7 Best Car Shipping Companies: Consumer Guide (2022)

Affiliate Disclosure

There are thousands of registered car shipping companies in the U.S., but not all of them offer excellent service and prices. The best car shipping companies stand out from the competition based on their excellent customer service reputations, affordability and wide range of shipping services.

We’ve compared car transport providers throughout the car shipping industry to find the ones that drivers can count on year-round. In this article, we’ll discuss our top seven choices in detail and highlight each company’s shipping services, pricing and reputation.

[data-block_608fc0a1ed684] {
}

.b-image {
background-image: url(https://www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Group-719.png)
}

Top 7 Car Shipping Companies of 2022

After comparing the industry’s best car shipping companies, we named Montway Auto Transport as the Best Provider overall based largely on its solid reputation and affordable pricing. AmeriFreight, Easy Auto Ship and SGT Auto Transport all made it into our top four as well. We graded each provider on a 10.0-point scale.

Best Car Shipping Companies	Overall Rating	Our Award	Shipping Cost Rating	Better Business Bureau (BBB) Customer Review Score
#1. Montway Auto Transport	9.1	Best Provider	8.6	4.6 out of 5.0
#2. Sherpa Auto Transport	9.1	Locked-In Pricing	9.1	4.9 out of 5.0
#3. SGT Auto Transport	9.0	Most Comprehensive Options	8.0	4.8 out of 5.0
#4. American Auto Shipping	9.0	Great Customer Service	7.6	4.7 out of 5.0
#5. AmeriFreight	8.9	Best for Discounts	8.5	4.9 out of 5.0
#6. uShip	8.8	Best Shipping Marketplace	7.5	4.6 out of 5.0
#7. Easy Auto Ship	8.7	Best Additional Benefits	7.5	4.6 out of 5.0

What To Look For in Car Shipping Companies

When moving your vehicle to a new location, it’s important to find the right auto shipper. You may have dozens or even hundreds of options, depending on your pickup and drop-off locations. The best way to find affordable, reputable auto transport services is to work with one of the most highly rated car shipping companies. Brokers partner with thousands of vetted motor carriers, which can save you time and money.

To gain some peace of mind, you should look for the following in a reputable broker:

• A cargo insurance policy, preferably worth at least $100,000, or the option to purchase add-on coverage
• Strict vetting process for carriers
• Easy, straightforward car shipping process
• Positive customer reviews on sites such as the BBB, Trustpilot and Google
• Reasonably priced services
• Little or no money upfront

#1 Montway Auto Transport: Best Provider

Montway Auto Transport is a trusted auto broker that works with over 15,000 vetted carriers nationwide. Among the best car shipping companies, it’s hard to top Montway for a number of reasons. Here’s Montway Auto Transport, at a glance:

Year Established	2006
Headquarters	Schaumburg, Illinois
Availability	50 states
Insurance	$100,000 cargo insurance coverage
BBB rating	A+ with accreditation
Average price	$1,241

[data-block_60902c23a2c2b] {

}

Montway Auto Transport Services

Montway Auto Transport offers the following car shipping services:

• Open transport, enclosed transport, door-to-door shipping, expedited shipping and international shipping services
• Transports to and from Hawaii and Alaska
• Instant car shipping quotes online for standard vehicle shipping
• Free $100,000 cargo insurance for over-land shipments with the option to upgrade to $250,000 in inland marine cargo coverage
• Shipment of nonstandard vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorcycles 

Montway Auto Transport doesn’t provide international shipping services, but it partners with car movers across the globe. The auto transport company also allows you to transport up to 100 pounds of personal items inside your vehicle’s trunk at no additional cost.

Montway Auto Transport Cost

Average price: $1,241

Many customers rank Montway Auto Transport as one of the best car shipping companies due to its affordable rates. Of course, prices vary widely from shipment to shipment. According to Montway, average prices are:

• About $1.96 per mile for shipments up to 500 miles
• About 93 cents per mile for shipments between 500 and 1,500 miles
• About 58 cents per mile for shipments over 1,500 miles

Here are a few sample quotes we received from the auto broker:

Shipping Distance	Vehicle Model	Transport Type	Cost*
1,100 miles	2018 Honda Civic	Open	$909
1,100 miles	2018 Honda Civic	Enclosed	$1,249
2,000 miles	2015 Toyota Camry	Open	$1,299
2,900 miles	2015 Toyota Camry	Open	$1,569

*Reflects flat rates.

