Best Car Shipping Companies

We rate Montway Auto Transport as the top shipping option overall. As one of the largest auto transport brokers on the market, Montway can provide some unique benefits while offering competitive prices — all without requiring an upfront payment.

Keep reading: Montway Auto Transport review

Our review team was impressed by Montway’s customer service, the discounts the company offers and Montway’s reliable vetting and insurance policy. Below you will find what makes Montway stand out from its competitors.

• Customer service: Montway has extended service hours, where representatives are available every day from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m Central Standard Time. Montway’s customer service has received some of the highest customer review ratings on websites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot and Google.
• Discounts and flexible payments: Montway offers plenty of discount options that lower the company’s below-average industry rates even further. For example, customers who are willing to pay some money up front can earn a discount for paying the remainder in cash.
• Insurance: All carriers that work with Montway are licensed, thoroughly vetted and must carry a minimum of $100,000 in cargo insurance. In case there is a denial of the carrier’s policy, the standard carrier insurance is backed up by Montway’s $250,000 policy, which is included in your shipping price.?

Montway has an online quote calculator that helps consumers determine their shipping costs quickly and easily. Here are a few sample quotes we received:

Although we often found Montway Auto Transport quotes to be cheaper than the industry average, it is important to keep in mind that your quoted rate can change with the provider because it doesn’t offer guaranteed rates. Another downside is that Montway charges a $249 fee to customers who cancel after their shipment is booked.?

Montway offers discounts for active-duty military personnel, veterans, students, cash payments and more. In order to receive the discount for cash payments, customers can pay some of their balance with a credit card when booking and the remaining balance later with cash.?

Montway offers a wide variety of car shipping services, including open and enclosed shipping, door-to-door transport, terminal-to-terminal shipping and shipping to all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Below is a complete list of the vehicle transport services offered by Montway:

• Instant car shipping quotes online
• Open and enclosed transport
• Shipment tracking
• Multi-car transport
• Door-to-door delivery
• Expedited transport
• Motorcycle shipping
• Shipping to all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
• International shipping

While Montway doesn’t transport boats and recreational vehicles, Montway can ship your car from any dealership or auction to your door. This makes it easy to buy a car online and avoid the hassle of arranging transportation.

Because drivers must agree to be tracked, Montway cannot guarantee that every shipment will include GPS tracking. However, the broker goes farther than most providers in working to ensure carrier compliance.

Unlike most car shipping companies, Montway offers expedited shipping and guaranteed pickup dates for a small additional fee. Customers who choose guaranteed shipping should be advised that Montway gives carriers a five-day window from the pickup date to deliver your vehicle.

Montway’s commitment to customer service is evident in reviews of the company, where customers give Montway a 4.4-star rating on Trustpilot and a 4.7-star rating on Google.

Additionally, Montway Auto Transport has a stellar reputation in the car shipping industry,? having moved over 140,000 vehicles in 2020 alone. The company has accreditation from the BBB, along with an A+ rating.

Montway’s innovative chat feature connects customers with a live support agent in less than a minute, to answer questions about existing orders or help you get a quote. Instead of dealing with the frustrating and impersonal back-and-forth of an automated bot, Montway customers can reach a live representative anytime.

If you’re looking for security that your rate won’t increase after booking, Sherpa Auto Transport may be the best car shipping company for you.?

Keep reading: Sherpa Auto Transport review

Below are all of the services provided by Sherpa that made them stand out to our review team.

• Price Lock Promise: The main thing that sets Sherpa Auto Transport apart from many other car shipping companies is its guaranteed quotes. While it is common in the industry for rates to increase as much as 25% from the initial quote, Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise backs up your quoted rate with a $300 rebate if you are charged more than your initial estimate.
• Clean Car Guarantee: Sherpa Auto Transport also offers a Clean Car Guarantee, meaning the company will reimburse you for a car wash if your vehicle is dirty after it arrives at its destination.
• $1 million in commercial auto liability: All auto carriers that work with Sherpa are required to carry $100,000 in cargo insurance coverage, plus $1 million in commercial auto liability. In order to make it easier for customers to file an insurance claim if needed, Sherpa also requires all of its carriers to include them as a policyholder on their insurance policies.

Overall, we found Sherpa to be a bit more expensive than the average cost for a car transport company. Because the company’s Price Lock Promise ensures your rate won’t increase, Sherpa’s agents consider the market to set a transport price that carriers are likely to accept.?

Here are a few example quotes we received:

Similar to Montway, Sherpa isn’t a generalist provider that ships ATVs, recreational vehicles, boats or campers. Instead, Sherpa specializes in providing quality transportation services specifically for automobiles. The auto transport broker offers a wide range of shipping services, including:?

• Open and enclosed transport
• Shipment tracking
• Multi-car transport
• Auto shipping to the 48 contiguous states, Hawaii and Washington, D.C.
• Door-to-door shipping
• Three-day pickup windows

Sherpa maintains some of the strongest carrier-vetting standards in the industry. The company takes the following steps to ensure that it is working with only the highest-quality carriers:?

