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Door-To-Door Transport

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Crash Course:

  • When shipping a car, door-to-door transport can be a very efficient option, although it can cost more than terminal-to-terminal shipping.
  • You can expect to pay around anywhere from $790 for a short distance to $1,971 for a long-distance shipment using door-to-door transport and an open carrier.
  • Reach out for several different quotes and read customer reviews to find the best door-to-door shipping option for your needs and your budget.
  • Montway Auto Transport, Mercury Auto Transport, and Amerifreight are some of the best companies for door-to-door transport.

Featured Car Shipping Companies

We reviewed the industry’s top car shipping providers. Here are our featured picks:

Best Service Options
Montway

Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0

See Plans

On Montway’s Website

(844) 601-0286

Or Call Montway Directly

Best Customer Experience
SGT

Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0

See Plans

On SGT’s Website

(864) 635-4879

Or Call SGT Directly

Locked-In Pricing
Sherpa

Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0

See Plans

On Sherpa’s Website

(888) 916-6358

Or Call Sherpa Directly

Easy Online Quotes
Nexus

Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0

See Plans

On Nexus’ Website

(224) 286-8173

Or Call Nexus Directly

When shipping your car, door-to-door transport is likely the most convenient option. Having a vehicle picked up from your current address and delivered to your new location means you won’t deal with the hassle of driving to shipping terminals. Door-to-door transport adds extra peace of mind to the process of shipping a car.

In this article, we’ll examine door-to-door car shipping services and the benefits they provide. We’ve also researched and ranked the best car shipping companies to help you find the right partner for your vehicle transport experience.

What Is Door-To-Door Transport?

In the auto transport industry, door-to-door service means that the car will be picked up and dropped off as close to your address as possible. As long as the truck driver can safely reach your driveway, street, or parking lot, the vehicle can be loaded or delivered without you heading to a shipping terminal.

It’s important to note that door-to-door transport can often be more expensive than shipping to and from terminals. If you’re moving between locations far removed from major cities, delivery will require extra time and fuel. In this instance, you’ll need to weigh the convenience of door-to-door auto transport services against their potential costs.

Is Door-To-Door Transport Legit?

We think door-to-door transport is an excellent method of shipping your car. It is straightforward because you will not have to go to a specific location to drop off and pick up your vehicle.

Below are a few factors to keep in mind as you determine whether door-to-door auto shipping is right for you.

Pros of Door-To-Door Transport

There’s no question that door-to-door shipping is a convenient way to move your car to a new location. This is especially true if you live in a rural area and don’t have access to a nearby shipping terminal. You’ll also find that most companies offer door-to-door transport services for shipments within the U.S., so it’s easy to schedule one for your time frame.

Cons of Door-To-Door Transport

There are several disadvantages that come with door-to-door car shipping services. The cost could be somewhat higher than for terminal-to-terminal transport, especially if you live far from a major city. The farther that shippers have to drive to pick up or deliver your vehicle, the more you’ll pay.

Door-to-door transport could also be unavailable if you live in the middle of a bustling residential area. You may have to go with terminal-to-terminal shipping if an auto transport carrier can’t navigate narrow streets or has nowhere to safely park to pick up the car or hand over the bill of lading.

Door-To-Door Transport Costs

According to our October 2021 survey of 1,000 drivers, most people pay between $1,000 and $2,000 for door-to-door vehicle shipping services. Here’s a full breakdown of the survey results:

The best way to determine how much you’ll pay for a vehicle shipment is by comparing car shipping quotes online from multiple auto transport companies.

Door-To-Door Car Shipping Average Cost

The average cost to ship a car using door-to-door transport services ranges from $790 for short-distance open carrier shipments to $1,971 for long-distance open transport services. Below are the average costs to ship a car short, medium, and long distances.

Transport DistanceCarrier TypeAverage CostAverage Cost Per Mile
535 milesOpen$764$1.43
1,500 milesOpen$1,226$0.82
1,500 milesEnclosed$1,661$1.11
2,445 milesOpen$1,553$0.64

Door-To-Door Transport Estimates

To give you a clearer picture of how much door-to-door car transport costs, our team got instant quotes from several top-ranked shipping companies. Here are a few estimates for shipping an operable 2018 Nissan Rogue on an open car carrier with door-to-door service:

Car Shipping CompanyApproximate MileageEstimated Cost
Montway Auto Transport535$759
AmeriFreight1,500$1,019
SGT Auto Transport2,445$1,364

Factors That Affect Door-To-Door Shipping Costs

Both shipping distances and delivery locations play major roles in setting auto transport rates, but there are other factors. Below are a few more:

