Best Car Shipping Companies of 2026

To ship a car, you’ll generally want to research your options, collect and compare quotes, book a company, prepare your vehicle and then drop it off so it’s ready for shipping.

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 (USDOT). 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. Note that 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.

How much it costs to ship a car depends on the distance, vehicle type and shipping method, but car shipping typically costs between $500 and $1,700, or about 53 cents to $2.30 per mile. Pricing can increase based on:

• Your pickup and delivery locations

• The type of vehicle you’re transporting

• The time of year you want it shipped

For example, the distance from New York, New York, to Orlando, Florida, is just over 1,000 miles, so it would cost about $530 to $2,300 on average to ship a car that distance.

Shipping an inoperable vehicle in an enclosed trailer

If you’re shipping an inoperable vehicle in an enclosed trailer, costs will typically increase. We requested quotes to move an inoperable 1999 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) in an enclosed trailer from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington (a little over 170 miles), toward the end of November.

Factors that affect car shipping costs

The main factor that affects car shipping costs is distance, such as transporting a car across the country or shipping it overseas, which 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:

Auto transport rates are often lowest during late winter and early spring, when demand is typically lower.

• 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 people move south for the winter. 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.

To choose the best car shipping company for you, be sure to research companies, collect quotes, read customer reviews and review insurance coverage and terms.

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

• Proper license: First, ask the company for its USDOT number and verify it through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) SAFER database. This tool allows you to confirm whether the company is properly registered, review its insurance filings and check its safety record. A legitimate broker or carrier should readily provide its registration details.

• 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 customers think about each company is helpful since you want a company with a good track record of satisfied customers.

• Proper insurance coverage: Another major factor to review is whether the company has proper auto transport insurance and active FMCSA registration. All legitimate carriers and brokers must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and have a valid USDOT number. You can verify a company’s registration and safety record through the FMCSA database.

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

How to get a car shipping quote

To get a car shipping quote, you can use the quote tool on your preferred car shipping company’s site. You will likely need to enter information about your vehicle and route, including the vehicle’s make, model and year, along with your pickup and delivery ZIP codes, preferred dates and transport type preference.

If a guaranteed price is important to you, both Montway Auto Transport and Sherpa Auto Transport offer locked-in pricing.

Gather quotes from a few different auto transport companies to compare prices before choosing a company. When you’re ready to book, verify details with the company to ensure you know what’s included in the cost.

When you’re ready to lock in your dates, confirm whether the quote is locked in or subject to change once you’ve been assigned a carrier.

Some mistakes to avoid when shipping your car include not researching a company beforehand, failing to prepare your vehicle properly, ignoring insurance details, waiting until the last minute to book and overlooking the bill of lading.

• Not researching the shipping company: Choosing the first company you find without researching its reputation, licensing and customer reviews can lead to potential issues with service quality and costs.

• Failing to prepare your vehicle properly: Leaving personal items in the car, not checking fluid levels or ignoring basic maintenance before shipping can lead to damage or complications during transport.

• Ignoring insurance coverage details: Not understanding what the auto transport insurance covers could leave you unprotected in case of damage. Always verify insurance coverage and consider purchasing additional coverage if needed. Make sure coverage includes loading and unloading too.

• Waiting until the last minute: Booking a car shipment at the last minute can limit your options and increase costs. Planning ahead can help you secure better pricing and more reliable service.

• Overlooking the bill of lading: This document is critical as it outlines the condition of your car before shipping. Not thoroughly reviewing it could make it difficult to claim damages that occur during transport.

To avoid auto transport scams, stay away from companies that do any of the following:

• Ask for full payment upfront: Reputable companies will only charge a deposit before the vehicle is delivered.

• Won’t provide proof of insurance: Always ask to see a company’s insurance coverage details before booking.

• Provide vague contracts: Missing contract terms can hide surprise fees or liability.

• Have pushy sales tactics: Aggressive or inconsistent communication can signal a scam.

• Don’t have a USDOT license: All legitimate carriers must have active registration.

Some of the ways to ship a car include 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.

How long it takes to ship a car generally depends on the distance it needs to travel, along with traffic and weather, but car shipping usually takes about one to two weeks. Severe conditions can cause significant delays, but you may get your car sooner than expected if everything is smooth sailing.

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.

Brokers connect customers and carriers, while carriers own or operate trucks that transport vehicles. Here’s how they compare: