If you’re moving across the country, you want to ship your car with a reliable company. Our top picks for the best car shipping companies in 2022 are:
- Montway Auto Transport
- Sherpa Auto Transport
- AmeriFreight
- Easy Auto Ship
- uShip
Find out why these vehicle transport companies made our list and learn about how car shipping works below.
In this article:
- Compare Top Car Shipping Companies
- #1 Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall
- #2 Sherpa Auto Transport: Locked-In Prices
- #3 AmeriFreight: Best Discounts
- #4 Easy Auto Ship: Best For A Quick Pickup
- #5 uShip: Best Car Shipping Marketplace
- Tips For A Hassle-Free Auto Shipment
- How Car Shipping Works
- Find The Best Car Shipping Company For Your Move
- FAQ: Best Car Shipping Companies
Compare Top Car Shipping Companies
After performing an in-depth industry review, our research team named Montway Auto Transport the best car shipping company in 2022. Because rates with any provider can vary depending on your location, service preferences, and discount eligibility, we recommend comparing car transport quotes from a few leading providers.
| Best Car Shipping Companies | Motor1 Award | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Montway Auto Transport | Best Overall | 4.6 |
| 2. Sherpa Auto Transport | Locked-In Prices | 4.5 |
| 3. AmeriFreight | Best Discounts | 4.5 |
| 4. Easy Auto Ship | Best for a Quick Pickup | 4.5 |
| 5. uShip | Best Car Shipping Marketplace | 4.4 |
#1 Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall
Founded: 2006
Headquarters: Schaumburg, Illinois
Montway Auto Transport tops our list of the best car shipping companies in 2022. The company works with over 15,000 carriers across the nation and can ship a car to any state in the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. According to our consumer shipping survey, Montway Auto Transport had the highest satisfaction rating of any major provider.
Car Shipping Services
Here are a few details about shipping with Montway:
- Insurance: Provided through all Montway shippers, and contingent cargo insurance up to $250,000 provided through Montway
- Door-to-door delivery: Available
- GPS tracking: Not available, but Montway has an extended live chat service that can provide updates and delivery status
- Extras: Expedited shipping available, plus you can include 100 pounds of personal items inside the vehicle at no additional charge
How Much Does Montway Auto Transport Shipping Cost?
Los Angeles to Houston Car Transport Cost*: $979
Montway offers competitive rates for a variety of shipping services, including open and enclosed auto transport. There are no listing fees, but there is a $199 cancellation fee.
Our review team has reached out for multiple quotes from top auto transport companies, and Montway offers were consistently lower than most competitors. The Montway quotes we received ranged from $689 for a 500-mile shipment to $1,789 for a cross-country move with open car transport.
Customer Reviews
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A+
- BBB customer review score: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars based on over 2,100 reviews
- Trustpilot rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars based on over 1,000 reviews
Having been in business for over 15 years, Montway knows a thing or two about service. It has an A+ rating from the BBB and many positive customer reviews. Positive Montway Auto Transport reviews mention timely delivery and excellent communication. However, dissatisfied customers have discussed price hikes after a price was quoted and difficulty trying to cancel requests.
| Montway Auto Transport Pros | Montway Auto Transport Cons |
|---|---|
| Network of over 15,000 car carriers | No guaranteed pricing |
| Competitive prices | $199 cancellation fee |
| Military, return customer, and pay-in-cash discounts available | |
| Strong customer reputation |
For more information about this provider, read our full Montway Auto Transport review.
#2 Sherpa Auto Transport: Locked-In Prices
Founded: 2017
Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina
The mission of Sherpa Auto Transport is to provide a simple and reliable consumer shipping experience, enhanced by its Price Lock Promise. This means that Sherpa makes a special effort to work only with the most reliable shippers and provides full-service support to customers. Sherpa avoids hidden fees and price increases with its Price Lock Promise.
Car Shipping Services
Here are a few details about shipping with Sherpa Auto Transport:
- Insurance: All Sherpa carriers have a minimum liability insurance policy of $1,000,000 and $100,000 of cargo insurance coverage
- Door-to-door delivery: Available
- GPS tracking: Not available, but customers can contact Sherpa for a real-time update and estimated arrival time
- Extras: Expedited delivery, $20 car wash reimbursement included with all shipping, Price Lock Promise
How Much Does Sherpa Auto Transport Cost?
Los Angeles to Houston Car Transport Cost*: $1,000
There is no Sherpa Auto Transport online instant quote form, but after you speak with a booking agent and are quoted a price, Sherpa guarantees that the cost will not rise.
