Colorado to Alaska Car Shipping Route

Q: How much does it cost?

Colorado's Front Range to Anchorage generally runs about $3,500 to $5,000, with Denver to Tacoma road shipping roughly $1,100 to $1,700 and Tacoma to Anchorage vehicle rates commonly above $2,300. Alaska to Colorado commonly falls around $2,500 to $4,000, and SUVs, enclosed ground transport, and destinations beyond Anchorage cost more. See our car shipping rates guide .

Q: How long does it take?

Colorado to Anchorage commonly takes about 10 to 18 days, with the road leg 3 to 8 days and Matson listing 5 to 7 sailing days. Alaska to Colorado usually takes about 8 to 14 days. Cutoffs and remote destinations like Kodiak, Dutch Harbor, or Fairbanks can add time.

Shipping a car between Colorado and Alaska: Truck-Plus-Ocean Shipping Dynamics

The car goes by carrier to the Tacoma terminal, where the ocean operator handles the sailing. Matson's Alaska network serves Anchorage, Kodiak, and Dutch Harbor, and other destinations may need another inland leg. In reverse, the car sails from an Alaska port such as Anchorage to Tacoma, then trucks into Colorado. Denver to Tacoma runs roughly $1,100 to $1,700, and Tacoma to Anchorage commonly above $2,300. SUVs, trucks, enclosed ground transport, and destinations beyond Anchorage cost more. See our Alaska car shipping guide and car shipping rates guide, or compare price estimates and unlock up to 25% off.

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Two-Way City Pair Rates & Transit Schedules

City Pair (Colorado ⇄ Alaska)	Colorado → Alaska Distance & Cost	Alaska → Colorado Distance & Cost	Transit Time
Denver, CO ⇄ Juneau, AK	2,631 mi, $4,736 - $5,789	Not quoted	10 - 12 Days
Colorado Springs, CO ⇄ Anchorage, AK	3,251 mi, $5,862 - $7,152	Not quoted	10 - 12 Days
Aurora, CO ⇄ Fairbanks, AK	3,073 mi, $5,531 - $6,761	3,074 mi, $5,533 - $6,762	10 - 12 Days
Fort Collins, CO ⇄ Badger, AK	3,003 mi, $5,405 - $6,608	3,004 mi, $5,406 - $6,608	10 - 12 Days (Colorado → Alaska); 9 - 11 Days (Alaska → Colorado)
Lakewood, CO ⇄ Knik-Fairview, AK	3,165 mi, $5,697 - $6,963	3,165 mi, $5,696 - $6,962	10 - 12 Days
Thornton, CO ⇄ College, AK	3,026 mi, $5,447 - $6,657	3,063 mi, $5,514 - $6,739	10 - 12 Days
Arvada, CO ⇄ Wasilla, AK	3,150 mi, $5,670 - $6,930	3,151 mi, $5,671 - $6,933	10 - 12 Days
Pueblo, CO ⇄ Tanaina, AK	3,264 mi, $5,875 - $7,181	Not quoted	10 - 12 Days
Westminster, CO ⇄ Lakes, AK	3,142 mi, $5,656 - $6,912	Not quoted	10 - 12 Days
Greeley, CO ⇄ Kalifornsky, AK	3,298 mi, $5,936 - $7,256	Not quoted	10 - 12 Days
Denver, CO ⇄ Anchorage, AK	Not quoted	3,182 mi, $5,728 - $7,001	10 - 12 Days
Colorado Springs, CO ⇄ Juneau, AK	Not quoted	2,700 mi, $4,860 - $5,943	9 - 11 Days
Westminster, CO ⇄ Tanaina, AK	Not quoted	3,147 mi, $5,665 - $6,924	10 - 12 Days
Pueblo, CO ⇄ North Lakes, AK	Not quoted	3,258 mi, $5,865 - $7,168	10 - 12 Days
Centennial, CO ⇄ Sitka, AK	Not quoted	1,820 mi, $3,276 - $4,004	8 - 10 Days

Prices and times are estimates and can vary with the season and the type of vehicle you are shipping. Estimates reflect standard open multi-car transport for operable vehicles.

How the Move Works

1. Mainland truck leg: The road carrier creates a Bill of Lading at pickup and hauls the car to Tacoma.

2. Ocean terminal: Matson requires a driver's license and booking number at drop-off, and you leave the keys. Staging and cutoffs shape the calendar.

