Military Car Shipping for PCS Moves Between the Midwest and Texas

PCS orders come with a long to-do list, and getting a car to the next duty station is near the top. If you're moving between the Midwest and Texas, or anywhere in the lower 48, here's how military car shipping works with us.

Velocity Logistics is a licensed motor carrier based in Indianapolis. We ship vehicles for service members and their families, door to door.

Bases on and near our routes

Our own trucks run Indiana and Illinois to and from Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio, which puts these bases near our route:

• Texas: Fort Hood (Killeen, on I-35) and Joint Base San Antonio
• Indiana: Camp Atterbury, Naval Support Activity Crane, Grissom Air Reserve Base
• Illinois: Naval Station Great Lakes, Scott Air Force Base

We ship to these too, sometimes with a partner carrier: Fort Bliss (El Paso), Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Dyess and Sheppard Air Force Bases, and any other base area in the lower 48. When a vetted partner carrier hauls your car through our licensed broker partner, we tell you before pickup.

Where pickup and delivery happen

We can't meet on base, so pickup and delivery happen off base:

• A commercial area near the base with enough parking and room to load, like a large store or shopping center lot.
• Your home or a rental off base.

The driver calls ahead to confirm the exact spot and time.

Timing around your orders

1. Book as soon as you have orders and dates. Summer is peak PCS season, and early booking gives you the most pickup dates.
2. Tell dispatch your report date and when you'll be at each end. We schedule pickup and delivery around it.
3. Can't be there? Name a spouse, friend or family member to release or receive the car. Whoever is there signs the bill of lading.
4. Deployed or TDY? Let us know if the car is in storage or with someone else, and who to coordinate with.

What your orders may cover

Whether any of the cost is covered depends on your orders and the kind of move. Talk to your installation transportation office before you book, so you know what to keep. At a minimum, keep:

• Your written quote
• The bill of lading from pickup and delivery
• Your payment receipt

Prep the car

• Clean it so the inspection photos are clear.
• Remove personal items. Our agreement allows up to 100 lbs in the trunk or rear cargo area, below the windows, at your own risk. Uniforms, gear and anything valuable should travel with you.
• Leave about a quarter tank and make sure the battery is charged.
• Keep your insurance and registration current. You'll need them when the car comes off the trailer.

Our pre-shipment checklist and moving guide cover the rest.

The bottom line

Military car shipping works like any door-to-door move, with one difference: we meet near base, not on it. Book when your orders land, tell us your report date, and check with your transportation office about what's covered. Request a quote with your pickup and delivery areas.

Frequently asked questions

Do you ship cars for military members?

Yes. Velocity Logistics ships vehicles for service members and their families, door to door across the lower 48, including PCS moves between the Midwest and Texas.

Can you pick up or deliver on base?

No. We can't meet on base. Any commercial area near the base with enough parking and room to load works as the meeting place, or we can use a home address off base.

Will the military pay for shipping my car?

It depends on your orders and the type of move. Ask your installation transportation office what is covered before you book, and keep your quote, bill of lading and receipt.

Can my spouse or someone else release or receive the car?

Yes. Name the person when you book. Whoever is there signs the bill of lading at pickup or delivery.

How far ahead should I book for a PCS move?

As soon as you have orders and dates. Summer PCS season is busy, so booking early gives you the most pickup dates around your move.