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Crash Course:
- Mercury Auto Transport offers the most convenient and safest way to transport your classic car door-to-door in an enclosed container without breaking the bank.
- AmeriFreight has been in business for 19 years and is known for its ability to ship valuable vehicles safely across the country.
- Montway Auto Transport also has an industry reputation for reliability and high-quality services, making it an excellent choice for classic car owners.
The top classic car transport companies can safely and efficiently move even the most delicate vehicles across the country with ease. Regardless of where you’re shipping your vehicle, you can expect strong service from the top providers mentioned in this article.
Our team reviewed the best car shipping companies to determine the providers that stand out from the rest. If you’re considering classic car transport, it’s critical that you pick a reputable car hauler to ensure that your car is moved safely from one point to another.
Best Rated Classic Car Shipping Companies
We found that Mercury Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, and Montway Auto Transport all offer exceptional classic car transport services. Expect to receive relatively cheap car shipping, a secure transport, and a strong customer service focus from these top four providers. Whether you’re relocating or going to a car show, these experienced auto transport companies can help ensure that your vehicle arrives safely.
1. Mercury Auto Transport: Best Overall
Mercury is our number one pick for car owners looking to ship a classic or exotic vehicle. The company scored the highest out of 21 car transport companies we looked at in our industry-wide review – a result of how well the company performed across several key study categories such as affordability and shipping options.
Mercury has access to a great number of carriers that specialize in enclosed car transport, which ensures the ultimate amount of safety for your classic or exotic vehicle on the road. Mercury is also known for its cheaper-than-average shipping costs and its 4.8-star rating from over 600 satisfied customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) site.
2. AmeriFreight: Best Value
With over 19 years of experience in the business, AmeriFreight knows how to securely haul valuable vehicles across the country. The company’s impressive expertise is reflected by its stellar 4.8- star score on the BBB site based on more than 400 reviews. AmeriFreight is known for its many discounts including for military members, first responders, medical personnel, students, and senior citizens.
Read more: AmeriFreight Review
3. Montway Auto Transport: Best Service Options
Montway Auto Transport has been around since 2006 and can ship cars and motorcycles anywhere across the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. The company offers shipping options including door-to-door transport, open trailer and enclosed auto transport, and expedited delivery. Customers are generally pleased with Montway’s services, as indicated by its 4.6-star rating on the BBB site from over 2,000 reviews.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport Review
How To Ship a Classic Car
Shipping a classic car is similar to shipping any other vehicle, except that you might have additional requirements to ensure the safety of your rare or antique car. Below we outline the simple process for shipping your classic car.
1. Consider Various Auto Transport Services
While it’s possible for classic car owners to choose the most pared-down plan for car shipping, that could leave the vehicle vulnerable to dings, dents or other damages along the way. When shipping a classic car, we strongly suggest that you consider enclosed auto transport. See below for a summary of various shipping options and the advantages that come with each.
- Open vehicle transport: The most common transport service, open auto transport means your vehicle travels on an open trailer and is exposed to the elements. This shipping process is best for budget-conscious drivers but will likely not be a good option for classic car enthusiasts.
- Enclosed vehicle transport: Your classic vehicle can be transported in an enclosed trailer or shipping container. While you’ll pay significantly more for enclosed car shipping services, it could save your car from any potential damage from road debris and inclement weather along the way.
- Terminal-to-terminal shipping: Your classic car will be picked up and dropped off at predetermined locations (terminals) instead of at your own address. While this service is cheaper than door-to-door shipping, it may require a bit of driving on your part – depending on your proximity to the nearest terminal.
- Door-to-door shipping: With door-to-door transport, car movers will pick up and drop off your classic car as close to your specified address as possible. For classic car transport, this could be an advantage since it means you won’t have to drive the car on major highways, potentially exposing it to accidents or damage.
- Expedited shipping: Rather than waiting one to two weeks for transport carrier availability, drivers with time constraints can choose expedited shipping for a higher price.
