Crash Course:
- To ship a car, you need to pick a shipping method, compare quotes, pick a company, prepare your car, give your car to the shipping company, and pick up your car.
- Five common mistakes that people make when shipping a car are not being ready, not doing enough research, trusting “too good to be true” promises, leaving personal items in their car, and not recording damage.
- Our research team recommends getting quotes from reliable shipping companies such as Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, and SGT Auto Transport.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Our #1 Rated Provider
Montway
Best for Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa
Best for Affordable Services
Nexus
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 cover how to ship a car and how much it typically costs. We will also explain the top five common mistakes people make when shipping a car. We’ve reviewed the best car shipping companies in the industry, and we’ll recommend some of our top picks below.
Here are the steps to take 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 ship 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 different facets, 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 in January.
- 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. Taking the right steps to research the auto transport companies you are considering can help you save money and frustration. 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 or 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
Our #1 Rated Provider
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
Best for Locked-In Pricing
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.
Highly Rated Provider
4. Get Your Car Ready for the Shipment
You must prepare your car for the shipping company. Taking the correct steps to prepare for your shipment can help you save time and energy. 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, most car hauling companies request that you remove all personal belongings. Anything you leave in the car will increase the weight, which could increase the cost. Also, your personal items will not be covered by the shipping company insurance policy.
5. Give Your Car to the Shipping Company
Meet the carrier at the pickup location, 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 the delivery location, inspect the vehicle, and sign the bill of lading once again.
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:
Our #1 Rated Provider
Montway
Best for Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa
Best for Affordable Services
Nexus
How Much Does Car Shipping Cost?
Car shipping costs vary widely depending on the distance, vehicle, and type of shipping you want. Short 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, you may end up paying 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.
Top 5 Common Car Shipping Mistakes
Many people who ship a car are doing so for the first time. Most people go into the process completely unprepared and typically make the same common mistakes.
One of the easiest ways to avoid making mistakes is to start planning your shipment well in advance. If you know you need to ship your car, you should start doing your research at least two months before you need the service. Then, you should book your shipment at least a month in advance.
Here are the most common mistakes to avoid when shipping your car:
- Not being ready
- Not doing enough research
- Trusting “too good to be true” promises
- Leaving personal items in your car
- Not recording damage
If you’re shipping your car across the country, or state-to-state, make sure to read our full guide on cross-country car shipping.
Mistake #1: Not Being Ready
When the driver comes to pick up your car, you need to be ready for the process. Your car needs to be clean so they can inspect it and take note of any existing damage on the bill of lading. You also need to have the proper documentation ready for them to check.
This includes photo identification (valid license or passport), your e-mail confirmation of your booking printed out, your insurance certificate, proof of vehicle ownership, and the vehicle’s registration.
Mistake #2: Not Doing Enough Research
Some people may just Google “auto transport” or a similar search term, and immediately book with the first company they find. Yet unfortunately, there are a lot of unsavory companies out there. Some companies will offer bait and switch pricing – after they have possession of your vehicle, the company will inform you there has “been an issue” and that you need to pay an additional amount. This can total several hundred dollars in order for your shipment to continue. If you do not pay, they will hold your car, possibly until you take them to court.
Either way, you will be without your car for a while because of this.
Some companies will damage your car and refuse to pay for it. Others might have poor customer service. However, there are good and trustworthy companies out there when you need to ship a car. You just need to do the research to verify they are trusted before you book your car shipment. Use sites like Consumer Affairs along with Google reviews to see what past customers have to say about a vehicle transport company.
How Do I Know if a Transport Company Is Legit?
Additionally, make sure to contact the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) to check if the car shipping carrier you’re interested in has a valid license and insurance record and if any complaints have been made about them.
The more research you do ahead of time, the better.
Mistake #3: Trusting “Too Good To Be True” Promises
Auto transport is a process where unpredictable things can happen during the course of a shipment. This includes traffic delays and inclement weather delays. It is realistically not possible for an auto transport company to guarantee a single day as a delivery date.
Any reputable car shipping company will give you a three- to five-day window, depending on the overall distance of the shipment, and when they will drop off your car at its destination.
Mistake #4: Leaving Personal Items In Your Vehicle
If you leave personal items in your car during shipment, they will not be covered by the shipping insurance if they are lost or damaged. Do yourself a favor and remove any valuable items from your vehicle before it gets picked up for shipping.
Mistake #5: Not Recording Damage
Always write down any damage incurred during the shipment on the bill of lading. Once your car is delivered, you will need to conduct your own visual inspection. This way you will ensure that no damage occurred during the transport of your vehicle. If damage does occur, mark it down on the bill of lading during your inspection at delivery. This way you can file a damage claim with the car shipping company. If you don’t do this when your car is delivered and the driver is still there, you won’t be able to file a damage claim and you will end up paying to repair the damage yourself.
How To Ship Your Car: Conclusion
This article 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
This review also covered the most common mistakes when shipping a car. Below is a recap:
- Not being ready
- Not doing enough research
- Trusting “too good to be true” promises
- Leaving personal items in your car
- Not recording damage
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 4.7 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.
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.
