Best Car Shipping Companies

How to ship a car

A little preparation and research about how to ship a car will help you know what you can expect from the process and make informed decisions that suit your vehicle, timeline and budget. 

Follow these steps for a smooth auto transport experience: 

1. Review your options. Depending on where you live, there may be dozens of car shipping companies available. Choose a handful of companies that service your location and type of vehicle (and that are registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation). Then, compare their features and customer reviews to narrow down your list.
2. Gather several quotes. Use each company’s online quote tool or give it a call to get a custom quote for your vehicle, timeline, and pickup and drop-off points. Consider whether you want to use open or enclosed shipping and door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal transport; these factors will impact the quoted price.
3. Book your auto transport. Based on your research and price quotes, choose a company that fits your needs and reserve the service. With most auto transport companies, you’ll need to pay a deposit to secure your reservation. (If you’re working with a broker, you may wait to pay until a carrier has been assigned.)
4. Prepare your vehicle. Before your car gets picked up by the carrier, remove all your personal items, especially any valuables. Some carriers allow you to leave up to 100 pounds of personal items in the vehicle — check with your broker or sales rep to confirm the company’s policy.

   It’s also a good idea to clean and service your car before shipping it so you know it’s loaded onto the carrier in top condition. Be sure to check your battery and emergency brake, and make sure your tires are properly inflated.

5. Drop off your car. At the agreed-upon date, time and place, you’ll meet your assigned driver to drop off your car. The driver will inspect your vehicle and document its condition on the bill of lading, the legal document that acts as a contract and receipt for your car shipment. After your vehicle is loaded onto the carrier, it’ll soon be on the way to its final destination.
6. Keep in touch. We recommend periodically checking in to track your car’s journey. Some auto transporters offer a real-time online tracking tool, while others may require you to call or text your driver or booking agent to get a status update. Monitoring your vehicle’s progress can keep you up to date on your estimated delivery timeline and offer some peace of mind while you and your car are apart.

   When your carrier gets close to the delivery point, you should be contacted with a more precise estimated time of arrival.

7. Pick up your car. When you meet your driver at the designated destination, you’ll again examine the vehicle for damage and document the car’s condition. You’ll also need to pay the remaining balance: Make sure you know whether the driver will accept credit cards or cash, and come prepared accordingly.

After you’ve paid, you’ll get your keys, and the transport process is complete.

Different ways to ship a car

In general, the choices are between truck, train and ship — and open or closed container. Your ultimate choice will come down to your timeline, budget and how much you’re willing to expose your car to the elements on its journey.

You can plan to spend from about 40 cents to $2 per mile to ship your car, depending on the shipping distance, the season and the type of vehicle.

While the average cost to ship a car ranges from 40 cents to $2 per mile, that price will vary, depending on factors like:

• Your pickup and delivery locations
• The type of vehicle you’re transporting
• The time of year you want it shipped

On average, you can expect to pay between $500 to ship a car a short distance and about $1,700 if your car needs to travel across the country.

How much does it cost to ship a car?

The cost to ship a car varies based on individual circumstances, but to help give you an idea of what it may cost we gathered an array of quotes from our top five car shipping companies.

Check out the table below for a sample of quoted prices from each of our top picks for a variety of vehicle makes and models, shipping methods and distances. Then, read on to learn more about how each of these variables can impact the final price tag.

Note that all of these quotes are for door-to-door auto transport. While three of our top companies offer both door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal service (Tempus Logix, Ship a Car, Inc. and Mercury Auto Transport), their online quote tools didn’t give us the option to select terminal-to-terminal shipping.

Factors that affect car shipping costs

The primary factor that affects shipping costs is distance. Transporting a car across the country or overseas will likely cost hundreds of dollars more than shipping the same car within a state.

The following factors will also contribute to the total cost of shipping your car:

