PCS orders to Naval Air Station Key West come with a long to-do list, and your vehicle is one of the bigger items on it. Our Military PCS to Key West page explains how our service works for service members. This post is the practical companion: a step-by-step checklist you can work through from the day you get orders until the day your car shows up.
In-N-Out Keys is veteran-owned. Owner Steve Janowski is an Army veteran, so we know how much moves on a PCS timeline.
As Soon as You Have Orders
- ☐ Note your report date and any travel days you’ll take on the way.
- ☐ Decide: drive or ship? If you’re flying, or have two vehicles and one driver, shipping usually makes sense.
- ☐ Check your entitlements. Ask your transportation office what your orders cover for your vehicle. Rules vary, so get the answer from them directly.
- ☐ Request a quote. Give us your pickup address, vehicle and a date window.
Four to Six Weeks Out
- ☐ Lock in your pickup window. A few days of flexibility makes matching a truck much easier.
- ☐ Pick your delivery location. Base housing, an off-base rental, or a meet spot.
- ☐ Ask about base access. Delivery straight to base housing depends on access rules. If it isn’t possible, many service members use the old Sears center lot on North Roosevelt Boulevard, one of the only large parking lots on the island.
- ☐ Name a receiver. If you won’t be there, choose someone you trust and tell us who it is.
The Week Before Pickup
- ☐ Wash the car so the inspection is accurate.
- ☐ Take dated photos of every side, the roof and the odometer.
- ☐ Remove personal items, uniforms, documents and electronics.
- ☐ Leave about a quarter tank of fuel.
- ☐ Check the battery, tires and any leaks.
- ☐ Disable toll devices you don’t want used in transit.
- ☐ Make a spare key for the driver if possible.
Pickup Day
- ☐ Walk around the car with the driver and review the condition report.
- ☐ Get a copy of the report.
- ☐ Confirm the delivery contact and phone number.
Delivery Day in Key West
- ☐ Keep your phone on. The driver will call ahead.
- ☐ Inspect the car against the pickup report before signing.
- ☐ Have payment ready. We prefer COD whenever possible. Every carrier accepts COD, but not every carrier takes billed payments, so paying on delivery lets us line up the best carrier for your route.
Leaving NAS Key West on Your Next PCS
When orders take you off the island, the checklist runs in reverse. Two things are different:
- Book early. Summer PCS season and the end of the winter season can both make trucks busy.
- Payment may be split. On routes leaving the Keys, a separate transporter usually handles the long leg, so payment may be split. We’ll work it out with you before booking.
Our post on shipping a car out of Key West has more on northbound trips. If your move falls between June and November, also read shipping in hurricane season. Moving with family? See Moving to Key West.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I book PCS car shipping to NAS Key West?
As soon as you have orders and a rough date. Four to six weeks out is a good target to lock in your window.
Can you deliver to base housing?
Where base access allows. If not, we’ll set up a convenient meet spot like the old Sears center lot on North Roosevelt Boulevard.
Can someone else receive my car?
Yes. Tell us who it is ahead of time, and make sure they have the pickup report and know how to pay.
Will my orders cover car shipping?
Ask your transportation office. Entitlements vary, so get the answer from them directly.
Start Your PCS Quote
Tell us your vehicle, your pickup and delivery addresses, and your dates. Request a free quote online or call (754) 714-2439. We usually reply within the hour.
Key West Auto Shipping is run by In-N-Out Keys LLC (USDOT 4120018, MC 1583555), a veteran-owned, family-operated interstate carrier and broker and a direct carrier for all of Florida. Owner Steve Janowski is an Army veteran. We serve the entire Florida Keys. Learn more about us.