Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Best Shipping Options
SGT
Best for Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa
Best Customer Service
Easy Auto Ship
Best Deals
AmeriFreight
Instead of driving your car for hundreds of miles, taking days out of your schedule and paying for expenses along the way, you can have someone else move your car for you. Car shipping companies can pick your car up and move it across the country whether it’s your daily driver or prized 1969 Dodge Charger.
This article will show you how to ship a car and how much it typically costs. We’ve reviewed the best car shipping companies in the industry, and we’ll recommend some of our top picks below.
Here is a list of our steps on how to ship a car:
- Pick a shipping method
- Compare quotes from multiple car shipping companies
- Pick a company
- Prepare your car
- Give your car to the shipping company
- Pick up your car
1. Pick a Shipping Method
Picking how you want to ship a car is the first step in the car shipping process. There are many different ways, so you’ll need to research the best method for your needs
How Are Cars Transported?
You can ship a car in many ways, including by air, boat, or train, but a truck is the most popular way to ship a car. Open and enclosed transport are the two most popular methods people use to send their vehicles.
Open Transport Car Shipping
Open car shipping is a smart and cheap way to ship your car. Open-carrier shipping is the most affordable way to ship your car because 10 or more vehicles can fit on an open transport carrier.
Here is a breakdown of some open transport costs from different providers:
| Company | Distance | Cost per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Montway Auto Transport | 535 miles | $1.33 |
| Montway Auto Transport | 2,445 miles | $0.69 |
| American Auto Shipping | 535 miles | $1.36 |
| American Auto Shipping | 2,445 miles | $0.73 |
| AmeriFreight | 535 miles | $1.62 |
| AmeriFreight | 2,445 miles | $0.65 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | 535 miles | $1.40 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | 2,445 miles | $0.67 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 535 miles | $1.14 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 2,445 miles | $0.64 |
| uShip | 535 miles | $1.21 |
| uShip | 2,445 miles | $0.94 |
Enclosed Auto Transport
The other option to ship by truck is to use an enclosed carrier. This secures your vehicle inside a trailer and protects it from the elements. Enclosed shipping costs more but is a good option for classic cars and luxury vehicles. It will cost more because an enclosed carrier can only fit a handful of vehicles. According to our research, enclosed shipping for a distance of about 1,600 miles costs 33% more than open transport for the same mileage.
Below are some rates for enclosed auto transport for a 1,500-mile trip:
| Company | Distance | Cost per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Montway Auto Transport | 1,500 miles | $0.97 |
| American Auto Shipping | 1,500 miles | $1.39 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | 1,500 miles | $0.72 |
| AmeriFreight | 1,500 miles | $0.80 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 1,500 miles | $1.39 |
| uShip | 1,500 miles | $1.33 |
2. Compare Quotes From Car Shipping Providers
If you’re considering shipping your car, we recommend comparing free quotes from a few companies. We found Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, and SGT Auto Transport to be the best car shipping companies on the market. When getting costs from providers, ensure you have all the information about your car, preferred shipment times, and shipment type.
Car Shipping Cost Factors
Since the car shipping industry has so many moving parts, what you pay is influenced by many things. These include the following:
- Transport type: Enclosed car shipping is more expensive than open car transport.
- Distance: Longer distances cost more overall, but you’ll pay less per mile.
- Route accessibility: If you live in a rural area, auto shippers may charge more because they’ll make the journey just for your vehicle.
- Vehicle: Large and heavy vehicles like trucks and full-size SUVs cost more to ship.
- Operability: Inoperable vehicles require more care to load and unload, so they cost more to ship.
- Time of year: Car shipping is more expensive in the summer and around the new year when many people move.
- Market conditions: Increased demand increases car shipping prices and vice versa.
3. Pick a Shipping Company
As with any business, some car shipping companies can be better to work with than others. Car shipping brokers schedule your transport service and work with you to resolve any issues with the carrier. So they must communicate well and report on your car’s status at any time.
It may be important for you to find a car transport company that has experience hauling valuable antique vehicles. Or you might want a company that has extended business hours if you work during the day. Below are a few more things to consider:
- Industry and customer ratings: Look for companies that have good ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and customer review sites like Trustpilot.
- Services: Whether you need a special kind of shipping or you’re sending your car to Alaska or Hawaii, find a company with the right service offerings.
- Communication: It should be easy to reach your car shipping company and get updates on your vehicle at any point during the shipment.
- Perks and guarantees: Some companies offer guaranteed pricing or guaranteed pickup dates. Others reimburse you for a car wash if your vehicle isn’t clean when it arrives or even for a rental car if your shipment takes too long.
- Affordability: It’s important to find a car shipping company within your budget. However, be prepared for the final quote to increase slightly depending on market conditions.
