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Mercury Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Montway Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and Ship A Car Direct are the best car shipping companies of 2024.
Crash Course:
- According to our methodology, the best car shipping company is Mercury Auto Transport due to its wide variety of transport services and competitive pricing.
- SGT Auto Transport stands out in fourth place with its price matching service.
- The average cost for auto transport is $565 to $2,685 depending on the shipping route, type of car shipping, and the time of year.
The listings on this site may be from companies that compensate us, which could influence their placement and order. Not every company, product, or offer has been reviewed.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Best Service Options
Montway
Best Customer Experience
SGT
Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa
Easy Online Quotes
Nexus
The best car shipping companies can safely, efficiently, and affordably get your vehicle from point A to point B. That’s not true of every auto transport company on the market, though.
To help you separate the best car shipping companies from the rest, our experts carefully examined the rates, services, and reviews of various auto transport providers. In this article, we’ll list out our top choices for car shippers and break down the ins and outs of shipping a car.
Best Car Shipping Companies: Overview
Based on our research and secret shopper analysis, our research team determined Mercury Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Montway Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and Ship A Car Direct are the best car shipping companies on the market for 2024. We compared prices, services, reputations, and customer experience of the top auto transport companies in the U.S.
Mercury Auto Transport earned a high rating from our review team and our award for the Best Overall provider. You’ll find the scores and awards for the other top car shipping companies for 2024 in the table below.
| Best Car Shipping Companies | Rating Out of 5.0 | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Auto Transport | 4.8 | Best Overall |
| AmeriFreight | 4.8 | Best Value |
| Montway Auto Transport | 4.6 | Best Service Options |
| SGT Auto Transport | 4.6 | Best Customer Experience |
| Ship A Car Direct | 4.6 | Easy Online Quotes |
What Is the Best Car Shipping Company?
We believe that Mercury Auto Transport is the best auto transport provider. The company’s excellent reputation, low prices, and wide range of services make it a great choice for anyone who’s interested in shipping a car.
However, Mercury may not be the best transport option for your shipping needs. Getting free quotes from a few different providers can help you find the best rates. You’ll find brief reviews of each of the top-rated car shipping companies from our latest auto shipping study.
Car Shipping Companies: Brief Reviews
In the following section, you’ll find a short breakdown of each of the top auto transport companies. If you’d like to learn more about a specific provider, follow the links for more detailed and thorough reviews.
#1 Mercury Auto Transport: Best Overall
Average price: $0.86 per mile
Shipping options: Open shipping, enclosed shipping, door-to-door shipping, terminal-to-terminal shipping, heavy hauling, alternative vehicle
Type of company: Shipping broker
Availability: 50 states
What We Like About Mercury Auto Transport
Mercury Auto Transport offers some of the most affordable car shipping services in the industry backed by outstanding customer reviews. We like that Mercury guarantees quotes from its carriers, meaning your quoted price and what you pay will be the same. In addition to standard enclosed and open shipping options, Mercury offers flatbed shipping, heavy auto transport, limousine transport, and motorcycle transport.
Mercury Auto Transport Pros and Cons
| Mercury Auto Transport Pros | Mercury Auto Transport Cons |
|---|---|
| Positive customer reviews | No real-time vehicle tracking |
| Available in all 50 states | |
| Guaranteed pricing | |
| No cancellation fees |
Mercury Auto Transport Costs
Below are some sample quotes we received from Mercury Auto Transport:
| Type of Transport | Shipping Distance | Mercury Shipping Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Open | 535 miles | $565 |
| Open | 1,500 miles | $955 |
| Enclosed | 1,500 miles | $1,325 |
| Open | 2,455 miles | $1,145 |
Mercury Auto Transport Reviews
Mercury Auto Transport has excellent customer reviews and a solid industry reputation. The company holds an A rating and accreditation from the BBB, while customers on the platform rate the company 4.7 out of 5.0 stars. Trustpilot reviewers give the company a score of 4.9 out of 5.0 stars with over 98% of 187 reviews being 5-star.
In reviews, customers highlight excellent service from Mercury representatives, often calling out helpful associates by name. Since Mercury works with many shipping carriers, feedback about transport services varies but is mostly positive. Customers note that some vehicle shipments have been on the longer side of the provided estimate. Overall, customers indicate their vehicles have arrived on time and undamaged.
#2 AmeriFreight: Best Value
Average price: $1.09 per mile
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 plenty of shipping options and the auto transport industry’s widest range of discounts. 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 take care of deductibles up to $2,000.
AmeriFreight will guarantee your car shipment quote if you choose its First Class rate. The company also ships specialty vehicles such as ATVs, RVs, boats, and golf carts.
