There are thousands of registered car shipping companies in the U.S., but not all of them offer great service and prices. The best car shipping companies stand out among the competition based on their excellent customer service reputation, affordability and wide range of shipping services.
We’ve compared car transport companies throughout the industry to find car shippers that drivers can count on year-round. In this article, we’ll discuss our top five choices in detail, including shipping services, pricing and reputation. Click below to compare free car shipping quotes from our top picks.
Best Car Shipping Companies
The Detroit Bureau reviewed the top car shipping companies to find the best.
Top 5 Car Shipping Companies
Which is the best car shipping company overall? After comparing many companies, we named Montway Auto Transport the Best Provider based on its solid reputation and affordable pricing. AmeriFreight, Sherpa Auto Transport, uShip and Bargain Auto Transport all made it to our top five list as well. Each provider was graded on a 10-point scale.
| Best Car Shipping Companies | Overall Rating | Our Award | Shipping Cost Rating | Better Business Bureau (BBB) Customer Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Montway Auto Transport | 9.0 | Best Provider | 9.0 | 4.4 out of 5 |
| #2 AmeriFreight | 9.0 | Best for Discounts | 8.5 | 4.85 out of 5 |
| #3 Sherpa Auto Transport | 8.4 | Locked-In Pricing | 8.0 | 4.88 out of 5 |
| #4 uShip | 8.4 | Best Shipping Marketplace | 8.0 | 3.37 out of 5 |
| #5 Bargain Auto Transport | 8.4 | Most Affordable | 10.0 | Not rated |
#1 Montway Auto Transport: Best Provider
Montway Auto Transport is a trusted auto broker that works with 15,000 vetted carriers nationwide.
| Year Established | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Schaumburg, Illinois |
| Availability | 50 states |
| Insurance | $100,000 cargo insurance coverage |
| BBB rating | A+ with accreditation |
Montway Auto Transport Services
Montway Auto Transport offers:
- Open transport, enclosed transport, door-to-door shipping, expedited shipping and international shipping services
- Transports to and from Hawaii and Alaska
- Instant quotes online for standard vehicle shipping
- Free $100,000 cargo insurance for over-land shipments provided by Inland Marine Cargo with the option to upgrade to $250,000
- Shipment of non-standard vehicles like ATVs and motorcycles
Montway Auto Transport doesn’t provide international shipping services, but it can ship your vehicle to or from a domestic port. The company also allows you to transport one piece of luggage up to 100 pounds inside your vehicle’s trunk at no additional cost.
Montway Auto Transport Pricing
Most customers find affordable rates with Montway Auto Transport. Of course, prices can vary widely from shipment to shipment. According to Montway, average prices are:
- About $1.96 per mile for shipments under 500 miles
- About 93 cents per mile for between 500- and 1,000-mile shipments
- About 58 cents per mile for shipments over 1,500 miles
Here are a few sample quotes we received from the auto broker:
| Route | Shipping Distance | Vehicle Size | Transport Type | Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY to Washington, DC | 277 miles | Car | Open | $529 |
| San Diego, CA to Portland, OR | 1,082 miles | Car | Enclosed | $1,249 |
| Boston, MA to Boulder, CO | 1,985 miles | SUV | Open | $1,509 |
| New York, NY to San Francisco, CA | 2,939 miles | Midsize sedan | Open | $1,569 |
*Reflects flat rates.
If you cancel your shipment after the carrier has been dispatched, you’ll have to pay a $199 cancellation fee. However, cancellation before dispatching will not accrue any additional costs.
Montway Auto Transport Reputation
Montway Auto Transport has an A+ rating with accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The broker also has a 4.4-star BBB customer review score with over 1,300 reviews and a 4.5-star rating with just under 3,500 reviews on Google.
Montway Auto Transport
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+Low prices
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+Shipped over 140,000 vehicles in 2020
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+$100,000 cargo insurance included
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+Wide range of shipping services
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–$199 cancellation fee
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–No GPS tracking
Read more about our top pick in our Montway Auto Transport review. You can also click below to get a free quote from the company.
Best Provider
#2 AmeriFreight: Best for Discounts
AmeriFreight is a reputable broker that offers a range of useful discounts.
| Year Established | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Peachtree City, Georgia |
| Availability | 50 states |
| Insurance | Works with insured carriers and offers guaranteed asset protection (GAP) for an additional cost |
| BBB rating | A+ with accreditation |
AmeriFreight Services
AmeriFreight offers standard transport services, including:
- Door-to-door shipping
- Expedited shipping
- Open or enclosed transport
- Terminal-to-terminal shipping
AmeriFreight works with over 10,000 vetted carriers to provide a reliable shipping process. The company ensures that each carrier carries standard insurance coverage, but AmeriFreight also offers add-on GAP protection to cover shipping damage.
