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Crash Course:
- RoadRunner Auto Transport earned 4.3 out of 5.0 stars in our car shipping study.
- While it’s known for low prices, RoadRunner generally gets poor customer reviews.
- Alternative providers include Montway Auto Transport and Sherpa Auto Transport.
Our review team found that RoadRunner Auto Transport offers a wide selection of car shipping options at reasonable rates. When it comes to RoadRunner Auto Transport reviews from customers, however, there’s plenty of division on whether the company’s benefits are worth it.
To make sense of this mixed sentiment, our research team took an in-depth look at RoadRunner Auto Transport reviews. We studied the company’s prices, reputation, and service offerings to compare it with some of the nation’s best car shipping providers.
RoadRunner Auto Transport Review
In our 2024 car shipping study, RoadRunner Auto Transport earned an overall score of 4.3 out of 5.0 stars. Below, you’ll find some details about how that score breaks down:
Auto Shipping Category | RoadRunner Auto Transport Review |
Industry Standing | 3.7 |
Cost | 3.7 |
Shipping Options | 4.9 |
Options | 4.5 |
Customer Experience | 5.0 |
Overall | 4.3 |
About RoadRunner Auto Transport
Headquarters: Bethpage, New York
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: F
Availability: U.S. including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, along with Caribbean destinations
RoadRunner Auto Transport is a vehicle shipping broker that works with more than 14,000 verified car carriers to offer car moving services. The company provides shipping options for everything from standard cars to motorcycles, recreational vehicles (RVs), and boats.
RoadRunner Auto Transport Pros and Cons
Our RoadRunner Auto Transport review found some distinct advantages of the provider but also a few drawbacks.
RoadRunner Auto Transport Pros | RoadRunner Auto Transport Cons |
Relatively reasonable pricing | No terminal-to-terminal shipping option |
Offers live GPS tracking | Poor customer reviews overall |
Easy-to-use quote tool | Customer service can be tough to reach |
RoadRunner Auto Transport: Reviews and Ratings
Compared to many other car transport providers in our study, RoadRunner Auto Transport receives somewhat negative marks. However, customer sentiment varies widely based on which site you’re reading customer reviews from.
RoadRunner Auto Transport BBB Reviews
The BBB gives RoadRunner Auto Transport unfortunately a F score and has not accredited the company. Customers on the site give the car transport provider an average rating of 3.57 out of 5.0 stars from over 399 reviews.
According to the BBB, RoadRunner Auto Transport has received more than 30 complaints in the past year and over 150 in the previous three years. That’s a significantly higher number than most other providers in our car shipping study received, even when accounting for the size of the company.
RoadRunner Auto Transport Google Reviews
RoadRunner Auto Transport reviews on Google paint a different picture. The provider receives an average rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars from nearly 5,000 reviews on the site.
RoadRunner Auto Transport Trustpilot Reviews
On Trustpilot, RoadRunner Auto Transport has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5.0 stars from customers. However, as of publication, this score only came from nine reviews. With such a small sample size, the Trustpilot score may not provide an accurate view of the company.
RoadRunner Auto Transport Reddit Reviews
When people ask about RoadRunner Auto Transport on Reddit, most responses are negative and suggest picking another provider. It’s worth mentioning that some people who respond to threads asking about car shipping companies may work for or represent competitors.
These quotes reflect the sentiment we found in various RoadRunner Auto Transport reviews on Reddit:
“It’s possible to work with them and they are a decent company but based on our customers’ experience, they said the brokers would rarely reach back out to them. I don’t want to throw shade on a company, but personally I don’t like to ship vehicles for them.”
– Reddit user aashkk
“Totally a quantity over quality type of company. They spent weeks trying to locate a carrier for me before they ultimately adjusted my rate [with a] 35% increase.”
– Reddit user Kind_Ad_9875
RoadRunner Auto Transport Customer Reviews
As with the scores above, actual RoadRunner Auto Transport reviews from customers vary widely. While car owners reported complaints about a variety of topics, RoadRunner also boasts its fair share of people who had positive customer experiences.
Positive RoadRunner Auto Transport Reviews
The positive RoadRunner Auto Transport reviews we found tended to mention good prices and helpful customer support. The following quotes are indicative of some of the positive comments:
“RoadRunner was extremely professional. Returned phone calls promptly and answered all my questions. They even got the car to me two days earlier than expected.”
