5 Best Car Shipping Companies (2023 Reviews)

Whether you’re moving across the country or to a new continent, you might want to bring your car with you. Some people prefer to buy a new car once they arrive at their new home, but auto shipping is a great way to avoid the hassle of buying a new car.

We know that auto shipping sounds like a lot, but as long as you work with a reputable shipper for auto transport services, you’re golden. Whether you’re moving, buying a car from afar, or shipping several cars, you need a pro to manage the details. That’s why we’ve put in the work to find the best car shipping company for you.

Check out this guide to learn about the best auto transport companies, plus helpful advice on how the process works, pricing, and discounts.

Our ratings of the best car shipping companies

Based on our own research and the customer reviews of hundreds of moveBuddha readers, these are the top car shipping companies:

• Best overall: SGT Auto Transport
• Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship
• Best for cross-country: Montway Auto Transport
• Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
• Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct

Our reviews of the best auto shipping companies

Want more details on how to have your car shipped? We’ve got you covered. moveBuddha’s team of auto shipping experts analyzed the pros and cons of these top car shipping companies to help you find the best shipper for the job.

Best overall: SGT Auto Transport

Founded in 2014, SGT Auto Transport is an auto transport company that is quickly becoming a favorite among movers. With both open and enclosed car shipping services in 49 states, SGT has an A+ rating on BBB and overwhelmingly postive customers reviews.

SGT Auto Transport is a car shipping broker, so once you receive your initial quote, they will search for a vetted car transport service within their network. Their network is one of the largest, with over 25,000 auto shipping partners they can assign your shipment to. The cool thing is, if you get a lower binding quote from another highly-rated car shipping company, SGT has a price match guarantee!

Binding car quotes from SGT are all-inclusive, and you won’t have to worry about additional car shipping costs. SGT requires a deposit when the car is dispatched and they accept cash, money order, and credit cards.

Our favorite part about using SGT as your car transport company is they have options many other shippers don’t offer, such as exact pickup dates for your vehicle. While it isn’t the cheapest car shipping service on our list, SGT truly provides the most value to customers.

Car transport services include:

• Exact pickup dates
• Vehicle delivery from car dealerships
• Door-to-door car shipping
• International shipping (on a limited basis)
• Expedited car shipping
• Motorcycle shipping

Overall, SGT is a customer favorite, known for their excellent pricing and top-rated customer service.

Pros & Cons of SGT Auto transport

SGT Auto Transport pricing

SGT provides an initial car shipping quote within minutes on their website based on the shipping distance. Those who are shipping internationally will need to call and speak to a customer service agent.

Once you choose to proceed with an initial quote, SGT will match you with a vehicle shipper and contact you with a binding quote. This binding quote might be slightly different than the initial quote, but most customers report that it is fairly close.

Pricing for car shipping with SGT depends on several aspects, such as time of year. The farther you need to ship your vehicle, the cheaper the per-mile cost will be. Here is a general overview of what you can expect to pay:

Our full review: SGT Auto Transport

Best for quick pickup: Easy Auto Ship

Founded in 2012, Easy Auto Ship specializes in domestic auto transport to and from all 50 states in the U.S., plus Canada. The car shipping company has an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It also has a 4.5-star rating on Google, with over 1,000 mostly positive customer reviews.

Like most auto transport companies, Easy Auto Ship is a third-party logistics provider (or broker). This means the car shipping company has access to a large network of vetted carriers throughout the entire United States. Easy Auto Ship evaluates your specific auto shipping needs and matches you with a qualified carrier to pick up and deliver your vehicle. You will always have a dedicated account rep from start to finish with Easy Auto Ship.

Easy Auto Ship never requires any money upfront to schedule a pick-up. Once Easy Auto Ship assigns a carrier and pick-up date, you pay a small deposit and pay the rest on delivery. The company will send you a text and email with the company’s name, truck driver’s name, and phone number before pickup and delivery, too.

Services include:

• Car shipping
• Vehicle delivery for auto dealers or online buyers
• Heavy equipment transport
• International vehicle shipping

Overall, Easy Auto Ship is a great company that delivers high-quality service and transparency.

Pros & Cons of Easy Auto Ship

Easy Auto Ship pricing

It provides real-time quotes on its website for one- to five-day pickup. If you have a unique situation, it’s best to call the car shipping company directly for a custom free quote.

Easy Auto Ship doesn’t have the cheapest car shipping services, but it offers the most accurate pricing—no bait-and-switch tactics here. Pricing depends on a lot of factors, but here’s what you can expect to pay:

Our full review: Easy Auto Ship

Best overall value: Montway Auto Transport

Founded in 2006, Montway knows a thing or two about long-distance auto shipping. The company has well over 400,000 shipments under its belt, making it one of the more experienced and popular in the auto transport industry.