• Conducts thorough background checks using publicly available records
• Requires carriers to be properly licensed and registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
• Leverages cutting-edge technology to analyze driver performance?
• Places drivers who create negative experiences for customers on a “do not use” list

Started in 2017, Sherpa is a relative newcomer. Yet since it began, the company has shown a clear commitment to providing the best possible customer experience. A 4.9-star score and an A+ rating from the BBB, backed by many positive customer reviews, confirm this commitment.

Sherpa has maintained a BBB rating of 4.8 stars or higher for the previous two years. Positive customer reviews cite Sherpa’s friendly customer service agents, the Price Lock Promise, high quality carriers and free car washes.

Founded in 2014, SGT Auto Transport is one of the most popular auto transport providers in the industry. SGT is able to consistently provide a level of customizable shipping service that is unique in the industry.

Keep reading: SGT Auto Transport review

Here are the factors that make SGT Auto Transport one of our top picks for car shipping companies.

• Instant quotes: One thing we appreciate about SGT Auto Transport is its instant quote form. Along with the fact that instant quotes aren’t offered by every provider, it’s helpful to know what you’d pay upfront instead of waiting on a call with the company to find out.
• Price match guarantee: While SGT may not be the cheapest option out of the gate, its price matching feature allows customers to save money by shopping around. If you provide a written quote from a direct competitor that’s lower than what you find from SGT, the company will match the rate to give you the best price.
• Free cancellation: If your vehicle isn’t picked up the day it’s scheduled, SGT offers free cancellation.

According to our research, SGT Auto Transport is about average when it comes to car shipping costs. That said, the company offers some of the lowest guaranteed prices in the industry.?

Below are some example quotes we received.

The company can provide door-to-door service and can ship vehicles in the continental U.S. and to or from Hawaii. With its enclosed containers, SGT also specializes in classic car shipping by protecting prized vehicles from the elements during transport.?

Services offered by SGT include:?

• Door-to-door service
• U.S. and international shipping
• Expedited shipping
• Instant quotes online
• Guaranteed pick-up
• Open and enclosed shipping
• Ships cars, trucks, SUVs and motorcycles.

SGT Auto Transport has maintained a strong track record of providing reliable auto shipping services since the company’s inception. SGT customer service is available 24/7, which has made a good impression on customers and is reflected in positive reviews and satisfaction ratings.?

Though SGT performs well in customer reviews in general, there are some complaints of the vehicle arriving after the scheduled pickup time. Though not uncommon in the industry, this conflicts with the guaranteed pickup services that the company offers. The bottom line is that the company has a solid industry reputation, with an A+ rating on the BBB with accreditation, and a customer rating of 4.9 stars on the platform.?

American Auto Shipping has been moving cars for its customers since 1999. The company services the 48 contiguous states plus Hawaii and will ship several vehicle types, including automobiles, motorcycles, boats, aircraft and commercial construction and agricultural equipment.

Keep reading: American Auto Shipping review

• No initial deposit: Unlike other companies, American Auto Shipping does not require a deposit to book a quote.
• Free car wash: American Auto Shipping also pays up to $20 for a car wash after your vehicle arrives. Shipping on an open carrier leaves it exposed to the elements, so this is a nice touch.
• Car shipping calculator: American Auto Shipping makes comparing quotes quick and simple by providing easy estimates and a free calculator on its website. Within minutes, you can get a free instant quote and guaranteed pricing without having to call or email the provider.?

The quotes we received from American Auto Shipping were about average for the industry. However, American Auto Shipping gives the final price upfront, while many competitors provide a low initial quote and then raise your rate by up to 25% from the initial estimate. Since American Auto Shipping offers locked-in pricing, the quote you get is the final price you’ll pay.?

Below, you can see some example quotes we received for their standard shipping service.

American Auto Shipping offers three pricing options with each shipment, allowing you to customize your shipment based on your budget and how quickly you need your vehicle shipped:

• Standard shipments are picked up within one to five weekdays.
• Priority shipments are picked up within two weekdays and cost $200 more.
• Expedited shipments are picked up within 24 hours (on business days) and cost $500 more. This is unique because in most cases you can expect to pay twice that amount for next-day pickup.?

American Auto Shipping adds that these pickup windows apply about 90% of the time.?

The company also has some of the best guaranteed pricing in the industry, with binding quotes that won’t leave you surprised after you receive your initial estimate.?

There are two caveats to American Auto Shipping’s guaranteed quote policy. First, you have 24 hours to accept the company’s price. If you wait any longer than that, you have to start the pricing process over. Second, American Auto Shipping reserves the right to raise your price if you provide them with incorrect information, such as the wrong make or model of your vehicle.?

American Auto Ship doesn’t require customers to make an initial deposit in order to book shipments. In comparison, other companies often require you to pay a deposit upfront so that you don’t cancel your order after your initial quote is raised.?

Though pricing from American Auto Shipping is average compared to competitors, features like customizable pricing levels, binding quotes and rental car reimbursements mean customers can get competitive rates to ship almost any kind of vehicle with the provider. American Auto Shipping also has some of the best insurance rates in the industry. If you have to file an insurance claim, the company offers up to $500 of deductible reimbursements.?