• Shipping method: Choosing open or enclosed shipping might be the second-biggest factor in determining your auto transport costs. Open shipping, where your car is exposed to the elements during its journey, is more affordable than enclosed shipping. It’s up to you whether the added protection of enclosed shipping is worth the higher price tag.
• Delivery method: Terminal-to-terminal shipping is almost always less expensive than door-to-door service. However, it may not be available with your preferred car shipping company (or feasible for your pickup and drop-off locations). Make sure the lower price is enough to outweigh your own travel costs to reach the terminals.
• Season: As demand for auto transport fluctuates seasonally, so does pricing. The busiest moving seasons, spring and summer, tend to be the most expensive times of year to ship your car. Late fall can also see a spike in demand as snowbirds relocate from the Frostbelt to the Sunbelt. Keep an eye out for discounts and promotional deals in the slower months.
• Urgency: If you need your car transported rapidly, many auto transporters offer expedited shipping. You’ll get your vehicle from point A to point B quickly, but it’ll cost significantly more than standard shipping timelines.
• Type of vehicle: Smaller vehicles like compact cars and sedans are generally less expensive to ship than larger ones, like SUVs and pickup trucks. The heavier and longer the vehicle, the more fuel it takes to carry and the more room it takes up on the carrier.
• Vehicle operability: If your car doesn’t run, it can be more costly to ship. Carriers require special equipment (and staff expertise) to load and unload an inoperable car, which may increase your bill.
• Location: You may be able to save some money by setting your pickup and drop-off locations closer to big cities rather than locations that are far-flung. The flexibility can translate to lower pricing.

How long does it take to ship a car?

The biggest factor, of course, is distance. Traffic and weather also often play a role: Severe conditions can cause significant delays, but you may get your car sooner than expected if everything is smooth sailing.

While it sometimes happens faster, it often takes one to two weeks to ship a car.

You may also have to wait for your carrier to get a full load before it can begin its journey. On the other hand, during a peak season when demand is high, it may take a little longer to find a carrier with room for your vehicle.

Every car shipping company has its own method of estimating pickup and delivery dates and times. Your provider will likely give you an estimated delivery timeline based on the length of the trip, the availability of carriers and anticipated road conditions.

What to look for in a car shipping company

Before booking a car shipping company be sure to review its pricing, customer reviews and insurance coverage.

A good auto transport company has a history of happy customers and is transparent about its pricing and additional fees.

• Transparent pricing: The main thing to look for in an auto shipping company is transparent pricing. The last thing you want is to be held hostage to mystery fees once you’ve arrived to pick up your vehicle at point B.
• Good customer reviews: Be sure to read reviews for each carrier you’re interested in. Knowing what real customers thought about each company’s ability to safely transport their car is helpful; you want a company with a good track record of satisfied customers.
• Proper insurance coverage: Another major thing to look for is whether the company has auto transport insurance, also known as car shipping insurance. Auto transport insurance falls under the Department of Transportation (DOT) and its mandatory insurance guidelines, so it’s a huge red flag if a company isn’t registered.

  Insurance can vary from state to state, but it usually covers basic liability. Ensure a carrier’s insurance covers pickup and delivery of your vehicle as well as the time your vehicle spends in transport. Also inquire about when the company’s liability for your car ends, and ask what additional insurance (if any) is included in the quote. (You can generally buy additional insurance from the carrier.)

  “Read and understand the carrier’s policy carefully, and understand what is and what is not covered,” advised David Bennett, senior automotive manager at AAA. “For example, are items inside of the vehicle covered or not?”

  Bennett also recommends checking with your own car insurance company to determine if your policy covers damage that may occur during transport.  

Auto transport carrier vs. broker

Using an auto transport broker

Brokers are an intermediary between you and the actual auto shipping company. According to the Department of Transportation, they’re essentially a sales team. Brokers get all the information about your car, your budget and your timeline. They then sell that information to carrier companies who bid on the job.

On the upside, working with a broker means you’ll get a lot of bids to choose from. “(Using) a broker relieves the stress and hassle of contacting multiple carriers to find the best equipment and price,” said Bennett. “A broker should be able to consult with you on the best type of transport that fits your specific needs.”

On the downside, the initial estimate you get may be a far cry from the final cost. Brokers may offer low bids to entice you to use their services — consider a broker that offers some kind of price guarantee, and be prepared to get a number of cold calls and emails vying for your business.

Auto transport brokers act as middlemen to find you the lowest rate. Carriers are the actual auto haulers that ship and deliver your vehicle.

Using an auto transport carrier

You can also work with an auto transport carrier directly. This means picking up the phone (or going online) to give your information to several different companies yourself. You’ll share the make and model of your car, the ZIP codes of your starting and drop-off points and your transport dates.

While this may be more time-consuming than working with a broker, you may be able to get a more accurate price from the get-go.

Choosing an auto transport carrier company also means that you have a direct line of contact with the staff that will handle and transport your vehicle.

Keep in mind that with any estimate you get, if a price is unbelievably low, it’s best to stay away. And remember that some initial quotes are not the price you’ll pay when you pick up your car at its final destination. We suggest you always get your initial estimate and contract in writing as a safeguard against price gouging.

Mistakes to avoid when shipping your car

Shipping your car can be a smooth process, but there are a few common mistakes you should avoid to ensure everything goes according to plan: