7 Best Car Shipping Companies

It's worth reaching out to multiple auto transport providers for no-hassle quotes so you can discover the best car shipping companies for your needs. Keep reading for details on each auto transport company, from standard shipping processes to pricing structures.

What Are the Most Popular Car Shipping Companies?

There's no lack of car shipping companies out there, which is why you'll want to figure out which options are market leaders. In our 2021 auto transport survey, we asked drivers which providers they picked for car transport services. Some of the most popular choices were Montway Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, AmeriFreight, uShip, and Sherpa Auto Transport.

Below, we've listed out the most popular car shipping companies that offer services across the US:

Montway Auto Transport is one of the car shipping industry’s most popular companies, transporting more than 250,000 cars in 2023. The auto transport provider offers both open trailer and enclosed car shipping services, along with options such as expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup dates, and door-to-door auto shipping. Montway Auto Transport also ships cars to Hawaii, Alaska, the US territories, and international locations.

As a broker, Montway Auto Transport has relationships with over 30,000 car carriers, allowing it to regularly beat the rates of many competitors. Unlike some other providers, Montway Auto Transport doesn’t ship from terminal to terminal.

Montway Auto Transport Shipping Costs

We contacted Montway Auto Transport to request free quotes and received some for the door-to-door shipment of a 2018 Ford Explorer. Here are some of the instant quotes we received:

Montway’s shipping services include insurance coverage for all overland shipments. This comes from the contracted motor carrier, which provides up to $100,000 of inland marine cargo insurance at no additional cost. Montway Auto Transport also allows up to 100 pounds of personal items in each car shipment, a rarity across the industry that may benefit snowbirds and others moving cross-country.

Montway Auto Transport at a Glance

Founded: 2006

Headquarters: Schaumburg, Illinois

Availability: All 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii

Services: Door-to-door, open carrier and enclosed carrier, international, and expedited shipping

Average transport cost*: $1,317

Type of company: Broker

Cargo insurance coverage: Yes

*Average transport cost is based on our own secret shopper analysis. Your quotes may vary depending on vehicle, distance, and route.

Montway Auto Transport Reviews

Montway Auto Transport reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Customers give Montway a great 4.7-star rating out of 5.0 on Google, while the company receives 4.6 stars and an A+ overall score from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

We give Montway 4.7 out of 5.0 stars based on reputation, average pricing, services offered, and overall customer satisfaction.

Sherpa Auto Transport has a few features that make it one of the standout car shipping companies. Most notably, the provider offers the exceptional Price Lock Promise on its auto shipping services. When you get a quote from Sherpa Auto Transport, the company locks in this price—meaning that there likely won't be any hidden fees or service charges when the bill comes.

Sherpa Auto Transport only offers door-to-door service, so shipping terminal to terminal isn’t an option. However, the car shipping company does accept a wide range of vehicles including classic cars, vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs.

The company also reimburses customers up to $20 for a car wash after delivery through its Clean Car Guarantee. Sherpa requires all carriers to come with at least $100,000 in cargo insurance coverage and $1 million in liability coverage.

Sherpa Auto Transport Shipping Costs

We contacted Sherpa for detailed quotes on a 2018 Ford Explorer in operable condition, and here’s what we received:

Prices for Sherpa Auto Transport are generally higher than from some other car shipping companies, but many customers are willing to pay slightly more for its quality services and Price Lock Promise.

Sherpa Auto Transport at a Glance

Founded: 2017

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina

Availability: 49 states, not including Alaska

Services: Door-to-door, open and enclosed shipping

Average transport cost: $1,433

Type of company: Broker

Cargo insurance coverage: Yes

Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews

Despite its relatively short history, Sherpa Auto Transport reviews are exceedingly positive. The company holds a 4.9-star rating out of 5.0 on Google and a 4.9-star rating out of 5.0 on the BBB. In addition, the BBB gives Sherpa Auto Transport accreditation and an A+ rating.

We offer Sherpa Auto Transport 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. As with other top car shipping companies, this rating is based on the combination of reputation, price, services, and customer reviews.