AmeriFreight Pros and Cons
| AmeriFreight Pros | AmeriFreight Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide selection of discounts | Real-time tracking not available |
| Positive industry and customer reputation | Inefficient quotes process |
| Shipping options for specialty vehicles | No mobile app |
AmeriFreight Costs
Here are a few sample quotes we received from AmeriFreight:
| Type of Transport | Shipping Distance | AmeriFreight Shipping Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Open | 535 miles | $777 |
| Open | 1,500 miles | $1,019 |
| Enclosed | 1,500 miles | $1,732 |
| Open | 2,455 miles | $1,199 |
AmeriFreight Discounts
AmeriFreight made our list of the top car shipping companies partly due to its extensive list of discounts. Here’s an overview of the savings you might qualify for:
- Military: $35 off
- Student: $25 off
- Return customers: $50 off
- Senior citizens: $25 off
- First responders: $35 off
- Medical personnel: $35 off
- Early bird: $25 off
- Multiple vehicles: $50 off (every additional vehicle)
AmeriFreight Reviews
Customer service is one of AmeriFreight’s greatest strengths. Our research team awarded the BBB-accredited business our Best Value 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 4.7 out of 5.0 stars across nearly 400 reviews on the BBB’s website. Over 3,700 reviews on Google yield a similarly positive average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5.0.
Read our AmeriFreight review for a more thorough look at the auto transport company.
#3 Montway Auto Transport: Best Service Options
Average price: $1.09 per mile
Shipping options: Door-to-door, open shipping, enclosed shipping, international shipping
Type of company: Shipping broker
Availability: 50 states and international locations
What We Like About Montway Auto Transport
Montway Auto Transport offers affordable auto shipping services across the entire U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Open and enclosed transport, door-to-door service, 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 car carriers and says it has safely shipped over 1 million vehicles. Each of Montway’s land shipments is backed by a cargo insurance policy of up to $100,000.
Montway Auto Transport moves the following types of vehicles: SUVs, sedans, minivans, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), classic cars, pickup trucks, regular cargo, and passenger vans.
Montway Auto Transport Pros and Cons
| Montway Auto Transport Pros | Montway Auto Transport Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong industry reviews | No real-time tracking |
| Efficient and easy quotes process | No price guarantee |
| 24/7 online chat help | No recreational vehicle (RV) or boat shipping |
Montway Auto Transport Costs
Here are a few sample quotes we received from Montway Auto Transport:
| Type of Transport | Shipping Distance | Montway Shipping Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Open | 535 miles | $759 |
| Open | 1,500 miles | $1,129 |
| Enclosed | 1,500 miles | $1,649 |
| Open | 2,455 miles | $2,029 |
Montway Auto Transport Reviews
The majority of Montway Auto Transport reviews are positive, with customers mentioning timely deliveries and an easy sales process. Montway is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has an A+ rating from the group.
Customers on the BBB website also rate Montway Auto Transport an average of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars from more than 1,700 customer reviews. Montway also has a 4.7 out of 5.0-star rating from over 18,000 reviews on Google.
We give a more detailed breakdown of the provider in our full-length Montway Auto Transport review.
Best Service Options
#4 SGT Auto Transport: Best Customer Experience
Average price: $1.02 per mile
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 (all but Alaska)
What We Like About SGT Auto Transport
Simply put, SGT Auto Transport offers a wealth of options for individuals and businesses. Whether you need to ship a golf cart to Miami or want to move a fleet of delivery vans to New York, SGT Auto can cover your needs. All of SGT Auto’s shipping carriers are licensed and insured and come backed by positive customer reviews.
SGT Auto Transport Pros and Cons
| SGT Auto Transport Pros | SGT Auto Transport Cons |
|---|---|
| Large selection of shipping services | No shipping to Alaska |
| Strong customer reviews on multiple sites | Higher initial quotes than some providers |
| Very easy online quotes process |
SGT Auto Transport Costs
We reached out to SGT Auto Transport for a few quotes on car shipping services. The following table shows what we received:
| Type of Transport | Shipping Distance | SGT Auto Transport Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Open | 535 miles | $691 |
| Open | 1,500 miles | $1,080 |
| Enclosed | 1,500 miles | $1,559 |
| Open | 2,455 miles | $1,364 |
SGT Auto Transport Reviews
In addition to its B rating and accreditation from the BBB, SGT Auto Transport has strong customer reviews. Customers give SGT an average score of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars on the BBB. The positive reviews continue on Trustpilot, where the company again has 4.6 out of 5.0 stars from over 1,000 customers.
#5 Ship A Car Direct: Easy Online Quotes
Average price: $0.91 per mile
Shipping options: Door-to-door, open shipping, enclosed shipping
Type of company: Shipping broker
Availability: 49 states (all but Alaska)
What We Like About Ship A Car Direct
Ship A Car Direct is affordable and offers standard shipping options that receive excellent reviews from customers online. Though the company doesn’t ship to Alaska or internationally, it offers safe and efficient transport for multiple types of vehicles anywhere within the continental U.S.
