Best Auto Transporters in Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati is one of the best cities in the U.S. to find a job, and many people move here for career opportunities. Some of Cincinnati’s major employers include Procter & Gamble, The Kroger Co. and the University of Cincinnati. Many doctors move to Cincinnati for one of its nationally ranked hospitals, such as the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Mercy Health or the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Others come for Cincinnati's varied entertainment options, including sporting events at Paul Brown Stadium, thrills at the Coney Island amusement park and a bustling nightlife in neighborhoods like Over-the-Rhine.

Regardless of why you may be moving, if you have a vehicle that you need to bring along, consider hiring a vehicle transport company to save yourself time and hassle.

Think about your needs before looking for a Cincinnati shipping company. Open carriers, for example, are a cost-saving option for standard cars, but enclosed carriers are necessary to protect high-value luxury or classic cars.

Likewise, door-to-door shipping is convenient, but it’s not offered by every carrier and more expensive than terminal-to-terminal service.

You also need to decide whether to use a vehicle transport broker or work directly with a Cincinnati auto shipping carrier. The majority of car transport companies in Cincinnati are brokers that arrange your shipment with a trusted carrier in their network. Brokers are convenient and provide multiple options, but working with a broker lets you speak directly to the company shipping your car and is often less expensive.

When hiring a broker, it’s essential to ask how the company screens and selects its carriers to ensure your vehicle is in good hands.

What licenses should an auto transport company have?

All legitimate carriers and brokers must have an Ohio business license and an MC docket number. Carriers also need a USDOT number and must supply proof of insurance upon request. 

Visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for information on how to protect yourself against some increasingly common vehicle transport scams.

Working with a car shipping company is a straightforward process:

1. Start by getting an estimate from a vehicle transport company in Cincinnati. A customer service representative then contacts you for specific information so they can create a more precise quote.
2. Work with the company to set pickup and delivery dates and locations. You can have your vehicle shipped to your house with door-to-door service or to a regional storage facility.
3. On pickup day, the driver inspects your car and gives you a bill of lading. In return, you hand over your keys. Delivery can take up to nine days, depending on the distance of the transport.
4. Once the company delivers your vehicle, inspect your vehicle and note any damage on the bill of lading before signing off on the delivery.

Vehicle transport in Cincinnati costs from $550 to $1,200, depending on the distance, carrier shipping method and booking date. The chart below lists typical rates for transporting an operable, midsize SUV to and from Cincinnati in an open carrier booked 45 days in advance. 

Typical car transport rates to/from Cincinnati

The type of vehicle you’re shipping significantly impacts the cost of auto transport in Cincinnati. Ohio residents shipping large SUVs pay more because the vehicle takes up more space and increases the carrier's gas use. If you’re shipping a luxury, classic or exotic car by enclosed carrier, it may be up to 80% more expensive than using an open carrier.

Other pricing variables include:

• Special handling requirements
• Pickup and delivery locations
• Seasonal pricing
• Delivery time flexibility
• Express shipping