Montway Auto Transport is a leading auto broker that connects customers to a network of vetted shipping carriers. In this article, we’ll discuss Montway Auto Transport reviews, prices, shipping services and more to give you a clear understanding of what the company offers.
Between brokers, marketplaces and individual carriers, you have many options for shipping your car. We’ve reviewed the best car shipping companies to make it easier to compare services and find a good deal. Start by getting a free quote from Montway Auto Transport below.
Best Provider
Montway Auto Transport Overview
Some shipping companies transport thousands or tens of thousands of vehicles per year. Montway Auto Transport shipped over 140,000 vehicles in 2020 alone. The company operates in all 50 states, making it easy to send your truck from California to Florida or your classic car from New York to Alaska. Montway can also connect you with international transporters if you’re going overseas.
As a registered auto broker, Montway Auto Transport is held to certain standards by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Montway vets each carrier it works with to ensure customers get great service throughout the shipping process.
Founded in 2006, Montway Auto Transport is based in Schaumburg, Illinois. The company has an A+ rating with accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a 4.4 out of 5-star customer review score. On average, Montway offers cheap car shipping rates compared to the competition.
| Overall Rating | 9.0 / 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Industry Reputation | 10.0 |
| Shipping Cost | 9.0 |
| Services | 8.5 |
| Customer Experience | 8.5 |
Is it worth it? Yes, because Montway Auto Transport has extensive shipping services and offers competitive pricing.
How Much Does Montway Car Shipping Cost?
So how much does car shipping cost with Montway Auto Transport? Here are a few quotes for ta 2018 Honda Civic shipped door-to-door to give you an idea:
| Route | Distance | Shipping Type | Montway Auto Transport Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY to Washington, DC | 227 miles | Open | $529 flat rate |
| New York, NY to Washington, DC | 227 miles | Enclosed | $679 flat rate |
| Atlanta, GA to Richmond, VA | 530 miles | Open | $609 flat rate |
| Atlanta, GA to Richmond, VA | 530 miles | Enclosed | $779 flat rate |
| San Diego, CA to Portland, OR | 1,082 miles | Open | $909 flat rate |
| San Diego, CA to Portland, OR | 1,082 miles | Enclosed | $1,249 flat rate |
| Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA | 1,500 miles | Open | $909 flat rate |
| Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA | 1,500 miles | Enclosed | $1,249 flat rate |
Montway gives customers the option to pay for part of their shipment in cash upon arrival, which is referred to as a “flat rate.” If you choose this method, you’ll get a discount of about 5%. The standard option is to pay for your shipment in full through the website with a debit or credit card.
Several factors affect car shipping costs, including:
- Vehicle type: A Toyota 4Runner costs more to ship than a Camry because it’s bigger and heavier. Vehicle clearance also affects overall shipping costs.
- Shipping service: Enclosed transport is more expensive than open transport. If you opt for door-to-door shipping or expedited shipping, expect to pay more for these services too.
- Distance: As distance increases, the price per mile decreases. However, you’ll pay more overall for longer distances.
- Time of year: In January and the summer months, more people move, increasing auto shipping rates.
- Proximity to shipping hubs: Pickup and drop-off locations near major cities or metro areas have cheaper shipping rates, as more carriers provide routes to these hubs.
- 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.
Auto transport trailers usually have two levels. Loading a car on the top level protects it from any leaking fluids or debris from overhead. You can specify a top-loading preference for an extra charge, which is about $75 with Montway Auto Transport. Auto transporters often have to rearrange the whole trailer to accommodate this preference. If a truck can’t accommodate your request, the fee will be waived or refunded.
How to Lower Your Montway Shipping Costs
Compared to other providers, Montway Auto Transport offers affordable shipping rates. Since it’s a broker, it can compare prices across multiple carriers to help drivers save money. There are also a few things you can do to save money when shipping your car:
- Avoid shipping in the summer and January, as they’re peak moving seasons.
- Be flexible when it comes to pickup and delivery times and locations.
- Book your shipment two weeks or more in advance.
- Choose open transport.
- Pay partially in cash upon delivery (only available with some shippers).
If you’re thinking of lowering your car, lifting your truck or adding larger tires before transport, it’s best to hold off. These kinds of modifications can make it hard for a shipper to load your car onto an open truck, making your only option a costlier enclosed shipment.
Canceling a Car Shipment
With Montway, you can cancel your shipment before or after the order has been dispatched to a carrier. A dispatched order means it’s been assigned to and accepted by a carrier. If you cancel before the shipment dispatches, you’ll receive a full refund. However, after the shipment has been dispatched, you’ll have to pay a $199 cancellation fee.
Montway Auto Transport Services
Montway Auto Transport offers all the standard car shipping services you’d expect from a leading company, including:
- Nationwide coverage: You can ship a car cross-country and between states. If you want to ship a car abroad, Montway can transport your vehicle to and from a domestic port and help you find an international auto shipper, as well.
- Open transport: This service is best for drivers looking for affordable shipping, as it’s the most common and widely available. However, your vehicle will be exposed to the elements.
- Enclosed transport: You can choose an enclosed trailer to give your vehicle the highest protection level during shipment. This option is best for luxury vehicles or classic cars.
- Door-to-door shipping: Rather than meet a carrier at a terminal, you can have your vehicle delivered right to your door.
- Expedited transport: If you’re in a hurry, Montway Auto Transport can offer shipping services as early as the next day in some situations.
