The medical industry has seen some major changes and new trends over the past few years, mainly after the onset of the global pandemic of COVID-19. Travel nursing is one sector that has exploded drastically, with over 40% growth, hiking the demand for travel nursing car shipping rapidly. This hike in demand for travel nurses resulted in more and more nursing professionals switching to travel assignments. However, this created unique challenges.
Now, most travel nurses go for 3–4 relocations per year on average. But the challenge lies in the logistics of their belongings and shipping a car to their nursing assignment destination. And since most of them earn over $100K/year on average, many medical professionals auto transport their personal vehicles instead of renting or driving long distances. Reliability and convenience matter most, especially for busy, high‑income clinicians, making nurse vehicle relocation a high‑value service need.
Fortunately, this guide offers unique, actionable insights about why and how travel nurses choose to ship their cars, what coverage they need, cost analysis, partner agency considerations, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Why Travel Nurses Choose Car Shipping: Benefits and Insights
Travel nurses often face short-term assignments in multiple states every year. Driving between locations can cost thousands in mileage, lodging, and wear. Shipping your own vehicle avoids hidden expenses and keeps you in a trusted ride, especially when assignments last 8–26 weeks.
Key Motivators:
- Time-Saving Travel: A flight plus vehicle pickup often beats a multi-day road trip.
- Cost Efficiency: Comparatively affordable to multiple rental or storage costs.
- Convenience and Continuity: Use your personal vehicle for local commute and off-hours.
- High Repeat Demand: Nurses refresh contracts frequently, and vendors benefit from recurring business.
Surveys show many travel nurses value reliable auto transport over price, and look for seamless coordination with staffing agencies and destinations.
Why Travel Nurses Need Specialized Auto Transport Services
Travel nurses lead fast-paced, mobile careers that often involve relocating at least every 13 weeks. Many assignments are in different states or across the country. Driving to each new location isn’t always realistic. Long distances, high costs, and travel fatigue make it hard. That’s why travel nurse car shipping is a smart option. It saves time, cuts stress, and keeps up with the demands of your fast-moving career.
How Much Does Travel Nurse Car Shipping Cost?
When you take cross-country travel nurse assignments, you have a few options for moving your car. You can either drive your own car, rent a car at your destination for the duration of your assignment, or ship your own car every time you take a new travel nursing assignment.
If you have only taken local travel nurse assignments, driving could have been a good solution, but in cross-country or state-to-state relocating, car shipping can be the best option. Hence, knowing how car shipping costs compare with renting or driving is vital for travel nurses managing relocation budgets. There are several factors that determine the cost of shipping a car, which vary based on the distance, shipping method, timing, and route availability.
Typical Pricing Ranges:
| Route Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
| 500 mi | $500–$750 | $850–$1,150 |
| 1,000 mi | $700–$1,100 | $1,250–$1,600 |
| Cross‑Country (~2,500 mi) | $1,200–$1,800 | $2,000–$2,800 |
Popular travel nurse car shipping routes, like Florida → Texas or Ohio → California, often average $0.50–$0.80 per mile, depending on season and availability. Enclosed transport typically costs 30–50% more, but valuable if you’re shipping your vehicle in crowded urban or coastal cities.
How to Plan for Travel Nurse Car Shipping
Planning your vehicle shipment properly can mean the difference between a smooth start and a stressful scramble. As a travel nurse, you’re constantly juggling new assignments, tight timelines, and unfamiliar locations, all of which make vehicle relocation an added stressor. Unlike a standard move, travel nurse car shipping often involves mid-month transitions and temporary housing near hospitals or clinics.
When you’re moving, it’s important to plan pickup times, delivery locations, and driver availability. With a little preparation and knowing your options, you can avoid delays and keep your work and patient care on track. Here are some simple planning tips made for nurses who are always on the go.
Planning Tips for Nurses:
- Book 2–4 weeks in advance to secure timely drivers, especially during peak assignment periods (spring and fall).
- Consider delivery location near your assignment housing or hospitals, not necessarily home.
- Be flexible with pickup/drop timing, or choose terminal delivery if your housing is not yet available.
Many nurses opt for door-to-door shipping aligned with housing check-in dates, directly relieving logistical burden and time pressure.
Shipping Options Tailored to Travel Nurse Car Shipping
There are two major auto transport types: open carrier and enclosed carrier. Each serves a different need depending on the value of your vehicle, your relocation timeline, and your assignment’s distance. Most travel nurse car shipping requests use open carriers because they’re fast and affordable, but for luxury vehicles, enclosed options provide better protection.
Understanding these choices ensures you don’t overspend or risk unnecessary damage. Nurses should consider the journey route, weather exposure, and their own tolerance for risk.
Open Transport
- Most cost-effective, widely available.
- Ideal for routine vehicles with minimal need for protection.
- Best if you’re moving through mild climates or have flexibility.
Enclosed Transport
- Shields from debris, salt, rain, or dust storms.
- Valuable if your vehicle needs to remain in excellent condition.
- Recommended when shipping to/from high-value care contexts or states with rough road conditions.
Many healthcare professionals choose open transport for economy, but switch to enclosed when moving to harsh climates or relocating luxury models. Most travel nurses don’t use luxury cars for travel assignments. That’s why open transport is a safe and cost-effective solution for shipping their personal vehicles.
How Insurance Works for Travel Nurse Vehicle Relocation
Nurses often ask: “What if something happens to my car?” It’s a fair concern. Every carrier must carry basic liability and cargo insurance, but these often fall short of covering all risks. Nurse vehicle relocation insurance varies by carrier, so nurses should always request a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate before shipping.