If you cancel your shipment after the car carrier has been dispatched, you’ll have to pay a minimum cancellation fee of $199. However, cancellation before dispatching will not lead to any additional costs.

Montway Auto Transport Reputation

As one of the industry’s best car shipping companies, Montway Auto Transport holds an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB. The broker also has a 4.6-star average score on the BBB website, based on more than 2,200 reviews. Trustpilot gives Montway a 4.6-star rating based on over 1,100 customer reviews.

Read more about our top pick in our Montway Auto Transport review.

[data-block_608fc26eed685] {
}

.b-image {
background-image: url()
}

#2 Sherpa Auto Transport: Locked-In Pricing

Sherpa Auto Transport is a newer auto transporter with some of the best customer ratings among car shipping companies.

Year Established	2017
Headquarters	Charlotte, North Carolina
Availability	48 states (no service to Alaska or Hawaii)
Insurance	$100,000 cargo insurance included
BBB rating	A+ with accreditation

[data-block_63110a56d0434] {

}

Sherpa Auto Transport Services

Sherpa Auto Transport is another car shipping broker that works with only the most reputable carriers. The company offers door-to-door service in the 48 continental states as well as:

• Expedited shipping
• Open or enclosed transport
• Classic car shipping is available
• $100,000 cargo insurance plus $1 million in liability insurance per carrier
• Shipment updates through live chat and company help center
• $20 reimbursement toward the cost of a car wash

Sherpa Auto Transport Cost

Sherpa Auto Transport’s most significant benefit is its Price Lock Promise. If your vehicle shipping cost increases after receiving a quote from an agent, Sherpa will pay up to $300 to cover the difference. This benefit keeps the broker affordable overall, especially compared to car shipping companies that routinely raise prices mid-shipment.

Below are some quotes we received when after reaching out to Sherpa Auto Transport:

Shipping Distance	Vehicle Model	Transport Type	Cost
500 miles	2018 Nissan Rogue	Open	$750
1,600 miles	2018 Toyota RAV4	Open	$1,575
1,600 miles	2018 Toyota RAV4	Enclosed	$2,425

Sherpa Auto Transport Reputation

Sherpa Auto Transport has a sterling reputation among car shipping companies, holding a 4.9-star customer review average on the BBB website from over 200 reviews. With over 850 customers weighing in, the broker earned a 4.7-star rating on Google.

You can read more about the company in our comprehensive Sherpa Auto Transport review.

[data-block_63110a56d0435] {
}

.b-image {
background-image: url()
}

#3 SGT Auto Transport: Most Comprehensive Options

SGT Auto Transport ships cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles to the continental U.S., Hawaii and even international destinations.

Year Established	2014
Availability	48 contiguous, Hawaii, and international
Insurance	Typically $100,000 for open transport (SGT includes full coverage in open shipping rates)
BBB rating	A with accreditation

[data-block_63110ab9d0437] {

}

SGT Auto Transport Services

SGT Auto Transport offers the following car shipping services:

• Open and enclosed shipping
• Door-to-door service
• Expedited shipping
• Instant quotes
• Guaranteed pickup dates

SGT provides free instant shipping quotes through its online calculator. The company also offers no-fee cancellation if you cancel before a driver is assigned to your shipment.

SGT Auto Transport Cost

Auto shipping rates vary widely according to a range of factors, but SGT Auto Transport is known for its competitive pricing. Here a few quotes we received from the company:

Shipping Distance	Vehicle Model	Transport Type	Cost
500 miles	2018 Toyota RAV4	Open	$610
1,600 miles	2018 Toyota RAV4	Open	$1,499
1,600 miles	2018 Toyota RAV4	Enclosed	$1,699
3,000 miles	2018 Toyota RAV4	Open	$2,289

SGT Auto Transport Reputation

SGT Auto Transport may not have a long history, but it receives high marks from customers. The company carries an A rating from the BBB, along with a customer rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 stars. SGT Auto Transport also holds a 4.6- out of 5.0-star rating on Trustpilot.

[data-block_63110ab9d0438] {
}

.b-image {
background-image: url()
}

#4 American Auto Shipping: Great Customer Service

In business since 1999, American Auto Shipping offers high-quality auto transport to all 50 states and the U.S. territories.

