Ground transport is the right answer far more often than people expect: no airline breed rules, no heat embargoes, no cargo terminal. Here is exactly how we price it, so the estimate you get from the 30-second quote lines up with the final quote.
What the mileage covers
The mileage charge is the backbone of every ground quote. It covers the driver's time, the fuel, the vehicle, and the climate-controlled kennel space your pet rides in — not a shared cargo van packed to the roof.
Short local runs carry a $450 minimum. Below that distance the trip still costs a driver most of a day once pickup, care stops and the return leg are counted.
Door pickup and door delivery
Each door leg is a flat $195. Skipping one — meeting us at a central point on either end — removes that leg from the quote.
Door-to-door is what most families choose for a PCS move, because the pet stays home until the last possible hour.
Crates, overnight care and extra pets
If you do not own a travel crate we supply an airline-grade one, priced by size, from $120 for a small carrier to $395 for a giant 700 series.
Trips over roughly 700 miles include an overnight care stop at $325 per night: a real kennel run, a walk, food and water, not a night in a parked van.
Additional pets travelling together are $150 each, since they share the same route and driver.
Military and VIP options
Military PCS families receive a 5% discount, capped at $300, applied automatically when you mark the move as a PCS.
VIP private transport adds 25% and means your pet is the only animal in the vehicle, with direct routing and photo updates at every stop.
Frequently asked questions
Is the estimate the final price?
No. The estimate is a planning range. The final quote is confirmed after we review the exact route, your pet's crate needs and the travel date.
When is ground cheaper than flying?
Almost always under about 1,200 miles, and any time a snub-nosed breed, a summer heat embargo or a giant crate would rule out cargo.
How far in advance should I book?
Two to three weeks gives us the best route options. Rush trips are possible but routing is tighter and pricing reflects it.