Find out more: Sherpa Auto Transport review

AmeriFreight makes our list of the best car shipping companies due to its various services and strong reputation. What separates the company from a lot of its competitors, though, is the number of discounts it has for vehicle shipping.

AmeriFreight offers savings to first responders, students, active-duty military personnel, senior citizens, and health care workers.

You'll face no issues shipping to and from all 50 states with AmeriFreight. The company even has transport options for vehicles such as motorcycles, recreational vehicles (RVs), and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). AmeriFreight also offers instant quotes and several tiers of insurance coverage as an add-on service to cover anything the carrier doesn’t.

AmeriFreight carefully vets each of the car carriers in its network, ensuring that they all have superb customer reviews and full-coverage insurance.

AmeriFreight Shipping Costs

When it comes to car shipping rates, AmeriFreight sits on the lower end among car transporters. However, it offers several tiers of service which can significantly affect the price. Here are the quotes we received from AmeriFreight for an operational 2018 Ford Explorer:

Even if your rate from AmeriFreight isn't the cheapest on the market, it's worth remembering the company's various discount opportunities. Drivers rarely face issues lowering their car shipping costs with AmeriFreight.

AmeriFreight at a Glance

Founded: 2004

Headquarters: Peachtree City, Georgia

Availability: All 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii

Services: Alternative vehicle, open carrier, enclosed trailer, expedited, door-to-door, and terminal-to-terminal shipping

Average transport cost: $1,274

Type of company: Broker

Cargo insurance coverage: Yes, plus the option to buy gap coverage for $50 to $100

AmeriFreight Reviews

AmeriFreight receives stellar reviews from customers online, with many noting its on-time services. The company holds a 4.7-star rating out of 5.0 on Google, with more than 3,300 reviews. Customers have given AmeriFreight a 4.9-star rating out of 5.0 on the BBB website, while the company has accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB itself.

We rate AmeriFreight 4.5 out of 5.0 stars based on reputation, pricing structure, services provided, and customer opinions.

Find out more: AmeriFreight review

Easy Auto Ship holds a reputation as a solid auto shipping provider, but its added benefits set its car shipping process apart from many others. For example, Easy Auto Ship will reimburse you for a rental car if your shipment takes more than 14 days to arrive. Unlike many car shipping companies, Easy Auto Ship will also pay for a detail and a car wash if your vehicle is dirty when it arrives.

Easy Auto Ship Shipping Costs

Our team sourced some quotes for a 2018 Ford Explorer from Easy Auto Ship. Here’s what we received:

Before offering its services, Easy Auto Ship ensures that each auto carrier is fully insured. The company also adds its own layer of insurance to help give customers extra peace of mind.

Easy Auto Ship at a Glance

Founded: 2013

Headquarters: Youngstown, Ohio

Availability: All 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii

Services: International, alternative vehicle, door-to-door, open, enclosed, and expedited shipping

Average transport cost: $1,636

Type of company: Broker

Cargo insurance coverage: Yes

Easy Auto Ship Reviews

Customers give Easy Auto Ship mostly positive reviews online. From over 3,600 posted reviews, the company holds a 4.6-star rating out of 5.0 on Google. Customers offer it 4.6 stars out of 5.0 on the BBB website, while the BBB itself gives Easy Auto Ship an A+ rating.

The company does have some negative reviews, mostly about communication issues and delays. Still, the volume of positive reviews indicates that people generally have positive shipping experiences with Easy Auto Ship.

We give Easy Auto Ship 4.4 out of 5.0 stars based on reputation, price, services, and customer service.

Find out more: Easy Auto Ship review

Best Added Benefits

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SGT Auto Transport offers free instant shipping quotes on its website, making it easy to find an estimate of how much you could pay. The company also features no-fee cancellation if you back out before a carrier is assigned to your shipping job.

SGT Auto Transport at a Glance

Founded: 2014

Headquarters: Greenville, South Carolina

Availability: 48 contiguous states and Hawaii

Services: Door-to-door, open, enclosed, and expedited shipping

Average transport cost: $1,141

Type of company: Broker

Cargo insurance coverage: Yes

SGT Auto Transport Reviews

SGT Auto Transport hasn't been in business for all that long, but it receives consistently high marks from customers. The company has a B rating from the BBB. SGT Auto Transport also holds an excellent 4.6- out of 5.0-star rating on Trustpilot.

