Best Car Shipping Companies

Want to move your car without putting extra miles on the odometer? Whether you need to ship a vehicle across a state or across the country, an auto transporter could come in handy. Use our guide to:

• Learn about the different ways to ship a car
• Compare top car shipping companies
• Find local carriers

To help you choose the right option for your needs, we compare our picks for the best auto transporters based on costs, features and reviews.

Read our full methodology for details on how we selected our top picks. Note that our picks may be Authorized Partners that compensate us. This does not affect our recommendations or evaluations but may impact the order in which companies appear.

Our editor’s top picks

• Our pick overall: Tempus Logix
• Our pick for customer service: Ship a Car, Inc.
• Our pick for best value: AmeriFreight
• Our pick for motorcycle shipping: Mercury Auto Transport
• Our pick for classic and luxury cars: Sherpa Auto Transport

Whether you’re moving, sending your kid to college far away or heading south for the winter, you may need to get your car from one place to another without actually driving it. Using an auto transport company to ship your car can come in handy. It may even be faster and less expensive than driving your car cross-country yourself.

Shipping a car may sound like a daunting task, but it’s less complicated than you may think. A little preparation and research about how to ship a car will help you know what you can expect from the process and make informed decisions that suit your vehicle, timeline and budget. 

Follow these steps for a smooth auto transport experience: 

1. Review your options. Depending on where you live, there may be dozens of car shipping companies available. Choose a handful of companies that service your location and type of vehicle (and that are registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation). Then, compare their features and customer reviews to narrow down your list.
2. Gather several quotes. Use each company’s online quote tool or give it a call to get a custom quote for your vehicle, timeline, and pickup and drop-off points. Consider whether you want to use open or enclosed shipping and door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal transport; these factors will impact the quoted price.
3. Book your auto transport. Based on your research and price quotes, choose a company that fits your needs and reserve the service. With most auto transport companies, you’ll need to pay a deposit to secure your reservation. (If you’re working with a broker, you may wait to pay until a carrier has been assigned.)
4. Prepare your vehicle. Before your car gets picked up by the carrier, remove all your personal items, especially any valuables. Some carriers allow you to leave up to 100 pounds of personal items in the vehicle — check with your broker or sales rep to confirm the company’s policy.

   It’s also a good idea to clean and service your car before shipping it so you know it’s loaded onto the carrier in top condition. Be sure to check your battery and emergency brake, and make sure your tires are properly inflated.

5. Drop off your car. At the agreed-upon date, time and place, you’ll meet your assigned driver to drop off your car. The driver will inspect your vehicle and document its condition on the bill of lading, the legal document that acts as a contract and receipt for your car shipment. After your vehicle is loaded onto the carrier, it’ll soon be on the way to its final destination.
6. Keep in touch. We recommend periodically checking in to track your car’s journey. Some auto transporters offer a real-time online tracking tool, while others may require you to call or text your driver or booking agent to get a status update. Monitoring your vehicle’s progress can keep you up to date on your estimated delivery timeline and offer some peace of mind while you and your car are apart.

   When your carrier gets close to the delivery point, you should be contacted with a more precise estimated time of arrival.

7. Pick up your car. When you meet your driver at the designated destination, you’ll again examine the vehicle for damage and document the car’s condition. You’ll also need to pay the remaining balance: Make sure you know whether the driver will accept credit cards or cash, and come prepared accordingly.

After you’ve paid, you’ll get your keys, and the transport process is complete.

If you need to ship your car, you’ll choose between several other modes of transportation to get your vehicle from point A to point B. In general, the choices are between truck, train and ship — and open or closed container. Your ultimate choice will come down to your timeline, budget and how much you’re willing to expose your car to the elements on its journey.

You can plan to spend from about 40 cents to $2 per mile to ship your car, depending on the shipping distance, the season and the type of vehicle.

While the average cost to ship a car ranges from 40 cents to $2 per mile, that price will vary, depending on factors like:

• Your pickup and delivery locations
• The type of vehicle you’re transporting
• The time of year you want it shipped

On average, you can expect to pay between $500 to ship a car a short distance and about $1,700 if your car needs to travel across the county.

