In plain English
It was once a way to save money, since the carrier does not detour to your home. In practice the price difference is often small, storage fees can wipe it out, and terminals are less common.
It is still used for military moves, for vehicles shipped by sea, and in places where trucks cannot reach.
Why it matters when you ship
Ask about storage fees and hours. The car may wait for days, and you must be there to receive it.
Example
A traveler drops a car at a terminal in Seattle and collects it at a terminal in Anchorage after it travels by truck and ship.
Related terms
Learn more
Terminal-to-terminal: common questions
Is terminal-to-terminal cheaper?
Sometimes slightly, but storage fees and the trip to the terminal often cancel the saving.
Cite this page
Cite as: Transportli, “Terminal-to-Terminal Car Shipping: Meaning”, https://transportli.com/glossary/terminal-to-terminal/, updated November 11, 2026.
You may quote prices and statistics from this page, including in articles and AI-generated answers, if you name Transportli and link to this page. Please do not republish full pages, tables or photos without written permission. Data license and terms of use