Best Car Shipping Companies
The Detroit Bureau reviewed the top car shipping companies to find the best.
Thousands of people move in and out of D.C. every year, and many take their vehicles with them. Auto shipping to and from Washington, D.C., is easy as long as you find the right provider and plan around the city’s traffic. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about shipping a car to or from the greater D.C. area.
To find good prices, compare quotes from multiple companies. We’ve reviewed the best car shipping companies on the market to help you find the right option for you. Click above to start getting free quotes from our top recommendations.
What to Expect When Shipping a Car in Washington, D.C.
Ever since Congress first met in D.C. in 1800, the district has played an important role in the history of the U.S. Today, over a quarter of Washington, D.C., residents work for the federal government. The concentration of historic sites and monuments also makes tourism Washington’s second-largest industry.
The country’s most pressing business happens in Washington, D.C., so you should be prepared for lots of traffic if you’ve never been to the area. That means you should also have flexible pickup and dropoff times for auto shipping to and from Washington, D.C. The area is home to the spectacular Cherry Blossom Festival at the beginning of spring, so you might want to avoid that time for auto shipping as well, because it attracts more cars than there are parking spots.
Cost of Shipping to and from Washington, D.C.
We’ve included a few sample car shipping costs below, which apply to an operable 2020 Honda Accord with open transport. The quotes are from Montway Auto Transport, our top pick for auto shipping companies. You can learn why it’s our top pick in our Montway Auto Transport review.
| Origin/Destination City | Distance | Cost of Auto Shipping to Washington, D.C. | Cost of Auto Shipping from Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC | 500 miles | $649 | $549 |
| Miami, FL | 1,000 miles | $869 | $699 |
| Austin, TX | 1,500 miles | $949 | $949 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 2,100 miles | $1,369 | $1,139 |
| Seattle, WA | 2,800 miles | $1,329 | $1,419 |
Be aware that what you pay for auto shipping to and from Washington, D.C., depends on a variety of factors. These include the type of vehicle, type of service, time of year and distance. You’ll pay more if you’re shipping a large truck or SUV or if you need to reserve an enclosed carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Auto Transport
What’s the cheapest way to ship a car across the country?
Opt for open transport service for cheap car shipping across the country. You can expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,500 depending on the distance, though you’ll pay more than that for auto shipping to Hawaii or Alaska from the East Coast.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Seattle to D.C.?
According to prices from Montway Auto Transport, it can cost about $1,300 to ship a standard sedan from Seattle to Washington, D.C. You’ll find higher prices during the summer and January. Shipping an SUV or truck also costs a bit more.
How much does it cost to have a car shipped to another state?
It can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,500 or more to send a car to another state. A shorter trip to a neighboring state costs less, while a cross-country trip costs more. At the same time, the price-per-mile decreases as distance increases.
What is the best company to ship a car?
After reviewing all leading car carriers on the market, we chose Montway Auto Transport as the best option for its customer service reputation and affordability. Also in our top five picks are AmeriFreight, Sherpa Auto Transport, uShip and Bargain Auto Transport.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car shipping provider to formulate rankings of the best auto transport companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account pricing, services, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in four categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend car shipping companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best service.
