Service members on PCS orders can ship their privately owned vehicle (POV) through the military's Transportation Management Office or hire a private carrier, with most costs eligible for reimbursement. Here's what you need to know to make the right choice for your next move.
TL;DR
- Military-funded POV shipping is available for OCONUS PCS moves through the TMO
- CONUS moves: most service members use DITY/PPM or hire private carriers
- Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, and Schriever SFB families are our most common military clients
- Bronco Car Hauling offers military discounts on all auto transport services
- Book 3-4 weeks before your report date for reliable scheduling
Understanding Military Vehicle Shipping Options
For CONUS (within the continental U.S.) PCS moves, the military doesn't directly ship your vehicle. You'll either drive it yourself or hire a private auto transport company.
There's a common misconception that the military ships your car during every PCS move. For overseas (OCONUS) assignments, the government will indeed ship one POV through the Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) system. But for stateside PCS moves, vehicle transportation is your responsibility.
That means Colorado-based service members heading to duty stations in places like Fort Liberty (North Carolina), Fort Hood (Texas), Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Washington), or any other CONUS installation need to arrange their own vehicle transport. You've got two main options: drive it yourself as part of your Personally Procured Move (PPM), or hire a private carrier like Bronco Car Hauling to ship it.
Fort Carson PCS Vehicle Shipping
Fort Carson is Colorado's largest military installation, and we've shipped thousands of vehicles for soldiers and families stationed there over our 15 years in business.
Located just south of Colorado Springs, Fort Carson is home to the 4th Infantry Division and multiple other units. PCS rotations happen year-round, with the heaviest movement during the summer PCS season (May through August). During those months, we see a big increase in military families needing vehicles shipped to installations across the country.
Common PCS routes from Fort Carson include Colorado Springs to Fort Liberty ($850-$1,150, 4-6 days), Colorado Springs to Fort Hood ($650-$900, 3-4 days), and Colorado Springs to Joint Base Lewis-McChord ($900-$1,200, 4-6 days). We run all of these routes regularly and can usually accommodate tight PCS timelines.
If you're PCSing to Fort Carson from another installation, we handle inbound shipments too. Many soldiers arriving from the East Coast or Southeast need their vehicle shipped in while they fly with their family. We'll have your car waiting at your new home or a nearby location when you arrive. Check our Colorado Springs office page for local details.
Peterson SFB and Schriever SFB
Space Force and Air Force personnel at Peterson and Schriever face the same PCS vehicle logistics, and both bases are within our home service area.
Peterson Space Force Base sits right in Colorado Springs, and Schriever SFB is about 15 miles east of the city. Both installations see steady PCS traffic, particularly among Space Force, NORAD, and Air Force Space Command personnel.
These assignments often involve moves to or from Vandenberg SFB (California), Patrick SFB (Florida), Buckley SFB (Aurora, CO), and various installations in the D.C. area. Each of these routes falls within our regular shipping network, and military families at Peterson and Schriever are among our most loyal clients.
DITY/PPM Moves and Vehicle Reimbursement
Under a Personally Procured Move (PPM, formerly DITY), you can claim vehicle operating costs as part of your move allowance, or you can hire a carrier and submit the expense for reimbursement.
The PPM program lets you manage your own move and get reimbursed for the costs. If you drive your vehicle to your new duty station, you can claim the standard mileage rate (currently $0.22/mile for PCS moves) plus tolls and authorized per diem.
If you hire a private auto transport company, the cost may be reimbursable as a transportation expense under your PCS entitlements. The key is getting proper documentation. At Bronco Car Hauling, we provide detailed invoices and receipts that meet military finance office requirements. We've been doing this for years and know exactly what the paperwork needs to look like.
Before booking, check with your installation's Transportation Management Office (TMO) or your finance office to confirm what's covered under your specific orders. Reimbursement policies can vary based on the type of PCS, distance, and your pay grade. The DOD Travel Management Office has the latest PPM guidance.
Military Discounts on Auto Transport
Bronco Car Hauling offers military discounts for all active duty, reserve, National Guard, and veteran service members and their families.
We're a Colorado company through and through. With five major military installations in our backyard (Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB, the Air Force Academy, and Buckley SFB), supporting the military community isn't just good business. It's personal. Many of our team members have military connections, and we understand what PCS season looks like from the inside.
Our military discount applies to all transport services, including open transport, enclosed transport, and expedited shipping. Just mention your military affiliation when you request a quote, and we'll apply the discount automatically. No complicated verification process, no fine print.
Timing Your PCS Vehicle Shipment
Book your vehicle shipment 3-4 weeks before your report date to ensure your car arrives on time without paying rush fees.
PCS timelines are tight, and the last thing you need is vehicle shipping delays adding stress to an already hectic move. Here's the timeline we recommend for military clients:
Four weeks out: get your quote and book the shipment. Three weeks out: prepare your vehicle for shipping. Two weeks out: confirm your pickup date and delivery address. One week out: finalize any changes and do your pre-shipping inspection and photos.
For summer PCS season (May through August), add an extra week to this timeline. Carrier demand is at its peak during these months, and the earlier you book, the more schedule options you'll have. We prioritize military shipments during PCS season because we know how important those report dates are.
Shipping Multiple Vehicles During a PCS
Two-vehicle military families can ship both cars with one transport company and often get a multi-vehicle discount.
It's common for military families to have two vehicles. Shipping both makes sense when one spouse needs to fly ahead with children while the other handles the household goods move. We can coordinate both vehicles on the same route, sometimes even on the same carrier, which simplifies the logistics.
Multi-vehicle shipments may qualify for additional discounts on top of our military pricing. Contact our team to get a combined quote for both vehicles. We'll set up the pickups to match your moving timeline so everything arrives when you need it.
What About OCONUS PCS Moves?
For overseas assignments, the military ships one POV through Vehicle Processing Centers. You can hire a private company to transport your car to the VPC.
If you're PCSing overseas from Colorado, your vehicle needs to reach a Vehicle Processing Center for international shipping. The nearest VPCs for Colorado-based personnel are typically in the port areas. The government handles the ocean transit, but getting your vehicle from Colorado to the VPC is on you.
We regularly transport vehicles from Colorado to port-area VPCs for military families headed overseas. This is a straightforward domestic shipment on our end, and we'll coordinate the timing so your vehicle arrives at the VPC within your scheduled drop-off window.
For PCS questions specific to your orders, we're always happy to talk through the logistics. Call us at 719-249-6543 or get a quote online. We're proud to serve the military families who call Colorado home.
Last updated: April 1, 2026