We give SGT Auto Transport 4.6 out of 5.0 stars for its combination of competitive rates and wide network of vetted carriers.

These rates are extremely competitive, even when compared to other top-ranked car shipping companies. Most motorists can expect to receive affordable prices when they partner with American Auto Shipping.

American Auto Shipping at a Glance

Founded: 1999

Headquarters: Las Vegas

Availability: All 50 states and U.S. territories

Services: Locked-in quotes, door-to-door, open, enclosed, expedited shipping, heavy equipment shipping

Average transport cost: $1,389

Type of company: Broker

Cargo insurance coverage: Yes

American Auto Shipping Reviews

American Auto Shipping has a strong reputation across the auto transport industry. The company holds an A+ rating on the BBB website and receives 4.7 out of 5.0 stars from customers. American Auto Shipping also carries a 4.6-star rating based on more than 800 Google reviews.

We give American Auto Shipping 4.6 out of 5.0 stars due to its variety of shipping options and reputation for excellent customer service.

While the other car moving companies on this list are shipping brokers that connect customers with independent carriers, uShip operates differently. Instead, it’s a marketplace that lets carriers bid on vehicle shipping requests. Since the uShip marketplace shows you multiple quotes at once, you won’t need to spend time researching services.

uShip Shipping Costs

When it comes to instant online quotes, uShip tends to be pricier than other top car shipping companies. However, if you allow carriers to bid on your service request, you may find lower shipping rates. Here’s what we got when we requested instant quotes for shipping a 2018 Ford Explorer:

Because uShip is a marketplace and not a transport broker, the company does not vet each carrier's insurance policies or customer reviews like the other car shipping companies on this list. Instead, that responsibility rests with customers.

uShip at a Glance

Founded: 2003

Headquarters: Austin, Texas

Availability: All 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii

Services: Single-car, international, expedited, open, enclosed, terminal-to-terminal, door-to-door

Average transport cost: $1,420

Type of company: Marketplace

Cargo insurance coverage: Available at an additional cost

uShip Reviews

Highly regarded online, uShip holds accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB and 4.4 out of 5.0 stars from more than 11,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot. While there are some complaints about the company, most pertain to the independent carriers and not to uShip itself.

We award uShip 4.5 out of 5.0 stars based on the same factors as the auto shipping companies highlighted above.

While guaranteed pricing is simply a benefit of some car shipping companies, the other factors are crucial. There's no reason to consider an auto transporter with lackluster prices or dismal customer reviews, and it's an immediate red flag if your car shipper lacks insurance or adds on an extremely high deductible.

Some motorists wonder whether it's worthwhile to have a car shipped from one place to another. This is a completely valid question, especially for those who don't understand how the vehicle transport process actually works.

Our 2021 auto transport survey found that drivers tend to be satisfied with their use of auto transporters. The car shipping companies that score well among motorists include Montway Auto Transport, uShip, AmeriFreight, Easy Auto Ship, and Sherpa Auto Transport. Below are the findings of our customer satisfaction study:

These numbers aren't exactly set in stone, as there are countless factors that affect the cheapest way to ship a car. It's best to compare free shipping quotes from multiple providers at once to determine which one most closely fits your cost and coverage needs.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship a Car?

Drivers typically pay between $1,000 and $2,000 to ship their vehicle using the best car shipping companies. Remember, though, that rates vary significantly based on your type of car, shipping distance, and time of year.

Below, you'll find cost data from our 2021 car shipping survey. We asked 1,000 drivers how much they paid to move their vehicle using auto transport, and here are our findings:

Remember as well that not all providers offer every car transport service. If you're looking for terminal-to-terminal transport or car shipping to Hawaii or Alaska, your best auto shipping options may be quite different from those above. Be sure to compare quotes from various car shipping companies, as otherwise you'll likely end up paying too much.

