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Houston is a massive city covering more than 660 square miles that sits at the intersection of major interstates I-10 and I-45. As one of the major cities in the southern United States, traffic can be an issue throughout the city. That means shipping your car into or out of the city could be a headache.
To help you avoid as much of that headache as possible, we’ve reviewed the best car shipping companies in the country that service the Houston area. In this article, we’ll cover your options, how much you can expect to pay, and which companies we recommend for car shipping in Houston.
5 Best Houston Auto Shipping Companies
We chose our 2024 top picks based on each provider’s service options for shipping a car to and from the Houston metropolitan area, costs, and overall quality. See a summary view of our top five auto transporters for the Texas city in the table below, followed by a more detailed look at each one after.
Car Shipping Company | Overall Rating | Average Car Shipping Cost Per Mile |
---|---|---|
Mercury Auto Transport | 4.8 | $0.86 |
AmeriFreight | 4.8 | $1.09 |
Montway Auto Transport | 4.6 | $1.09 |
SGT Auto Transport | 4.6 | $1.02 |
Ship a Car Direct | 4.6 | $0.91 |
Mercury Auto Transport: Best Overall
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A
Cost of open car transport for 1,500 miles: $955
In our 2024 car shipping study, our researcher found a lot to love about Mercury Auto Transport. The company consistently gave among the cheapest quotes – if not the absolute cheapest – for most requests. Mercury also guarantees those quotes, meaning you can be confident in the estimate you get from the company. As an all-around affordable, high-quality car shipping service, Mercury Auto Transport is a good place to start your search for a provider to get your car to or from Houston.
AmeriFreight: Best Value
BBB rating: A+
Cost of open car transport for 1,500 miles: $1,019
With its affordable prices, AmeriFreight is a great option for car shipping in Houston. The company’s competitive rates are made even better by its wide range of discounts, including these:
- Returning customers
- Senior citizens
- Students
- First responders
- Active-duty military
Continue reading: AmeriFreight Review
Montway Auto Transport: Best Service Options
BBB rating: A+
Cost of open car transport for 1,500 miles: $1,129
Montway Auto Transport was founded in 2007 and has become a leader in the vehicle transport industry. Montway’s extensive network of trusted carriers, strong reputation for customer satisfaction, and options for guaranteed pickup dates make the transport broker a top choice for Houston car shipping services.
Continue reading: Montway Auto Transport Review
SGT Auto Transport: Best Customer Experience
BBB rating: B
Cost of open car transport for 1,500 miles: $1,080
Customers love SGT Auto Transport. The company has positive reviews around the internet at sites like the BBB, Google, and Trustpilot. But SGT stands out in other ways, too. The provider consistently offers some of the most affordable rates for shipping services. SGT also has a wealth of options, such as shipping for motorcycles and ATVs – all available going in and out of Houston.
Ship a Car Direct: Easy Online Quotes
BBB rating: A+
Cost of open car transport for 1,500 miles: $975
Ship a Car Direct emerged as one of the most affordable car shipping providers in our 2024 study. The company also doesn’t require an upfront payment to secure your shipment – making it an all-around option that’s easy on the wallet for shipping a car to and from Houston. Ship a Car Direct also has a stringent vetting process for the drivers it works with, which translates into high-quality service for customers.
How Much Does Car Shipping Cost In Houston?
The cost of car shipping in Houston depends on several factors, including the pickup and drop-off locations and the distance. Shipments along popular routes tend to cost less, and the per-mile rate for vehicle shipping goes down as the distance increases.
Houston Car Shipping Cost Estimates
Here are some cost estimates for popular car shipping routes to and from Houston:
From | To | Mileage | Average Cost* |
---|---|---|---|
Denver | Houston | 1,040 | $867 |
Houston | Los Angeles | 1,545 | $967 |
Atlanta | Houston | 786 | $1,092 |
Houston | Las Vegas | 1,473 | $1,118 |
Miami | Houston | 1,118 | $1,170 |
Houston | New York City | 1,640 | $1,266 |
Houston | Seattle | 2,433 | $1,547 |
*The average cost estimates combine quotes from Montway Auto Transport and uShip.
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Costs
Auto shipping rates can vary significantly depending on a range of factors, including:
- Type of vehicle: Larger SUVs, luxury vehicles, and classic cars are more expensive to ship than standard cars.
- Shipping distance: A longer route will result in a cheaper per-mile rate but a higher overall vehicle shipping cost.
- Time of year: Vehicle shipping rates are highest in January and during the summer because more people ship during these times.
- Transport type: Open and enclosed transport are your two basic shipping options. While enclosed haulers offer more protection from weather and road debris, they come with a higher cost.
Car shipping costs will also be higher if you want expedited service, additional insurance, or single-vehicle transport.
What To Expect When Shipping a Car In Houston
The largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States, Houston is a global business hub. Many Fortune 500 companies call it home, and the Port of Houston is one of the busiest in the country.
Considering what a bustling city Houston is, traffic can be a serious concern. That’s why it’s good to be flexible with pickup and delivery times when arranging your vehicle shipment to or from Houston. You could save yourself significant stress when your shipment date arrives.
Best Car Shipping In Houston: Conclusion
According to our data, the best car shipping companies to ship to or from Houston are Mercury Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Montway Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and Ship a Car Direct. We recommend looking into each one and gathering quotes from a few as well. This will give you the most peace of mind as you commit to entrusting your vehicle to one of these companies.
Car Shipping In Houston: FAQ
What is the cheapest company to ship your car?
In our review of cheap car shipping companies, we named Mercury Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Montway Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and Ship a Car Direct as our top choices. To get a good deal on auto shipping services, compare free quotes and book your shipment early.
Can I ship a car with stuff in it?
We don’t recommend putting personal items in your car before shipping it, and many car shipping companies don’t allow it. The carrier’s insurance likely won’t cover your possessions, and the extra weight will add to your shipping costs.
How much is it to ship a car to Houston, Texas?
The cost to ship a car to Houston is influenced by many things, like your vehicle type, the auto transport company you choose, and the shipping distance. Our rate estimates, based on shipping quotes from Montway Auto Transport and uShip, show the average cost to ship your vehicle 1,040 miles from Denver to Houston is $867. Shorter distances could be cheaper.
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.