Rhode Island to Tennessee Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,091 miles from Rhode Island to Tennessee ranges from $838 to $1,353 and takes two–eight days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Services all 50 states
  • Ships most vehicles

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Tennessee to Rhode Island car shipping guide.

The best Rhode Island to Tennessee 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 Tennessee:

Best for accurate pricing
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (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
read our full review
Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
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
read our full review
Check prices (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Rhode Island to Tennessee

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,091 miles on your car going from Rhode Island to Tennessee. 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee 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 TN 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 Tennessee. The average travel distance is about 1,091 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days .

Cost to ship a car from Providence, RI to Tennessee

From Rhode Island to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Providence, RI to Nashville, TN $813 – $1,275 1,072 miles 2 – 8 days
Providence, RI to Memphis, TN $985 – $1,420 1,283 miles 3 – 8 days
Providence, RI to Clarksville, TN $921 – $1,456 1,117 miles 2 – 8 days
Providence, RI to Knoxville, TN $851 – $1,246 894 miles 2 – 7 days
Providence, RI to Chattanooga, TN $838 – $1,288 1,004 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Warwick, RI to Tennessee

From Rhode Island to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Warwick, RI to Nashville, TN $822 – $1,275 1,066 miles 2 – 8 days
Warwick, RI to Memphis, TN $937 – $1,420 1,276 miles 3 – 8 days
Warwick, RI to Clarksville, TN $921 – $1,415 1,110 miles 2 – 8 days
Warwick, RI to Knoxville, TN $778 – $1,308 887 miles 2 – 7 days
Warwick, RI to Chattanooga, TN $850 – $1,267 997 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Cranston, RI to Tennessee

From Rhode Island to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Cranston, RI to Nashville, TN $813 – $1,340 1,069 miles 2 – 8 days
Cranston, RI to Memphis, TN $937 – $1,508 1,280 miles 3 – 8 days
Cranston, RI to Clarksville, TN $877 – $1,456 1,114 miles 2 – 8 days
Cranston, RI to Knoxville, TN $802 – $1,295 891 miles 2 – 7 days
Cranston, RI to Chattanooga, TN $773 – $1,353 1,001 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Pawtucket, RI to Tennessee

From Rhode Island to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Pawtucket, RI to Nashville, TN $781 – $1,236 1,077 miles 2 – 8 days
Pawtucket, RI to Memphis, TN $966 – $1,508 1,288 miles 3 – 8 days
Pawtucket, RI to Clarksville, TN $912 – $1,442 1,122 miles 2 – 8 days
Pawtucket, RI to Knoxville, TN $810 – $1,196 899 miles 2 – 7 days
Pawtucket, RI to Chattanooga, TN $773 – $1,275 1,009 miles 2 – 8 days

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

From Rhode Island to Tennessee Cost Distance Estimated transit time
East Providence, RI to Nashville, TN $854 – $1,262 1,073 miles 2 – 8 days
East Providence, RI to Memphis, TN $909 – $1,391 1,284 miles 3 – 8 days
East Providence, RI to Clarksville, TN $850 – $1,387 1,118 miles 2 – 8 days
East Providence, RI to Knoxville, TN $818 – $1,283 895 miles 2 – 7 days
East Providence, RI to Chattanooga, TN $822 – $1,314 1,005 miles 2 – 8 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Rhode Island to Tennessee

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 Tennessee you should expect to pay between $1,048 and $1,691.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from RI to TN

When transporting your vehicle from the Ocean State to the Volunteer 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 Tennessee.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Rhode Island to Tennessee spans approximately 1,091 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Tennessee vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.
  • Driver’s license: To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.
  • Additional taxes: When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.

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 Tennessee

About 22 million people are living in the Volunteer State. Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.

FAQ

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

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 Tennessee.

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

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

Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Rhode Island to Tennessee is about 1,091 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Rhode Island to Tennessee.

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 Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.

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

To obtain a driver's license in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 15 years old (with a Learner's Permit) or 16 years old (with a regular driver's license), pass written, vision and driving tests, provide proof of identity, residency, legal presence, and social security number, pass a medical examination if required, pay the required fee, Hold the Learner's Permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for the driver's license and comply with the graduated licensing system restrictions for the first 6 months.

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

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

When moving to Tennessee, you will be required to pay state income tax and property tax. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is a flat rate of 3%. Property taxes in Tennessee are determined by the county in which the property is located, and can vary widely depending on the area. Additionally, sales tax in Tennessee is 7%, but varies depending on the local area. Some cities and counties in Tennessee also have additional local sales taxes.

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Rhode Island to Tennessee costs $838 to $1,353.

Helpful Rhode Island resources