AmeriFreight Pricing
AmeriFreight is another provider with affordable rates, but its enclosed transport rates may be higher than some competitors. However, the company offers the following discounts:
- Military: $35
- First Responders: $35
- Medical Personnel: $35
- Student: $25
- Senior Citizens: $25
- Early Bird: $25 and stackable
- Return Customer: $50
- Multiple Vehicles: $50 per additional vehicle
When we reached out to AmeriFreight for car shipping quotes, we received the following estimates:
| Route | Shipping Distanc | Vehicle Size | Transport Type | Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY to Washington, DC | 277 miles | Car | Open | $561 |
| San Diego, CA to Portland, OR | 1,082 miles | Car | Open | $699 |
| Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA | 1,500 miles | Car | Open | $791 |
| Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA | 1,500 miles | Car | Enclosed | $1,423 |
*Reflects AmeriFreight’s economy rates.
AmeriFreight offers “economy” rates that are not 100% guaranteed. If a carrier doesn’t accept this proposed rate, your car shipping costs will likely increase. However, this is common with most car shipping companies.
AmeriFreight Reputation
AmeriFreight has an A+ rating with accreditation from the BBB. The company also has a 4.85-star BBB customer review score based on over 1,100 reviews and a 4.8-star Google rating backed by over 2,700 reviews.
AmeriFreight
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+Service available nationwide
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+Guaranteed carrier vetting
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+Wide range of discounts
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+High customer service ratings
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–No GPS tracking
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–Higher rates than some competitors
Learn more in our AmeriFreight review. Click below to get a free, personalized quote from the company.
Best For Discounts
#3 Sherpa Auto Transport: Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa Auto Transport is a newer company with high customer satisfaction ratings.
| Year Established | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Availability | 48 states |
| Insurance | $100,000 cargo insurance included |
| BBB rating | A+ with accreditation |
Sherpa Auto Transport Services
Sherpa Auto Transport is another car shipping broker with access to many carriers. The company offers door-to-door service in the 48 contiguous states (not Alaska or Hawaii). Sherpa also offers:
- Expedited shipping
- Open or enclosed transport
- $100,000 cargo insurance plus $1,000,000 liability insurance per carrier
- Shipment updates through live chat and company help center
Sherpa Auto Transport Pricing
Sherpa Auto Transport’s main benefit is its Price Lock Promise. If your car shipping cost increases after receiving a quote from an agent, Sherpa will pay up to $300 to make up the difference. The broker offers affordable services overall.
For an operable car traveling from New York, NY to Washington, DC (227 miles), Sherpa Auto Transport quoted us $750. This price reflected door-to-door, open transport shipping.
Sherpa Auto Transport Reputation
Sherpa Auto Transport has an A+ rating with accreditation from the BBB and a 4.88-star customer review score based on just under 200 reviews. With over 300 customers weighing in, the broker also earned a 4.8-star rating on Google.
Sherpa Auto
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+Locked-in pricing
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+Works with insured and vetted carriers
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+$20 car wash reimbursement
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–No instant quote form
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–No GPS tracking
To get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport, click below. You can also read more about the company in our comprehensive Sherpa Auto Transport review.
LOCKED-IN PRICING
#4 uShip: Best Shipping Marketplace
uShip is a multi-carrier marketplace that offers many services.
| Year Established | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas |
| Availability | 50 states plus international shipping |
| Insurance | No guarantee |
| BBB rating | A+ with accreditation |
uShip Services
uShip is a different type of provider from the rest of our top five picks. It’s a marketplace for thousands of carriers, not a broker. Think of it as the eBay of car shipping. With uShip, customers can:
- Ship cars domestically and internationally
- Get instant online quotes for standard shipments
- Choose open or closed transport
- Get expedited shipping
- Ship almost any type of vehicle, including farm equipment, RVs and watercrafts
uShip Pricing
Customers can find a wide range of prices on uShip since carriers set their own rates and bid on customer listings. Listing a shipment will attract carriers to bid and win your business, leading to lower rates overall. Using uShip’s instant quote tool often offers more expensive rates, but it is convenient.
We received the following instant quotes from uShip:
| Route | Shipping Distance | Vehicle Size | Transport Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY to Washington, DC | 277 miles | Car | Open | $617 |
| San Diego, CA to Portland, OR | 1,082 miles | Car | Open | $1,020 |
| Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA | 1,500 miles | Car | Open | $1,529 |
| Boston, MA to Prineville, OR | 2,980 mile | Midsize sedan | Open | $1,859 |
uShip Reputation
Since uShip isn’t a broker, it doesn’t have to vet each carrier that uses its platform. The responsibility is on the customer to research carriers they find, including their levels of insurance. Despite this extra step, most customers have positive experiences with uShip.
