PCS Move: What Do You Do With the Car?
Built around report dates, second vehicles, and OCONUS orders.
About 45 seconds · 4 questions
The short answer
For a CONUS PCS, the government typically moves only one privately owned vehicle for OCONUS orders; second vehicles and most CONUS moves are on you. Shipping commercially is usually the right call when the move is over about 800 miles, you have two vehicles, or your report date leaves no time for a multi-day drive.
Key facts
- Book against your report date, not your pack-out date.
- Base access rules often mean delivery just outside the gate.
- Second vehicles are almost always a personal expense.
- Keep every receipt — some moves qualify for reimbursement.
1. How far is the PCS?
2. How many vehicles?
3. How tight is the report date?
4. Is family traveling with you?
Answer all 4 questions to see your result.
Frequently asked questions
Does the military pay to ship my car?
The government typically ships one privately owned vehicle for OCONUS orders. Most CONUS moves and any second vehicle are a personal expense.
Can a carrier deliver on base?
Often not. Most installations restrict large commercial carriers, so delivery is arranged just outside the gate or at a nearby lot.