Dec–Feb
Winter
Watch for ice
Winter is usually steady, but ice storms can close roads for a day or two.
Car Shipping in Atlanta
Shipping a car out of an intown bungalow, from Alpharetta to California, or down to Florida for the winter. Atlanta is the biggest car carrier hub in the Southeast. Here's what it costs and where carriers can meet you.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Atlanta?
Shipping a standard sedan from Atlanta costs about $650–$1,675 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. Atlanta to Los Angeles runs about $1,225–$1,550 (5–8 days), and Atlanta to New York about $725–$925 (2–4 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
- Pickup: carriers delivering inside the Perimeter can reach most areas, but tight intown streets often need a meeting point.
- Timing: snowbird traffic on I-75 peaks heading south in fall and north in spring.
- Main truck routes: I-75, I-85, I-20 and I-285.
Pickup and delivery
Where car carriers can meet you in Atlanta
Atlanta's suburbs are easy for carriers, while older intown neighborhoods are tight. Pick your area to see truck routes and good meeting spots.
Through trucks must use I-285
Trucks passing through Atlanta are required to use the I-285 Perimeter instead of the Downtown Connector. Carriers delivering inside the Perimeter can still reach you, but traffic on both routes sets the pickup window.
Downtown Connector (I-75/85)I-285 PerimeterPeach Pass express lanesIntown weight-limit streets
Downtown & Midtown
Truck access: ModerateDowntown and Midtown have towers, garages and heavy traffic. Carriers usually meet near the Downtown Connector or I-20.
Truck routes
- Downtown Connector (I-75/85)
- I-20
Good meeting spots
- Large lots near the Westside
- Retail lots near I-20
Tip: Avoid game and event days near the stadiums.
Buckhead
Truck access: ModerateBuckhead has wide main roads but busy traffic and many high-rise garages. Residential streets can be narrow.
Truck routes
- GA 400Georgia 400
- I-75
- I-85
Good meeting spots
- Retail lots near GA-400
- Shopping center lots along Peachtree Road
Tip: If you live in a high-rise, book a loading dock or meet at a nearby lot.
Intown neighborhoods
Truck access: Hard for trucksVirginia-Highland, Inman Park, Grant Park and Decatur have narrow, tree-lined streets that a long carrier can't navigate. Carriers usually meet on main roads.
Truck routes
- I-20
- I-85
- US-78 / Ponce de Leon
Good meeting spots
- Retail lots on main roads
- Shopping center lots near I-20
Tip: Low tree branches and tight turns are common; meet on a main road.
Perimeter & North Fulton
Truck access: EasySandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell and Alpharetta are suburban with GA-400 and I-285 access. Door pickups are common.
Truck routes
- GA 400Georgia 400
- I-285 Perimeter
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in most neighborhoods
- Office and retail lots near GA-400
Tip: Corporate relocations to the northern suburbs often include car shipping; ask HR before booking.
Marietta & Cobb
Truck access: EasyMarietta, Smyrna and Kennesaw have wide roads and easy access to I-75 and I-575.
Truck routes
- I-75 north
- I-575
- I-285 Perimeter
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in most neighborhoods
- Retail lots near I-75
Tip: Dobbins Air Reserve Base members should share base access details when booking.
Gwinnett
Truck access: EasyDuluth, Lawrenceville and Buford are suburban with I-85 and I-985 access, and plenty of retail lots.
Truck routes
- I-85 north
- I-985
- GA 316To Athens
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in most neighborhoods
- Shopping center lots near I-85
Tip: Northbound loads to the Carolinas and Virginia leave on I-85 from here.
South Atlanta & the airport
Truck access: EasyThe area around Hartsfield-Jackson is full of distribution centers and trucks, making it one of the easiest pickup areas in the region.
Truck routes
- I-75 south
- I-85 south
- I-285 Perimeter
Good meeting spots
- Business park and hotel lots near the airport (not terminal roads)
- Truck-friendly lots near I-75
Tip: Southbound loads to Florida leave on I-75 from here.
Prices
Car shipping prices to and from Atlanta
Estimated open-carrier prices for a standard sedan. Routes with a guide link to city-by-city prices; the rest start a quote.
Shipping from Atlanta
- Atlanta → Miami, FL
730 mi · 2–4 days$650–$825 - Atlanta → Los Angeles, CA
2,320 mi · 5–8 days$1,225–$1,550
Route guide → - Atlanta → New York, NY
890 mi · 2–4 days$725–$925 - Atlanta → Chicago, IL
710 mi · 1–3 days$650–$825 - Atlanta → Dallas, TX
860 mi · 2–4 days$700–$900 - Atlanta → Denver, CO
1,450 mi · 3–5 days$925–$1,200 - Atlanta → Phoenix, AZ
1,910 mi · 4–7 days$1,075–$1,375 - Atlanta → Seattle, WA
2,610 mi · 5–8 days$1,300–$1,675
Shipping to Atlanta
- Los Angeles, CA → Atlanta
2,320 mi · 5–8 days$1,225–$1,550
Route guide → - Miami, FL → Atlanta
730 mi · 2–4 days$650–$825 - New York, NY → Atlanta
890 mi · 2–4 days$725–$925 - Chicago, IL → Atlanta
710 mi · 1–3 days$650–$825 - Dallas, TX → Atlanta
860 mi · 2–4 days$700–$900 - Detroit, MI → Atlanta
720 mi · 2–4 days$650–$825
Enclosed transport adds about 40–60%. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.
