Best Car Shipping Companies of August 2022

Best Service	Best for Locked-In Pricing	Best Benefits
Montway	Sherpa	Easy Auto Ship
Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0	Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0	Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0
Get Quote	Get Quote	Get Quote
(866) 882-8614	(888) 916-6358	(877) 215-0491

Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products in this article.

• Each auto transport company charges different rates for different distances, and most offer more than one type of discount.
• The best car shipping companies offer bonus services – such as cleaning – and ensure your vehicle in the event of any damages.
• Choosing an auto shipping provider involves looking at the distance you need a vehicle shipped and the type of vehicle transport available.

The best car shipping companies can get your vehicle from point A to point B safely and efficiently at a reasonable price. But not every auto transport company can say that.

To help you separate the best car shipping companies from the rest, our experts conducted thorough research into the auto transport industry. We examined the rates, services, ratings, and reviews of the top auto transport providers in the country. In this article, we list our top choices for car shippers as well as break down the ins and outs of shipping a car.

We always advise getting free quotes from multiple providers so you can compare car shipping quotes online and find the absolute best rates for exactly what you need.

Best Car Shipping Companies

Montway Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, Sherpa Auto Transport, and AmeriFreight are the best car shipping companies on the market based on our research and secret shopper analysis. Our tea

We compared the price, services, reputation, and customer experience of the top auto transport companies in the market. Based on our research, we believe that Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, and Easy Auto Ship are the best car shipping companies in the country.

Here’s how our scoring breaks down.

What You Should Look For In a Car Shipping Company

Between the wide selection of providers and the huge amount of marketing jargon on the internet, it’s hard to know exactly what to look for in an auto transporter. Here are a few of the most important considerations:

• Auto transport prices: Price is the most important consideration for many people. That’s why we always recommend comparing car shipping quotes from multiple providers before making a decision.
• Easy shipping process: The best car shipping companies take care of the details and ensure a no-hassle shipping experience. Customer reviews and ratings can give you a good idea of how smooth of a process different providers offer.
• Car shipping options: Some providers have a wide range of options for shipping your vehicle, while others may only have a couple. Make sure the car shipping company you choose has the shipping options you need.
• Direct provider or auto transport broker: You can often find slightly lower rates when you work with a car shipping broker. However, a direct provider of auto transport services can offer a more seamless car shipping process and centralized accountability. 
• Auto carrier vetting process: If you do work with a shipping broker, your service will actually be carried about by an independent car carrier. For that reason, it’s good to look into a broker’s vetting process to make sure they only hire reputable drivers.
• Availability: Not all car shipping companies operate throughout all 50 states. Some work with international shipments. Be sure to weed out any car transporters that don’t operate where you need them to.

#1 Montway Auto Transport: Best Service

Quick Facts

Average price: $1,097
Shipping options: Door-to-door, open shipping, enclosed shipping, international shipping
Type of Company: Shipping broker
Availability: 50 states, international

What We Like About Montway

Montway Auto Transport offers affordable car shipping services across the entire U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Enclosed and open transport, door-to-door shipping, and expedited shipping options are available, and the car shipper guarantees pickup dates for an extra cost.

Montway has a network of over 15,000 carriers, and the vehicle shipping company says it moved over 140,000 vehicles in 2020 alone. Each of Montway’s land shipments is backed by a cargo insurance policy of up to $100,000. 

Montway transports the following types of vehicles: ATVs, SUVs, sedans, minivans, motorcycles, classic cars, pickup trucks, and regular cargo and passenger vans.

Montway Auto Transport Cost

Here are a few sample quotes we received from Montway Auto Transport:

Montway Auto Transport Reviews

The majority of Montway Auto Transport reviews are positive, with customers mentioning timely delivery and an easy sales process. Montway is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited vehicle shipping company and has an A+ rating from the organization. 

Customers on the BBB website also rate Montway an average of 4.49 out of 5 stars after more than 1,750 customer reviews.

Montway Auto Transport Pros and Cons

We give a more detailed breakdown of the provider in our full-length Montway Auto Transport review.