– David G. via Google
“We shipped four cars to our college students 1,800 miles away. RoadRunner had the most fair pricing and policies.”
– Michael P. via Google
Negative RoadRunner Auto Transport Reviews
Many customers say they believe RoadRunner Auto Transport has terrible customer service. Negative reviews for the car moving company mention problems ranging from poor communication to prices changing dramatically after the initial quote.
The following comments represent some of the negative RoadRunner Auto Transport reviews we found:
“Told me I could have pickup and delivery on any days I want but when they finally scheduled a carrier, they changed the dates. Then the carrier ended up not even showing up.”
– Amanda H. via BBB
“On the pickup day they called to say that they have transportation ready but want an added $1,000 or the driver won’t come.”
– Allan M. via BBB
RoadRunner Auto Transport Prices
Cheap car shipping rates are one of the biggest strengths of RoadRunner Auto Transport. Based on our secret shopper research, the company’s quotes tend to fall on the lower end of the price spectrum. RoadRunner also doesn’t require a deposit, while many other auto transport companies do.
However, prices going up after the initial quote was a fairly common complaint across RoadRunner Auto Transport reviews. Some providers guarantee pricing, but RoadRunner won’t.
RoadRunner Auto Transport Quotes
Our team requested free quotes from all of the major auto shipping companies to move an operable 2020 Nissan Rogue SUV. RoadRunner Auto Transport quoted some of the lowest prices for our shipping requests of any provider.
Shipping Locations | Shipping Distance | Type of Transport | RoadRunner Auto Transport Price |
Orlando, Fla., to Durham, N.C. | 535 miles | Open | $735 |
San Francisco to Austin | 1,500 miles | Open | $995 |
San Francisco to Austin | 1,500 miles | Enclosed | $1,542 |
New York City to Los Angeles | 2,500 miles | Open | $1,195 |
RoadRunner Shipping Cost Factors
RoadRunner Auto Transport and other car shipping providers set personalized rates for each shipment. Companies use a variety of factors to determine your rates, including the following:
- Shipping distance: Auto transporters charge by the mile, so longer shipments usually come with higher prices. However, per-mile rates decrease as shipping distances rise. So cross-country shipments such as from California to Florida cost more than short moves, but have lower per-mile rates.
- Type of transport: Open carrier transport is the cheapest method for shipping a car, but it leaves cars exposed to damage from weather, road debris, and collisions. You can pay extra to protect your vehicle by using enclosed auto transport.
- Time of year: Car transport rates are seasonal and summer months tend to be the most expensive time to ship a vehicle. Moves in January can also be somewhat pricier.
- Fuel cost: Fuel is one of the main expenses for car carriers. When the price of fuel goes up, you can expect shipping rates to increase in tandem.
- Type of vehicle: Larger vehicles tend to cost more to ship than smaller models. Auto transporters also charge different rates for alternative vehicles like motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Exotic vehicles and classic cars may also cost more to ship.
- Vehicle condition: Auto carriers charge higher rates for cars that are not in an operable condition.
How To Lower Prices From RoadRunner Auto Transport
There are a few steps you can take to reduce your costs with RoadRunner Auto Transport and other shipping providers. These include:
- Book in advance: Booking your car shipment ahead of time gives brokers more time to find carriers that offer low prices. In addition, you’ll have to pay extra if you need your car shipped on short notice.
- Avoid peak season: Auto transport rates peak at the beginning of the year and during the summer. If you can wait for the high season to be over, you’ll save on the shipment.
- Be flexible: You may get better rates if you give car shippers a wider time frame to transport the vehicle.
- Choose cheaper options: Open shipping comes with risks, but it’s often significantly cheaper than using an enclosed container.
- Pay in cash: Some providers and carriers offer a discount for paying in cash rather than through a credit card.
- Negotiate: You may be able to negotiate the quote you receive from RoadRunner Auto Transport. Even if you get a “no” from a representative, it’s worth asking.
RoadRunner Auto Transport Services
Our team found that RoadRunner Auto Transport has a robust selection of shipping services. The company’s auto shipping options include:
- Door-to-door transport: The vehicle will be picked up from your location of choice and delivered directly to your new home.
- Open carrier shipping: Shipping your car in an open-air container is the most budget-friendly option, but it exposes your car to potential damages.
- Enclosed transport: You can choose to protect your car by shipping it in an enclosed trailer for an extra cost.
