – 7 days
Ann Arbor, MI to Pawtucket, RI $779 – $1,107 742 miles 1 – 6 days
Ann Arbor, MI to East Providence, RI $844 – $1,231 793 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Rhode Islandtoggle

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 Rhode Island you should expect to pay between $1,090 and $1,515.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from MI to RI

When transporting your vehicle from the Wolverine State to the Ocean 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 Rhode Island.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Michigan to Rhode Island spans approximately 891 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Rhode Island vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance 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.
  • Vehicle inspection: 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.
  • Driver’s license: If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
  • Additional taxes: When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.

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 Rhode Island

About 22 million people are living in 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.

FAQ

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

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 Rhode Island.

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

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

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.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to Rhode Island is about 891 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Michigan to Rhode Island.

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

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

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.

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

If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.

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

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

When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.

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

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Rhode Island?toggle

The cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?toggle

Shipping a car from Michigan to Rhode Island costs $872 to $1,212.

Helpful Michigan resources