SGT Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, Sherpa Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping, Montway, and AmeriFreight are the top six shipping providers
Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products in this article.
- Each auto transport company charges varying rates for different distances, and most offer more than one type of discount.
- The best car shipping companies offer bonus services – such as cleaning – and ensure your vehicle in the event of any damages.
- Choosing an auto shipping provider involves looking at the distance you need a vehicle shipped and the type of vehicle transport available.
The best car shipping companies can get your vehicle from point A to point B safely and efficiently at a reasonable price. But that’s not every auto transport company.
To help you separate the best car shipping companies from the rest, our experts conducted thorough research into the auto transport industry. We examined the rates, services, ratings, and reviews of the top auto transport providers in the country. In this article, we list our top choices for car shippers and break down the ins and outs of shipping a car.
Best Car Shipping Companies
Montway Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, Sherpa Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, American Auto Shipping, and SGT Auto Transport are the best car shipping companies on the market based on our research and secret shopper analysis.
We compared the price, services, reputation, and customer experience of the top auto transport companies in the country. Below is how our scoring breaks down.
Best Car Shipping Companies | Our Rating | Award | Quotes |
---|---|---|---|
Montway Auto Transport | 4.7/5.0 | Best Overall | Get Quote |
Sherpa Auto Transport | 4.6/5.0 | Best Locked-in Rates | Get Quote |
SGT Auto Transport | 4.6/5.0 | Best Shipping Options | Get Quote |
American Auto Shipping | 4.6/5.0 | Best Service Availability | Get Quote |
AmeriFreight | 4.5/5.0 | Best Discounts | Get Quote |
Easy Auto Ship | 4.4/5.0 | Best Customer Service | Get Quote |
What Is the Best Auto Transport Company To Use?
We think that Montway Auto Transport is the best car shipping company. The provider’s excellent reputation, pricing, and services make them a great choice for anyone who is interested in shipping their car.
Car Shipping Companies
Car Shipping Overview
If it’s your first time shipping a car, there is some basic information that can be useful to you. In this section, we’ve provided some of the basics to help you become a more informed car shipping customer.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship a Car?
The average car shipping cost can range from $600 to over $2,500. But these rates are highly variable. Each company sets different shipping rates. Those rates are based on a wide range of factors.
Car Shipping Cost Factors
Auto transport companies use these factors, among others, to determine your car shipping rates.
- Cost of fuel:Â Shipping prices usually go up if the price of gas rises.
- Driving hazards:Â Poor road conditions and inclement weather can raise shipping costs.
- Type of vehicle:Â Larger or specialty vehicles, such as trucks and RVs, usually cost more to ship.
- Time of year:Â Summer and January are the busy seasons for vehicle transportation, so expect higher prices around those times.
- Destination:Â Auto shippers charge by the mile. But those rates go down as the distance goes up. So, while long-distance shipments like from Connecticut to California will cost more overall, the per-mile fee will be much lower. International shipments come with additional costs.
- Transport type:Â Open transport is more cost-effective than shipping your car in an enclosed trailer. Terminal-to-terminal transport typically comes at a lower cost than door-to-door.
- Vehicle condition: Shippers tend to charge more to transport an inoperable vehicle than one that can be driven.
Car Shipping Discounts
There are a few auto transport providers who offer discounts. You may be able to find senior citizen discounts, military discounts, early-bird booking discounts, or sometimes a discount for paying in cash.
The vast majority of car shipping companies, however, don’t offer discounts. Still, it never hurts to ask.
How to Choose a Car Shipping Company
Between the wide selection of providers and the huge amount of marketing jargon on the internet, it’s hard to know exactly what to look for in a car transport company. Here are a few of the most important considerations:
- Auto transport prices: Price is the most important consideration for many people. That’s why we recommend comparing car shipping quotes from multiple providers before making a decision.
- Easy shipping process: The best auto transport companies take care of the details and ensure a no-hassle shipping experience. Customer reviews and ratings can give you a good idea of how smooth of a process different providers offer.
- Car shipping options: Some providers have a wide range of options for shipping your vehicle, while others may only offer a couple. Make sure the car shipping company you choose has the shipping options you need.
- Direct provider or auto transport broker: You can often find slightly lower rates when you work with a car shipping broker. However, a direct provider of auto transport services can offer a more seamless car shipping process and centralized accountability.
- Auto carrier vetting process: If you do work with a shipping broker, your service will actually be carried about by an independent car carrier. For that reason, it’s good to look into a broker’s vetting process to make sure they only hire reputable truck drivers.
- Availability: Not all car shipping companies operate throughout all 50 states. Some work with international shipments. Be sure to weed out any car transporters that don’t operate where you need them to.
How To Ship a Car
Finding the right car shipping company to ship your car is only part of the equation. Once you’ve compared quotes from different auto movers, it’s time to actually ship your car.
Here’s how to ship a car, in a few simple steps:
- Get quotes: Most auto transporters offer free quotes through their website. However, some providers offer a discount for booking over the phone. In either case, you’ll need to provide some basic information about your shipment and a phone number where the company can contact you. Get quotes from a few companies to see which one offers you the lowest rates.
- Book your shipment: After you find the best rates from a provider you trust, it’s time to book your service. Before signing, go over the contract to ensure that all the information is correct and that you’re aware of all hidden fees and additional costs.
- Prepare your car for shipping: Before your carrier arrives, take the time to remove all personal items from your car and clean it. Make sure to note any existing damages and consider taking pictures to have as proof if you need to make an insurance claim.
- Get your vehicle to the pickup point: On the day of the shipment, you’ll meet your carrier at an agreed-upon pickup location. Before loading the vehicle, inspect it once again and note any damages. You’ll also need to sign a bill of lading.
