Michigan to Rhode Island Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 890 miles from Michigan to Rhode Island ranges from $1,026 to $1,469 and takes 2–7 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 Rhode Island to Michigan car shipping guide.
Michigan to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. The average travel distance is about 890 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 7 days.
Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Rhode Island
| From Michigan to Rhode Island | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Providence, RI | 704 miles | $923–$1,303 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to North Smithfield, RI | 693 miles | $919–$1,343 | 1–6 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Valley Falls, RI | 702 miles | $942–$1,413 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Newport East, RI | 739 miles | $945–$1,455 | 1–6 days |
| Flint, MI to Warren, RI | 718 miles | $952–$1,358 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Rhode Island
| From Michigan to Rhode Island | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Providence, RI | 830 miles | $1,008–$1,478 | 2–7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to North Smithfield, RI | 818 miles | $962–$1,457 | 2–7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Valley Falls, RI | 827 miles | $998–$1,523 | 2–7 days |
| Lansing, MI to Newport East, RI | 864 miles | $993–$1,467 | 2–7 days |
| Flint, MI to Warren, RI | 843 miles | $1,018–$1,463 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Rhode Island
| From Michigan to Rhode Island | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Providence, RI | 793 miles | $1,033–$1,507 | 2–7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to North Smithfield, RI | 731 miles | $954–$1,427 | 1–6 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Valley Falls, RI | 741 miles | $1,012–$1,427 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Newport East, RI | 792 miles | $1,023–$1,521 | 2–7 days |
| Flint, MI to Warren, RI | 802 miles | $1,021–$1,442 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lansing, MI to Rhode Island
| From Michigan to Rhode Island | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Providence, RI | 772 miles | $936–$1,453 | 2–7 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to North Smithfield, RI | 760 miles | $965–$1,396 | 2–7 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Valley Falls, RI | 769 miles | $975–$1,467 | 2–7 days |
| Lansing, MI to Newport East, RI | 806 miles | $1,031–$1,486 | 2–7 days |
| Flint, MI to Warren, RI | 785 miles | $945–$1,420 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Flint, MI to Rhode Island
| From Michigan to Rhode Island | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Providence, RI | 717 miles | $933–$1,371 | 1–6 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to North Smithfield, RI | 705 miles | $904–$1,303 | 1–6 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Valley Falls, RI | 715 miles | $961–$1,303 | 1–6 days |
| Lansing, MI to Newport East, RI | 751 miles | $984–$1,353 | 2–7 days |
| Flint, MI to Warren, RI | 729 miles | $954–$1,427 | 1–6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island you should expect to pay between $1,283 and $1,836.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Michigan to Rhode Island
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 890 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 2 and 7 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Michigan to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island:
- 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 Rhode Island
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 890 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 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 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!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Michigan to Rhode Island?
- 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
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 Rhode Island
About 22 million people are living in the Ocean State of Rhode Island. 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 picking up my car in Michigan and when dropping off my car in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to Rhode Island?
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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Michigan to Rhode Island?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to Rhode Island is about 890 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-7 days to travel from Michigan to Rhode Island.
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.
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?
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?
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.
