Philadelphia auto transport starts with a simple fact: much of the city was built long before cars, let alone 75-foot car carriers. Row-house blocks in South Philly, Fishtown and Northern Liberties are narrow, often one-way and lined with parked cars on both sides, and parts of Old City still have cobblestone and Belgian block streets. When you look into car shipping Philadelphia PA, expect your carrier to suggest a wider street or a parking lot for the handoff.
The region's highways carry plenty of carrier traffic, but they come with their own challenges. I-95 runs along the Delaware River past the airport and the port, the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) is notoriously congested, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike and New Jersey Turnpike connect the city to the rest of the East Coast. Tolls on the Turnpikes and the Delaware River bridges are paid by E-ZPass or toll-by-plate, and carriers include them in their rates.
Sahara Auto Transport arranges pickups and deliveries throughout Philadelphia, the Main Line, Bucks and Montgomery counties, Delaware County and South Jersey. When a row-house block cannot fit a truck, we coordinate a nearby meeting point on a wider avenue or in a shopping center lot. The city sits right on the I-95 corridor between New York and Washington, so carriers pass through often. Winter nor'easters and summer construction season can both shift schedules, and we keep you informed if timing changes.
Service area
Philadelphia car transport, door to door
Center City and Rittenhouse
High-rise garages and constant traffic mean deliveries happen on a nearby street in the early morning, or at a lot outside the core.
South Philadelphia
Tight row-house streets near the stadiums. Meeting spots near Broad Street or the sports complex lots work well away from game days.
Fishtown and Northern Liberties
Newer condos mixed with narrow historic streets. Delaware Avenue and quick I-95 access make a meeting point easy to set up.
University City
Students at Penn and Drexel ship cars each August and May. Campus streets fill quickly, so plan a handoff on Market or Chestnut away from class changes.
The Main Line
Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Wayne and Villanova have tree-lined streets and long driveways. Lancaster Avenue (US-30) is the usual meeting corridor if a driveway is too tight.
Cherry Hill and South Jersey
Just across the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges, with suburban streets and easy access to I-295 and the New Jersey Turnpike. Pickups here are often simpler to schedule.
Ship a car to Philadelphia
People ship a car to Philadelphia for medical residencies at Penn Medicine, Jefferson and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, for graduate programs at Penn, Drexel and Temple, and for jobs in pharma and life sciences. Pennsylvania gives new residents 20 days to title and register a vehicle, and cars registered in the Philadelphia region need both a state safety inspection and an emissions test.
If you are moving into a row house, check your block's parking situation before the truck arrives. Many streets are permit-only, and the Philadelphia Parking Authority enforces the rules closely. Apartment buildings in Center City often have tight garages, so delivery usually happens curbside nearby. In winter, snow emergency routes may be off limits for parking, and a nor'easter can push delivery back a day or two.
Ship a car from Philadelphia
The most popular reason to ship a car from Philadelphia is the move south. Florida is the top destination, with snowbirds heading to Fort Lauderdale, Naples and Orlando in the fall and returning in spring. Permanent moves to the Carolinas, Georgia and Texas are common too. Carriers usually head south on I-95, though some take I-81 through Virginia on the way to Tennessee and Atlanta.
For pickup, park the car somewhere a truck can stop without blocking traffic, such as a wide avenue or a store parking lot. Pull your E-ZPass so it is not charged at Turnpike or bridge plazas, keep the fuel low, and clear the car of personal items. During salt season, a quick rinse before the driver arrives makes the inspection report more accurate.
Pricing
Philadelphia car shipping cost
Estimated prices from Philadelphia to popular destinations, updated November 2026. The same ranges apply in the other direction.
Philadelphia → Boston, MA
310 miles · 1 to 2 days
- Sedan, open
- $525 to $675
- SUV, open
- $600 to $775
Philadelphia → Chicago, IL
760 miles · 2 to 3 days
- Sedan, open
- $800 to $1,000
- SUV, open
- $900 to $1,150
Philadelphia → Atlanta, GA
780 miles · 2 to 3 days
- Sedan, open
- $800 to $1,025
- SUV, open
- $925 to $1,175
Philadelphia → Orlando, FL
990 miles · 2 to 4 days
- Sedan, open
- $900 to $1,125
- SUV, open
- $1,025 to $1,300
Philadelphia → Miami, FL
1,190 miles · 3 to 5 days
- Sedan, open
- $975 to $1,225
- SUV, open
- $1,125 to $1,425
Philadelphia → Los Angeles, CA
2,720 miles · 7 to 10 days
- Sedan, open
- $1,425 to $1,825
- SUV, open
- $1,650 to $2,100
Estimates, not quotes. Your exact price depends on addresses, vehicle, condition, season and carrier availability. Non-running vehicles usually add $150 to $250.
What moves the price in Philadelphia
- Florida season: the fall migration south and the spring return north are the busiest times on I-95, and they influence the Philadelphia car shipping cost.
- Street access: row-house blocks and Center City garages often need a meeting point, while suburban driveways usually do not.
- Tolls and bridges: Turnpike and Delaware River bridge tolls are built into carrier rates for routes heading through New Jersey.
- Winter weather: nor'easters and icy roads can delay trucks and reduce how many are working the area.
- Transport type: enclosed shipping costs more but protects luxury cars and classics from road salt.
Philadelphia vehicle shipping
Philadelphia vehicle shipping includes plenty of student cars for Penn, Drexel, Temple, Villanova and Saint Joseph's, plus vehicles for medical residents who start in late June. Many of those residents arrive from across the country with only a few days before orientation. Families moving to and from the suburbs ship SUVs and minivans, and dealers in the city and South Jersey move inventory regularly.
The region also has an active classic car community, and the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum near the airport shows how deep that interest runs. For classics or luxury cars, enclosed transport is a smart choice. We can also handle motorcycles, pickups, EVs and non-running vehicles with advance notice, plus vehicles imported through the Port of Philadelphia once they are released.
Car shipping companies in Philadelphia
When you look at car shipping companies in Philadelphia, ask how each one handles the city's tight streets. A good company will ask about your block before quoting, explain whether a meeting point is needed, and tell you which bridge the truck will likely use if you are in South Jersey. Check that the carrier holds FMCSA authority and cargo insurance, and keep a written copy of your terms.
Sahara Auto Transport plans Philadelphia shipments around real addresses and real streets. We quote from actual road miles, set expectations on timing during Florida season and winter storms, and stay in touch throughout the trip. You can reach our team seven days a week from 6am to 11pm Eastern, the same time zone as Philly, so help is available before work and well into the evening.