Year Established	1999
Availability	All 50 states and the U.S. territories
Insurance	All carriers insured for $750,000
BBB rating	A+ with accreditation

[data-block_63110b92d043a] {

}

American Auto Shipping Services

American Auto Shipping offers the following services and benefits:

• Locked-in quotes
• Personal auto transport contact
• Open or enclosed shipping
• Heavy equipment and military vehicle shipping
• Door-to-door service
• Rental car reimbursement for delayed deliveries
• Car wash reimbursement

American Auto Shipping offers free, no-hassle quotes using only basic information about your vehicle and shipping route. The company’s damage-free guarantee covers any gaps in a carrier’s insurance coverage. American Auto Shipping will pay up to $500 of your deductible if your vehicle is damaged and the carrier won’t cover it.

What Makes American Auto Shipping Stand Out

You get access to a personal auto transport concierge when you ship with American Auto Shipping. There are also multiple tiers of service based on your car shipment timeline:

• Standard: This is the lowest-priced tier, designed for cars that can be picked up between one and five business days. If you’re not in a rush, this is a great option.
• Priority: When you need your vehicle picked up one or two weekdays after your order is placed, go for Priority shipping. This tier costs $200 more than Standard shipping.
• Expedited: This is the fastest and most expensive option from American Auto Shipping. For $500 more than Standard shipping, your car can be picked up within 24 hours.

American Auto Shipping Cost

We reached out to American Auto Shipping for a few cost estimates. Remember that car shipping costs vary widely according to many factors as you check out these quotes:

Shipping Distance	Vehicle Model	Transport Type	Cost
500 miles	2018 Toyota RAV4	Open	$669
1,600 miles	2018 Toyota RAV4	Open	$1,319
1,600 miles	2018 Toyota RAV4	Enclosed	$1,819

American Auto Shipping Reputation

American Auto Shipping has a solid reputation in the auto transport industry. The company has an A+ rating on the BBB website and receives a 4.7- out of 5.0-star rating based on more than 200 customer reviews. American Auto Shipping also holds a 4.6- out of 5.0-star rating from over 600 reviews on Google.

[data-block_63110b92d043b] {
}

.b-image {
background-image: url()
}

#5 AmeriFreight: Best for Discounts

Known for its quality service and various discount opportunities, AmeriFreight is a reputable auto transport broker. With over 18 years in business, AmeriFreight has been around long enough to know what it takes to be one of the top car shipping companies.

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
Average price	$861

[data-block_60902c4ea2c32] {

}

AmeriFreight Services

AmeriFreight offers standard shipping options, 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 is equipped with standard insurance coverage, but AmeriFreight also offers add-on GAP protection to cover shipping damage.

AmeriFreight Cost

Average price: $861

AmeriFreight is another provider with affordable rates, but its enclosed transport pricing may be higher than from some competitors. However, the company offers the following discounts:

• Military: $35 off
• First Responder: $35 off
• Medical Personnel: $35 off
• Student: $25 off
• Senior Citizen: $25 off
• Early Bird: $35 off and stackable
• Return Customer: $50 off
• Multiple Vehicles: $50 off per additional vehicle

When we reached out to AmeriFreight for auto shipping quotes, we received the following estimates:

Shipping Distance	Vehicle Model	Transport Type	Cost*
500 miles	2018 Honda Civic	Open	$799
1,100 miles	2018 Honda Civic	Open	$699
1,100 miles	2018 Honda Civic	Enclosed	$1,257
1,500 miles	2018 Honda Civic	Open	$791

*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 does offer locked-in pricing if you choose its First Class service, which comes at a higher price point.

AmeriFreight Reputation

AmeriFreight has an A+ rating with accreditation from the BBB. The company also has a 4.9-star BBB customer review score based on over 1,000 reviews. AmeriFreight carries a 4.7-star Google rating backed by more than 3,200 reviews.

Learn more about one of our top car shipping companies by reading our AmeriFreight review.

[data-block_608fc376ed686] {
}

.b-image {
background-image: url()
}

#6 uShip: Best Shipping Marketplace

uShip is an auto transport marketplace offering services from car shipping companies of all price ranges and service levels. If you’re looking to specialize your shipment, uShip can likely fit your needs.