#2 Sherpa Auto Transport: Best for Locked-In Pricing 

Quick Facts

Average price: $1,720
Shipping options: Door-to-door, open shipping, enclosed shipping
Type of Company: Shipping broker
Availability: 48 states

What We Like About Sherpa

Consumers who want to know the cost of vehicle transportation from quote to delivery should consider Sherpa Auto Transport. That’s because Sherpa offers one of the easiest online quote tools we’ve seen in the car shipping industry. 

Since Sherpa Auto Transport opened its doors in 2017, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based vehicle shipping company has offered transport services for only family cars, classic cars, and vans. If you’re looking to ship specialty vehicles such as RVs, golf carts, or motorcycles, another car shipping company is likely a better choice. 

Sherpa Auto Transport Benefits

Sherpa reimburses customers $20 on a car wash with every delivery as part of its Clean Car Guarantee. In addition, the car shipping company says its Price Lock Promise ensures customers don’t have to worry about hidden fees because it covers costs up to $300 if a carrier charges a higher rate than you’re initially quoted.

Sherpa Auto Transport Cost

Here are a few sample quotes we received from Sherpa Auto Transport:

Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews

Customer reviews of Sherpa Auto Transport aren’t as numerous as those of other providers, but they are mostly positive. The vehicle shipping company has a near-perfect 4.90 out of 5-star average customer rating from about 200 reviews on the BBB website, and the BBB-accredited business is rated at A+.

Sherpa Auto Transport Pros and Cons

In our full Sherpa Auto Transport review, we go into more detail about the provider.

#3 AmeriFreight: Best Deals

Quick Facts

Average price: $1,300
Shipping options: Door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal, open shipping, enclosed shipping, alternative vehicles, expedited shipping
Type of Company: Shipping broker
Availability: 50 states

What We Like About AmeriFreight

AmeriFreight offers comparable options to Montway Auto Transport. In addition to offering auto transport services nationwide, AmeriFreight has add-on insurance coverage to help cover gaps in the carrier’s policy. Under the AFta Total Assurance Plan, AmeriFreight will cover deductibles up to $2,000.

AmeriFreight will guarantee your car shipment quote if you choose the First Class Rate. The vehicle shipping company also ships specialty vehicles such as ATVs, RVs, boats, and golf carts.

AmeriFreight Cost

Here are a few sample quotes we received from AmeriFreight:

AmeriFreight Discounts 

AmeriFreight made our list of the market’s top car shipping companies in part because of its extensive list of discounts. Here’s an overview of the discounts you might qualify for: 

• Military: $35 off
• Student: $25 off
• Early bird: $25 off
• Senior citizens: $25 off
• First responders: $35 off
• Return customers: $50 off
• Medical personnel: $35 off
• Multiple vehicles: $50 off (every additional vehicle)

AmeriFreight Reviews

Customer service is one of AmeriFreight’s strengths. Our research team awarded the BBB-accredited business our Best Deals award for the many discounts it offers, and customer reviews often highlight AmeriFreight’s fair prices and professional services. 

The BBB rated AmeriFreight an A+, and customers give the car shipping company an average of 4.86 out of 5 stars across more than 1,100 reviews on the BBB’s website. Google Reviews yield a similar average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5.0 after nearly 3,000 reviews.

AmeriFreight Pros and Cons

Read our AmeriFreight review for a more thorough look at the auto transport company.

#4 Easy Auto Ship: Best Benefits

Quick Facts

Average price: $1,168 
Shipping options: Door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal, open shipping, enclosed shipping, alternative vehicles, expedited shipping
Type of Company: Shipping broker
Availability: 50 states

What We Like About Easy Auto Ship

Another one of the industry’s best car shipping companies, Easy Auto Ship guarantees the instant quote you receive is the price you pay. The car shipping company offers lower rates per mile than most moving companies and honors car shipping quotes up to 30 days after you’ve requested them.

Easy Auto Ship requires no money upfront to schedule shipping services, and if a car shipment is delayed more than 14 days, the vehicle shipping company will pay your rental car costs.