Ship A Car Direct Pros and Cons
| Ship A Car Direct Pros | Ship A Car Direct Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable rates | No terminal-to-terminal shipping |
| Great customer reviews | No shipping to Alaska |
| Offers classic car transport |
Ship A Car Direct Costs
Our team reached out to Ship A Car Direct for a few transport quotes. The table below shows what we received:
| Type of Transport | Shipping Distance | Ship A Car Direct Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Open | 535 miles | $600 |
| Open | 1,500 miles | $975 |
| Enclosed | 1,500 miles | $1,425 |
| Open | 2,455 miles | $1,275 |
Ship A Car Direct Reviews
Ship A Car Direct holds an A+ rating from the BBB and a positive customer review score with 4.8 out of 5.0 stars. It performs relatively well on other customer review sites as well, with 4.6 stars on Google and 4.7 stars on Trustpilot.
How To Choose a Car Shipping Company
There’s more to finding the right auto transport provider than simply going with the lowest price. Not all companies offer the same benefits or quality of service. Taking the time to evaluate your options before signing a contract can help ensure you find the best car shipping company for your needs at the best price available to you.
See If an Auto Transport Company Is Legit
While there are less-than-reputable car shippers out there, the majority of auto transport companies are legitimate service providers. If you want to verify a company for yourself, you can look up its record with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) using its DOT number. Customer reviews will be a good source of information, as are each provider’s years of experience.
Know What To Look For In a Car Shipping Provider
While price is a big consideration for most people, it shouldn’t be the only one. You’ll want to compare a few other aspects of car transport companies, including:
- Easy shipping process: The best auto transport companies take care of the details and create a no-hassle shipping experience. Customer reviews and ratings can give you a good idea of how smooth of a process different haulers offer.
- Car shipping options: Some providers have a wide range of choices for shipping your vehicle, while others may only offer 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 may 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 truck drivers.
- Availability: Not all car shipping companies operate throughout the 50 states. Some will book international shipments and transports to Hawaii and Alaska but many others won’t. Be sure to weed out any car transporters that don’t operate where you need them to.
Find the Cheapest Car Shipping Companies
Price is still the primary consideration for most people. You won’t know what the best price is, however, unless you compare rates from multiple providers. Most car shipping companies offer free quotes on their websites.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship a Car?
The average car shipping cost ranges from $565 to $2,685. However, it’s entirely possible that your costs fall outside of this range. Companies offer different rates, even for the exact same shipping jobs.
Car Shipping Cost Factors
Rates vary between companies due to differences in how they calculate costs. Each company uses a different formula to account for different factors, such as:
- Cost of fuel: Shipping prices usually go up when 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: January and the summer months are the busy seasons for vehicle transportation, so expect higher prices around those times.
- Destination: While auto shippers charge by the mile, rates generally go down as the distance increases. So, a long-distance shipment from Florida to Texas will cost more overall than to the next state over, but have a lower per-mile fee. Your shipment will come with additional costs if you’re relocating internationally.
- 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 shipping.
- Vehicle condition: Car movers tend to charge more to transport an inoperable vehicle than one that can be driven.
Car Shipping Discounts
There are a few auto transport providers that offer discounts. You may be able to find senior citizen discounts, military discounts, early bird booking discounts, and sometimes discounts for paying in cash.
While a large number of car shipping companies don’t offer discounts, it never hurts to ask.
Compare Car Shipping Company Customer Satisfaction
The experiences of other customers can give you valuable insight into the quality of service you can expect from a shipping provider. You want to choose a company that’s reliable, sticks to its agreements, and provides a smooth shipping process. It’s also important to choose a provider that’s there for its customers if things do go wrong.
Car Shipping Company Reviews
One way to judge customer satisfaction is to look at online reviews for auto transport providers. Websites like the BBB, Google, and TrustPilot allow customers to leave reviews. They also allow companies to respond to complaints. Both are important to consider.
A few negative reviews here and there are to be expected. However, consistent patterns of complaints about an auto shipping company are a red flag.
Many companies take the time to respond to negative comments online and work with customers to resolve their issues. If you see a company offering to address complaints and fix problems consistently, it’s a good sign that they care about customer satisfaction.
Car Shipping Survey: Key Findings
In our most recent car shipping survey of 1,000 people, an overwhelming majority of respondents – nearly 70% – said they were satisfied with their auto transport experience. A full 56% said that they would recommend their car shipping company to friends and family members.
- Car shipping costs: About 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 43% 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.
Source: Automoblog Shipping Survey
How Do I Ship a Car?
If it’s your first time shipping a car, there’s some basic information that could be useful to you. In this section, we’ve provided some of the basics to help you become a more informed car shipping customer.