Montway is a preferred shipper for some of the largest corporate relocation companies in the world, as well as the exclusive transport partner for Auto Trader Classics. The auto transport company has received recognition for being a top brand in car shipping, being named best overall on US News’s list of best car shipping companies.

Car transport services include:

• Open or enclosed shipping
• Door-to-door
• Expedited vehicle shipping available
• Auto shipping to and from Hawaii

Like most national auto carriers, Montway acts as an auto transport broker. The car shipping company has a network of over 15,000 car carriers that it contracts with to haul your car. When you book with Montway, a portion of the total amount you pay goes to Montway, and the rest goes to the actual car hauler.

Montway’s decades of auto shipping experience means it can usually find you a more affordable and higher-quality car carrier than you could find on your own. In our opinion, Montway’s competitive pricing and simple booking process make it the best overall value.

Pros & Cons of Montway Auto Transport

Montway Auto Transport pricing

Montway makes it easy to get an instant quote on their website. Just enter a few basic details about your car and your email address. From there, Montway will give you a variety of different pricing options.

These quotes range a lot depending on your vehicle and the move, but here are a few examples of Montway pricing:

To ship a Volkswagen Jetta from New York City to San Francisco (2,900 miles) in mid-June, the cost is $1,299. That assumes a seven-day pick-up window and open car shipping.

To ship from Washington, D.C. to Boston (430 miles) in mid-June, the cost is $679 (also assuming a seven-day pick-up window and open trailer).

Our full review: Montway Auto Transport

Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport

Sherpa Auto Transport’s founder created the company after having a negative experience shipping his own car. Because of that, Sherpa Auto Transport is very customer-focused. What sets Sherpa Auto Transport apart is its accurate pricing and excellent communication throughout the car shipping process. It also works to ensure your vehicle is protected by requiring each of the carriers it works with to carry at least $100,000 in cargo insurance coverage.

Services include:

• Open and enclosed shipping
• Expedited transport services

Car shipping prices vary based on a lot of variables. It isn’t unusual for pricing to change from your booking date to your pick-up date. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about that with Sherpa. It offers consistent pricing from quote to delivery, so you always know what you’ll pay and why.

If the price needs to change for any reason, Sherpa contributes $300 to make sure the transport happens. Most shippers pass these price increases to you, so this is a big bonus.

Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise and clean-car guarantee are just two bonus reasons why customers love this company.

Pros & Cons of Sherpa Auto Transport

Sherpa Auto Transport pricing

To ship a Volkswagen Jetta from New York City to San Francisco (2,900 miles) in mid-June, the cost is $1,350. That assumes a seven-day pick-up window and open car transport trailer.

To ship from Washington, D.C. to Boston (430 miles) in mid-June, the cost is $600, also assuming a seven-day pick-up window and open car transport trailer.

Our full review: Sherpa Auto Transport

Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct

Founded in 2008, Ship A Car Direct made a name for itself by carefully vetting every auto carrier in its network. It also offers generous carrier insurance with every shipment.

Because the company backs every carrier with a Damage Free Guarantee, it doesn’t take any risks. It’s very selective about which carriers will haul your car. It even has a Damage Protect App for iOS and Android that explains how to document your vehicle’s condition before and after auto shipping. This can definitely simplify the claims process if you ever need to file a claim.

Car transport services include:

• Car shipping
• Open or enclosed car auto shipping
• Door-to-door shipping

The company doesn’t require a deposit until the carrier provides the driver’s name and pick-up or delivery information.

Pros & Cons of Ship A Car Direct

Ship A Car Direct pricing

The company says its prices range from $600 for open carrier shipping (under 500 miles) to $1,800+ for enclosed shipping (2,500+ miles).

However, the company has a large network of car hauling companies, so it’s often able to secure pricing that’s often 20% lower than the industry average shipping cost of $1,650.

Our full review: Ship A Car Direct

What to know about shipping a car

Picking a top-notch shipper is the best way to enjoy a stress-free experience, but even then, it’s important to understand a few things about car shipping.

1. Choose between open and enclosed carriers

Car transport companies will ask you if you want to ship your car in an open or enclosed carrier. These are two different shipping options that come with their own pros and cons—and pricing differences.

Open transport carriers use trucks to transport your car. Carriers typically use two-level trailers to move your car cross-country. There’s zero protection over your vehicle, so it’s exposed to weather and road debris.

Enclosed transport, on the other hand, ships your car in a sealed box or container that protects it from the elements.

Enclosed transport is definitely safer, but it’s double the price of open transport. Open transport is also easier to find, so it’s the more popular option. If you have a classic car and need extra security—and don’t mind paying extra—go with an enclosed carrier.

2. It can take a few weeks

Cars can’t move across the country overnight. When hiring auto transport companies, you need to remember that it can take as long as two weeks to ship your car.

