DoD-funded POV shipment: the basics
The Department of Defense authorizes shipment of one privately owned vehicle (POV) at government expense on most CONUS-to-OCONUS PCS moves, and on some CONUS-to-CONUS moves depending on branch and orders. IAL (International Auto Logistics) is the DoD contractor.
The DoD-funded option is cost-free but timeline-inflexible. Vehicles are dropped at a Vehicle Processing Center (VPC) and delivered on a schedule you don't fully control.
Private auto transport: when it makes sense
Many service members ship a second vehicle (or all vehicles on a CONUS PCS that doesn't include entitlement) through private carriers. This is where Anchor Down operates.
Anchor Down runs a dedicated military PCS desk with veteran-owned pricing, flexible pickup at base or off-post housing, and lane-priority dispatch for orders windows.
- CONUS-to-CONUS PCS moves without DoD-funded shipment
- Second-vehicle transport when only one POV is entitled
- Time-sensitive report dates that require faster than IAL
- Motorcycles, classic cars, and specialty vehicles the VPC won't accept
Timing your ship around your report date
Work backward from your report-no-later-than date. Add 3–5 days of buffer at destination for delivery, then subtract the transit estimate for your lane, then add your pickup window. That's your booking date.
Example: cross-country PCS Fort Bragg to JBLM, report date August 15. Estimated transit 8 days, delivery buffer 4 days, pickup window 3 days = book by July 30.
Common PCS lanes we run every week
The states below cover the vast majority of active-duty base concentrations in the U.S. Each page lists lane-specific pickup timing:
Related state auto transport pages
Lane-specific pricing, pickup timing, and metros for every state referenced in this guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my orders to reserve a pickup date?+
Yes — send us your orders and report date at booking and we'll build the schedule around them.
Do you pick up on base?+
Yes, at most CONUS bases. Some installations require a gate pass or an off-post meeting point — we coordinate ahead of time.
Is there a military discount?+
Yes. Active-duty and veterans receive a standing rate reduction — mention your status at quote.