Montway Auto Transport accommodates several vehicle types and situations, such as:
- Motorcycles
- ATVs
- Inoperable vehicles
- Collector cars
- Modified and oversized vehicles
- Vehicles from an auto auction
- Vehicles from a storage facility
Be aware that Montway Auto Transport doesn’t ship RVs, trailers, campers, boats or other personal watercraft.
Does Montway Offer Insurance?
Montway Auto Transport includes up to $100,000 of cargo insurance per over-land shipment. The coverage applies from the time your vehicle is picked up to the time it’s dropped off. Montway’s insurance coverage also does not require a deductible. Not all auto transporters offer insurance coverage, meaning you may check your existing insurance policy to make sure you’re protected against shipping damages. Otherwise, you’ll foot the bill for repairs.
Be aware that personal items inside your car aren’t covered by cargo insurance. It’s a good idea to empty your car entirely – even loose change or small items – prior to shipping. Damage to the inside of your car by items shifting during transport is also not covered. However, Montway does allow you to pack one piece of luggage weighing up to 100 pounds in your vehicle’s trunk during over-land shipments.
How to Ship a Vehicle with Montway Auto Transport
To ship your car, start by filling out Montway’s online quote form. You can get instant quotes for open or enclosed door-to-door shipments. Or, you can call the company for more customized options. Once you choose a carrier, you can book the shipment. Payment is required once the carrier is dispatched. However, PayPal payments are due at the time of booking.
When the carrier meets you to pick up your vehicle, you’ll inspect your car and sign a bill of lading with the driver. You note the current condition of your car and any damages with this document. After inspection, you’ll sign the bill of lading again once the delivery is complete.
Montway Auto Transport Reviews from Customers
Montway Auto Transport has a strong customer service reputation. The company holds a 4.5-star Google rating based on over 3,000 reviews alongside a 4.35-star BBB customer review score. Similarly, over 850 customers weighed in on Trustpilot to give Montway a 4.2-star rating.
Positive Montway Auto Transport reviews mention timely service, good communication and professional agents. Negative Montway Auto Transport reviews report some miscommunication between the agents, carriers and drivers, as well as deliveries taking longer than expected.
Positive Montway Auto Transport Reviews
“All went very well. They were timely and got the job done as they said they would. The driver was awesome and very respectful of my vehicle.”
– Jon via BBB
“I have used Montway twice for cross-country transport from [California] to [Maryland] and back. They have transported my car with strong communication, no complications or damage, within the time parameters provided and at a reasonable price.”
– Ivan A. via BBB
Negative Montway Auto Transport Reviews
“They gave me a quote that was too low, and no shipper would pick [it] up. So, my pickup window passed without any follow-up from them. They did a poor job of communicating with me in general and had trouble giving details as to why they couldn’t complete my transport order.”
– M.B. via BBB
“Very disappointed – they quote you a price and then at the last minute tell you it will take another $500 to get it done. I’m sure a lot of people don’t have a choice and have to pay [for] it. One star is too much!”
– Larry T. via BBB
Our Verdict on Montway Auto Transport: 9.0 / 10.0
We named Montway Auto Transport the Best Provider overall for shipping your car and rated it a 9.0 out of 10.0. The company offers affordable prices, many auto transport services and free cargo insurance with every over-land shipment. Montway Auto Transport reviews show that the company has a hassle-free shipping process and an excellent customer service experience.
Montway Auto
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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
Get a free car shipping quote from Montway Auto Transport by clicking below.
Best Provider
Other Top Recommendations for Car Shipping
Depending on your shipping needs, you may want to reach out to other top-rated car shipping companies. It’s also always a good idea to get multiple transport quotes before booking a shipment. AmeriFreight and Sherpa Auto Transport also performed well in our industry-wide car shipping companies review.
AmeriFreight: Best for Discounts
After comparing multiple companies, we found that AmeriFreight offers the best discounts overall. Students, military members, first responders, medical personnel, senior citizens and returning customers can all receive shipping discounts from AmeriFreight. The licensed broker has been in business since 2004, and it has an A+ rating with accreditation from the BBB. AmeriFreight also has a 4.86 out of 5-star BBB customer review score.
You can learn more in our AmeriFreight review. To get a free quote from the company, click below.
Best For Discounts
Sherpa Auto Transport: Locked-In Pricing
Most car shipping companies provide instant estimates online, but the final price can increase later on. If the price you’re quoted increases later on, Sherpa will pay up to $300 to cover the difference. Sherpa is a newer company – it was founded in 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company has mostly positive customer reviews along with an accredited A+ rating from the BBB.
Learn more in our Sherpa Auto Transport review. You can also click below to receive a free, no-obligation quote from the company.
LOCKED-IN PRICING
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montway Auto Transport a broker?
Yes, Montway Auto Transport is a car shipping broker. It works with a network of over 15,000 carriers to provide car shipping services to customers nationwide. After booking a shipment with Montway Auto Transport, an independent carrier will pick up, transport and deliver your vehicle.
Who is the best auto transport company?
We named Montway Auto Transport the Best Provider overall for auto transport. Customers find affordable prices from the company and report positive experiences with Montway’s customer service representatives. We also named AmeriFreight the Best for Discounts and Sherpa Auto Transport the Best for Locked-In Pricing.
Where is Montway Auto Transport located?
Montway Auto Transport is located in Schaumburg, Illinois, which is near Chicago. The company offers extended contact hours throughout the week and during the weekend.
Who owns Montway Auto Transport?
Montway Auto Transport is a privately owned company. It is not a subsidiary of any other business.