American Auto Shipping offers the following services:

• Open or enclosed car shipping containers
• Door-to-door service
• Hawaii car shipping
• Motorcycle shipping
• Heavy equipment transport
• Shipment tracking

While American Auto Shipping will ship almost any type of vehicle at a reasonable price, one of its few downsides is the company does not ship internationally.

American Auto Shipping has been in business for over 20 years and has a history of reliable customer service. With American Auto Shipping, you’ll get a personal concierge who will help you from the time you get a quote until your vehicle is delivered.

American Auto Shipping customers appreciate the personal touch, as shown by its nearly 5-star rating on the BBB. While the reviews that exist for the provider are positive overall, it is important to point out that the provider isn’t accredited with the Better Business Bureau and there aren’t that many reviews of the provider online, which is notable for a business that has been in business this long.

AmeriFreight is a car shipping broker based in Atlanta that was founded in 2004. The company has some of the strictest vetting standards in the industry, and has some of the most comprehensive insurance policies.

Keep reading: AmeriFreight review

Below are high-level descriptions of the services that make AmeriFreight one of the best car shipping companies.

• Carrier vetting standards: AmeriFreight conducts thorough background checks to ensure each driver has the correct United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensing and registration, which includes having the proper interstate authority for drivers who are crossing state lines.?
• Customizable pricing: AmeriFrieght’s pricing allows customers seeking various levels of service and savings to ship their vehicles at a cost point that fits their needs — whether you want the best service possible or want to save money.
• 48-hour inspection period: AmeriFreight allows for a 48-hour window for you to inspect your vehicle for damage after delivery, just in case a claim needs to be filed. This practice is different from most auto transport companies, which require you to sign off on your vehicle’s condition immediately upon delivery, leaving you with just a few minutes to inspect your vehicle for damage.?

Along with its customizable pricing system, which we’ll discuss in further detail below, AmeriFreight offers some of the lowest pricing for larger vehicles of any auto shipping company we reviewed. Here are a few sample quotes we received from the company:

With its unique three-tier system, AmeriFreight offers a different type of pricing model than most car shipping companies. While this level of customization allows customers to choose an option that meets their needs, the only downside is that it can potentially make it confusing for customers to know which option they need.?

AmeriFreight provides a customizable experience where you can choose from the following three options:

• First Class: This option is equivalent to expedited shipping with other carriers, and is the best choice if you need your vehicle shipped as quickly as possible. You can even get your car shipped within 24 hours. While this option is the most expensive, it can save you money versus other auto transport companies because the guaranteed pricing eliminates the post-quote price increases of up to 25% that are common in the industry.
• Priority: This is the best option if you can’t wait several weeks for the lowest price, but also don’t need to have your vehicle shipped immediately. AmeriFreight offers some of the lowest rates by having carriers bid against each other after you provide your shipping details, which lowers the overall cost. After a set time period has passed, AmeriFreight picks the lowest price carrier.?
• Economy: This tier is best if getting cheap car shipping is the most important thing for you, even at the expense of getting your vehicle delivered quickly. To ensure the lowest prices, the Economy option relies on allowing carriers to bid on your shipment for several weeks, starting with an extremely low rate that gradually increases until a carrier makes a bid at an affordable rate.

?AmeriFreight also provides several discounts, including for active-duty military members, medical personnel, first responders, veterans, students and seniors.

You can get the following auto shipping services with AmeriFreight:

• Open and enclosed shipping
• Expedited shipping
• Auto transport to all 50 states
• Ships to limited international destinations (mostly Canada)
• Ships automobiles, motorcycles, boats, RVs and ATVs
• Terminal shipping upon request
• International car shipping
• Multi-car transport
• Insurance coverage
• Shipment tracking

To ensure that they are only working with high quality carriers, AmeriFreight works with drivers who have at least a 95% rating on central dispatch, and actively maintains a “do not use list” to weed out low-quality drivers.?

When it comes to insurance, AmeriFreight makes sure all its carriers meet the proper minimum liability requirements. AmeriFreight requires most of its drivers to maintain $1 million to $2 million in coverage, which is significantly more than the $750,000 worth of coverage that is required by the federal government.

There are times when a carrier’s insurance may not cover a certain type of damage, or the carrier’s insurance deductible could cost thousands of dollars. To address this issue, AmeriFreight offers Allied Fidelity Total Assurance (AFta) insurance plans, which provide extra coverage in the event of a necessary insurance claim during shipments.?

These optional insurance policies, which cost between $50 and $100, are a unique form of gap (or guaranteed asset protection) insurance. They include coverage for up to $2,000 for deductibles and other expenses not covered by the standard insurance policy. This ensures that you’ll be spared from additional out-of-pocket costs in the majority of instances where you’d need to fill a claim.

The coverage can even be applied to rental vehicle costs if there is a significant delay in your vehicle delivery. You can select from three plan levels, which provide different types of coverage. Here’s a summary of the plan options:

AmeriFreight has a solid reputation and has provided customers with a safe auto transport experience for over 17 years. The company has many positive reviews from customers, as demonstrated by its A+ rating with accreditation from the BBB and a 4.7-star rating on Google.