The first step in the sometimes-confusing car shipping process is to find the right company to handle your vehicle shipment. That’s not as easy as it may sound.
We asked Steve Yariv, the owner of Dealers Choice Auto Transport, for his thoughts on what customers need to look for in an auto transport company. He said customers should be considering customer ratings, reputations and how long a shipper has been in business so you can be sure it’s a reputable car shipper.
With that in mind, our top picks in the auto transport industry are Montway Auto Transport and Mercury Auto Transport. These companies combine competitive car shipping rates with excellent customer service to stand out in a crowded field.
Popular auto shipping companies
Market standing, cost, variety of services and customer experience are the criteria we use to evaluate car transport companies. These are our top rated providers of car shipping services:
- Montway Auto Transport
- Mercury Auto Transport
- AmeriFreight
- Sherpa Auto Transport
- SGT Auto Transport
Compare top car shipping companies
When comparing the auto shippers in the industry, it’s important to look at the factors that are most relevant to your shipment. Typically, you’ll want to consider how each company is rated, the pickup date range and cost. The table below compares this criteria for top shipping brands.
| Provider | Our Rating | Pickup Date Range | Deposit | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–5 days | Not specified | Check Price | ||
| N/A | Yes | Check Price | ||
| 5–10 days | Not specified | Check Price | ||
| 0–5 days | $250 to $300 | Check Price | ||
| 1–3 days | No | Check Price |
| Provider | Our Rating | Pickup Date Range | Deposit | Get Started |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–5 days | Not specified | Check Price | ||
| N/A | Yes | Check Price | ||
| 5–10 days | Not specified | Check Price | ||
| 0–5 days | $250 to $300 | Check Price | ||
| 1–3 days | No | Check Price |
Our top choices for auto shipping companies
In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at each of our top five vehicle transport providers. You’ll learn about each company’s pros and cons, the car shipping services it offers and what customers are saying about it.
The pricing information in these sections reflects the average quote we received from each provider. This average is based on quotes for shipping an operable 2019 Toyota Camry various distances (between 500 and 2,500 miles) through both open and enclosed transport.
Montway Auto Transport
Mercury Auto Transport
Sherpa Auto Transport
SGT Auto Transport
Buyers guide: What to know about car shipping
Shipping a car for the first time can be overwhelming. Armed with some basic information about the vehicle transport process, you can book your shipment with confidence and get the best possible rate.
How does car shipping work?
The companies we’ve outlined in this article are car shipping brokers. They work with vetted carriers that bid on posted vehicle transport jobs. This helps customers get the best shipping rates.
The actual process of how to ship a car is pretty straightforward. You can expect to follow these basic steps:
1. Compare car shipping quotes
Many vehicle transport brokers allow you to get fast and free car shipping quotes for your car shipment. You’ll typically need to provide the following information to obtain a quote:
- Your car’s make, model and condition (operable vs. inoperable)
- Pick-up and delivery dates
- Pick-up and drop-off locations (door-to-door vs. terminals)
- Your desired transport type (on an open-air trailer or in an enclosed carrier)
- Your contact information (email address and phone number)
2. Connect with a carrier
Once you’ve ironed out the details of your shipment with the car shipping broker and paid any required deposit, your transport job will be opened up to bids from carriers. It may take a few days for your broker to find the best possible price on your car shipment.
3. Prepare your car
Transporters typically request that you remove personal items from your vehicle and leave no more than a quarter tank of gas to keep shipping weight as low as possible. We also recommend washing your car so you can get a good look at any existing dings and dents before shipping.
4. Meet your carrier at the pick-up location
Whether your car is picked up from your home or a centrally-located shipping terminal, you and the transport driver will inspect your vehicle before it’s loaded onto a trailer. You’ll record any existing damage on the bill of lading. Both you and the driver will then sign this document. Make sure you get a copy of the bill of lading.
5. Get updates on your car shipment
A few car shipping brokers offer GPS tracking of shipments, but you’ll likely keep tabs on your transport by phone, email or an app. If bad weather conditions or road hazards create issues for your transport driver, it’s good to be in the know.
6. Meet your carrier at the delivery point and inspect your vehicle
Once your car reaches its destination, you’ll inspect it for any damage and sign the bill of lading again. You’ll likely pay the driver the remaining balance for the shipment at this time. Cash, a money order or a cashier’s check are often the only accepted methods of payment here. Keep the bill of lading handy in case you notice any damage later and need to contact the broker or carrier.
How much does car shipping cost?
We gathered quotes for both open and enclosed auto transport from 10 leading brokers to give you a clear idea of how much car shipping costs. The averages in the table below are for shipping an operable 2019 Toyota Camry with door-to-door service.
| Shipping Distance | Transport Type | Average Quote |
|---|---|---|
| 571 miles | Open | $665 |
| 1,530 miles | Open | $1,113 |
| 1,530 miles | Enclosed | $1,725 |
| 2,363 miles | Open | $1,236 |
What factors affect car shipping costs?
A variety of factors determine how much you pay for an auto shipment. Here are some of the key variables car shipping brokers use to set their rates:
- Shipping distance: Long-distance car shipments — like cross-country transports — have lower per-mile rates but higher overall costs than shorter routes. We got an estimate from Montway to ship a 2019 Toyota Camry from Chicago to New York City (approximately 800 miles). Our quote was $789 for door-to-door service. But shipping that same vehicle from Chicago to Los Angeles (just over 2,000 miles) would cost $1,079.
- Transport type: Open auto transport is cheaper than enclosed auto shipping, largely because there are so many more open-air trailers available at any given time. Shipping a 2019 Camry from Chicago to Los Angeles with Mercury would cost $820 if we went with open-air shipping, while enclosed shipping would be $1,290. Montway’s quote was similar — an open trailer was $530 cheaper than shipping in an enclosed trailer.