  • Fuel prices: You can expect to pay a higher shipping cost if prices are high at the pump.
  • Vehicle condition: An inoperable vehicle costs more to ship than one that can be driven on and off a trailer.
  • Vehicle size: The type of vehicle being shipped is a major factor in determining cost. SUVs and full-size pickup trucks cost more to ship than smaller cars.
  • Transport method: It’s cheaper to ship your car on an open trailer rather than in an enclosed hauler. Open shipping is the most common method, with enclosed transport typically used for high-end vehicles and classic cars.
  • Time of year: The timing of your car shipment goes a long way toward setting its price. There’s a higher demand for auto transport services in January and throughout the summer months, so the rates are steeper during these times.
  • Shipping distance: It’s far more affordable to ship over a short distance than across the nation, though you’ll pay more per mile. Expect a higher overall price after moving a car from New York to California, for instance, than from North Carolina to New Jersey.
Six red icons representing major car shipping cost factors, including time of year, shipping distance, shipping options, type and size of vehicle, shipping speed, and pickup and delivery locations.

Door-To-Door Transport Services: Conclusion

While door-to-door shipping may not be necessary for all drivers, it’s likely the right choice for those with expensive or classic cars. On top of that, this transport type will provide peace of mind for drivers who’d rather avoid the potential hassle of terminal-to-terminal transport.

To find options for cheap car shipping, we’d recommend comparing free quotes from the industry’s top providers. You can either get instant quotes online using a quote tool or you can call your auto shipping company’s phone number to speak with an agent.

Our Top Picks for Door-To-Door Transport

Our team carefully ranked the best overall options for door-to-door transport. These are our top choices for affordable and high-quality auto transport services:

Shipping CompanyOverall RatingAffordability RatingShipping Options
Mercury Auto Transport4.85.05.0
Amerifreight4.84.55.0
Montway Auto Transport4.64.24.7

*Ratings are determined by our editorial review team. Learn more about our scoring methodology below.

#1 Mercury Auto Transport: Best Overall

Mercury Auto Transport is our top auto transport provider, scoring a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 stars in both our affordability and shipping options categories. The provider offers enclosed and open shipping as well as door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal delivery options.

Mercury has a strong industry reputation, including accreditation from the BBB and an A rating from the organization. Customers also gave the provider 4.9 out of 5.0 stars on Trustpilot and 4.7 stars on Google.

#2 AmeriFreight: Best Value

AmeriFreight is our top overall auto shipping company because of its overall strong ratings, including a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 for both shipping options and operations. The company offers terminal-to-terminal shipping as well as door-to-door shipping to all 50 states.

Having been in business for over 20 years, the company is also well regarded by customers: earning a 4.9 out of 5.0 stars from over 300 reviews on Trustpilot and a 4.8 out of 5.0 stars from over 400 reviews on the BBB.

Further reading: AmeriFreight Reviews

Best Value

Our Rating: 4.8 out of 5.0

See Plans

On Our Partner’s Website

(866) 930-8863

Or Call Our Partner Directly

#3 Montway Auto Transport: Best Service Options

We rate Montway Auto Transport as a leading car shipping company due to its combination of affordable rates and transport options. The company works with a massive network of vetted auto shippers to deliver cars to all 50 states and international destinations.

Customers leave plenty of positive comments in Montway Auto Transport reviews. The company has an A+ rating on the BBB and a 4.7- out of 5.0-star rating from over 16,000 Google reviews.

Further reading: Montway Auto Transport Review

Best Service Options

Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0

See Plans

On Our Partner’s Website

(844) 601-0286

Or Call Our Partner Directly

Door-To-Door Auto Transport: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about door-to-door transport.

What does door-to-door transport mean?

Door-to-door auto transport means having your vehicle picked up from and dropped off at specific addresses. It’s more convenient than using shipping terminals for pickup once the car reaches your final destination. Door-to-door transport is the most popular car shipping method, although it’s more expensive than using centrally located terminals.

What is the cheapest company to ship your car?

According to our research, Montway Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, and Sherpa Auto Transport are among the cheapest shipping providers in the auto transport industry. Prices vary depending on what type of vehicle you’re shipping, how quickly you need it delivered, and other factors.

Can you put stuff in your car when shipping it?

It’s a bad idea to place personal items in your vehicle before shipping it. Your possessions add extra weight to the car, which will add to your shipping cost. Items stored inside your car typically aren’t covered by an insurance policy, either.

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.

  • Prices: 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.
  • Services: 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.
  • Reputation: 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.