Of course, this depends on factors like:

• Shipping distance
• How many cars the provider ships in the same direction
• Traffic

Because of this, remember that car shipping dates and delivery estimates can change. It isn’t unusual to have a pick-up window of five to seven days, so be flexible.

3. Decide on delivery options

Did you know there are two ways to have your car delivered?

• Terminal-to-terminal delivery: You drop off your vehicle at a designated terminal and pick it up at a destination set by the auto transport company. This is less convenient, but because of that, it’s much cheaper than door-to-door delivery. Of course, this only works if you live reasonably close to the terminals.
• Door-to-door shipping: This is when the company picks up your vehicle at your old house and drops it off at your new home. Door-to-door is incredibly convenient, but it’s more work for the car shipper, so they’ll charge you more.

The delivery option you choose has a big impact on the timeline and shipping cost, so don’t be afraid to ask for multiple car shipping quotes.

Not all auto transport service providers offer these options, though, so when in doubt, check with your car shipping provider to see what’s on the table.

4. You get quotes from a broker

When you ship your car, you aren’t working with the shipper, but with a broker. The brokers then go out and find a reputable shipper to handle the actual relocation for you. They’re the middleman that handles scheduling, communication, and more.

But don’t let this worry you—brokers are a normal part of the car shipping industry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates car shipping brokers, so you’re legally protected.

5. Understand the quote process

No reputable car shipping company will charge you for a quote.

However, if the final price changes between the time you requested the initial quote and when you ship your car, that’s normal, unless you the company provides guaranteed pricing. Car shipping is unpredictable, and most carriers will pass on the costs of that unpredictability to you.

To reserve your shipment, most car shipping companies will ask for a deposit when they find a carrier for you. More often than not, you’ll pay a deposit upfront and then pay for the rest after delivery.

6. Document everything

The best car shipping companies do what they can to protect your car, but nothing is a guarantee. This is why documentation is your best friend.

Take 360-degree “before” photos of your car. When the shipper delivers your vehicle, immediately compare it to the photos you took. The shipper might ask you to sign the bill of lading (BOL) to say you received your car, but don’t sign it unless it notes the damages to your car. It’s really hard to argue about damage after the fact, so inspect the car carefully before you leave.

It’s also important to look at the paperwork to see what insurance will and won’t cover. Some might only cover structural damages and not cosmetic dings or scratches. You can always buy an additional insurance policy for peace of mind.

Different methods of shipping a car

Car shipping companies usually ship cars via trucks, but that’s just one of the many ways they can transport your car.

• Truck or trailer: This is, by far, the most popular choice. It’s popular for both local moves and cross-country moves in the contiguous U.S. You’ll choose between open or enclosed auto transport.
• Rail: Train transport isn’t an option in most areas, but it’s affordable for long distances. If you live on the East Coast or in an area with lots of rail infrastructure, this could be a solid option.
• Plane: Shipping a car by plane is the quickest option — especially if you’re moving internationally — but it’s incredibly expensive.
• Ocean freight: This is when you ship your vehicle on a big boat. This is ideal if you’re moving down the coastline, but ocean freight is most common for international shipping.

How much does an auto shipment cost?

Car shipping costs are about $1,780, on average. But keep in mind that the amount you’ll pay depends on a lot of factors.

Several factors influence transport costs, including:

• Vehicle size: Heavier or bigger vehicles are harder to move, and they also take up more space that the shipper would normally sell to another customer. You’ll probably pay more if you have an SUV, van, or truck.
• Location: Are you moving to the sticks or to a major city? It’s generally cheaper to move from major cities, like Los Angeles, because the car moving companies are already there, anyway. It’s also more common for these companies to charge less if you’re near a port town in California or Florida. But if you have a delivery location in the Middle of Nowhere, Illinois, you’ll probably pay more.
• Shipping time: Time is money, and if you need your car ASAP, the shipper will usually charge you a rush fee. You can save money by being as flexible as possible with your pick-up and delivery dates.
• Distance: The further you’re moving, the higher the car shipping costs. You can usually score cheaper pricing per mile on long moves, but even then, the longer the shipper travels, the more they charge you.
• Time of year: There’s more demand for car shipping in the summer months when everyone’s moving. Moving your car during the summer is more expensive, so try to move outside of the peak season.

How to save money on your car shipment

We know that $1,700 is a lot of money. Even if you go with a cheap car shipping company, costs can quickly add up if you don’t look for ways to cut costs. The good news is that there are several ways to slash the cost of car shipping.

Try a few of these tips for cheap car shipping:

• Ship your car in an open trailer
• Schedule during the off-peak season (not summer)
• Be flexible with delivery dates
• Pay with cash or check

But if you have your heart set on a specific option, look for these discounts. Not everyone will offer them, but it can never hurt to ask!