While initial car shipping quotes may be a bit higher with Sherpa than other providers, these are locked-in rates. Other car shipping companies may provide estimated rates that are much lower than the actual cost after fees and surcharges are added on at the end.
The open car transport quotes we received from Sherpa ranged from $675 for a 500-mile trip to $1,700 for a 3,000-mile move.
Customer Reviews
- Sherpa Auto Transport BBB rating: A+
- BBB customer review score: 4.9 out of 5.0 stars based on over 220 reviews
- Sherpa Auto Transport Google reviews: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars based on over 600 reviews
Sherpa stands out on our list of best car shipping companies its high customer satisfaction ratings. There are very few negative Sherpa Auto Transport reviews. While a small number of customers report shipping delays or issues, the majority praise Sherpa for its helpful and responsive customer service, smooth delivery process, and quick service.
| Sherpa Auto Transport Pros | Sherpa Auto Transport Cons |
|---|---|
| A+ BBB rating and very few customer complaints | Can be slightly more expensive |
| Easy-to-use booking process and quick shipper matching | No easy online quotes |
| Price Lock Promise on every quote |
You can read more in our in-depth Sherpa Auto Transport review.
#3 AmeriFreight: Best Discounts
Founded: 2004
Headquarters: Peachtree City, Georgia
AmeriFreight partners with over 10,000 auto shipping companies to transport customer vehicles anywhere in the U.S. This nationwide auto transporter stands out by giving extra attention to its carrier vetting process. Only fully insured truckers with consistently high customer ratings are used, and any shipper with a poor client history is dropped as a partner.
Car Shipping Services
Here are a few details about using AmeriFreight:
- Insurance: All auto carriers insured, with additional guaranteed asset protection insurance, or gap coverage, available for a fee
- Door-to-door delivery: Available
- Extras: Expedited delivery
- Transportation services: Open transport carriers or enclosed car shipping
How Much Does AmeriFreight Shipping Cost?
Los Angeles to Houston Car Transport Cost*: $884
According to AmeriFreight, the cost to ship a vehicle can range from $450 to $2,500 within the contiguous U.S. Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii can cost considerably more. While your final rate depends on a number of factors, AmeriFreight offers the following discounts:
- Military: $35 off
- First responders: $35 off
- Medical personnel: $35 off
- Students: $25 off
- Senior citizens: $25 off
- Return customers: $50 off
- Multiple vehicles: $50 off every additional vehicle
- Early Bird: $25 off if you sign up 48 hours after getting a quote
However, only one discount offer can be applied per order, except the Early Bird discount. This can be added to another discount offer.
Like Montway, AmeriFreight rates were among the lowest we found during our quote process. AmeriFreight offers what it calls an “economy” rate, which is an exceptionally low rate but is not guaranteed unless you opt for the company's First Class Rate (FCR) option. If you are flexible with shipping times, you may be able to secure an economy rate.
Customer Reviews
- AmeriFreight BBB rating: A+
- BBB customer review score: 4.9 out of 5.0 stars based on over 1,100 reviews
- AmeriFreight Google reviews: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars based on over 3,200 reviews
The majority of AmeriFreight reviews online are positive. According to customers, the car shipping company's service agents are friendly and professional, as are the drivers. Most mention how quick and easy the shipping process is with AmeriFreight. Drivers facilitate smooth pickup and delivery processes, and major issues are rare.
| AmeriFreight Pros | AmeriFreight Cons |
|---|---|
| A+ BBB rating and accreditation | Slower online quote process |
| Many discount opportunities | |
| Strict car shipper vetting process | |
| Top-rated customer service |
Read our full AmeriFreight review to learn more about the car shipping company.
#4 Easy Auto Ship: Best For A Quick Pickup
Founded: 2013
Headquarters: Youngstown, Ohio
Easy Auto Ship is a low-cost auto shipping broker that also offers moving and relocation services. The company will transport many types of vehicles, including classic cars, motorcycles, and heavy equipment. Shipping is available anywhere in the U.S. and internationally.
Car Shipping Services
Here are a few details about transporting a vehicle with Easy Auto Ship:
- Insurance: All carriers are insured, and Easy Auto Ship provides an additional $100,000 of coverage with all contracts at no charge
- Door-to-door delivery: Available
- GPS tracking: Not available, but dedicated agents will provide updates and can be contacted regarding car shipment status at any time
- Extras: Expedited delivery
If your shipment takes longer than two weeks after pickup, Easy Auto Ship will provide a free rental car for you to use. The company will also pay for a wash if your car arrives dirty.
How Much Does Easy Auto Ship Cost?
