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The best cheap car shipping companies in 2024 are Mercury Auto Transport, Ship a Car Direct, and SGT Auto Transport, according to our research.
Crash Course:
- The cheapest car shipping provider in our 2024 study is Mercury Auto Transport, with an average overall cost of $760 across all distances and transport types.
- Auto transport costs typically range from around $565 to around $2,685 in total, but costs are highly variable and depend on a number of factors.
- Keeping your dates flexible, booking well in advance, and choosing open transport services can help you to get affordable rates.
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Like many things these days, cheap car shipping seems harder and harder to find. To help you find the best price for your upcoming car shipment, our research team pulled cost and provider data from our wide-ranging study of the auto transport industry.
In the following article, our car transport experts included pricing estimates from some of the best and most affordable car shipping companies. You’ll also find helpful information about how pricing works for car transport services and some tips to help you get the cheapest rates you can.
Cheapest Car Shipping
Car shipping costs vary widely, with rates typically ranging from $565 to $2,685. Our researchers found per-mile shipping rates as cheap as $0.47 up to as much as $2.03. In general, auto shippers charge less per mile as shipping distance increases. Other variables such as whether you choose open or enclosed transport to ship your car also factor into shipping costs.
In the following sections, we included real quotes from our car shipping research and industry averages to offer a better idea of which provider may have the cheapest prices for your needs.
Cheap Car Shipping Secret Shopping Methodology
Cheapest Ways To Ship a Car
Over the course of our research, we found a few things you can do to get cheaper car shipping rates. These include:
- Booking in advance: When you book your shipment ahead of time, you’ll have more time to shop around for options. If you’re using a shipping broker, this also leaves more time for carriers to get competitive for your business.
- Being flexible about your timeline: You’ll open bidding to more vehicle movers with a wider pickup and dropoff window, which could bring your final price down in the process. If you need a specific delivery date, you’ll have to pay extra.
- Choosing terminal-to-terminal shipping: When possible, it’s cheaper to drop your car off and pick it up at a shipping terminal than the door-to-door shipping option.
- Opting for open auto transport: If you are shipping a classic car or other high-value vehicles, the additional protection of an enclosed carrier may be worth the extra cost. If you want to save money, using an open carrier tends to be cheaper.
- Traveling to a convenient pickup or delivery location: If you live in an out-of-the-way rural area or are moving to one, you may want to consider meeting your driver in a more convenient place. Transporters usually charge less when pickup and drop-off locations are near urban centers or along major highways.
- Shopping around: As you can see from the rate tables above, shipping rates vary between providers even for the same shipment. Getting free quotes from several providers allows you to see which one offers the best prices for your needs.
Top Cheap Car Shipping Companies
While cheap rates are important, prices aren’t the only thing that matter. Not every car transport company is as dependable and trustworthy as the next.
Our team evaluated providers based on the ease of their shipping process, the services they offer, and their reputations among industry rating organizations and car shipping customers. Below, you’ll find three of the top performers in our most recent auto transport study.
#1 Mercury Auto Transport: Best Overall
Mercury Auto Transport gave the cheapest quotes for a majority of the jobs we requested. In addition to those cheap rates, Mercury also tied for the highest overall score in our 2024 car shipping study, thanks in part to its broad selection of shipping options.
The company’s stellar reputation for customer service also helped it reach the top spot for 2024. Mercury Auto Transport currently has a 4.8- out of 5.0-star rating from customers on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. Its guaranteed pricing policy virtually eliminates the sticker shock of price increases – one of the most common complaints from car shipping customers throughout the industry.
#2 AmeriFreight: Best Value
AmeriFreight ships to all 50 states and offers a wide selection of discounts. The company offers reduced rates to first responders, students, active-duty military members, health care workers, and older adults. AmeriFreight ships motorcycles, RVs, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and even boats.
On the BBB website, AmeriFreight receives 4.7 out of 5.0 stars from previous customers. The company also boasts a 4.7- out of 5.0-star rating based on more than 3,700 customer reviews on Google.
Continue reading: AmeriFreight Review
#3 Montway Auto Transport: Best Service Options
Montway Auto Transport works with over 30,000 verified carriers across the U.S. to provide you with competitive car shipping costs on most routes. The company offers expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup dates, and door-to-door services. Montway Auto Transport ships to all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii and to international locations as well.
Customers give Montway Auto Transport high marks on various review sites. The company has 4.5 out of 5.0 stars from over 1,700 customer reviews on the BBB website. Montway Auto Transport also earns 4.7 out of 5.0 stars on Google with over 18,000 reviews.
Continue reading: Montway Auto Transport Review
Cheap Auto Transport: Conclusion
You can find cheap car shipping compared to average transport costs if you know where to look and what your options are. Choosing cheaper vehicle transport options, planning ahead, and being flexible can help you get the lowest rates available.
However, the most important step is getting car shipping quotes from multiple providers and comparing them. Most providers offer instant quotes online.
But remember: price isn’t everything. Choosing a reputable provider can help ensure peace of mind while your car is being transported to its new home.
Cheap Car Transport: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about cheap car shipping services.
What is the cheapest company to ship your car?
Mercury Auto Transport, Ship a Car Direct, and SGT Auto Transport were the cheapest companies to ship a car in our 2024 study. However, car shipping costs are highly variable and depend on a multitude of factors. That means that another provider may end up being the cheapest for you.
How can I save money on car shipping?
It’s much easier to save money on car shipping if you compare quotes from multiple providers, book early, and opt for terminal-to-terminal transport using an open shipping method. While getting enclosed auto transport and having the car delivered to your house is nice, you’ll have a much tougher time finding cheap car shipping.
Is it cheaper to ship or drive a car?
It’s typically cheaper to drive a car if you only need to move it a few hundred miles. However, it’s probably cheaper to ship your vehicle for longer moves, where you’d need to factor in costs such as food, lodging, and lost wages.
How much will it cost to ship my car?
The average cost to ship a car varies greatly. In addition to shipping distance, factors such as the type of transport you choose, the time of year, and where your pickup and dropoff points are can all affect the cost of your shipment.
Can I ship personal items with my car?
Some carriers allow you to ship personal items inside your car. However, they typically have weight restrictions and requirements about how these items are packed.
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.