Year Established	2003
Headquarters	Austin, Texas
Availability	50 states plus international shipping
Insurance	No guarantee
BBB rating	A+ with accreditation
Average price	$1,108

[data-block_60902ca6a2c3f] {

}

uShip Services

uShip is a different type of provider than the other top car shipping companies. It’s a marketplace for thousands of carriers instead a transport broker. Think of it as the eBay of auto shipping. With uShip, customers can:

• Ship cars both domestically and internationally
• Get instant online quotes for car shipping companies and services
• Choose open or closed transport
• Get expedited shipping
• Ship almost any type of vehicle, including farm equipment, RVs and watercraft

uShip Cost

Average price: $1,108

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 who then attempt to win your business, typically leading to lower rates overall. Using uShip’s instant quote tool instead will generally yield more expensive rates, but it’s somewhat more convenient.

We received the following instant quotes from uShip:

Shipping Distance	Vehicle Model	Transport Type	Cost
500 miles	2018 Honda Civic	Open	$468
1,100 miles	2018 Honda Civic	Open	$1,020
2,000 miles	2015 Toyota Camry	Open	$1,281
3,000 miles	2015 Toyota Camry	Open	$1,266

uShip Reputation

Since uShip isn’t a broker, it doesn’t have to vet each carrier that uses its platform. The responsibility is on customers to research carriers they find, including levels of insurance. Despite the extra hassle, most customers have positive experiences with uShip.

The company holds an A+ rating with accreditation from the BBB and a 4.6-star customer review score with over 350 reviews. Backed by almost 11,000 reviews, uShip has 4.2 stars on Trustpilot.

See our full uShip review to learn more about what makes uShip one of the top car shipping companies.

[data-block_608fc4e3ed688] {
}

.b-image {
background-image: url()
}

#7 Easy Auto Ship: Best Additional Benefits

Easy Auto Ship is an auto transport broker that consistently offers some of the lowest rates in the shipping industry. The company offers a wide range of shipping options for all kinds of vehicles, from the family sedan to the farm tractor.

Year Established	2013
Headquarters	Youngstown, Ohio
Availability	50 states plus international shipping
Insurance	$100,000
BBB rating	A+ with accreditation

[data-block_63110c5fd043c] {

}

Easy Auto Ship Services

Easy Auto Ship’s status as a transport broker allows it to offer one of the widest ranges of shipping options in the industry. The company does appear to be able to offer shipping for just about anything to just about anywhere in a variety of ways.

Here are some of your options with Easy Auto Shipping:

• Shipping for specialty vehicles like motorcycles, golf carts, heavy equipment and recreational vehicles (RVs)
• Instant quotes online
• Expedited shipping
• Door-to-door transport
• Open or enclosed shipping

Easy Auto Ship Benefits

The included benefits are what really sets Easy Auto Ship apart from other providers. The company is one of a few that will reimburse you for the cost of a car wash after delivery, up to $20. But Easy Auto Ship is the only provider that we know of that provides rental coverage. The company will pay for the cost of a rental car if your shipment takes more than 14 days from the pickup date.

Easy Auto Ship Cost

Easy Auto Ship is one of the most affordable car shipping companies in our study. Unlike many providers, Easy Auto Ship publishes a rate table on its website, with basic shipping ranging from 40 cents to $1 per mile.

Our team reached out to Easy Auto Ship for quotes to ship a sedan from San Diego to Portland, Oregon. These are the quotes we got back:

Shipping Distance	Vehicle Model	Transport Type	Cost
1,100 miles	2018 Honda Civic	Open	$939
1,100 miles	2018 Honda Civic	Enclosed	$1,350

Easy Auto Ship Reputation

Easy Auto Ship has high ratings within the shipping industry and from customers. The company carries an A+ rating from the BBB with accreditation and has an average score of 4.6 out of 5.0 from customers on the site. Easy Auto Ship also responds to more than 80% of all reviews on the site, both positive and negative.

The company also has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars on Google, with more than 3,000 reviews.

[data-block_63110c5fd043d] {
}

.b-image {
background-image: url()
}

How Much Do Car Shipping Companies Charge?