In addition to the standardized quotes we used to compare auto transport companies side by side, we gathered an array of quotes from our top five car shipping companies to show the range of costs in the industry.

Check out the table below for a sample of quoted prices from each of our top picks for a variety of vehicle makes and models, shipping methods and distances. Then, read on to learn more about how each of these variables can impact the final price tag.

Note that all of these quotes are for door-to-door auto transport. While three of our top companies offer both door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal service (Tempus Logix, Ship a Car, Inc. and Mercury Auto Transport), their online quote tools didn’t give us the option to select terminal-to-terminal shipping.

Factors that can affect car shipping costs

When you get a quote from a car shipping company, the number you’re given is based on a combination of elements, from the type of vehicle to the time of year.

The primary factor is distance. Transporting a car across the country or overseas will likely cost hundreds of dollars more than shipping the same car within a state.

The following factors will also contribute to the total cost of shipping your car:

• Shipping method: Choosing open or enclosed shipping might be the second-biggest factor in determining your auto transport costs. Open shipping, where your car is exposed to the elements during its journey, is more affordable than enclosed shipping. It’s up to you whether the added protection of enclosed shipping is worth the higher price tag.
• Delivery method: Terminal-to-terminal shipping is almost always less expensive than door-to-door service. However, it may not be available with your preferred car shipping company (or feasible for your pickup and drop-off locations). Make sure the lower price is enough to outweigh your own travel costs to reach the terminals.
• Season: As demand for auto transport fluctuates seasonally, so does pricing. The busiest moving seasons, spring and summer, tend to be the most expensive times of year to ship your car. Late fall can also see a spike in demand as snowbirds relocate from the Frostbelt to the Sunbelt. Keep an eye out for discounts and promotional deals in the slower months.
• Urgency: If you need your car transported rapidly, many auto transporters offer expedited shipping. You’ll get your vehicle from point A to point B quickly, but it’ll cost significantly more than standard shipping timelines.
• Type of vehicle: Smaller vehicles like compact cars and sedans are generally less expensive to ship than larger ones, like SUVs and pickup trucks. The heavier and longer the vehicle, the more fuel it takes to carry and the more room it takes up on the carrier.
• Vehicle operability: If your car doesn’t run, it can be more costly to ship. Carriers require special equipment (and staff expertise) to load and unload an inoperable car, which may increase your bill.
• Location: You may be able to save some money by setting your pickup and drop-off locations closer to big cities rather than locations that are far-flung. The flexibility can translate to lower pricing.

Shipping something as big and valuable (or as loved) as a car can be stressful, so it’s crucial to find a company with a great reputation that feels like a good fit for you.

The main thing to look for in an auto shipping company is transparent pricing. The last thing you want is to be held hostage to mystery fees once you’ve arrived to pick up your vehicle at point B.

Also be sure to read reviews for each carrier you’re interested in. Knowing what real customers thought about each company’s ability to safely transport their car is helpful; you want a company with a good track record of satisfied customers.

A good auto transport company has a history of happy customers and is transparent about its pricing and additional fees.

Another major thing to look for is whether the company has auto transport insurance, also known as car shipping insurance. Auto transport insurance falls under the Department of Transportation (DOT) and its mandatory insurance guidelines, so it’s a huge red flag if a company isn’t registered.

Insurance can vary from state to state, but it usually covers basic liability. Ensure a carrier’s insurance covers pickup and delivery of your vehicle as well as the time your vehicle spends in transport. Also inquire about when the company’s liability for your car ends, and ask what additional insurance (if any) is included in the quote. (You can generally buy additional insurance from the carrier.)

“Read and understand the carrier’s policy carefully, and understand what is and what is not covered,” advised David Bennett, senior automotive manager at AAA. “For example, are items inside of the vehicle covered or not?”

Bennett also recommends checking with your own car insurance company to determine if your policy covers damage that may occur during transport.

Auto transport carrier vs. broker

If you’ve moved your household before, you’ve likely come up against the choice of working with a broker or a carrier. But what’s the difference?

Using an auto transport broker

Brokers are an intermediary between you and the actual auto shipping company. According to the Department of Transportation, they’re essentially a sales team. Brokers get all the information about your car, your budget and your timeline. They then sell that information to carrier companies who bid on the job.

