Last Updated: October 29, 2025
The 2026 PCS season runs from May 15 through August 31, with Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) appointments and commercial carrier availability filling up 60-90 days in advance during peak months. With over 400,000 military members receiving PCS orders annually, planning your vehicle shipment early is critical to avoiding delays and price surges.
Military families who wait face serious challenges: VPC appointments book out 2-3 weeks in advance during summer, commercial car shipping rates surge 15-25% above baseline, and carrier availability becomes severely limited. According to Military OneSource data, approximately 240,000 vehicle shipments occur between May and August alone.
This guide breaks down exactly when to book your 2026 PCS car shipment, what costs to expect, and how to navigate the busiest moving season in military logistics.
Understanding the 2026 PCS Season: Key Dates and Peak Months
PCS season peaks from mid-May through August when 60-70% of all military moves occur, driven by summer school schedules and fiscal year-end orders. The Department of Defense’s fiscal year (October 1-September 30) pushes many assignment changes into summer, creating massive demand for vehicle transport services.
For 2026, there’s an additional factor: DoD budget cuts announced in May 2025 mandate a 10% reduction in discretionary PCS spending starting fiscal 2027, potentially making peak season even more congested.
2026 PCS Season Month-by-Month Breakdown
|
Month |
PCS Activity |
Booking Window |
Price vs. Baseline |
|
Jan-Feb 2026 |
Low (5-10%) |
2-3 weeks ahead |
15-20% below peak |
|
Mar-Apr 2026 |
Moderate (15-20%) |
3-4 weeks ahead |
5-10% below peak |
|
May 2026 |
High (20-25%) |
60-90 days ahead |
Peak pricing |
|
June-July 2026 |
Highest (25-30%) |
90+ days ahead |
Peak +10-15% |
|
August 2026 |
High (15-20%) |
60 days ahead |
Peak pricing |
|
Sept-Oct 2026 |
Moderate (10-15%) |
3-4 weeks ahead |
10% below peak |
|
Nov-Dec 2026 |
Low (5%) |
2 weeks ahead |
20-25% below peak |
Key takeaway: If you’re moving May-August 2026, start arrangements no later than March or April to secure better rates and priority access.
When Should You Book Car Shipping for Your 2026 PCS?
CONUS (Domestic) Moves Timeline
Off-Peak Season (January-April, September-December): Book commercial car shipping 2-3 weeks before your desired pickup date. You’ll see pricing 10-20% below summer rates with strong carrier availability.
Peak Season (May-August): Book 45-60 days in advance minimum. Waiting until 30 days or less often results in 20-40% price premiums and limited options.
Last-Minute Moves (under 2 weeks): Expect premium rates and less favorable windows. Terminal-to-terminal service may be your only option during peak weeks.
Average transit time for CONUS moves is 5-10 business days. Cross-country shipments take 7-10 days, while regional moves (500-1,000 miles) complete in 3-5 days.
OCONUS (Overseas) Moves Timeline
All Seasons: Book VPC appointments through PCSmyPOV.com 60-90 days in advance.
Peak Season: Book 90-120 days ahead. Summer VPC appointments at high-volume locations like San Diego and Charleston fill months in advance.
Transit Time: Expect 25-45 days by sea, with an additional 1-2 weeks for customs clearance. Total door-to-door timeline can reach 6-8 weeks during busy periods.
Critical 2026 update: Hawaii and Alaska now require electronic POV release forms as of 2025.
VPC Appointment Booking Process
Schedule VPC appointments 60-90 days before your desired drop-off date through PCSmyPOV.com. The process:
- Create your PCSmyPOV account immediately upon receiving orders
- Select your turn-in VPC location
- Choose appointment date and time slot (available 0800-1500)
- Upload required documentation through FASTPASS
- Receive confirmation email
FASTPASS advantage: Submit documents 24 hours ahead to cut processing time from 2-3 hours down to 30 minutes-1 hour.
VPCs operate Monday-Friday, 0800-1600, closed weekends and federal holidays. During peak season, appointments fill 2-3 weeks out at high-volume locations.
2026 PCS Car Shipping Cost Expectations
Average Military Car Shipping Costs by Distance
Military car shipping costs in 2026 range from $600-$800 for short distances to $1,200-$2,400 for cross-country moves, with peak season premiums adding 15-25%.
|
Distance |
Off-Peak Cost |
Peak Season Cost |
Transit Time |
|
0-500 miles |
$600-$800 |
$700-$1,000 |
1-3 days |
|
500-1,000 miles |
$700-$1,000 |
$900-$1,200 |
3-5 days |
|
1,000-2,000 miles |
$900-$1,500 |
$1,100-$1,800 |
5-8 days |
|
2,000+ miles (cross-country) |
$1,200-$2,400 |
$1,500-$2,800 |
7-10+ days |
|
Alaska (from West Coast) |
$2,000-$3,000 |
$2,400-$3,600 |
2-4 weeks |
|
Hawaii (from West Coast) |
$1,500-$2,100 |
$1,800-$2,500 |
2-3 weeks |
SUVs and trucks cost $100-$300 more than sedans. Enclosed transport adds 40-50% to base price. Most carriers offer 5-10% military discounts with valid CAC or PCS orders.