3. Alaska delivery: Anchorage is standard. Fairbanks, Kodiak, Dutch Harbor, or other points need extra scheduling, and Fairbanks shipments commonly move to a processing or port location first. Alaska to Colorado runs the reverse, ending with a truck leg from Tacoma.

Transit Timing

Colorado to Anchorage takes about 10 to 18 days in total, and Alaska to Colorado 8 to 14 (quote pages say 10 to 12). Pickup, sailing availability, remote locations, and cutoffs can add time.

Documents & Vehicle Preparation

Documents: Matson needs a driver's license, booking number, and keys. Ownership, authorization, or lien paperwork may be requested when another person acts for the owner.
Winter preparation: Check battery, antifreeze, tires, and fluids. Matson requires between one eighth and one quarter tank and asks you to remove roof carriers, bike racks, and extra batteries.
Alaska to Colorado: Remove personal items, document condition, and confirm pickup details around port schedules.
EVs and plug-in hybrids: Matson has suspended acceptance of EVs and plug-in hybrids, though it accepts certain non-plug-in hybrids with approved battery chemistries. Confirm eligibility before the Colorado ground leg.

Transport Options

Open Carrier Shipping: The common, affordable choice for the road legs, exposed to weather.
Enclosed Auto Transport: Shields expensive or fragile cars on the long trip, at modestly higher cost. Flatbeds are also used. See our enclosed auto transport options.

Get a free quote for your pickup and delivery points.

Door-to-Door Service

Plan around port and terminal schedules. See our door-to-door auto transport service for the Colorado road leg.

Cargo Capabilities & Coverage Hubs

Besides cars, we ship motorcycles, boats, RVs, heavy equipment, ATVs, limousines, trucks, vans, and freight.

Primary Regional Delivery Hubs

Colorado: Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Pueblo, Westminster, Greeley, and Centennial.
Alaska: Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, Badger, Knik-Fairview, College, Wasilla, Tanaina, Lakes, Kalifornsky, North Lakes, Sitka, Kodiak, and Dutch Harbor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does shipping a car between Colorado and Alaska work?

Truck transport plus an ocean leg. From Colorado, the car goes to the Tacoma terminal, where the ocean operator handles the sailing, and Matson's Alaska network serves Anchorage, Kodiak, and Dutch Harbor, with other destinations needing another inland leg. From Alaska it ships through a port like Anchorage to Tacoma, and a final carrier delivers to Colorado. See our Alaska car shipping guide.

How much does it cost?

Colorado's Front Range to Anchorage generally runs about $3,500 to $5,000, with Denver to Tacoma road shipping roughly $1,100 to $1,700 and Tacoma to Anchorage vehicle rates commonly above $2,300. Alaska to Colorado commonly falls around $2,500 to $4,000, and SUVs, enclosed ground transport, and destinations beyond Anchorage cost more. See our car shipping rates guide.

How long does it take?

Colorado to Anchorage commonly takes about 10 to 18 days, with the road leg 3 to 8 days and Matson listing 5 to 7 sailing days. Alaska to Colorado usually takes about 8 to 14 days. Cutoffs and remote destinations like Kodiak, Dutch Harbor, or Fairbanks can add time.

Can I ship from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Colorado?

Yes, with Anchorage a major shipping point. Fairbanks shipments commonly need movement to a port location first, and a carrier continues to Colorado from the mainland port.

What documents are required?

For Tacoma-to-Alaska with Matson, a driver's license and booking number at drop-off, and you leave the vehicle keys. The Colorado carrier creates a Bill of Lading, and ownership, authorization, or lien paperwork may be requested if someone acts for the owner.

What preparation is needed, especially in winter?

Check the battery, antifreeze, tires, and fluids, and follow Matson's rules: fuel between one-eighth and one-quarter tank, and remove roof cargo carriers, bike racks, and additional batteries. Remove personal items and document the condition. See our door-to-door auto transport service.

Should I choose open or enclosed transport?

Open works for most vehicles and costs less. Enclosed suits classic, luxury, exotic, or high-value cars and can protect them on the Colorado road leg. See our enclosed auto transport options.

Can I ship an electric car or plug-in hybrid?

Not with Matson's Alaska service, which suspended acceptance of EVs and plug-in hybrids, though it accepts certain non-plug-in hybrids. Confirm eligibility before arranging the Colorado leg.

Colorado to Alaska Auto Transport: Two-Way Rates & Transit