Los Angeles to Houston Car Transport Cost*: $1,198
While auto shipping rates fluctuate based on a number of factors, Easy Auto Ship can find customers some of the lowest prices among the car shipping companies we’ve reviewed. Expect to pay around $1.20 per mile with Easy Auto Ship, though prices can vary.
In our research, we found Easy Auto Ship's rates to be comparable to the average cost for the car shipping industry. Open transport quotes ranged from $747 for a 500-mile shipment to $1,514 for a cross-country move.
You can get a rough idea of how much your shipment will cost with Easy Auto Ship by using the company's domestic and international car shipping cost calculator on its website.
The provider offers discounts for active-duty military members and veterans.
Customer Reviews
- Easy Auto Ship BBB rating: A+
- BBB customer review score: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars based on more than 700 reviews
- Easy Auto Ship Google reviews: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars based on over 2,900 reviews
Positive Easy Auto Ship reviews praise the broker for its top-notch customer service, fast delivery, and low prices. Negative reviews report delays and communication breakdowns when there is an issue. Such complaints are a small fraction of Easy Auto Ship reviews, but we did notice that Easy Auto Ship had a slightly higher volume of complaints than the other car shipping companies on this list.
| Easy Auto Ship Pros | Easy Auto Ship Cons |
|---|---|
| A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB | More complaints than other top car shipping companies |
| Relatively low prices | |
| Instant online quotes |
Read our Easy Auto Ship review for a more in-depth overview of the motor carrier.
#5 uShip: Best Car Shipping Marketplace
Founded: 2003
Headquarters: Austin, Texas
Rather than being a traditional transport broker, uShip is a marketplace for auto shipping and other shipping services. It is one of the largest online shipping marketplaces and is a good place to look if you want to compare many options. With uShip, you can ship cars as well as many other items like household goods, machinery, RVs, and more.
Car Shipping Services
Here are a few details about shipping with uShip:
- Insurance: A carrier's insurance is not guaranteed, so you can add insurance from uShip at an additional cost
- Door-to-door delivery: Available
- GPS tracking: May be available depending on the shipper, but not guaranteed by uShip
- Extras: Expedited delivery and other extras may be available from the shipper
How Much Does uShip Shipping Cost?
Los Angeles to Houston Car Transport Cost*: $1,060
Because uShip is a competitive bidding marketplace, rates can be extremely low, depending on your patience. If you are flexible with delivery and pickup dates, having carriers compete for your shipment will drive your costs down. In addition to posting your listing on the marketplace, uShip offers instant-rate booking, which pairs you with a shipper more quickly but is more expensive.
Along with your shipping cost, uShip charges a fee between $25 and $150, which is relatively low compared to the total price of long-distance or cross-country auto shipping from New York to California.
Instant rates from uShip are about average for the industry. We found open trailer quotes ranging from $677 for a 500-mile shipment to $1,820 for a 3,000-mile move.
Customer Reviews
- uShip BBB rating: A+
- BBB customer review score: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars based on over 350 reviews
- Trustpilot rating: 4.2 out of 5.0 stars based on nearly 11,000 reviews
According to uShip customer reviews, the company excels at offering a simple auto transport process and low prices after bidding. In general, most reviewers are happy with their truckers, but some customers complain about price fluctuations. The few customers who've had issues with their truckers complain that uShip does a poor job mediating disputes.
| uShip Pros | uShip Cons |
|---|---|
| Established industry reputation | Does not verify carriers’ insurance coverage |
| Compare offers from a wide range of shippers and brokers | Customers complain that uShip doesn't do enough to resolve issues with drivers |
| Easy process | No price guarantee and some customers complain about price fluctuations |
| Competitive prices |
For more information about this car shipping company, read our full uShip review.
*Above sample shipping costs are to ship an operable 2018 Toyota RAV4 (SUV) on an open-carrier transport. Costs are estimates and may be subject to change by the time the final shipping is booked.
Tips For A Hassle-Free Auto Shipment
If you're new to the auto transport industry, there are a few things you should know to avoid unnecessary headaches and hassle during your move.
Know That Prices Change
Car shipping quotes are not set in stone. When you present your trip information to get a shipping quote, the auto transport broker will give you a ballpark price to ship your vehicle. Next, the broker will try to secure a carrier to transport your vehicle for around that price.
Make sure you don't only look for the lowest shipping prices possible. If you hold out for the cheapest car shipping quote, the carrier you end up with could be newer to the business or less reliable.
Be Flexible
It's important to be flexible when shipping a car, especially for long-distance moving. If you don't plan ahead, you'll pay more up front for expedited car delivery. Shipping timelines can change depending on weather and traffic, too.