Easy Auto Ship’s car transport services include open shipping, enclosed shipping, international shipping, and more. The provider can ship RVs, motorcycles, boats, and golf carts in addition to standard vehicles.

Easy Auto Ship Cost

Here are a few sample quotes we received from Easy Auto Ship:

Easy Auto Ship Reviews

Like the other auto shipping companies we’ve profiled, Easy Auto Ship is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating. Customers give the vehicle shipping company an average of 4.63 out of 5 stars based on about 700 reviews.

On Trustpilot, where Easy Auto Ship has a 4.2 rating out of 5.0 stars, the few reviews highlight great experiences and excellent customer service.

Easy Auto Ship Pros and Cons

Learn more about the provider in our in-depth Easy Auto Ship review.

#5 American Auto Transport

Quick Facts

Average price: $1,399
Shipping options: Door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal, open shipping, enclosed shipping, alternative vehicles, expedited shipping
Type of Company: Shipping broker
Availability: 50 states

What We Like About American Auto Transport

American Auto Transport offers a robust line of services for both individuals and businesses looking to ship a vehicle. In addition, those vehicles don’t need to be cars. The company can ship alternative ways to get around, such as golf carts, motorcycles, and ATVs, both as individual vehicles or in fleets.

American Auto Transport Cost

Our team reached out to American Auto Transport for a few shipping quotes. The table below shows what we received:

American Auto Transport Reviews

There aren’t many American Auto Transport reviews from customers online. The company does have an A+ rating from the BBB, but is not accredited by the organization.

American Auto Transport only has two customer reviews on the BBB site, so its 1.0 out of 5.0-star rating shouldn’t hold much weight. Notably, the company has received zero complaints to the BBB over the last three years.

American Auto Transport Pros and Cons

#5 SGT Auto Transport

Quick Facts

Average price: $1,619
Shipping options: Door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal, open shipping, enclosed shipping, guaranteed pickup service, dealership shipping
Type of Company: Shipping broker
Availability: 49 states (no Alaska shipping)

What We Like About SGT Auto Transport

In a word? Options. SGT offers a wealth of options for individuals and businesses. Need to ship a golf cart to Miami? Want to move a fleet of delivery vans to New York City? SGT Auto Transport can cover all of these needs and more.

SGT Auto Transport Cost

We reached out to SGT for a few car shipping quotes. The following table shows what we got back.

SGT Auto Transport Reviews

In addition to its A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB, SGT Auto Transport has strong customer reviews on the site and others. Customers give SGT an average score of 4.75 out of 5.0 stars at the BBB. The positive reviews continue at Trustpilot, where the company has a 4.6 out of 5.0-star rating from customers.

SGT Auto Transport Pros and Cons

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Car?

The average car shipping cost can range between $600 to over $2,500. But these rates are highly variable. Each company sets different shipping rates. Those rates are based on a wide range of factors.

Car Shipping Cost Factors

Auto transport companies use these factors, among others, to determine your car shipping rates.

• Cost of fuel: Shipping prices usually go up if the price of gas rises.
• Driving hazards: Poor road conditions and inclement weather can raise shipping costs.
• Type of vehicle: Larger or specialty vehicles, such as trucks and RVs, usually cost more to ship.
• Time of year: Summer and January are the busy seasons for vehicle transportation, so expect higher prices around those times.
• Destination: Auto shippers charge by the mile. But those rates go down as the distance goes up. So, while long-distance shipments like from New York to California will cost more overall, the per-mile fee will be much lower. International shipments come with additional costs.
• Transport type: Open transport is more cost-effective than shipping your car in an enclosed trailer. Terminal-to-terminal transport typically comes at a lower cost than door-to-door.

Car Shipping Discounts

There are a few auto transport providers who offer discounts. You may be able to find senior citizen discounts, military discounts, early-bird booking discounts, or sometimes a discount for paying in cash.

The vast majority of car shipping companies, however, don’t offer discounts. Still, it never hurts to ask.

How To Ship A Car

Finding the right car shipping company to ship your car is only part of the equation. Once you’ve compared quotes from different auto movers, it’s time to actually ship your car.

