Ship a car from St. John's to Vancouver
Moving your car from one end of Canada to the other? Here’s everything you need to know about shipping a vehicle from St. John’s to Vancouver.
We get it. You’ve pulled up the map and that distance is honestly kind of intimidating when you really look at it. We’re talking about the full width of Canada here, roughly 7,200 kilometres of highway depending on the route you take. That’s not a road trip, that’s an expedition. And between the ferry crossing off Newfoundland, construction that always seems to pop up somewhere in Ontario, and weather that can shift on you three or four times before you even hit Manitoba, most people start wondering pretty quickly if there’s a better way to do this.
There is.
Reindeer Logistics handles vehicle shipping across Canada every single day. Whether you’re relocating out to British Columbia for a new job or you need to move a fleet of company vehicles, we can take this whole thing off your plate. Here’s how it works.
Table of Contents
Why ship instead of driving?
The drive
Let's be honest here. Driving from St. John's to Vancouver is one of those things that sounds like an adventure until you actually sit down and start planning it out. You've got to catch the Marine Atlantic ferry just to get off the island first, and that's before you even begin the cross-country drive through seven more provinces. It's a lot.
The time
Don't put yourself through that. Most people have no idea this drive takes well over a week, sometimes closer to two when you factor in rest stops, meals, overnight stays and the ferry schedule. Have your vehicle shipped and it'll be waiting for you when you land in Vancouver.
The wear and tear
All those kilometres take a real toll on your car. The mileage shortens the life of your tires, your brakes, your engine, not to mention the risk of a mechanical breakdown somewhere in Northern Ontario with basically no cell service. Shipping takes your car completely out of that equation.
The math
Financially it actually works out better than most people expect. Gas, ferry tickets, food, hotels across multiple nights, the time off work. Once you tally all of it up, shipping starts looking like the more practical option. Grab a free quote and see what the numbers look like.
What to consider first
A handful of things are worth sorting out before you commit to shipping.
Your timeline
Need the car there by a certain date? Mention it upfront. This is the longest domestic route in Canada so advance planning really does make everything go smoother. A reputable company will give you honest expectations about when your car will actually arrive, not just tell you what you want to hear.
Budget
Naturally, this is the thing people want to nail down right away. And that makes sense. A smart move is to pull quotes from a few different companies so you can actually compare. With Reindeer, the quote is free and there’s zero obligation attached to it.
Weather and seasons
Here’s the thing about this route. Fog in Newfoundland, ice storms through Quebec, blowing snow in the Rockies. You’re crossing so many climate zones that weather is basically guaranteed to be a factor. When you ship matters quite a bit so keep that in mind when planning your move.
Insurance
Worth asking about before you sign with anyone. If something happens to your vehicle during transport you need to know there’s proper coverage in place. We require all carriers to have minimum insurance levels, which is something not every company does. Make sure you know what you’re getting into.
Choosing between open and enclosed transport
Basically two choices for how your vehicle travels across the country. Both get the job done and it really just depends on what you’re most concerned about.
Open vehicle carriers
By far the most common option. Your car goes onto a two-level trailer with other vehicles. No roof, no sides, everything is exposed during the trip, which honestly sounds worse than it actually is for most vehicles.
Less fuel consumption makes this the more budget-friendly option in most cases. Drivers also maintain a direct line of sight on your vehicle throughout so nothing goes unnoticed. For standard cars, trucks, and SUVs, this is the practical choice.
Enclosed vehicle carriers
Classic cars, luxury vehicles, anything that needs that extra layer of protection from the elements. That’s what enclosed transport is built for. The vehicle goes into a fully covered trailer sealed off from weather and road debris on all sides.
Higher cost than open, absolutely. But for vehicles where that level of protection actually matters the investment tends to be well worth it. That decision is really up to you and what you’re comfortable with though.
Shipping timeline
This is the longest domestic shipping route in the country, so be realistic about timing. Weather, road conditions, seasonal demand, and the ferry schedule from Newfoundland all play a role. You can plan around certain things and other things you just can’t.
Your transit window gets confirmed at booking and your coordinator provides regular updates throughout so you always know when to expect your car in Vancouver.
The shipping process step by step
New to vehicle shipping? Here’s a breakdown of what happens from start to finish with Reindeer Logistics.
Start with a free quote
We’ll ask for the basics: vehicle make, model and year. Condition of the car. Pickup and dropoff postal codes. Preferred timing. Any special considerations like aftermarket modifications or unusual dimensions.