Everything from the state of the freight industry to the model of your car influences transport prices. That means one industrywide average cost won’t tell you very much. Car shipping costs are highly variable and depend on the following factors:

• Distance: Longer shipping distances like cross-country moves 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.
• Transport type: Open car transport is cheaper than shipping a car in an enclosed trailer, but it also leaves your vehicle exposed to the elements and road hazards.
• Pickup and delivery options: Door-to-door shipping is the more convenient option as it allows you to have your vehicle picked up and delivered at your home or nearby, but it usually costs more than terminal-to-terminal shipping.
• 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 that are brokers or marketplaces allow multiple carriers to compete for your business, which often drives shipping costs down.
• Price of fuel: Car shipment costs can fluctuate depending on the 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 because they take up more room on the carrier.

Discounts From Car Shipping Companies

Another piece worth considering with car shipping companies is the opportunity to lower auto transport costs. Some of the moving companies mentioned above offer discounts for members of the military, returning customers and people who pay in cash.

If you’re looking for cheap car shipping, try opting for an open carrier and have flexible pickup dates and delivery times. It may not be the most convenient, but it will save you money if you’re shipping long-distance, such as from California to Florida or Texas to Maine.

For the best auto shipping rates, we recommend comparing free quotes from several top-rated car shipping companies.

What is the Cheapest Car Shipping Company?

As you can see, car shipping costs are highly variable. Different auto shipping providers use different formulas to calculate their rates. That makes it difficult to single out one company as the cheapest car shipping company overall.

However, in our study, Montway Auto Transport and Easy Auto Ship tended to offer the lowest shipping prices based on the quotes we received.

It’s also important to recognize that rates do often go up after your initial quote, sometimes due to hidden fees that weren’t mentioned in your original quote. This isn’t true of all companies, however. Sherpa Auto Transport, for example, has its Price Lock Promise that guarantees you’ll pay the same rate you were quoted. So while Sherpa may have slightly higher rates in initial quotes than other providers, you could end up paying less in the end.

Consumer Feedback on Car Shipping Companies

In 2021, our research team conducted a survey of 1,000 car transport service customers. Several of the car shipping companies we profiled in our article appear in the survey, but respondents used other providers as well.

Here are some of the key takeaways from that study.

Car Shipping Costs

Around 22% of respondents paid between $1,500 to $2,000, and 19% paid between $1,000 and $1,500. According to our survey, fewer than a fifth of respondents ended up paying more than $2,000 for auto shipping.

We also found that most customers opted for open vehicle transport, which is typically the more affordable option. What our survey doesn’t account for is what time of year customers shipped their vehicles or other external factors that could raise prices.

Car Shipping Customer Satisfaction

Our survey found that most auto shipping customers are happy with their investment. Approximately 69% of respondents said they were satisfied with the transporter’s services and 56% said they would recommend the company to a friend or family member.

Below are some of the average satisfaction numbers by the auto transport provider.

• 84% of Montway Auto Transport customers were satisfied.
• 67% of AmeriFreight customers were satisfied.
• 60% of Sherpa Auto Transport customers were satisfied.
• 59% of uShip customers were satisfied.

How Do You Ship a Car?

If you’ve never used an auto transport service before you’ve probably been searching how to ship a car. The process is actually rather simple. Here’s an overview of how auto shipping works:

1. Research: Before even looking at prices, look at the reputations of car shipping companies to see which have the best carriers, insurance coverage and customer experience.
2. Get a quote: The next step is to get a quote from the car transport company for the distance, make and model of the vehicle you want shipped. This is also where you pick enclosed or open transport, along with drop-off preferences.
3. Book a mover: Once you’ve got your shipping dates and transport details squared away, you can book with the auto shipping company that best suits your needs.
4. Prepare your vehicle: Before your car is shipped, you’ll need to remove all personal items. These items usually aren’t covered by the shipping company’s insurance policy, and the added weight can increase your transport bill.
5. Inspect your vehicle: When the mover arrives to transport your car, the car will be inspected for preexisting damages and the driver will check that it’s ready for travel. You will also sign a bill of lading that confirms the vehicle is being processed.
6. Collect your car: Many auto shippers have ways for customers to track their vehicles during shipment either by GPS or customer service line. Once your car arrives at the agreed-upon location, you should inspect it for any damages before driving.

[data-block_608fc579ed68a] {
}

.b-image {
background-image: url(https://www.thedetroitbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Group-719.png)
}

FAQ: Car Shipping Companies

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.