Here’s how to ship a car, in a few simple steps:
- Get quotes: Most auto transporters offer free car shipping quotes on their websites. However, some providers offer a discount for booking over the phone. In either case, you’ll need to give over some basic information about your shipment and a phone number where the company can contact you. Get quotes from a few companies to see which one offers you the lowest rates and best services.
- Book your shipment: After you find the best rates from a trustworthy provider, it’s time to book your service. Before signing, go over the contract to ensure that all the information is correct and that you’re aware of all hidden fees and additional costs.
- Prepare your car for shipping: Before your carrier arrives, take the time to remove all personal items from your car and clean it. Make sure to note any existing damages and consider taking pictures to have as proof if you need to make an insurance claim.
- Get your vehicle to the pickup point: On the day of the shipment, you’ll meet your carrier at an agreed-upon pickup location. Before loading the vehicle, inspect it once again and note any damages. You’ll also need to sign a bill of lading.
- Wait: Once your car is in transit, you’ll just need to wait for it to complete its journey. Some companies offer live GPS tracking, while others can provide a location over the phone. In most cases, car shipping time frames are rough estimates at best. Common factors such as traffic, weather conditions, and more can delay your shipment.
- Pick your car up after the dropoff: Your shipping company or driver will notify you when the car reaches its delivery location. You’ll need to meet the driver there to sign the bill of lading again and collect your car. Before you do sign, make sure to inspect the vehicle and note any new damages to report to the company’s insurance provider.
Do I Need Cargo Insurance To Ship a Car?
Using one of the best car shipping companies is typically very safe. However, there’s always the chance that your car could get damaged during transit, whether due to poor 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 cover unforeseen costs and offer peace of mind while your vehicle is in transit.
Best Auto Transport Companies: Conclusion
Our team found that Mercury Auto Transport is the best car shipping company based on its prices, services, and customer support. But that shouldn’t stop you from checking out the other car shipping companies on our list.
AmeriFreight, Montway Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and Ship A Car Direct performed well enough to earn places on this list as well. And the company that provides the best rates to your neighbor may not provide the best rates to you, especially after applying discounts.
Get quotes from multiple providers to compare them and make an educated decision, whether you’re shipping your car across California or need a cross-country move. All auto transporters will gladly accept money to ship your car, but only the best car shipping companies offer the rates and service you deserve.
The listings on this site may be from companies that compensate us, which could influence their placement and order. Not every company, product, or offer has been reviewed.
Featured Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:
Best Service Options
Montway
Best Customer Experience
SGT
Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa
Easy Online Quotes
Nexus
Top Car Shipping Companies: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about car shipping companies:
What is the best company to ship a car with?
Choosing the best company for vehicle transport depends on the destination, the type of transport, and the customer’s budget. Our research team found Mercury Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, and Montway Auto Transport to be good choices because of their affordable prices and solid reputations.
Does AAA offer car shipping?
The roadside assistance provider doesn’t offer vehicle transport, though there is an unrelated car shipping company with a similar name.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car?
For cheaper car shipping, choose a company with open carrier transport, terminal-to-terminal shipping, and flexible pickup dates and delivery times. If you live on the East Coast, Amtrak also offers limited low-cost vehicle shipping by train.
How much does shipping a car usually cost?
Transport costs vary depending on the delivery location, time of year, and method of transport. We found that the cost of shipping a vehicle ranges between $565 and $2,685.
What is a bill of lading?
A bill of lading is an official document that contains all of the relevant information needed to ship your vehicle. It’s effectively a contract between you and the auto transporter and serves as a receipt after your transaction is complete. It also acts as the proof you need to file any kind of claim with your insurance company. You or a representative may need to sign the bill of lading before and after shipment.
Can you ship your car to another state?
Yes, you can ship your car between states. Remember that the farther you ship your car, the more expensive the transport service will likely be. Shipping a car across the country from Miami to Los Angeles, for example, will cost more than shipping your car to the next state over.
Do car shipping companies guarantee delivery dates?
Car shipping companies don’t typically guarantee delivery dates. Some auto transporters may offer guaranteed pickup dates, but with many factors like weather and traffic, it would be difficult to promise that a shipment will be on time.
Can I ship my car with stuff in it?
Some companies allow you to ship your car with up to 100 pounds of personal items packed away. However, they usually have strict size and weight restrictions, as well as specific instructions about how things must be packed.
How do I find a reputable auto transport company?
The best way to find a reputable auto transport company is to first confirm that the car shipping companies are legit by looking up their USDOT numbers online. Then, you can read customer reviews to learn about the experience of shipping a car with the companies. Ratings sites like the BBB and Trustpilot can also provide insight into the reputation of a company.
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.
- Affordability: 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.
- Shipping Options: 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.
- Operations: We take a close look at how each auto transport company operates, including how quickly vehicles get picked up, average transit times, insurance coverage options, and more.
- Industry Standing: 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.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
