Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, and SGT Auto Transport are the cheapest car shipping companies. See who else made the list.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
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- Car shipping services typically cost between $1,000 and $2,000 but vary widely.
- The easiest way to find cheap car shipping is by comparing quotes from multiple providers.
- Keep your dates flexible, book well in advance, and choose open transport services to get affordable rates.
It’s not difficult to find cheap car shipping once you understand what plays a role in the average cost of vehicle transportation. With a little research, you can easily gain peace of mind as you prepare to transport a car.
This article will look at factors contributing to cheap car shipping and offer tips for discovering the best auto transport rates. We’ll also highlight some of the cheapest car shipping companies that take the hassle out of the process and offer competitive prices.
Cheapest Car Shipping Company
Cheap car shipping rates are one of the priorities when looking for a car transport company, but there are other things to consider. In the table below, we rank the best cheap auto shipping companies taking into account quality of service in addition to costs.
| Car Shipping Company | Cost Rating | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Montway Auto Transport | 4.5 | 4.7 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 4.4 | 4.6 |
| American Auto Shipping | 4.4 | 4.6 |
| AmeriFreight | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| uShip | 4.5 | 4.5 |
Below, you can find more details about each of these providers.
Cheap Car Shipping Companies
Cheapest Way To Ship A Car
Shipping a car can be inexpensive. Planning and keeping your options open allows you to find high-quality services for cheap car shipping. The following tips can help you save money on the shipping process:
- Book in advance: Making auto transport arrangements early allows car shippers plenty of time to bid on your job. The more car carriers you can bring into the process, the lower your rates will likely go.
- Consider your timeline: Widen your delivery time frame to add carrier flexibility. You’ll open bidding to more vehicle movers, which could bring your final price down in the process.
- Choose terminal-to-terminal shipping: It’s cheaper to pick your car up and drop it off at a shipping terminal. Although it’s less convenient than door-to-door shipping, terminal-to-terminal transport will lower your car shipping costs.
- Opt for open vehicle transport: Open shipping is almost always the cheapest way to transport your car. Unless you’re moving a luxury or high-end sports car and need protection against road hazards and bad weather conditions, open transport is the better shipping option.
- Travel to a convenient pickup or delivery location: If you live in an out-of-the-way rural area or are moving to one, you may want to consider meeting your driver in a more convenient place. Transporters usually charge less when pickup and dropoff locations are near urban centers or along major highways.
It’s also important to compare car shipping quotes online to find the best rates. That way, you’ll discover which provider will most likely have cheap car shipping services for your delivery date and time frame.
Cheapest Car Shipping
Finding cheap car shipping rates can be difficult due to the number of factors involved in pricing a shipment. To give you a general idea of how much car shipping costs, we found that the average cost for a 1,500-mile shipment using open transport between two urban areas is around $1,350. Most of the estimates we received for this shipment were between $1,000 and $2,000.
Cheap Car Shipping Quotes
The table below shows the average range of estimates we received from auto shippers for different shipping distances. These estimates are for open transport with no additional options.
| Shipping Distance | Average Quote Range |
|---|---|
| 500 miles | $599 to $723 |
| 1,500 miles | $1,054 to $1,596 |
| 2,700 miles | $1,386 to $1,725 |
What Do People Pay For Car Shipping?
In October 2021, our team surveyed 1,000 car shipping customers. The chart below shows the breakdown of people’s prices for their services.
Source: 2021 Automoblog Car Shipping Survey
As you can see, a large percentage of people find cheap car shipping. If you follow the steps we outlined, you can also be one of those people.
Many factors affect how hard it will be for you to find cheap car shipping. Here are a few critical items that help to determine whether cheap car shipping could be available to you:
- Vehicle condition: Operable vehicles are more likely to get cheap vehicle shipping rates.
- Fuel cost: When gasoline is expensive, your auto shipping rates will likely reflect that.
- Type of vehicle: SUVs and pickup trucks generally cost more to ship than sedans and other smaller cars.
- Delivery time frame: Expect to pay more if you need a quick shipment or if you desire expedited delivery for your car.
- Time of year: Car shipping is a relatively seasonal business, so you can expect to pay higher prices in January and during the summer months.
- Delivery method: It’s cheaper to have your car picked up from and shipped to a terminal rather than if you were to use door-to-door auto transport services.
- Pickup and delivery locations: Auto transport companies tend to charge less for pickup and delivery locations that are near urban centers or along major transport routes. If your location is in a more rural area, you may have to pay more for shipping.
- Route distance: As you might expect, long-distance routes bring higher overall costs than shorter shipping routes. You’ll usually pay less per mile for cross-country shipments, though.
- Transport type: Shipping your vehicle on an open carrier is more affordable than transporting it in an enclosed trailer. Open auto transport is the best option for most motorists, but those shipping a luxury or classic car should opt for enclosed carriers.
- Route competition: Market conditions play a major role in setting car shipping prices. The more auto transport carriers that serve a route, the less your shipment should cost. Some competitive shipping routes include New York to Florida and California to Texas.
Add-ons such as extra insurance policies and expedited service will make it harder to find cheap car shipping. Do your homework on whether these options are necessary before booking your auto transport job.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Car Shipping Cheap: Conclusion
Drivers who compare quotes rarely have too difficult of a time finding cheap car shipping services. This process makes it easy to see which providers are offering high-quality transportation at affordable rates. We recommend reaching out for multiple free quotes if you’re in the market for cost-effective auto transport.
Cheap Car Shipping: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about cheap car shipping services.
What is the cheapest company to ship your car?
Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, and AmeriFreight are among your best options for cheap car shipping. The best price will depend on a multitude of factors. Comparing quotes from multiple shipping brokers and booking early are two proven ways to lock in lower shipping rates.
How much does it cost to ship a car across the U.S.?
According to our research, expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,200 when shipping a car across the country. To get cheap car transport prices, be sure to book early, choose open car transport, and go with terminal-to-terminal shipping if possible.
How can I save money on car shipping?
It’s much easier to save money on car shipping if you compare quotes from multiple providers, book early, and opt for terminal-to-terminal transport using an open shipping method. While getting enclosed auto transport and having the car delivered to your house is nice, you’ll have a much tougher time finding cheap car shipping.
Is it cheaper to ship or drive a car?
It’s typically cheaper to drive a car if you only need to move it a few hundred miles. However, it’s probably cheaper to ship your vehicle for longer moves, where you’d need to factor in costs such as food, lodging, and lost wages.
What is the average shipping cost for a car?
The average shipping cost for a car ranges from $1,000 to $2,000, although costs can vary well outside of that range. In addition to per-mile costs, the amount you pay for shipping depends on the options you choose, market factors, and more.
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 Better Business Bureau (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.
