Rhode Island to Louisiana Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,558 miles from Rhode Island to Louisiana ranges from $1,127 to $1,611 and takes three–nine 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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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Louisiana to Rhode Island car shipping guide.

The best Rhode Island to Louisiana car shipping companies

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

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
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  • 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 discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
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  • 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
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  • 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
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

Alternative ways to ship your car from Rhode Island to Louisiana

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,558 miles on your car going from Rhode Island to Louisiana. 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 Rhode Island for a move to Louisiana, 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 Rhode Island to Louisiana 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!

RI to LA auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Rhode Island and Louisiana. The average travel distance is about 1,558 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to nine days .

Cost to ship a car from Providence, RI to Louisiana

From Rhode Island to Louisiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Providence, RI to New Orleans, LA $1,114 – $1,546 1,491 miles 3 – 8 days
Providence, RI to Baton Rouge, LA $1,127 – $1,594 1,548 miles 3 – 9 days
Providence, RI to Shreveport, LA $1,172 – $1,688 1,600 miles 3 – 9 days
Providence, RI to Metairie, LA $1,028 – $1,658 1,495 miles 3 – 8 days
Providence, RI to Lafayette, LA $1,220 – $1,756 1,602 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Warwick, RI to Louisiana

From Rhode Island to Louisiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Warwick, RI to New Orleans, LA $1,060 – $1,626 1,484 miles 3 – 8 days
Warwick, RI to Baton Rouge, LA $1,082 – $1,611 1,542 miles 3 – 9 days
Warwick, RI to Shreveport, LA $1,105 – $1,562 1,593 miles 3 – 9 days
Warwick, RI to Metairie, LA $1,114 – $1,562 1,489 miles 3 – 8 days
Warwick, RI to Lafayette, LA $1,082 – $1,627 1,596 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Cranston, RI to Louisiana

From Rhode Island to Louisiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cranston, RI to New Orleans, LA $1,125 – $1,515 1,488 miles 3 – 8 days
Cranston, RI to Baton Rouge, LA $1,116 – $1,659 1,545 miles 3 – 9 days
Cranston, RI to Shreveport, LA $1,150 – $1,611 1,597 miles 3 – 9 days
Cranston, RI to Metairie, LA $1,093 – $1,578 1,493 miles 3 – 8 days
Cranston, RI to Lafayette, LA $1,082 – $1,562 1,599 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from Pawtucket, RI to Louisiana

From Rhode Island to Louisiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Pawtucket, RI to New Orleans, LA $1,093 – $1,610 1,496 miles 3 – 8 days
Pawtucket, RI to Baton Rouge, LA $1,082 – $1,659 1,553 miles 3 – 9 days
Pawtucket, RI to Shreveport, LA $1,172 – $1,739 1,605 miles 3 – 9 days
Pawtucket, RI to Metairie, LA $1,196 – $1,676 1,500 miles 3 – 9 days
Pawtucket, RI to Lafayette, LA $1,220 – $1,688 1,607 miles 3 – 9 days

Cost to ship a car from East Providence, RI to Louisiana

From Rhode Island to Louisiana Cost Distance Estimated transit time
East Providence, RI to New Orleans, LA $1,136 – $1,642 1,492 miles 3 – 8 days
East Providence, RI to Baton Rouge, LA $1,150 – $1,594 1,549 miles 3 – 9 days
East Providence, RI to Shreveport, LA $1,232 – $1,756 1,601 miles 3 – 9 days
East Providence, RI to Metairie, LA $1,071 – $1,578 1,496 miles 3 – 8 days
East Providence, RI to Lafayette, LA $1,232 – $1,773 1,603 miles 3 – 9 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Rhode Island to Louisiana

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 Rhode Island to Louisiana you should expect to pay between $1,409 and $2,014.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from RI to LA

When transporting your vehicle from the Ocean State to the Pelican 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 Louisiana.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Rhode Island to Louisiana spans approximately 1,558 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana should take between three and nine days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Louisiana vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
  • Vehicle inspection: In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
  • Driver’s license: New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
  • Additional taxes: In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Rhode Island

More than 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 Louisiana

About 22 million people are living in the Pelican State. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.

FAQ

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

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

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

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

The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Rhode Island to Louisiana is about 1,558 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from Rhode Island to Louisiana.

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 Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.

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

New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.

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

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

In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.

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

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from Rhode Island to Louisiana 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 Rhode Island to Louisiana?

Shipping a car from Rhode Island to Louisiana costs $1,127 to $1,611.

Helpful Rhode Island resources