You can have a family member or friend meet the transport truck for pickup or drop-off. If you absolutely need to have your vehicle picked up by a certain day, explain that when you talk to the broker about the car shipping process.
Drivers may not be able to meet you at your exact delivery location. Remember, an open or enclosed trailer needs to make it to the drop-off spot. This isn't always possible on smaller neighborhood streets.
Prepare Your Vehicle Correctly
- Leave your vehicle with a quarter tank of gas. This is enough gas for the carrier to move your car when needed but not so much as to burden the trailer with extra weight.
- Remove all your personal items (some carriers let you transport luggage in the trunk, but not all).
- Make a copy of your keys to give to the transporter. Don't, under any circumstances, hand over your only set.
- Perform any regular maintenance that needs to be done, and then clean your car inside and out.
- Thoroughly inspect your car and send it off. Note your car's exact condition, and take photos before signing the original bill of lading.
What Others Experienced When Shipping A Car
Our team surveyed 1,000 people who have shipped a car in the past. Overall, 69 percent of respondents were satisfied with their experience. However, 21 percent were somewhat or very unsatisfied with their experience. Some common problems include:
- The vehicle had damage upon delivery
- The truck driver's insurance wouldn't cover the damage
- The final price was more than the auto transport quote
About 56 percent of respondents would recommend the auto transport company they used to a friend. On the other hand, 15 percent would ship a car again but use a different provider.
We also found open car transport is the most popular way to ship a car, which makes sense since it's often the most economical. About 43 percent used open transport, while 20 percent used enclosed transport. Some customers also used single-car transport services (a flatbed truck is an example of this).
How To Choose An Auto Transport Company
There are tens of thousands of independent shippers and car transport companies operating in different parts of the U.S. If you’re trying to find cheap car shipping, you should compare several options.
If you’re flexible on shipping dates, you will have more choices. That said, you may need to ship your car by a certain deadline. Whether you need your vehicle shipped quickly or want to hold out for a lower offer, the best way to find a car shipper is through an auto shipping broker. Consider the following in your decision:
- Insurance: Are shipping partners insured? What's the deductible? Many shippers carry cargo insurance that will cover your vehicle should it be damaged during transport. Some broker sites provide insurance for free, and others offer it at an additional fee. For peace of mind, ship your car through a company that has insurance.
- Reputation: Look at customer reviews and read the experiences of those who have used a shipper before. The best car shipping companies carefully vet all of their partner shippers or provide a space for public customer feedback.
- Price: Once you’re sure a shipper is reliable, you want to know you’re getting the best price. It's generally worth paying a little more for a reliable shipping service.
How Car Shipping Works
Shipping a single car at the lowest cost can require a lot of planning and coordination. This is why most individual car shipping jobs are booked through an auto shipping broker. A broker works with many carriers, which allows customers to browse and compare offers based on their vehicle types, requested shipping dates, and any other specifications.
Because of this bidding process, the cost to ship a car can vary from day to day. In general, car shipping costs are most affected by the following factors:
- Season: Prices peak in the summer and in January, when auto shippers are at their busiest and snowbirds travel.
- Shipping distance: The farther your move, the more vehicle shipping will cost.
- Type of vehicle: Your car’s length, height, clearance, and weight can all impact shipping costs. Vehicles that are inoperable cost more to ship as well.
- Transport type: Enclosed car transport costs more than open auto transport.
- Pickup location: Door-to-door delivery is more expensive than terminal-to-terminal delivery. Shipping to and from rural areas is also more expensive than shipping to and from urban areas.
Be aware that most carriers prefer to receive cash on delivery. This is why you'll find discounted rates for paying a deposit up front and the rest in cash on delivery. If you want to use a credit card, you'll have to pay for the entire shipment up front when the carrier is dispatched to pick up your car.
Is Car Shipping Expensive?
Shipping a car can cost up to $2.92 per mile for short trips under 300 miles but as low as $0.78 per mile for distances over 1,000 miles. According to our consumer survey, 41 percent of respondents paid between $1,000 and $2,000 to ship their cars.
Find The Best Car Shipping Company For Your Move
We've highlighted a few of our top picks in this article, but your best option is the one that best suits your individual shipping needs. We recommend comparing multiple quotes to see what prices, discounts, and timelines different companies offer.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of car shipping companies to formulate rankings of the best transporters. Providers receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Reputation: Shippers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of shipping routes, distances, and vehicles. Companies with lower prices and many discount opportunities receive the best scores.
- Services: This rating is based on types of auto transport services available, insurance coverage, and the ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates.
- Customer Experience: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each car transporter.
More On Auto Shipping:
About this article