Key Cost Factors for 2026
Fuel surcharges fluctuate with diesel prices, typically adding $0.10-$0.30 per mile. Seasonal demand creates the biggest swings—peak PCS season rates increase 15-25% over baseline. Route popularity matters: high-traffic corridors (Texas-California, Virginia-Florida) have better availability and competitive pricing. Timeline urgency is critical: expedited shipping with less than 7 days’ notice adds 25-50% premium fees.
Step-by-Step: Planning Your 2026 PCS Car Shipment
90-120 Days Before PCS
- Receive official PCS orders and verify report date
- Contact transportation office for entitlement counseling
- Create PCSmyPOV account (OCONUS) or request commercial quotes
- Check vehicle for open recalls at NHTSA.gov
- Review vehicle insurance coverage for transport
60 Days Before PCS
- Book VPC appointment OR confirm commercial carrier
- Gather documents: PCS orders, registration/title, lien holder release, POA, military ID
- Schedule vehicle maintenance: oil change, tire check, battery test
- Upload documents via FASTPASS or to carrier
2-4 Weeks Before Pickup
- Deep clean vehicle inside and out
- Remove all personal items
- Take comprehensive photos/video of vehicle condition
- Reduce fuel to ≤1/4 tank (VPC requirement)
- Disable alarm system
- Confirm pickup appointment with carrier
Pickup Day
- Complete Bill of Lading inspection with driver/inspector
- Document all pre-existing damage thoroughly
- Provide spare keys
- Get driver contact info and tracking details
- Keep all paperwork for destination pickup
What’s Changing for 2026 PCS Car Shipping
DoD Budget Cuts Impact
The Pentagon’s mandate to reduce PCS budgets by 10% in 2027 (ramping to 50% by 2030) means tighter eligibility for government-funded vehicle shipments in 2026. The DoD spends approximately $5 billion annually on PCS relocations, and these cuts target “discretionary moves”—primarily CONUS-to-CONUS relocations.
This could mean:
- Stricter criteria for CONUS vehicle shipping reimbursements
- More families using commercial carriers
- Increased competition for commercial capacity during peak season
- More out-of-pocket expenses even with military entitlements
New Documentation Requirements
Hawaii and Alaska: Electronic POV release forms required (as of 2025)
Electric Vehicles: Full battery disclosure mandatory for OCONUS EV shipments to meet new U.S. Customs requirements
Germany: Port delays expected summer 2026—book VPC appointments 120+ days in advance for European moves
Peak Season Survival Strategies
Securing Booking During High-Demand Months
Book immediately upon receiving orders. Don’t wait for your official move date. Start the car shipping process the moment PCS orders arrive—VPC appointments and premium carriers book 60-90 days out during peak season.
Be flexible with pickup dates. Offer a 2-3 day pickup window instead of demanding a specific day. This increases your chances of securing service and often results in better pricing.
Consider terminal-to-terminal. Terminal service (dropping off at carrier’s facility) is cheaper and has better availability during peak weeks. Major military hub cities typically have terminal locations.
Monitor PCSmyPOV for cancellations. Military orders change constantly. Check the VPC appointment calendar regularly—cancellations happen, and you might secure an earlier slot.
Keep backup carriers ready. Maintain quotes from 2-3 quality commercial carriers like Direct Connect Auto Transport. Military-focused companies understand last-minute order changes and often accommodate rush bookings.
Money-Saving Tips
Ship off-peak: Moving September-April saves 15-25% compared to summer. Winter moves (November-February) offer deepest discounts.
Choose open transport: Used for 95% of vehicles nationwide, open carrier costs 40-50% less than enclosed and is perfectly safe for standard vehicles.
Ask about military discounts: Most carriers offer 5-10% off with valid CAC or PCS orders—mention your military status when requesting quotes.
Book early: Avoid 25-50% last-minute premiums by planning 45-60 days ahead for peak season moves.
Bundle multiple vehicles: Second vehicles on the same transport often cost $75-$150 less per vehicle.