- Insurance: Reputable auto shipping companies include cargo insurance, and some also offer extra insurance policy add-ons. Choosing a company that does can give you more peace of mind.
We found Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, and SGT Auto Transport to be three of the best car shipping companies on the market. Learn more about each of these providers below:
Montway Auto Transport: Best Service
Montway Auto Transport has been in business since 2006 and is one of the most popular car shipping companies. It offers door-to-door car transport service with both open and enclosed options anywhere in the country, plus it can arrange international transport. Montway also has a convenient car shipping calculator for you to estimate the cost of the move with instant quotes. Montway has an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB.
Keep reading: Montway Auto Transport review
Sherpa Auto Transport: Best for Locked-In Pricing
With its Price Lock Promise, Sherpa Auto Transport will contribute up to $300 of its own funds to get your car shipped if the original quote isn’t high enough to get auto carriers to take the job. Sherpa also reimburses you for a car wash if your vehicle arrives dirty, which is a nice benefit. The company has a 4.9-star rating out of 5.0 from customers on the BBB.
Keep reading: Sherpa Auto Transport review
SGT Auto Transport: Best Price-Matching Guarantee
SGT Auto Transport has been in business since 2014 and has shipped more than 30,000 vehicles in that time. The auto transport company serves all 50 states through a network of over 25,000 vetted carriers. You can choose from open or enclosed shipping options and arrange expedited transport if you need to move your car quickly. SGT Auto Transport has an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB.
4. Get Your Car Ready for the Shipment
You must prepare your car for the shipping company. This includes ensuring the car is clean and taking photos of the car’s condition. Doing this will ensure everything runs smoothly when your car is not in your hands.
When You Ship a Car, Can You Put Stuff in It?
When shipping your car, you can leave any belongings in the vehicle, but we recommend removing anything you might need. If you leave anything in the car, you will be able to get it once it is delivered.
5. Give Your Car to the Shipping Company
Meet the carrier at pickup, document the condition of your car, and sign a bill of lading. The bill of lading is a document between you and the car shipping company with all the information about the shipment and costs.
6. Pick Up Your Car
Meet the carrier at drop off, inspect the vehicle, and sign the bill of lading.
Before driving away, be sure to inspect your vehicle for damages. You do not want to pay for any damages out of pocket, so documentation is essential.
Also, some companies have you pay any remaining balances when you pick up your car.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Best Shipping Options
SGT
Best for Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa
Best Customer Service
Easy Auto Ship
Best Deals
AmeriFreight
How Much Does Car Shipping Cost?
Car shipping costs vary widely depending on the distance, vehicle, and type of shipping you want. Short in-state moves can cost about $500 and up, while cross-country trips can cost between $1,500 and $2,000.
Below are a few examples of vehicle transport estimates for different distances. Our team received these averages of quotes from four major car shipping companies: Montway Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, AmeriFreight, and uShip.
| Route | Mileage | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Orlando, Fla., to Durham, N.C. | 535 | $634 |
| San Francisco to Austin, Texas | 1,500 | $1,174 |
| New York to Los Angeles | 2,445 | $1,542 |
As we mentioned above, pay slightly more than your initial quote, depending on market conditions. When you ship a car, it’s not always best to look for the cheapest rates. Instead, look for the right company to work with your vehicle and schedule.
How To Ship Your Car: Conclusion
This review went over every step in the car shipping process. To review:
- Pick the shipping method that fits your needs
- Compare quotes from providers
- Choose the best company for your needs
- Prepare the car for shipment
- Hand over your car
- Receive you car
You will have a great car shipping experience if you follow the steps above.
How To Get a Car Shipped: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about how to ship a car:
Is it worth it to ship my car?
It may be worth it to ship your car if you need to move it more than a few hundred miles. In addition to the hassle of driving yourself, consider whether expenses like gas and lodging would outweigh the costs of shipping your car.
What do you do before you ship a car?
Before you ship your car, remove any personal belongings from it. In many cases, a carrier’s insurance won’t cover anything stored in a vehicle. When the driver arrives to pick your vehicle up, you’ll both inspect it for existing damage.
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Shipping a car generally costs between $500 and $1,500 or more depending on the distance. For about 1,600 miles, the average cost is around $1,200, according to our research.
What is the best company to ship a car?
After comparing all major car shipping companies on the market, we think Montway Auto Transport is the best company to ship a car. Our review team rates Montway 4.6 out of 5.0 for its affordable rates, wide availability, and solid customer service ratings.
What is the cheapest company to ship your car?
Averaging quotes between multiple transport providers, our review team found AmeriFreight to be the cheapest car shipping company for different distances. However, you may pay more if you need your car picked up in a hurry.
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.