- Single-car transport: If you don’t want your classic or luxury car to be shipped with other vehicles, you can have it shipped alone in a closed container. While you’ll pay more for single-car shipping, it prevents nearly all possible damages during transport.
2. Compare Classic Car Shipping Quotes
Classic cars are somewhat more difficult to get instant quotes for because they can be more of a challenge to transport. Only certain auto shippers are willing to handle classic cars, meaning that you may need to search around for car shipping quotes online.
Despite this, it’s important that you compare rates from multiple car shipping companies before making a final decision. Prices can vary widely by provider and route, meaning that your best or cheapest transport option may be different from that of other classic car owners.
When getting classic car transport quotes, you’ll need to know your vehicle’s age, make, and model. That way, auto transport companies can get a better understanding of what kind of classic car they’ll be handling.
3. Pick a Provider and Prepare Your Car
Once you’ve shopped around and found the best classic car transporter for your needs, it’s time to book the shipment and begin preparing your car. First, make sure that your vehicle is up to date on its insurance policy. Issues can pop up from time to time during classic car transport, making it essential that your car is fully covered.
Next, check your vehicle for damages and note them before the pickup. That way, you’ll have a record of any existing damage and will be able to identify any new damage when your vehicle arrives. This is also important so that you don’t end up trying to file an insurance claim against a carrier for damages or issues that already existed prior to shipment.
You’ll also want to make sure that you have a spare set of keys, remove all valuable possessions, and leave no more than a quarter tank of gas in your car on moving day.
4. Sign the Bill of Lading at Both Pickup and Delivery
When the driver comes to pick up your classic car, they’ll inspect it for damages and make notes on what’s called the bill of lading – which essentially serves as the receipt for your shipment. You’ll sign this document and your car will be loaded onto the truck.
When your car is delivered, you’ll inspect it again for any new damage and then sign the bill of lading a final time. It’s important to check carefully for any new damage at this time and document it thoroughly before signing. If you do notice something new, you can use the bill of lading to help you file a claim.
How Much Does It Cost To Ship a Classic Car?
Classic car shipping costs vary based on your chosen provider, the size and age of your vehicle, and your specific vehicle shipping route. We suggest that you compare multiple free quotes before choosing a provider to ensure you find the lowest car shipping costs.
Rate Estimates for Car Transport Services
Our research team got instant quotes from various providers to give you an estimate of how much shipping services could cost. The quotes below are for shipping a 2020 Nissan Rogue 1,500 miles and include rates for both open and enclosed shipping.
| Shipping Provider | Shipping Service | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Auto Transport | Open transport | $955 |
| Enclosed transport | $1,325 | |
| Montway Auto Transport | Open transport | $1,129 |
| Enclosed transport | $1,649 | |
| AmeriFreight | Open transport | $1,019 |
| Enclosed transport | $1,732 |
Because these prices are for a 2020 Nissan Rogue rather than a classic car, you can expect to pay somewhat higher rates. Still, this should give you a ballpark estimate of how much car transport can cost.
Classic Car Shipping Companies: Conclusion
With just a bit of research and planning, shipping your classic car can be a breeze. Just remember to compare quotes from at least three carriers and make sure you feel confident about the services they provide. As long as you select a reliable auto transport company with experience moving classic cars, your transport should be a smooth process from beginning to end.
Classic Car Transport: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about transporting classic and antique cars:
How do I know if my vehicle is a classic car?
While there’s no exact definition for what is considered a classic car, it’s generally a term for valuable models that are at least 20 years old. If you’re going to register and insure your vehicle as a classic, it should be kept in its original design.
Is it better to ship my car using open or enclosed transport?
Enclosed car transport will always be a safer option than open carrier transport, but it’s also much pricier. Classic and vintage cars should be shipped using enclosed car shipping to prevent damages to these rare models.
Is it better to ship or drive my classic car?
Driving your classic vehicle from one location to another might be cheaper (depending on your gas mileage) but will also add wear and tear to the vehicle and could expose it to potential damage from accidents. So really, it’s up to you decide if it’s better to ship your classic car or drive it.
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.