On the upside, working with a broker means you’ll get a lot of bids to choose from. “(Using) a broker relieves the stress and hassle of contacting multiple carriers to find the best equipment and price,” said Bennett. “A broker should be able to consult with you on the best type of transport that fits your specific needs.”

On the downside, the initial estimate you get may be a far cry from the final cost. Brokers may offer low bids to entice you to use their services — consider a broker that offers some kind of price guarantee, and be prepared to get a number of cold calls and emails vying for your business.

Auto transport brokers act as middlemen to find you the lowest rate. Carriers are the actual auto haulers that ship and deliver your vehicle.

Using an auto transport carrier

You can also work with an auto transport carrier directly. This means picking up the phone (or going online) to give your information to several different companies yourself. You’ll share the make and model of your car, the ZIP codes of your starting and drop-off points and your transport dates.

While this may be more time-consuming than working with a broker, you may be able to get a more accurate price from the get-go.

Choosing an auto transport carrier company also means that you have a direct line of contact with the staff that will handle and transport your vehicle.

Keep in mind that with any estimate you get, if a price is unbelievably low, it’s best to stay away. And remember that some initial quotes are not the price you’ll pay when you pick up your car at its final destination. We suggest you always get your initial estimate and contract in writing as a safeguard against price gouging.

Whether you need to ship an antique car to a classic car show or move your family car cross-country in time to start a new job, it’s important that your vehicle reaches its destination in a timely manner. So, how long does car shipping take?

Your exact circumstances may vary, but it can take a week or two to transport your car from one part of the United States to another.

The biggest factor, of course, is distance. Moving your car across a state or within a region can sometimes be completed within a few days, but you can expect it to take much longer to move your car across the country (or from the continental U.S. to Alaska or Hawaii).

While it sometimes happens faster, it often takes one to two weeks to ship a car.

Many of the factors that affect the cost of shipping a car can also impact how long it will take to transport. Traffic and weather often play a role: Severe conditions can cause significant delays, but you may get your car sooner than expected if everything is smooth sailing.

You may also have to wait for your carrier to get a full load before it can begin its journey. On the other hand, during a peak season when demand is high, it may take a little longer to find a carrier with room for your vehicle. Booking in advance can help prevent these kinds of delays.

Every car shipping company has its own method of estimating pickup and delivery dates and times. Your provider will likely give you an estimated delivery timeline based on the length of the trip, the availability of carriers and anticipated road conditions.

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach informed by our expert editors to choose the best auto transport companies. The team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks.

To decide our six top picks for buyers with different priorities (like our pick for best value), as well as our top overall auto transport company, we used a weighted scoring system that took into account both reviews about each company from ConsumerAffairs users and specific company offerings that we researched.

The weightings for each pick were:

• Top pick overall: Staff satisfaction rate (16%), customer service satisfaction rate (11%), punctuality/speed satisfaction rate (11%), price satisfaction rate (11%), delivery/shipping satisfaction rate (6%), cancellation policy (4%), discounts (4%), types of vehicles transported (4%), pickup/delivery methods (7%), transport type (4%), insurance coverage (5%), quoted price (8%), availability (5%), convenience features (4%)
• Our pick for customer service: Staff satisfaction rate (15%), customer service satisfaction rate (35%), punctuality/speed satisfaction rate (5%), price satisfaction rate (0%), delivery/shipping satisfaction rate (6%), cancellation policy (5%), discounts (4%), pickup/delivery methods (10%), transport type (10%), insurance coverage (2%), availability (2%), convenience features (5%)
• Our pick for best value: Staff satisfaction rate (3%), customer service satisfaction rate (5%), punctuality/speed satisfaction rate (5%), price satisfaction rate (20%), delivery/shipping satisfaction rate (5%), cancellation policy (10%), discounts (10%), pickup/delivery methods (3%), insurance coverage (5%), quoted price (30%), convenience features (4%)
• Our pick for long-distance transport: Staff satisfaction rate (18%), customer service satisfaction rate (12%), punctuality/speed satisfaction rate (9%), price satisfaction rate (10%), delivery/shipping satisfaction rate (10%), cancellation policy (2%), discounts (2%), types of vehicles transported (2%), pickup/delivery methods (5%), transport type (3%), insurance coverage (6%), quoted price (6%), availability (9%), convenience features (6%)
• Our pick for motorcycle shipping: Staff satisfaction rate (17%), customer service satisfaction rate (13%), punctuality/speed satisfaction rate (15%), price satisfaction rate (5%), delivery/shipping satisfaction rate (8%), cancellation policy (1%), discounts (1%), types of vehicles transported (10%), pickup/delivery methods (6%), transport type (7%), insurance coverage (7%), quoted price (1%), availability (4%), convenience features (5%)
• Our pick for luxury/classic cars: Staff satisfaction rate (19%), customer service satisfaction rate (14%), punctuality/speed satisfaction rate (12%), price satisfaction rate (3%), delivery/shipping satisfaction rate (11%), cancellation policy (1%), discounts (1%), types of vehicles transported (3%), pickup/delivery methods (8%), transport type (10%), insurance coverage (8%), quoted price (1%), availability (3%), convenience features (6%)

