The short answer
For a PCS move, book your POV shipment 30 days before your report date whenever orders allow, choosing Standard pickup (1-7 business days) for most timelines or Expedited (1-5 days, +35%) when orders are short-notice. Since carriers can't access most base gates, plan to meet the driver at an approved off-base lot. No deposit is required — $0 is due at booking, and your card is charged only at pickup.
- A 30-day lead time before your report date gives enough buffer to absorb Standard's 1-7 business day pickup window plus transit time.
- Most installations restrict large commercial carriers from driving onto base, so pickup and delivery typically happen at an approved off-base location.
- Expedited pickup (1-5 business days, +35%) is available for short-notice orders where a full 7-day window isn't realistic.
- Multi-vehicle stacking discounts of up to 20% apply to families shipping more than one household vehicle on the same PCS route.
- $0 is due at booking with no deposit ever collected; the full charge posts only when the carrier physically picks up the vehicle.
- Live tracking and an online Bill of Lading let a service member confirm pickup and delivery status even while traveling or checking into a new duty station.
Build your PCS shipping timeline around your report date
Start counting backward from your report date. If your orders give you 30+ days of notice, book Standard pickup (1-7 business days) as early as your move dates are confirmed — this is almost always the more economical choice and still leaves ample buffer. If your orders come in with less lead time, Expedited pickup (1-5 business days, +35%) compresses that window so your vehicle still moves in time, at the cost of the surcharge. Either way, booking as soon as your dates are set — even weeks ahead — costs nothing extra since $0 is due until pickup.
Why carriers get turned away at base gates
A loaded auto carrier can run 70-80 feet long, and most installations restrict vehicles of that size from entering residential or barracks areas, and some restrict them from the installation entirely for security reasons. Rather than risk a driver being turned away — which delays your pickup and can bump your slot in the carrier's route — plan to meet at an approved off-base location: a large commercial parking lot, a gas station near the main gate, or a designated point your installation's transportation office can confirm.
Coordinating pickup and delivery around orders
- Confirm your exact report date and any required check-in window before choosing Standard vs. Expedited.
- If you're flying to your new duty station, schedule delivery for a day or two after your own arrival to avoid storage gaps.
- Designate a trusted contact to hand off keys if your report date falls before your vehicle's scheduled pickup.
- Keep your Bill of Lading and tracking link accessible on your phone — installation gate guards or new landlords sometimes ask for proof of scheduled delivery.
Why the payment structure matters for military families
PCS moves already come with enough upfront costs — TLE, deposits on new housing, travel expenses. AutoTransportAI never adds another one: there is no deposit at booking, and $0 is due until the carrier physically loads your vehicle. That means you can lock in your shipping date the moment orders are cut without tying up cash you need for the move itself, and if orders change before pickup, you haven't paid anything to adjust.
Shipping more than one household vehicle
- Families relocating with two or more vehicles can save up to 20% through multi-vehicle stacking discounts.
- Vehicles can often be scheduled for the same pickup window even if they'll deliver to different final addresses.
- Optional $99 per-vehicle insurance ($200,000 coverage) can be added individually to each vehicle in the shipment.
- Coordinate with a spouse or dependent who can be present for pickup or delivery if your own schedule is dictated by report timing.
Frequently asked questions
- How far ahead should I book car shipping for a PCS move?
- Book as soon as your orders and move dates are confirmed, ideally 30 days ahead. That gives Standard's 1-7 business day pickup window comfortable room; if orders are shorter notice, Expedited pickup (1-5 days, +35%) can compress the timeline.
- Will the carrier pick up my car on base?
- Usually not directly. Most installations restrict large carriers from entering residential or barracks areas, so pickup and delivery typically happen at an approved off-base lot near the main gate.
- Do I have to pay a deposit for a military move?
- No. There is no deposit at any point. $0 is due at booking, and your card is only charged the full amount the moment the carrier physically picks up your vehicle.
- Can I ship multiple vehicles for one PCS move?
- Yes. Multi-vehicle stacking discounts of up to 20% apply when a family ships two or more vehicles on the same route, even if they're delivering to different final addresses.