The company holds an A+ rating with accreditation from the BBB and 3.61-star customer review score with just under 100 reviews. Backed by almost 11,000 reviews, uShip also has 4.6-star on Trustpilot.
uShip
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+Low prices when you post a job for bidding
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+Instant quotes for standard shipments
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+GPS tracking
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–Very variable pricing
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–No instant quotes for enclosed transport
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–Shippers aren’t vetted
Learn more about uShip in our full uShip review. You can get a free quote from the company below.
Best Shipping Marketplace
#5 Bargain Auto Transport: Most Affordable
Bargain Auto Transport is the best broker for low-cost shipping services.
| Year Established | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Availability | 48 states |
| Insurance | $100,000 cargo insurance included |
| BBB rating | A with accreditation |
Bargain Auto Transport Services
Bargain Auto Transport offers:
- Standard and expedited door-to-door shipping
- Open or enclosed transport
- $100,000 cargo insurance included per shipment
- $1,000,000 liability insurance per carrier
Bargain Auto Transport Pricing
Bargain Auto Transport is one company that lives up to its name. Based on quotes we received from auto transporters throughout the industry, Bargain consistently offered some of the lowest rates. Customers can work with experienced agents to find a shipping price within their budget.
When we reached out to Bargain Auto Transport, we received a quote for a 227-mile trip from New York, NY to Washington, DC. For a car shipped via open transport, the company quoted us $625.
Bargain Auto Transport Reputation
Bargain Auto Transport holds an accredited A rating from the BBB. Since the company is relatively young, Bargain doesn’t have any customer reviews on the BBB at this time. A few reviews on Google give the company 4.8 stars overall.
Bargain Auto
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+Low prices
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+Experienced shipping agents
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+Wide variety of shipping services
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–No GPS tracking
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–No online instant quote
Learn more in our Bargain Auto Transport review. You can also begin your research process by getting a free, personalized quote from the provider below.
Bargain
Cost of Auto Shipping
Car shipping costs are highly variable and depend on a few different factors, including:
- Distance: Longer shipping distances cost more overall but have a lower rate per mile.
- Rural vs. metropolitan area: If your pickup or delivery location is in a rural area, you’ll pay more.
- Service type: Open car transport is cheaper than enclosed transport, and terminal-to-terminal shipping is cheaper than door-to-door.
- Time of year: Many people move and ship their cars during the summer months and January, so prices are higher during these times.
- Carrier competition: Car shipping companies like brokers and marketplaces allow multiple carriers to compete for your business, which often drives shipping costs down.
- Price of fuel: Shipment costs can fluctuate depending on the current price of gas.
- Vehicle operability: If your car isn’t operable, you’ll pay more for the carrier to push or winch it onto the vehicle transport truck.
- Vehicle size: It costs more to ship trucks and SUVs, as they take up more room on or in the carrier.
What to Look for in Car Shipping Companies
When moving your vehicle to any new location, it’s important to find the right auto shipper. You may have dozens, hundreds or thousands of options depending on your pickup and drop-off locations. The best way to find affordable, reputable auto transport services is to work with a highly rated auto broker. Brokers work with thousands of vetted carriers, which can save you time and money.
You should look for the following in a reputable broker:
- Some level of cargo insurance, preferably with a $100,000 limit, or the option to purchase add-on coverage
- Strict vetting process for carriers
- Positive customer reviews on sites like the BBB, Trustpilot and Google
- Reasonably priced services
Get free quotes from top-rated car shipping companies below.
Best Car Shipping Companies
The Detroit Bureau reviewed the top car shipping companies to find the best.
FAQ: Best Car Shipping Companies
What is the best company to ship a car?
We recommend Montway Auto Transport based on its high customer service ratings, wide range of shipping services and affordable pricing. However, it’s always a good idea to get multiple quotes when looking for an auto transport company. We also recommend AmeriFreight, Sherpa Auto Transport, uShip and Bargain Auto Transport.
How much does it cost to get your car shipped?
It can cost anywhere from $400 to $2,000 or more to ship your car. What you pay depends on a variety of factors. A cross-country shipment between major cities can cost between 50 cents and 70 cents per mile. If you need an enclosed trailer or live in a rural location, you’ll pay more for transport services.
Does AAA offer car shipping?
AAA, the roadside assistance company, does not offer car shipping. However, there is an unrelated auto carrier called AAA Transporters that does provide auto shipping services.
What is the cheapest way to ship my car?
The cheapest way to ship your car is to book a shipment on an open transport truck. This is the most common way for cars to be shipped. To save more money, avoid peak shipping times during the summer and January, compare quotes and plan your car shipment in advance.
What are the different types of auto shipping?
Cars can be shipped by air, train or truck, but shipping by truck is the most common. Truck shipping services include open or enclosed transport, door-to-door shipping, terminal-to-terminal shipping and expedited shipping.
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