- Pick-up and delivery locations: Having your car picked up from and dropped off at home addresses is more convenient and more expensive than using shipping terminals, which are usually located near major highways. None of the shipping companies we got quotes from offer terminal delivery, so we can’t estimate what the price difference would be. But in our opinion, the added convenience of door-to-door delivery is worth the higher cost.
- Type of vehicle: Larger and heavier vehicles, like certain SUVs and pickup trucks, cost more to ship than sedans and other standard cars. Montway’s estimate to ship a 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser (an SUV) from Chicago to New York was $80 more expensive than it was to ship a Camry.
- Vehicle condition: Inoperable vehicles cost more to ship because they require extra effort to load and unload. We got another estimate from Montway for a nonrunning 2019 Camry going from Chicago to New York. This time, our quote was $909 — $120 more expensive.
- Time of year: The summer months — when families relocate — and January — when snowbirds head south for the winter — see the highest car shipping rates. We contacted Sherpa to get a quote for shipping a Camry from Chicago to New York on April 1, 2024. The price given to us was $725. If we made that same move in the middle of the summer on July 15, 2024, our price would be $850.
- Fuel costs: Car shipping companies typically include fuel in the final price you pay. So, when fuel costs go up, they need to charge more to cover their bases. When you see high prices at the gas station, you can expect to pay more for auto shipping.
The most effective ways to get the best price on car transport services are to book in advance, go with open transport — unless you’re transporting an exotic or classic car and need the extra protection of enclosed shipping — and choose terminal-to-terminal shipping if available.
Do car shipping companies provide insurance?
Car shipping brokers don’t actually provide insurance coverage — that’s the carrier’s responsibility. This is definitely an area in which customers are uninformed. “In the transport industry, what the customers are lacking tremendously is knowledge regarding the insurance qualifications of carriers,” Yariv said. “That is the number one issue of this industry.”
Put simply, auto transport carriers are required to have liability insurance and cargo insurance. The liability piece covers other drivers and their property if the transport driver causes an accident. Cargo insurance covers your vehicle from damage and theft during shipping.
Car shipping customers need to carefully review the insurance coverage provided by any auto mover, as cargo insurance won’t necessarily cover everything. It’s best to have comprehensive coverage as part of your personal car insurance policy on any car you ship. That should cover any potential damage that cargo insurance might not.
Are car shipping companies licensed?
Every business involved in car shipping — both brokers and carriers — must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Once a company is registered, they’re issued a seven-digit United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number and a six-digit Motor Carrier (MC) number.
Each of the companies we reviewed for this article has its accreditations displayed on its website. If you can’t find a company’s USDOT number or MC number on its website, you can use the FMCSA’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System.
If you can’t find a company’s registration numbers through the SAFER System, this is a red flag that the company isn’t legitimate, and we recommend looking elsewhere for vehicle shipping.
How far do auto transport services deliver vehicles?
The distance a transportation service will ship your vehicle varies from company to company. For example, Montway will ship your vehicle to Canada, while Sherpa and SGT don’t serve Alaska. There are plenty of shipping companies in business that specialize in shipping internationally, though.
If you’re shipping your car internationally, be sure to read the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s requirements for exporting a motor vehicle to ensure you’re adhering to all federal regulations.
How long does it take to ship a car?
The time it takes to ship a car depends on a few factors, including the shipping route, pick-up window, transportation method (enclosed or open carrier) and the time of year.
Under ideal conditions, shipping your car from one side of the continental United States to the other can take about one week. However, unforeseen circumstances — like a sudden winter snowstorm — can delay that time frame significantly.
If you’re working with a reputable transportation company, it should keep you updated on any potential delays so you’ll never be caught off guard if your vehicle takes longer than expected to arrive at its destination.
Similar to how booking far in advance and choosing open transport can save you money, these options can also help get your car to its destination faster. But if you’re really in a hurry, Montway, Sherpa and AmeriFreight all offer expedited shipping services.
Do moving companies ship vehicles?
Many professional moving companies also handle vehicle shipping. If you’re hiring a professional service to move your household (especially if it’s a cross-country move), it doesn’t hurt to get a quote to see how much your mover will charge to bring your vehicle along with the rest of your belongings.
A few of the top moving companies we’ve reviewed include International Van Lines, Allied Van Lines and JK Moving Services. All of these companies offer vehicle shipping among their services.
Do auto transport companies ship motorcycles?
Cars aren’t the only vehicles that shipping companies deal with. All of the providers covered in this article also specialize in shipping motorcycles. AmeriFreight, Mercury and Montway also ship boats, RVs, trailers and ATVs.
Just like with car shipping, the cost to ship a motorcycle varies on its make and model, size, value, condition (operable or inoperable), transportation type, distance and time of year.
Final take: Get quotes from Montway Auto Transport and other companies if you need to ship your car
Our top picks in the auto transport industry combine good selection of shipping services with excellent customer service and competitive pricing. We recommend starting with quotes from Montway Auto Transport, Mercury Auto Transport and AmeriFreight.
It’s always best to compare quotes from several companies before booking a shipment, so take your time to fully explore and understand your options.
Our rating methodology for auto shipping companies
We base our auto shipping ratings and recommendations on our proprietary detailed methodology. We’ve assessed key aspects of the customer experience, including pricing, breadth of services offered and overall reputation, to determine which auto shipping companies offer the best service.
Auto shipping providers that meet our standards carry the required licensing and registration as a prerequisite. Each company has also maintained a good reputation via high customer ratings, which cite clear pricing, timely service and multiple shipping options for different vehicle types.
BBB, Google and Trustpilot scores are accurate as of April 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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