Best Car Shipping Companies

Car shipping companies are useful if you're a snowbird heading south for the winter, buying a classic online and need it shipped home or are moving long-distance and don’t feel like adding the mileage to your vehicle.

Even if you've used one car shipper in the past, that company may not be the best choice this time around — some specialize in expedited services, while others focus on getting the cheapest rate.

Compare our picks on services, availability and cost estimates to find the right option for you.

• Our top pick overall: Sherpa Auto Transport
• Our pick for guaranteed pickup dates: Montway Auto Transport
• Our pick for quick deliveries: eShip
• Our pick for transparent pricing: AmeriFreight
• Our pick for customer service: Ship a Car Direct
• Our pick for easy booking process: RoadRunner Auto Transport

To rank the top auto transporters, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team vetted 26 brokers and carriers and analyzed more than 2,300 recent verified customer reviews. Read our methodology to learn how we found the best car shipping companies.

Sherpa Auto Transport has exceptional ratings and reviews on our site and across the internet. The North Carolina-based company works with a network of carriers nationally to move everything from family cars to exotic and vintage automobiles.

Average costs are under $1,000, though your actual estimate will vary based on a range of factors. To get the best price, it’s smart to book early. Advance notice also helps make it possible to choose the exact pickup and delivery dates. However, the company can accommodate most short-notice situations.

Why we like it: Sherpa has what it calls its “Price Lock Promise,” where the price to ship your car is locked in. It also offers its “Clean Car Guarantee,” which includes a car wash upon delivery.

What reviewers say: Many reviews say that working with Sherpa is “simple” and “seamless.” According to a recent reviewer in Kentucky, “The reservation process at Sherpa was straightforward and it was easy to book.” Others highlight the company’s good communication.

A reviewer in California highly recommends this shipper to anyone looking for a “set it and forget it” experience.

Montway works with a network of 15,000 car carriers from across the country. It's a broad-based car transport company that ships everything from daily drivers to classic, vintage automobiles and even golf carts.

It isn't the cheapest or the most expensive. Shipping costs average about $1.96 per mile for short distances ($588 for a 300-mile trip) and 58 cents per mile for long distances ($870 for a 1,500-mile trip).

Why we like it: Quotes are all-inclusive, and initial fees are charged only once the carrier is dispatched. Plus, the company monitors the transport of your vehicle 24/7.

What reviewers say: Happy customers consistently say that the reps are easy to get hold of. “They do a real job of communicating, email, texts and I like that. Their website is also really good, easy to understand,” a reviewer in Massachusetts said.

According to a recent reviewer in Illinois, “The quote was extremely competitive. Also, I didn't get a lot of crazy phone calls and emails from them even when I approached them like I did from the other companies.”

EShip is a Florida-based car transport company that has been in business for a decade. It ships a variety of vehicles, including motorcycles and motor homes.

Costs range from 50 cents to $2 per mile for shipping, depending on the distance, with a 35% increase in costs for enclosed shipping. No upfront deposit is necessary, and there’s a price guarantee.

Expect to pay around $750 for medium-distance car shipping. Fill out an online form or call to get the most up-to-date cost estimate.

Why we like it: EShip assigns an agent for vehicle tracking and monitoring throughout the entire process. There’s also rental car reimbursement if your vehicle is late.

What reviewers say: Recent reviewers highlight speedy transports and good communication. Several happy customers used the service to transport a car to or from college.

“We had our car delivered across the country in less five days,” said a reviewer in California, who added that it was a “seamless experience.” A reviewer in New York said, “It took one day for them to move the car from Huntsville, Alabama to Bronx, New York.”

Another reviewer in California said that eShip will “actually give you all the driver's contact information. … They called and text me every step of the way and the car arrived as promised with no issues.”

AmeriFreight probably won’t give you the lowest estimates, but the extra costs are worth the peace of mind for a lot of car owners.

No upfront money is required, and discounts are available for students, seniors, first responders and medical personnel. You can get an instant personalized quote online or over the phone.

Most long-distance transports will be on an eight- or 10-vehicle carrier; short-distance shipments are typically on smaller, two- or three-car carriers.

Why we like it: The company offers AFta PLAN damage protection and a money-back guarantee.

What reviewers say: Most AmeriFreight reviews are positive. Estimates might not be the cheapest, but at least you know what you’re paying for.

A reviewer in Texas said that their rep was helpful and knowledgeable: “She wasn't hiding any costs and she explained to me the whole process. … In the end, there was a very minimal difference between the quote I got and the price.”

“Overall, the price is more than I expected to pay and wanted to pay, but the quality of service was good,” according to a reviewer in Washington.

Ship a Car Direct works with a network of more than 7,500 carriers. It's good for those with limited shipping experience looking for information and advice. It also offers free online quotes.

Ship a Car Direct uses carriers with enclosed and open trailers for national shipping and smaller, four- to eight-car trailers for regional shipments. No upfront deposit is required.

Why we like it: Ship a Car Direct has a “Damage Free Guarantee," and it provides customers with videos and emails to help during the shipping process.

What reviewers say: The company is overall easy to work with. A reviewer in Iowa said they had “a very smooth and transparent experience” and that they “would use them again" if needed.

A reviewer in Florida said their rep “was very helpful in explaining all the details and within two days my car was picked up. The next day car was delivered as scheduled with no damage and in perfect shape.”

RoadRunner Auto is a highly rated New York-based broker. It provides 24/7 shipment tracking online and offers comprehensive insurance coverage.

The average price for transporting a sedan 1,000 miles is about $800, though costs vary by season and other factors. You can get a quote online or over the phone.

Why we like it: RoadRunner ships all types of vehicles, including new, used and classic cars, and offers business services for companies and dealers.

What reviewers say: People seem to like the personalized support — you speak directly with the driver and sometimes find more flexible bookings.

“Booking the shipment was easy, transparent and quick,” according to a reviewer in Florida. The customer added that the transport “was all handled very professionally with the car arriving quicker than expected. It was a very smooth process.”

“Good experience except for two items: Price hiked a little ($180) from original quoted price. … Second issue was tracking. I always had to call to get this info,” said a reviewer in Idaho.

When you ship your vehicle, it's crucial to consider the type of service that best suits your needs. You have several options to choose from when transporting a vehicle:

• Door-to-door shipping: With door-to-door transport, a driver picks up the vehicle at your home and drops it off at your chosen destination.
• Terminal-to-terminal shipping: If you choose terminal-to-terminal shipping, you drop off your vehicle at a terminal and a driver transports it one near your destination. This method is less convenient than door-to-door shipping, but it’s also less expensive.
• Open shipping vs. enclosed shipping: The large trucks you see on the highway hauling trailers with several levels of cars are called open transport carriers. Enclosed shipping is different — instead of being out in the open, vehicles go inside a container. These containers protect vehicles from outside elements and road debris. Enclosed shipping is ideal for classic cars, high-value vehicles or cars with sentimental value. Enclosed shipping usually costs around 50% more than open shipping, but it’s worth it for some people.
• Expedited shipping: If you’re short on time, you can ask the company to expedite your vehicle’s delivery. This service increases the total cost of auto transport.

There’s much to consider when transporting a vehicle, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. To learn more about the ins and outs of transporting a vehicle, read our resource that gives a step-by-step process of how to ship a car.

To select our top picks for this auto transport guide, we compared all brokers and carriers on our site with reviews over the last year.

We first eliminated those with an overall satisfaction rating below 3.5 stars. To remain on our list, shippers needed to have at least a 2:1 ratio of 5-star to 1-star reviews.

The ConsumerAffairs research team also considered availability and recent FMCSA safety data when making final selections.