Book with confidence
Three ways to ship your car in Atlanta
Compare independent companies, let our own licensed team handle it, or check a quote you already have.
Full Service
Let Transportvibe handle it
Full Service is our own licensed brokerage. Our team books a vetted carrier for your Atlanta move, including a truck-friendly meeting point, and handles the details. Shown separately from TrustScore rankings.
Explore Full ServiceCompare
Compare independent companies
See FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers serving Atlanta, ranked by TrustScore with verified reviews. Companies can't pay to change their score.
Compare companiesRed Flag Checker
Check a company before you pay
Paste a USDOT or MC number to see FMCSA authority, insurance status, complaint history and warning signs, including quotes far below the $650–$1,675 market range.
Run Red Flag CheckerLocal know-how
What makes Atlanta car shipping different
The Southeast's biggest hub
I-75, I-85 and I-20 meet in Atlanta, so carriers pass through daily. Pickups are usually scheduled within a few days.
Snowbird traffic passes through
Atlanta sits on I-75, the main snowbird route to Florida. Southbound trucks fill up in fall and northbound trucks in spring.
Express lanes
Atlanta's express lanes use Peach Pass. Remove yours so it doesn't register charges while the car is on the truck.
Emissions testing in metro Atlanta
Emissions testing applies in 13 metro Atlanta counties, with exemptions for newer and older vehicles. Georgia has no annual safety inspection.
Ice storms
A few times a winter, ice can shut down Atlanta roads for a day or two. Carriers wait it out, so keep a backup date.
Military moves
Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta and Fort Benning, about 100 miles southwest, bring regular PCS moves.
Timing
Best time to ship a car in Atlanta
Snowbird traffic on I-75 and summer relocations shape Atlanta prices most.
Mar–May
Spring
Snowbirds head north
March to May brings snowbird traffic back north through Atlanta, so northbound trucks fill up.
Jun–Aug
Summer
Moving season
Summer relocations and PCS moves keep demand steady. Book two to three weeks ahead.
Sep–Nov
Fall
Snowbird rush south
October to December is the busiest time to ship from Atlanta to Florida.
Moving checklist
Moving to or from Atlanta with a car
Moving to Atlanta
Confirm current rules with the Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division.
- Register within 30 days of becoming a Georgia resident, through the Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division.
- Inspection: Emissions testing applies in 13 metro Atlanta counties, with exemptions for newer and older vehicles. Georgia has no annual safety inspection.
- Minimum insurance: Liability of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
- Check your county. Emissions testing depends on which metro county you live in.
Leaving Atlanta
Things Atlantans forget before the truck arrives.
- Remove your Peach Pass. It can register express lane charges while the car is on the truck.
- Pick a main-road meeting point if you live on a narrow intown street.
- Avoid rush hour. Pickups near I-285 and the Downtown Connector go faster midday.
- Leave about a quarter tank and remove personal items before pickup.
Ready to ship your car in Atlanta?
Let our Full Service team find a carrier and a meeting point that works, or check any company with the Red Flag Checker before you pay a deposit.
Questions
Atlanta car shipping FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Atlanta?
Shipping a standard sedan from Atlanta costs about $650–$1,675 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. Atlanta to Los Angeles runs about $1,225–$1,550 (5–8 days), and Atlanta to New York about $725–$925 (2–4 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Atlanta to California?
About $1,225–$1,550 to Los Angeles on an open carrier, taking 5–8 days after pickup. Carriers use I-20 and I-10 or I-40.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Atlanta to Florida?
About $650–$825 to Miami, taking 2–4 days after pickup. Prices peak from October to December, when snowbirds head south.
Can trucks drive through downtown Atlanta?
Trucks passing through Atlanta must use I-285 instead of the Downtown Connector. Carriers delivering inside the Perimeter can still reach you, but meeting near a main road is usually faster.
Do I need an emissions test after moving to Atlanta?
Emissions testing applies in 13 metro Atlanta counties, with exemptions for newer and older vehicles. New residents should register within 30 days.
Can a car carrier pick up in Virginia-Highland or Decatur?
Often not at your door. Narrow, tree-lined streets make it hard for a long carrier to turn around. Most carriers meet intown customers on a main road.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Atlanta?
Book an open carrier two weeks ahead, avoid snowbird season, and meet the truck near a freeway in the suburbs or near the airport.
How long does it take to ship a car from Atlanta?
About 2–4 days to Miami, 2–4 days to New York and 5–8 days to Los Angeles after pickup. Add 1–3 days for scheduling.
Related routes and guides
- Georgia to California
- California to Georgia
- Car shipping in Georgia
- Car shipping in New York City
- Car shipping in Los Angeles
- Car shipping in San Diego
- Car shipping in Chicago
- Car shipping in Houston
- Car shipping in Miami
- Car shipping in Seattle
- Car shipping in Dallas
- Car shipping in San Jose
- Get a car shipping quote
How we estimate prices. Prices and transit times on this page are estimates for a standard sedan, based on route distance, typical carrier rates, seasonal demand and the extra cost of enclosed transport. Quotes from individual companies can be higher or lower. Registration details come from the Georgia Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division; truck route rules from Georgia Department of Transportation truck route information.