- Military relocation: RoadRunner Auto Transport offers specialty moving services for military members and their families when they head to a new base or station.
- Fleet shipping: You can ship an entire fleet of vehicles with RoadRunner.
- Oversize shipping: It’s possible to ship vehicles that are larger than standard cars, such as RVs and heavy equipment, for an additional fee.
- Motorcycle shipping: RoadRunner Auto Transport lets customers ship motorcycles.
- Dealer and auction shipping: Both car dealers and buyers can use the provider to ship cars bought remotely or at auction.
RoadRunner Auto Transport Insurance
How To Ship a Car With RoadRunner Auto Transport
According to RoadRunner Auto Transport reviews, the company’s process is simple even for first-time shippers. By following a few steps, you’ll likely enjoy a smooth shipping process.
- Get a quote: RoadRunner’s website offers a very easy tool for getting instant car shipping quotes. Fill in some basic information about your vehicle and shipping needs and you’ll get a quote back quickly.
- Book your shipment: If you’re happy with the quote you receive, the next step is to book your service. At this point, the company will assign a carrier for your job.
- Prepare your vehicle: Before shipping day, clean all of the personal items out of your vehicle. This is a requirement of most carriers and it ensures that nothing will jostle around or cause damage during transit. Also, leave only a quarter tank of gas in the vehicle.
- Meet your carrier: When your driver arrives, you’ll meet with them to go over the details and sign your bill of lading. You’ll also want to inspect your vehicle and note any damages that already existed before the shipment.
- Wait for your car: Your shipment could take days or even weeks to arrive at its destination depending on the shipping distance. Delays due to bad traffic and poor weather are common, so don’t make your delivery date a strict deadline. With RoadRunner Auto Transport, you can check the location of your vehicle at any time on the company’s website.
- Meet your carrier again: Finally, meet your auto carrier at the preselected dropoff point. That’s where you’ll pay off the remaining balance and sign the bill of lading. Before you do, make sure to inspect your vehicle to see if it was damaged in any way during transit.
RoadRunner Auto Transport Review: Conclusion
RoadRunner Auto Transport reviews mention strengths such as its affordable prices, many shipping options, and GPS tracking service. However, the company’s high number of complaints and negative reviews from customers give our team pause.
While RoadRunner could be a good option for some – especially the budget conscious – it lags behind the best car shipping companies. Still, we’d suggest getting a quote from the company and considering it if your rate is significantly lower than from others.
Recommended Car Shipping Competitors
Our research team recommends getting a quote from RoadRunner Auto Transport simply based on its pricing. However, we also suggest asking for quotes from Montway Auto Transport and Sherpa Auto Transport, which both have stronger reputations for reliability and service.
Montway Auto Transport: Best Service Options
Montway Auto Transport earned 4.6 out of 5.0 stars in our car shipping study, the highest score of any provider. The company offers a broad selection of services and can ship to and from all 50 states and international locations. Montway Auto Transport has one of the strongest reputations for customer service in the industry and offers guaranteed pickup dates, which is rare among auto transport providers.
Keep reading: Montway Auto Transport review
Sherpa Auto Transport: Best Value
With an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars, Sherpa Auto Transport finished fifth in our study. The provider offers useful benefits such as a free car wash upon delivery and the ability to pack up to 100 pounds of personal items in your car. It’s the company’s Price Lock Promise, though, that sets it apart from the competition. When you get a quote from Sherpa Auto Transport, the price you see is guaranteed to be the price you pay upon delivery.
Keep reading: Sherpa Auto Transport review
RoadRunner Auto Transport: FAQ
Is RoadRunner Auto Transport a legit company?
RoadRunner Auto Transport is a legitimate company that serves as a car shipping broker. While it was given a F rating by the BBB, RoadRunner earns a 4.1- out of 5.0-star rating from nearly 5,000 reviews on Google.
What is the best auto transport company to use?
Montway Auto Transport is the best auto transport company to use, based on the results of our most recent car shipping study. The provider offers a wide range of shipping services and has a stellar reputation for service and dependability. Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping, and AmeriFreight rounded out the top five providers in our study.
How do I know if my auto transport company is legit?
You can tell if an auto transport company is not running a scam by following a few tips. The first step is to look up the company’s U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) identification number to see if it’s properly registered and to learn more details. You can also check online reviews with the BBB and other sites to find out about customers’ experiences.
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.
*Data accurate at time of publication.