- Wait: Once your car is in transit, you’ll just need to wait for it to complete its journey. Some companies offer live GPS tracking, while others can provide a location for you over the phone. In most cases, car shipping times are rough estimates at best. Common factors such as traffic, weather conditions, and more can delay your shipment.
- Pick your car up from the drop-off point: Your shipping company or driver will notify you when they reach the delivery location. You’ll need to meet them there to sign the bill of lading again and collect your car. Before your carrier leaves, make sure to inspect the vehicle and note any new damages to report to the company’s insurance provider.
Are Auto Transport Companies Legit?
While there are some less-than-reputable car shippers out there, the majority of auto transport companies are legitimate service providers. If you want to verify a company for yourself, you can look up its record with the Department of Transportation (DOT) using its DOT number. Customer reviews are also a good source of information about a company’s shipping experience.
Car Shipping Customer Satisfaction
In our most recent car shipping survey, an overwhelming majority of respondents – nearly 70% – said they were satisfied with their auto transport experience. A majority of 56% said they would recommend their car shipping company to others.
Car Shipping Survey Results
Our research team surveyed 1,000 people who used an auto transport service to ship their cars. Each of the car shipping companies mentioned in this article was used by respondents. Here’s what we discovered:
- Car shipping costs: Around 41% of participants said they paid between $1,000 and $2,000 to ship their cars. Just 16% of survey participants said that they paid more than $2,000 for auto transport.
- Car shipping distances: Nearly 25% surveyed said that they shipped their car between 500 and 1,000 miles.
- Car shipping methods: Around 42% of survey respondents said that they chose open transport to ship their car.
- Car shipping company: Montway Auto Transport was the most popular company in the survey, with nearly 24% of respondents saying they used the company’s services.
Car Shipping Customer Satisfaction by Company
Here are the satisfaction rates from our car shipping survey for each company in the study:
- 84% of Montway Auto Transport customers said they were satisfied
- 67% of AmeriFreight customers said they were satisfied
- 85% of Easy Auto Ship customers said they were satisfied
- 60% of Sherpa Auto Transport customers said they were satisfied
- 59% of uShip customers said they were satisfied
Common Car Shipping Issues
Despite most customers saying they were satisfied with their car shipping company, a majority also said they experienced some kind of issue with their shipment. These are the most common issues people reported in our survey:
- Vehicle damaged during transit
- Car carrier’s insurance insufficient to cover damage
- Shipment delays
- Price increase after booking
Do You Need Cargo Insurance When You Ship a Car?
Transporting a car is typically very safe. However, there is always the chance that your car can get damaged during transit, whether it be from weather, road debris, or even an accident.
And while many auto shipping companies do carry insurance, there are gaps between that coverage and your personal insurance policy. Additional cargo insurance, either through your provider or from a third party, can help you cover unforeseen costs or, at the very least, offer peace of mind while your vehicle is in transit.
Best Car Shipping Companies: Conclusion
Our team found that Montway Auto Transport is the best car shipping company based on its prices, services, and customer support compared to the providers we reviewed. But that shouldn’t stop you from checking out any of the other car shipping companies on our list.
Sherpa Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Easy Auto Ship, American Auto Shipping, and SGT Auto Transport all performed well enough in our study to earn a place on this list. And the company that provides the best rates to your neighbor may not provide the best rates to you – especially after applying discounts.
Always be sure to get quotes from multiple providers so that you can compare and make an educated decision, whether you’re just shipping your car to the next state or need a cross-country move. All auto transporters will gladly accept your money to ship your car, but only the best car shipping companies offer you the rates and service you deserve.
Top Car Shipping Companies: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about car shipping:
What is the best company to ship a car with?
Choosing the best company for vehicle transport depends on the destination, the type of transport, and the customer’s budget. Our research team found Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, and AmeriFreight can be good choices because of their affordable prices and solid reputations.
Does AAA offer car shipping?
The roadside assistance provider does not offer vehicle transport, although there is a car shipping company with a similar name.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car?
For cheaper car shipping, choose a company with open carrier transport, terminal-to-terminal shipping, and flexible pickup dates and delivery times. If you live on the East Coast, Amtrak also offers limited low-cost vehicle shipping by train.
How much does shipping a car usually cost?
Transport costs vary depending on the delivery location, time of year, and method of transport. We’ve found the average cost of shipping is around $1,200, but choosing options such as enclosed carrier transport and door-to-door delivery comes with higher prices.
What is a bill of lading?
A bill of lading is an official document that contains all of the relevant information needed to ship your vehicle. It is effectively a contract between you and the auto transporter and serves as a receipt after your transaction is complete. You or a representative may need to sign the bill of lading before and after shipment. Â
Can you ship your car to another state?
Yes, you can ship your car between states. But remember, the further you ship your car, the more expensive it will be in general. So shipping a car across the country from Miami, Florida to Los Angeles, California, for example, will cost less than shipping your car to the next state over.
Do car shipping companies guarantee delivery dates?
Car shipping companies typically do not guarantee delivery dates. Some auto transporters may offer guaranteed pickup dates, but with many factors like weather and weather and traffic at play, it would be difficult to promise that a shipment would be on time.
Can I ship my car with stuff in it?
Some companies do allow you to ship your car with personal items packed in it. However, they usually have size and weight restrictions, as well as specific instructions about how things must be packed.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car shipping companies.
- Prices: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, services, and shipping routes to give this rating.
- Services: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that an auto transport company offers an array of services. We take into account the availability of services, ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates, and insurance coverage options.
- Reputation: Our team considers BBB ratings, a company’s history of service, and years in business when giving this score.
- Customer Service: Reputable car shippers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.