If you qualify, ask your auto shipper if they offer any of these discounts:

• Military discounts: Many car shipping companies offer discounts for active duty or retired military. You may need to provide a valid military ID for the discount.
• Student discounts: If you’re in college, see if your shipper offers student discounts. Be ready to share a copy of your student ID.
• Medical personnel discounts: Some shippers will provide discounted service to medical personnel like first responders.
• Government employee discounts: You might need to submit a government ID or use a government email address to get a discount. (Check your government employee handbook to see if accepting a discount violates any rules)
• Senior discounts: “Senior” is a broad term, so you’ll need to see what age requirements the shipper has for these discounts. Generally speaking, senior discounts are available for folks in the 55 – 65 age range and up.
• Seasonal discounts: Not in a rush? Some car shippers run specials during the winter months when business is slow.
• Day of the week discounts: Some car shippers offer discounts if you opt for pick-up or delivery on slower days of the week—usually weekdays.
• Referral discounts: Did your friend refer you to this shipping company? Let them know! Some companies offer referral discounts, so it can’t hurt to ask.
• Bundling: Some will give discounts if you move more than one car, or if you use the company for moving your personal items.

Choosing the right car shipment company

All car shipping companies might seem the same at first. Most shipping companies can take your car anywhere, and usually, they’ll get it there safe and sound. But here are some things to think about when making your selection so you can find the best car transport company for you.

Find a company that offers what you need

It sounds silly, but make sure the auto shipping company actually offers what you need. For example, maybe you found a company with great customer reviews, but it only offers open shipping and you wanted an enclosed carrier.

Start by making a list of your must-haves. Make sure the company ticks all of your boxes and look into other car shipping companies for better comparison of services. This is way better than just picking a company and hoping for the best.

Give yourself time

You’re trusting this company with your car—this is no small decision. Try to take your time picking a company instead of going with the first option you find.

Always get at least three quotes before committing to anything. This way, you have a better idea of the going rate for your shipment and know your options.

Verify this is a legitimate business

It’s unfortunate, but there are some bad apples in the car shipping space. These scammers are getting better at pretending to be real auto shippers, so verify this is a real business. You can verify they really are the best car shipping companies by:

• Looking for companies with hundreds of verified customer ratings
• Working with a company that has years of experience
• Checking that the business has insurance
• Looking for consumer complaints or a poor rating by the BBB

Check your quotes carefully

Most quotes are just educated guesses. They can change because of things like gas prices and other variables.

If you need to know exactly what you’ll pay, look for a company that offers guaranteed pricing or a binding quote. Keep in mind the best price will differ for different move needs and preferences.

Make sure you know what you’re paying for before you sign anything. Some quotes won’t include everything, and some companies will try to sneakily add charges later. Look for companies that promise to stick to their original quote or are upfront about all possible costs.

Check reviews

Customer service is a big deal. Look for a company that has plenty of awesome customer reviews.

Reading about other people’s experiences can help you avoid surprises and feel more confident in your choice. It can even save you time and money and streamline the car shipping process. Every business will have negative reviews, but the goal is to find a company with an overall positive reputation.

Car shipping checklist

Ready to get started with the best car shipping companies? Great! To prepare your car for shipping:

• Gather important vehicle documents
• Check with your car insurance company to make sure they’ll cover your vehicle in transit
• Wash your car inside and out
• Take 360-degree photos of your car
• Perform maintenance
• Don’t fill up the gas tank (it will be on a carrier, not driven, so drive it until the tank is down to one-quarter)
• Remove exterior accessories
• Lock the car and leave the keys with the transport company
• Sign the bill of lading

For a more in-depth checklist, check out the moveBuddha car shipping checklist.

Car shipping FAQ

What is the cheapest car shipping method?

The cheapest way to ship your car domestically is with an open container on a truck. Ocean freight is often the cheapest option for international shipping.

However, this really depends on the circumstances of your move. Remember, you often get what you pay for with cheap car shipping. The best car shipping companies might not also be the cheapest, but they’ll offer high-quality services and get the job done right. If you are shipping your car as part of a bigger move, be sure to check with your moving company to see if they offer any car shipping.

How far in advance should I schedule my auto shipment?

You might get better rates if you book auto shipping services a month in advance, but you should book at least two weeks in advance. The further in advance you book, the better chance you have of working with the best car shipping companies.

Do I need insurance to ship my car?

Most carriers don’t require you to buy insurance when you ship your car. It’s still a good idea, though, since it could cover damages if something goes wrong—especially if you’re shipping your car overseas.

Can I ship a vehicle internationally?

Yes, many of the best car shipping companies offer international car shipping, but you need to use a reputable company.

You can ship your car overseas using door-to-door service or port-to-port service via:

• A shipping container
• Airfreight
• Ocean transport vessels