Avoiding Car Shipping Scams
Red flags to watch for:
- Large upfront deposits (legitimate carriers require only $100-$200 booking deposits)
- Prices significantly below market rates (likely bait-and-switch schemes)
- No USDOT/MC numbers or unwillingness to provide them
- Poor reviews on Google, BBB, and Transport Reviews
- Verbal-only quotes without written documentation
Verify every carrier’s USDOT and MC numbers at FMCSA.dot.gov before booking. Get all fees in writing. For comprehensive scam prevention guidance, review Direct Connect Auto Transport’s car shipping scams guide.
High-Volume Bases with Longest Wait Times
Plan extra early if PCSing from these locations:
- Fort Cavazos, TX (52,000+ personnel) – Book 90+ days during peak season
- Fort Liberty, NC (52,000+ personnel) – VPC often at capacity June-July
- Naval Station Norfolk, VA – World’s largest naval base, overseas moves book 4+ months ahead
- Camp Pendleton, CA – Major West Coast hub, Pacific routes fill early
- Joint Base San Antonio, TX – 80,000+ military community, summer appointments scarce
FAQ: 2026 PCS Car Shipping Timeline
When is the absolute latest I should book car shipping for summer 2026 PCS?
For peak season moves (May-August 2026), book no later than 45-60 days before your desired pickup date for commercial carriers, or 60-90 days ahead for VPC appointments. Last-minute bookings (under 30 days) face 25-50% price premiums and severe availability constraints. If you receive sudden orders, contact military-specialist carriers like Direct Connect Auto Transport immediately—they maintain capacity for emergency military moves.
How much does it cost to ship a car during 2026 PCS season?
Military car shipping costs for 2026 range from $700-$1,000 for short moves (under 500 miles) to $1,500-$2,800 for cross-country transport during peak season (May-August). Off-peak moves (September-April) save 15-25%. Military discounts of 5-10% are widely available with valid CAC or PCS orders. Hawaii shipments cost $1,500-$2,500, Alaska runs $2,000-$3,600.
Can I still ship my car if I missed the early booking window?
Yes, but expect limited carrier availability, 25-50% price premiums, and longer wait times. During peak season, terminal-to-terminal options may be available when door-to-door is fully booked. Direct Connect Auto Transport specializes in accommodating last-minute military PCS moves—contact them as soon as you receive orders for rush situations.
Does the military pay for car shipping in 2026?
OCONUS moves: The military covers one POV shipment per household for overseas PCS relocations. CONUS moves: Reimbursement only applies if you have 2+ vehicles AND all family members travel together in one vehicle—a rare qualification most families don’t meet. The vast majority of CONUS PCS families pay out-of-pocket for vehicle transport.
What's the difference between VPC shipping and commercial car shipping?
VPC (Vehicle Processing Center) is the government system for OCONUS military vehicle shipments through PCSmyPOV.com. It’s free for eligible service members but has strict appointment schedules and preparation requirements (like 1/4 tank fuel limit). Commercial car shipping serves CONUS moves or additional vehicles. It offers flexible scheduling, better customer service, and expedited shipping options through companies like Direct Connect Auto Transport.
How do 2026 DoD budget cuts affect my PCS car shipping?
The Pentagon’s mandate to reduce PCS budgets by 10% starting fiscal 2027 (reaching 50% by 2030) may tighten eligibility for government-funded moves, particularly discretionary CONUS relocations. More military families should prepare to use commercial car shipping and budget accordingly. PPM reimbursement rates changed in 2025 based on HomeSafe Alliance pricing, often paying less than actual move costs.
Why Choose Direct Connect Auto Transport for Your 2026 PCS
Direct Connect Auto Transport specializes in military PCS moves with over 20 years serving active duty families. We understand the unique challenges of military relocations—sudden order changes, compressed timelines, and budget constraints.
What sets Direct Connect apart:
- Military expertise: Decades of experience with Fort Cavazos, Fort Liberty, Naval Station Norfolk, Camp Pendleton, and Joint Base San Antonio moves
- Flexible scheduling: Accommodates last-minute bookings and sudden order changes
- Competitive military pricing: Transparent quotes with military discounts, no hidden fees
- Comprehensive insurance: Full coverage protection during transport
- Real-time tracking: Monitor your vehicle throughout the journey
- Open and enclosed options: Cost-effective open transport or premium enclosed service
Get your free 2026 PCS car shipping quote today and experience the difference a military-focused carrier makes.
Start Planning Your 2026 PCS Move Today
With over 400,000 annual PCS relocations competing for limited carrier capacity during summer months, and DoD budget cuts affecting move policies, early planning is critical. Start the moment orders arrive—don’t wait until 30 days out facing premium pricing and limited availability.
Whether you’re headed to Fort Cavazos, shipping overseas to Ramstein, or relocating coast to coast, Direct Connect Auto Transport makes military car shipping stress-free and affordable.
📞 Contact Direct Connect Auto Transport today for your personalized 2026 PCS shipping timeline and free quote.
Thank you for your service.