Who Offers Guaranteed Pricing?

It's also worth mentioning that Sherpa Auto Transport and Easy Auto Ship offer guaranteed pricing. You'll find that actual car shipment costs commonly exceed how much companies charge upfront, but with these two options there's little need to worry about price increases before you sign the bill of lading.

How To Pay for Car Shipping

It's easy to get free car shipping quotes online for auto transport services. Once you pick a car shipping company and it finds a vehicle transporter, you'll either get charged a deposit or you can elect to pay for the entire shipment upfront. Those who decide to finish their payment post-delivery typically need to cover the rest of the cost in cash.

While car shipping companies may generally be more or less affordable than competitors, it’s important to know that transport pricing varies based on many factors. These include:

Transport Type

Vehicle shipping via enclosed auto transport is more expensive than using open transport. If you're moving a luxury vehicle or a classic car, using enclosed carrier transport will keep your vehicle safe from environmental factors or flying objects.

Pickup and Delivery Locations

Door-to-door delivery generally costs more than terminal-to-terminal dropoff. If you're willing to deal with the hassle of picking up your car at a shipping terminal, you may save considerable money.

Distance Shipped

Shipping a car over a long distance or cross-country, such as from California to either New York or Florida, costs more overall but less for each mile traveled. Expect lower prices but higher rates per mile for short-distance vehicle shipping services such as from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Some people believe that car shipping companies only cover long-distance moves, but that's not true. Our 2021 auto shipping survey found that large numbers of drivers turn to auto transport providers for distances of 500 miles or less. Consider our findings below:

Car shipping companies are an excellent way to transport vehicles, regardless of whether the car needs to move across the state or all the way to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or an international destination.

Type of Vehicle

Your car’s length, height, clearance, and weight can all influence shipping prices from auto transport companies. Vehicles that are inoperable also cost considerably more to ship. Moving larger cars will nearly always be more expensive than transporting smaller models.

Time of Year

Rates tend to spike in January and during the summer, when auto shippers receive their highest demand. Expect to get lower rates if you can avoid these two busy periods.

Delivery Times

If you're considering a flexible time frame for when your car shipment arrives, you may save money. Certain days receive higher demand than others, so a low-demand day will keep prices to a minimum.

Q & A

What is the best vehicle transport company?

The best car shipping companies are Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Easy Auto Ship, SGT Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping, and uShip. We judged these companies on factors such as car shipping costs, services, customer ratings, and industry reputation.

What is the cheapest company to ship your car?

SGT Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, and Montway Auto Transport are typically the cheapest car shipping providers at between $1,100 and $1,300 per shipment. However, your quote may differ depending on where you live, your vehicle, and your shipping needs. It's always a good idea to compare quotes from providers before making a final decision.

What is the difference between a transport broker and a carrier?

A carrier is the company or individual that moves your vehicle, while an auto transport broker connects customers with carriers and manages the relationship between them.

Does AAA offer car shipping?

A company called AAA Discount Auto & Truck Transporters does offer both enclosed and open shipping options around the US. The car movers from this company are not affiliated with the AAA known for roadside assistance.

How much does shipping cost for a car?

Our research shows that the average cost of shipping a vehicle is between $1,000 and $2,000. However, the cost of shipping a vehicle varies greatly depending on many factors. The vehicle type, travel distance, time of year, and type of shipping you need all affect the cost.

How do I get a car shipping estimate?

To get a car shipping quote, you can reach out to a vehicle transport company. You’ll need to provide a few details about your car along with where and how you want to ship it. After the car shipping company receives this information, it will get back to you with an estimate and offer to connect you with a carrier.

Are there discounts for auto transport?

Yes, many car shipping companies offer discounts. We found that of all the providers we researched, AmeriFreight offers the most savings—with discounts for active-duty military members, senior citizens, students, and others. Some car shipping companies offer discounts for booking early or shipping multiple vehicles at once.

Can I put stuff in my car when I ship it?

You can typically put up to 100 pounds of personal items in your car when you ship it. Motorists are rarely allowed to add more than that, though, as it will reduce truck drivers' fuel economy.