About 60 seconds from start to finish.
Get paired with a relocation coordinator
Booking puts you in direct contact with one dedicated coordinator who stays with you through the entire move. Scheduling, carrier coordination, answering questions, sending updates, that’s all them. No phone menus and no getting shuffled between departments. A single point of contact who knows every detail of your shipment.
Prepare the vehicle
Some prep work falls on your end before pickup day (details below). When the carrier arrives, you or a designated representative will walk around the vehicle together, document exterior condition, and sign a bill of lading. Then your car begins the cross-country trip to the West Coast.
Track progress across the country
After your car leaves St. John’s, your coordinator keeps you informed as it moves through the Maritimes, across Quebec and Ontario, over the Prairies, and into British Columbia.
Take delivery in Vancouver
Deliveries happen seven days a week during daylight hours. Expect a call or text at least an hour beforehand so you can be ready. When the vehicle arrives, you’ll do another walk-around just like the one in St. John’s, confirm everything matches the original condition report, sign off and collect your keys. That’s it, you’re done.
Preparing your car to ship
Bit of prep on your end but nothing complicated about any of it.
Exterior wash
A clean car makes the pre-shipping inspection go much faster. Doesn't need to be detailed, just visible. In winter, make sure ice and snow are cleared off too.
Fuel level
One quarter tank max. Just enough for loading and unloading, not so much where it adds weight to the trailer.
Empty the interior
Every personal item needs to come out. Glovebox, console, backseat, trunk. Belongings aren't permitted in the vehicle during shipping and it's not worth the risk.
Alarm system
Switch it off. An alarm that goes off randomly during transport drains the battery and creates problems for everyone. If there's a specific process for disabling yours, let the carrier know ahead of time.
Spare keys
The carrier needs a set. Hold onto your fob or remote if they don't require it for vehicle operation.
Exterior add-ons
Roof racks, tonneau covers, spoilers, bug shields, any accessories. Basically, if it's not a permanent part of the vehicle, it needs to come off before shipping day.
Fluids
On a coast-to-coast route like this, your car could see everything from fog to snow to dry heat. Confirm coolant and antifreeze are at appropriate levels.
Electric vehicles
Charge to at least 80% and leave the charger in the car when you hand it over.
Shipping cost
Several factors affect what you’ll pay: the distance, vehicle size and weight, exact pickup and delivery locations, and which transport method you end up choosing.
The fastest way to get a real number is to request a quote for your specific situation.
Free, no obligation, and it takes about a minute.
About Reindeer
More than 20 years of experience moving vehicles across North America. A Canadian Association of Movers member with over half a million vehicles shipped across Canada, the United States, and internationally.
We’ll move just about anything. Wheels are the only requirement.
- Cars
- Trucks
- Motorcycles
- Watercrafts
- Rvs
- and more...
Real people answer the phone. No automated menus or chatbots. The coordinator assigned to your move is an actual person who knows what’s going on with your shipment at any given time.
Flexibility is built in. Life happens and schedules shift, we understand that. Rush pickup when available, door-to-door delivery, we work with you to figure it out.
Track your vehicle anytime. Can’t sleep and want to know where your car is somewhere between Ontario and Saskatchewan? Call your coordinator.
Full insurance on every move. Coverage runs from the moment your car leaves Newfoundland to the moment it arrives in British Columbia. No gaps.
Ready?
Shipping your car from St. John’s to Vancouver really doesn’t have to be stressful. Reindeer Logistics takes care of the hard part and your vehicle is going to be waiting for you on the West Coast.
A free quote takes about 60 seconds. That’s all there is to it.
Why choose us
At Reindeer, we have over 20 years of experience handling Canadian car shipments, including long-distance moves. We’re also a proud member of the Canadian Association of Movers.
01
real.
When you work with Reindeer Logistics you will never encounter a maze of computer recordings or an automated telephone system. No matter when you call, you will talk with a real, live person who is trained to guide you through the auto relocation process.
02
personal.
All our customers are assigned a relocation coordinator whose main objective is to anticipate and accommodate your every need. Your coordinator will be dedicated to you from pick up to delivery, ensuring that your car is where you want it, when you want it.
03
service.
Reindeer’s commitment to constant product and service improvement is the ultimate demonstration of our promise of delivery, quality, predictability and status.