Shipping a Car from Phoenix, AZ to Nashville, TN
A 1,717-mile trip eastbound, across seven states, from Arizona to Tennessee: that is Phoenix to Nashville. Allow 3–5 days after pickup, in line with roughly 34 hours of highway time. This lane sees steady, moderate demand.
What Phoenix to Nashville Costs
Expect open transport for a standard sedan at $860–$1,200, which is about $0.60 per mile over 1,717 miles. SUVs and pickups usually add about 12% ($965–$1,345); enclosed sedan transport is $1,245–$1,740, roughly 45% more than open. The reverse corridor, Nashville, TN to Phoenix, AZ, comes in at $865–$1,210. A comparable-length trip, Dallas, TX to Newark, NJ (1,622 mi), is priced at $810–$1,135.
| Trailer | Car Type | Typical Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $860–$1,200 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $965–$1,345 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $965–$1,345 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $1,245–$1,740 | Maximum protection from weather and debris |
Estimates are for a standard sedan; your quote depends on exact addresses, condition and season.
The Route and Corridor
The direct line between the two cities crosses Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee. Expect hot humid summers and occasional ice storms in Arkansas. In Texas, I-35, I-10, I-45, I-20 and I-40 cross a state where El Paso to Houston is about 750 miles. Tennessee: I-40, I-65, I-24 and I-75 meet around Nashville and Knoxville. Oklahoma City (OK) and Tulsa (OK) sit close to the corridor, which is why trucks often add or drop vehicles there. Pickup is on Mountain time and delivery on Central time, so a driver's call can come an hour off your clock. Toll roads in Texas and Oklahoma are built into carrier pricing.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Phoenix. Carriers usually load around I-10 and I-17. Sun Belt hub on I-10/I-17 and the nation's top snowbird destination in winter. Winter residents arriving or leaving Phoenix drive seasonal demand.
Delivery in Nashville. The main approaches to Nashville are I-24, I-40 and I-65. Nashville is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through. Drivers often use the Nashville International Airport area as a staging reference.
Timing and Seasonality
High Plains winter storms and spring thunderstorms are the main weather risks, so late spring and early fall are calmest. Desert heat rarely stops trucks, but midday loading can be hard, so early-morning pickups are common. For a 1,717-mile trip, request quotes about three weeks before pickup. Across Arizona expect desert heat above 110°F in summer and snow near Flagstaff on I-40; across Tennessee, winter ice on the Cumberland Plateau.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Keep the tank low. About a quarter tank keeps weight down for the trip to Nashville.
- Expect a rolling arrival. Over 1,717 miles the truck makes several stops, so give a flexible delivery day in Nashville.
- Vet the carrier. Check the MC number on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and get insurance terms in writing before paying a deposit.