The process for scoring each company across all six categories and overall is entirely statistical. To complete it, the team did the following:

• Conducted sentence-by-sentence sentiment analysis of thousands of reviews on our site from May 13, 2021, to May 13, 2024, to identify the aspects that people care about most in auto transport companies. We then decoded the reviews and star ratings to calculate the percentage of reviewers who are “happy” or “satisfied” with each aspect for each company, which we refer to as the “satisfaction rating” for that aspect. For auto transporters, these aspects included:
  • Staff
  • Customer service
  • Punctuality and speed
  • Price
  • Delivery and shipping
• Carefully selected the most important offerings consumers should consider before choosing an auto transporter and researched these offerings at each company. For car shipping, these features included:
  • Cancellation policy: We looked at how companies charge for canceled reservations. Some offer full or partial refunds, while others charge the cost of the deposit or additional fees.
  • Discounts: We awarded points for companies that offer discounts for a variety of categories, including students, seniors, military, snowbirds, repeat customers and multicar shipments.
  • Types of vehicles transported: We started with a baseline score as long as the company ships both cars and trucks. We gave additional points for shipping other types of vehicles, including motorcycles, ATVs, golf carts, RVs or motor homes, boats and inoperable vehicles.
  • Pickup/delivery method: We gave the most points to the companies that offer both door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal shipping.
  • Transport type: We checked whether companies offer open transport and enclosed transport, awarding the highest scores to those that offer both.
  • Insurance coverage: We compared how companies approach insuring their auto shipments, rewarding those with substantial liability and cargo insurance coverage and giving lower scores for those with limited coverage or no stated policies on their websites.
  • Quoted price: We gathered quotes from each company using a common vehicle (2019 Toyota Camry) on a common long-distance route (Los Angeles to Miami) with open transport and standard shipping. The most affordable quotes earned the highest scores.
  • Availability: We gave a baseline score for companies that operate in the lower 48 states and additional points for service to Alaska, Hawaii and/or U.S. territories and international destinations.
  • Convenience features: We rounded up a list of eight features that enhance the car shipping experience — from online quote calculators and real-time vehicle tracking to expedited shipping and last-minute booking — and assigned a point for each.
• Calculated a normalized score ranging from zero to 10 for each aspect and offering. The company with the best satisfaction rating or feature value was assigned a score of 10, and other company scores were based on their relation to the maximum satisfaction rating or best feature. For example, Mercury Auto Transport, which had a customer service satisfaction rating of 100%, received a score of 10 for this aspect. A company with a satisfaction rating half of Mercury’s would have been assigned a score of 5, and a company with a satisfaction rating of 25% of Mercury’s would have received a 2.5.
• Created a unique percentage weighting system of each aspect and offering for each of our six categories to reflect how a buyer with that priority might “weight” their decision. You can review the weightings above. We then added these weighted scores together to get a final score in that category for each company. Not all aspects or features were always factored into every score.

The company with the highest score in each category’s uniquely weighted formula was given the “Our pick for” designation. In some cases where a single company received the top score across multiple categories, the company with the second-highest score was named the winner.