Best Car Shipping Companies

Shipping a car is simple once you know the steps, from comparing quotes to inspecting your vehicle at delivery.

Here’s how to have a smooth experience shipping your vehicle: 

1. Review your options. Depending on where you live, there may be dozens of car shipping companies available. Choose a handful that serve your location and the type of vehicle you have. Make sure all the companies are registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation. Then compare features and customer reviews to narrow your list.
2. Gather several quotes. Most companies have an online quote tool. You can also call. Consider whether you want open or enclosed shipping and door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal transport since these factors affect price.
3. Book your auto transport. Based on your research and quotes, choose a company that fits your needs and reserve the service. Most companies require a deposit to secure your spot. (If you’re using a broker, you might not pay until a carrier is assigned.)
4. Prepare your vehicle. Before pickup, remove personal items, especially valuables. Some carriers allow up to 100 pounds of personal items. Clean and service your car so you know its condition before shipping. Check your battery, brakes and tire pressure.
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, which is 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. Track your car in transit. Some auto transporters offer online tracking, while others provide updates by text or phone. You’ll usually get an estimated delivery window followed by a more precise arrival time as your driver nears the destination.
7. Pick up and inspect your car. Meet your driver at the drop-off point, inspect your vehicle for any damage and confirm its condition on the bill of lading before paying the remaining balance. Make sure you know in advance whether the driver accepts cash or credit cards.

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In general, you can choose between shipping by train, truck and boat. You’ll also be asked to choose between an open or enclosed trailer. Ultimately, your decision will come down to your timeline, budget and how much you’re willing to expose your car to the elements on its journey.

The average cost to ship a car ranges from 53 cents to $2.30 a mile, but pricing can rise based on: 

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

To help illustrate how different factors affect cost, we gathered quotes from some of our top car shipping companies.

Shipping an inoperable vehicle in an enclosed trailer

Costs rise for enclosed transport or inoperable vehicles. We requested quotes to move an inoperable 1999 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) in an enclosed trailer from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington, toward the end of November.

The higher pricing on this short route (about 175 miles) demonstrates how quickly costs can climb when a vehicle is inoperable or shipped in an enclosed trailer — both of which significantly increase the price per mile compared with standard open transport.

The primary factor that affects car 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 need special equipment and extra labor to load and unload an inoperable car, which can increase your total cost.
• Location: Being flexible about pickup and drop-off locations can help lower your cost. Choosing spots closer to major cities often leads to cheaper rates.

The biggest factor that affects how long it takes to ship a car is, of course, 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 usually 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 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 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.

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 when you 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 think about each company 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.

Before booking auto transport, it helps to understand the difference between a broker and a carrier — the two main types of companies that handle car shipping.

Using a broker

Brokers are intermediaries between you and the actual auto shipping company. According to the DOT, 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 that bid on the job.

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

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. Some brokers use low quotes to attract customers, and once your information is shared, you might start getting calls and emails from multiple carriers trying to win your business.

Using a 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 who 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 aren’t 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.

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:

Red flags to watch for

• Asking for full payment upfront: Reputable companies charge only a deposit until delivery.
• No proof of insurance: Always ask to see coverage details before booking.
• Vague contracts: Missing terms can hide surprise fees or liability.
• Pushy sales tactics: Aggressive or inconsistent communication can signal a scam.
• No DOT license: All legitimate carriers must have active registration.