Here’s how it’s done, in a few simple steps:

1. Book your service

After comparing quotes and deciding on the right provider for you, sign up with your chosen car shipping company. Book a time for your car to be picked up and dropped off. If you need car shipping soon, you may need to pay a fee to expedite your service. At this step, most providers require you to pay an upfront deposit.

2. Prepare your car for shipping

Make sure your car is free of personal items unless your car shipping company allows you to pack some. In any case, however, make sure to secure any loose items that might bounce around during transit to prevent damage to your vehicle.

3. Get your vehicle to the drop-off point

Depending on your shipping options, you may need to take your car to a shipping terminal. Other options allow the driver to come to you.

4. Wait

Depending on the distance, weather conditions, and the auto transporter’s schedule, you may need to wait a few days or more for your car to arrive at its destination. During this time, some providers give you the chance to track your shipment via GPS.

5. Pick your car up

Your car shipping company will typically notify you once your vehicle has been dropped off. After you pay the remainder of your fee and sign a few documents, you’ll be back behind the wheel of your car.

What Customers Say About Their Car Shipping Experience

In October 2021, our research team surveyed 1,000 people who used an auto transport service to ship their cars. Each of the car shipping companies mentioned in this article was used by respondents. Here’s what we discovered:

• Car shipping costs: Around 41% of participants said they paid between $1,000 and $2,000 to ship their cars. Just 16% of survey participants said that they paid more than $2,000 for auto transport.
• Car shipping distances: Nearly 25% surveyed said that they shipped their car between 500 and 1,000 miles.
• Car shipping methods: Around 42% of survey respondents said that they chose open transport to ship their car.
• Car shipping company: Montway Auto Transport was the most popular company in the survey, with nearly 24% of respondents saying they used the company’s services.

Car Shipping Customer Satisfaction

An overwhelming majority of respondents – nearly 70% – said they were satisfied with their auto transport experience. And a majority of 56% said that they would recommend their car shipping company to others.

Here are the satisfaction rates from our car shipping survey by company:

• 84% of Montway Auto Transport customers said they were satisfied
• 67% of AmeriFreight customers said they were satisfied
• 85% of Easy Auto Ship customers said they were satisfied
• 60% of Sherpa Auto Transport customers said they were satisfied
• 59% of uShip customers said they were satisfied

Common Car Shipping Issues

Despite most customers saying they were satisfied with their car shipping company, a majority also said they experienced some kind of issue with their shipment. These are the most common issues people reported in our survey:

• Vehicle damaged during transit
• Car carrier’s insurance insufficient to cover damage
• Shipment delays
• Price increase after booking

Cargo Insurance

Transporting a car is typically very safe. However, there is always the chance that your car can get damaged during transit, whether it be from weather, road debris, or even an accident. 

And while many auto shipping companies do carry insurance, there are gaps between that coverage and your personal insurance policy. Additional cargo insurance, either through your provider or from a third party, can help you cover unforeseen costs or, at the very least, offer peace of mind while your vehicle is in transit.

Best Car Shipping Companies: Conclusion

Our team found that Montway Auto Transport is the best car shipping company based on its prices, services, and customer support compared to the providers we reviewed. But that shouldn’t stop you from checking out any of the other car shipping companies on our list.

Sherpa Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Easy Auto Ship, American Auto Transport, and SGT Auto Transport all performed well enough in our study to earn a place on this list. And the company that provides the best rates to your neighbor may not provide the best rates to you—especially after applying discounts.

Always be sure to get quotes from multiple providers so that you can compare and make an educated decision, whether you’re just shipping your car to the next state or need a cross-country move. All auto transporters will gladly accept your money to ship your car, but only the best car shipping companies offer you the rates and service you deserve.

Car Shipping Companies: FAQ

Our Methodology

Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car shipping companies.

• Prices: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, services, and shipping routes to give this rating.
• Services: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that an auto transport company offers an array of services. We take into account the availability of services, ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates, and insurance coverage options.
• Reputation: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, a company’s history of service, and years in business when giving this score.
• Customer Service: Reputable car shippers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.

Original article: Best Car Shipping Companies of August 2022