5 Best Car Shipping & Auto Transport Companies in 2025

Whether you're moving across the country or buying a car online, it's not always practical to get behind the wheel and drive it home yourself. Instead, you can hire a reliable car hauler who has space on their trailer and is traveling along the route you need.

Finding the right person for the job is often easier said than done. Car shipping companies called brokers specialize in helping people connect with reputable car haulers. But the internet is full of car shipping horror stories, so who can you trust?

We sought to answer this question by analyzing customer reviews, mystery shopping companies, researching industry trends, interviewing car shipping leaders and customers, and developing our very own car shipper grading system.

We feel confident recommending AmeriFreight Auto Transport as the overall best car shipping company, but if you're looking for the most affordable quotes or a broker that specializes in custom requests, keep reading to find your match. 

Why it made the list: AmeriFreight Auto Transport is Move.org's top pick for car shipping because it maintains an excellent reputation for reliability and customer service while offering accurate, competitive quotes.

AmeriFreight Auto Transport is a car shipping broker that thoroughly vets its network of carriers across all 50 states, ensuring only the best-of-the-best can bid on your job. Customers appreciate AmeriFreight's responsive customer service and reliable timelines, and most say their final price is close to the original quote. The company boasts a star rating of 4.8 out of 5 across more than 9,500 verified reviews.

AmeriFreight stands out as one of the best car shipping companies for extra insurance coverage. Carriers in their network tend to carry more than the bare minimum in liability insurance, and you have 48 hours to inspect your car for damage after delivery. You can also secure up to $2,000 toward your insurance deductible with an optional AFTA plan. 

• Book with AmeriFreight if you take comfort in knowing each driver has been rigorously screened or if you value easy cancellation.
• Keep looking if you want a guaranteed price without paying a premium.

Why it made the list: Montway Auto Transport is our choice for concierge service because there's seemingly no request this company can't handle. All you have to do is be upfront about your needs, and a Montway representative will find you the right trailer and driver. They'll even help you file an insurance claim if your vehicle is damaged.

Montway Auto Transport has been around for nearly two decades, and that experience shows in their ability to easily accommodate tricky transports. Whether your car has low clearance or a lift kit, is at an auction house or a port — or doesn't even run — Montway can find a qualified carrier. It's also the only car shipping company on our list that transports vehicles to and from the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and Guam.

More than 30,000 customers award Montway Auto Transport an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.* Montway's quotes tend to be below industry averages and close to the final price that people pay upon delivery. Customer service representatives have a reputation for quickly responding to problems and are available 24/7. 

• Book with Montway Auto Transport if you have special requests or value reliability.
• Keep shopping if you need same-day pickup (see AmeriFreight or Sherpa).

Why it made the list: SGT Auto Transport is our pick for "most affordable open transport" because it averages $1.08 per mile — nearly 50 cents cheaper than the next most affordable option and almost twice as affordable as the industry average.

Covering all 50 states, SGT Auto Transport is a broker that gets somewhat mixed reviews regarding reliable delivery schedules. If you can keep a flexible timeline, working with SGT could save you money. And if you happen to find a better price, SGT will match it.

Customers rate SGT Auto Transport an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 18,000 reviews.  SGT offers 24/7 customer service and requires no upfront fees, and you can get a full refund minus $149 if you need to cancel. This company only offers door-to-door shipping, so consider a larger brokerage like AmeriFreight or Montway if you want to ship a car to or from a storage facility, auction, or shipping terminal.

• Book with SGT Auto Transport if you're looking for the most affordable way to ship your car.
• Keep shopping if you want services like terminal-to-terminal shipping (see AmeriFreight above) or real-time tracking (see Montway above).

Why it made the list: Sherpa Auto Transport is our choice for a price guarantee because the company will cover any price increase up to $300. Our car shipping surveys suggest that final prices are often 25% higher than original quotes in this industry, so you could be saving yourself the headache of a last-minute payment by choosing Sherpa.

Sherpa puts each potential carrier through an exhaustive background check to ensure you get the best drivers. The company also actively maintains a “do not use” list of carriers who provide negative customer experiences. 

Sherpa Auto Transport has a nearly perfect customer rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from more than 6,000 reviews. Customers consistently rave about the Price Lock Promise, professional customer service reps, and free car washes. They're satisfied with Sherpa's prices and typically have a straightforward experience with regular communication and on-time delivery.

• Book with Sherpa if you like extra value for your money and don't want to be hit with hidden charges.
• Keep shopping if you want to keep costs as low as possible (see SGT or Ship A Car Direct) or want gap coverage (see AmeriFreight).

Why it made the list: uShip is our choice for "best car shipping marketplace" because it allows you to create and manage your job post, view carrier profiles, and get optional insurance. Although uShip isn't a broker, booking a carrier through this marketplace gives you some protection against no-shows and damage.

You'll have to do a little more leg work with uShip compared to other companies on our list, but the extra time and effort could be worth it if you want more control over pricing and carrier vetting. The marketplace approach seems to work well for most people, as uShip has an average customer rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 13,000 reviews. You need to watch out for low-quality carriers, so look for ones with a strong reputation.

As part of its "Ship With Confidence" guarantee, uShip will reimburse you up to $500 if you prepaid for car shipping and the carrier never showed up. You can also get up to $500 if your vehicle is stolen or damaged and insurance doesn't cover the loss. Paying for an optional uShip Protection Plan gives you additional protection.

• Book with uShip if you want to be more hands-on when selecting a carrier and choosing a price.
• Keep shopping if you need a concierge, done-for-you service. 