You may also consider purchasing additional coverage if your car is leased, financed, or particularly valuable. Understanding your coverage limits and claim process is crucial to protecting your vehicle and depositing refunds.
Coverage Essentials to Confirm:
- Always confirm that carrier liability and cargo insurance are included in quotes.
- Ask for vehicle-specific coverage limits (minimum values often too low).
- Ask how much per-car coverage is allocated
- Check options for supplemental insurance to protect against weather or total loss.
Nurses shipping between assignments appreciate when providers explain auto transport insurance coverage and offer support for filing claims swiftly when needed.
Pickup and Delivery at Assignment Locations
Most travel nurse car shipping requests happen between urban healthcare centers. However, hospital campuses, apartment complexes, or temporary housing units can present delivery challenges. Whether it’s restricted access or lack of parking, experienced carriers know how to coordinate nearby terminal drop-offs or meet at safe transfer zones near your assignment.
Logistics Considerations:
- Check with your housing provider for access rules
- Use large nearby landmarks (like shopping centers) for easier drop-offs
- Some hospitals allow temporary deliveries in staff or patient parking zones
Seasonal Relocation Patterns for Travel Nurses
Travel nurse assignments follow seasonal trends, which impact both demand and pricing for medical professional auto transport. Peak relocation times, spring and fall, often bring higher shipping costs and tighter availability. Winter assignments in northern states may require enclosed shipping due to snow or ice. Understanding these seasonal patterns can help you budget and prepare accordingly.
High-Volume Seasons:
- Spring (March–May)
- Fall (September–November)
Weather-Based Considerations:
- Enclosed shipping during northern winters
- Plan for delays in areas prone to hurricanes or flooding
What to Look for in a Travel Nurse Auto Transport Provider
Not all auto shippers are created equal. Travel nurses need more than just transportation; they need reliable coordination, flexible schedules, and transparent pricing. A company with deep experience in travel nurse car shipping can anticipate common issues like overlapping leases or delayed check-ins and provide proactive solutions.
Key Qualities to Look For:
- Experience working with healthcare professionals
- Flexibility in scheduling
- Transparent contracts and no hidden fees
- Strong communication throughout the move
Why Choose Direct Connect Auto Transport for Nurse Vehicle Relocation?
At Direct Connect Auto Transport (DCAT), we specialize in nurse vehicle relocation. We’ve handled thousands of shipments for traveling medical professionals and understand your unique needs, including tight timelines, temporary housing, and long-term reliability.
Our team works with you to ensure your vehicle arrives safely, affordably, and on your terms. We tailor services to nurse schedules, route reliability, and high expectations, traits that set us apart from generic car shipping.
Why Nurses Prefer DCAT:
- Dedicated medical-professional support, specialists around the clock.
- Flexible pick-up/drop-off coordination aligned with assignment start/end dates.
- Transparent pricing with travel nurse discounts, if aligned with nursing agencies.
- Accurate insurance advisement, from cargo coverage to supplemental riders.
- Direct delivery to hospitals, apartments, or partner terminals
- Real-time shipment tracking and dedicated customer support
- Discounted rates for repeat nurse customers
We’ve built years of experience working with healthcare staffing agencies and understanding fast-paced nurse relocation logistics.
5 Tips for Travel Nurses Planning Vehicle Moves
- Always compare shipping costs vs. rental vs. driving when evaluating return on investment.
- Document condition meticulously; use landmarks or your healthcare facility logo for timestamp photos.
- Ask for a discount or qualification via your travel nurse agency; many carriers offer perks.
- Confirm the Bill of Lading and Certificate of Insurance before shipment.
- Track your transport with real-time updates aligned with your assignment dates and commute plans.
Final Thoughts
Being a travel nurse means always being on the move, and your car shouldn’t slow you down. With the right travel nurse car shipping partner, your relocation can be as seamless as your next assignment. Focus on patient care and let trusted professionals handle your medical professional auto transport needs with care and precision.
Ready for the Best Travel Nurse Car Shipping?
At Direct Connect Auto Transport, we don’t just move your car, we move with your career. Whether you’re headed to your next assignment across the state or across the country, our expert team understands the urgency, flexibility, and care that travel nurses need. From door-to-door coordination to flexible pickup windows and reliable insurance coverage, we take the pressure off your vehicle move, so you can focus on patient care, not logistics.
Get your free, no-obligation quote now and start your next assignment with confidence.
Learn more about car shipping services for healthcare professionals
FAQs Travel Nurses Often Ask
- How much does nursing vehicle relocation typically cost?
Costs range from $500 to $2,500, depending on distance, plan flexibility, and vehicle type. Door-to-door adds ~$50–$100 compared to terminal options.
- Can I ship my car if I don’t have a final housing address yet?
Yes, many nurses schedule pickup to a storage or hospital address and arrange drop-off later via flexible delivery windows or terminal service.
- Do travel agencies help coordinate car shipping?
Some agencies provide transport referrals or discounts, but generally, stroller and housing coordination are separate from vehicle transport, making car shipping a personal decision.
- What if my assignment ends early or gets extended?
You can reschedule your return car transport, though last-minute changes may cost 15–20% extra. Travel nurse partnerships often offer route flexibility if booked through verified providers.
- Is insured protection included?
Yes, standard coverage (liability and cargo) is included, and we help you verify that your specific vehicle is insured to its full value and guide you toward supplemental protection if needed.