Car shipping companies can be divided into two categories: carriers and brokers.

• Carriers are also called haulers or drivers. They're the ones who actually pick up and deliver your vehicle. 
• Brokers are companies who specialize in matching carriers with customers. They don't employ carriers directly but maintain a network of dependable drivers they like to work with. 

The car shipping companies on our list are brokers. Instead of vetting individual drivers and small transport companies ourselves, we found the best companies that already have a network of high-quality drivers.

Here's how the process typically works.

1. Talk to a representative. When you work with a car shipping broker, a representative will ask for basic details like the make and model of the car and the pick-up and drop-off locations. They'll also note whether you have specific requests, like an enclosed transport trailer or top-load preference. You may be able to fill out an online form instead, but it's best to talk to someone if you have a unique or modified vehicle or any special requests.

2. Wait for bids. Your transport details are posted to the company's private job board. Interested carriers will bid on your job. Each carrier bids a slightly lower price than the previous carrier in an effort to win the job. In most cases, the lowest bid wins. Sometimes you get to hand-select the carrier from the list of bidders.

3. Select carrier and pay deposit. Once your carrier has been selected, you'll typically pay some or all of the cost with a debit or credit card. If you make a partial payment, the remainder of the cost is paid in cash to the carrier upon delivery. Some brokers offer a discount for these cash transactions. 

4. Schedule pick up. Once you've paid, your pick-up window will be confirmed. Usually you'll hear directly from the carrier when they're en route to your pick-up location. You may be notified only a few hours in advance. You need to be present during pick-up in order to sign the bill of lading, a document that itemizes any pre-existing damage on the vehicle. 

5. Prepare for delivery. You'll hear from the carrier again when they're headed to your delivery location. Some brokers facilitate frequent location updates so you know where your vehicle is throughout the shipping process. Others are relatively quiet. 

6. Sign off and pay remainder. When your car is unloaded from the trailer, you'll need to inspect it for damage and update the bill of lading. You'll pay the delivery driver the cash payment at this point, if applicable, and receive the keys. 

Continue reading: How do I get a car shipping quote?

The cost to ship a car depends on several factors, including total distance, proximity to major highways, time of year, type of transport carrier, and vehicle size, modifications, and operability.  

We calculate the average cost to ship a running sedan is about $1.89 per mile on an open transport carrier and $2.82 per mile on an enclosed transport carrier. This comes to about $914 (open) to $1,342 (closed) for the average trip.

Shipping a larger vehicle, like a pickup truck, can increase the price by nearly 40%. Vehicles that don't brake, steer, or roll tend to require special trailers, which cost an extra $215 on average.

Continue reading: Move.org's in-depth guide to car shipping costs

Car shipping can be expensive. Here's how to keep costs to a minimum. 

• Book in advance. Rush jobs tend to cost more because carriers have less time to bid. You'll get fewer bids overall and the price won't go as low as possible.
• Choose an open carrier. They're more common and therefore more affordable than enclosed trailers. 
• Drive the car to a more convenient pick-up point. Carriers may be more willing to bid on your job if the pick-up point is on their existing route. You could get a better deal by bringing the car to the closest major city or a town near the freeway. 
• Pay the remainder of your bill in cash. Some car shipping companies offer discounts of about $50 if you pay the driver cash at delivery.
• Ask about discounts. Car shipping companies sometimes offer discounts for seniors, military members, law enforcement officers, and more. 
• Request price matching. Get quotes from multiple car shipping companies. See if your favorite option will price match the most affordable one.

Continue reading: How do I get the best deals and discounts on car shipping?

A car shipping company should fit into your budget and schedule, provide excellent communication, and take good care of your vehicle.

Consider the following when choosing a car shipping company: 

• Reasonable prices. Avoid overpaying by taking the extra time to compare multiple quotes. Beware of estimates that seem too good to be true, though. 
• Guaranteed quotes. We’ve often seen car shipping prices go up about 25% between the initial estimate and the final price, so consider it a green flag if a company guarantees even a portion of your shipping quote.
• Years of experience. Longevity is generally a huge trust signal in the car shipping industry. We recommend looking for a company that’s been around for a while.
• Extra insurance coverage. Accidents are rare — but in logistics, anything can happen. The best companies will offer you more than a bare-bones insurance policy. 
• Reputation. Read recent customer reviews to evaluate the car shipping company's reliability. If a significant number of reviewers say their vehicle was picked up or delivered late, consider another company. 
• Communication. If you're having a hard time getting a straight answer about a quote or can't get someone on the phone to ask an insurance question, don't expect things to change once you're a paying customer. A good car shipping company will prioritize communication. 
• Proper licenses: You can tell an auto transport company is legit by checking for  a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) license. 

Door-to-door shipping on an open transport carrier is the most common offering in the car shipping world. But if you're interested in these services, you may have fewer car shipping companies to choose from:

• Terminal shipping: If you can't be present for pick-up and delivery, consider dropping off your car at a secure facility called a terminal. The driver will pick it up there. AmeriFreight, Montway, and SGT offer terminal shipping.
• Same-day pickup: Urgent pickups are often needed when another transport company drops the ball. AmeriFreight, Sherpa Auto Transport, and Ship a Car Direct are willing to help you find a carrier for same-day pickup. 
• Guaranteed delivery date: This is extremely rare because carriers' schedules are beholden to traffic, weather, mechanical breakdowns, and rules and regulations about how many hours they can spend on the road in a given day. We have yet to find a reputable car shipping company that offers this guarantee.
• Vehicle storage: Some companies are willing to find a driver who can drop your car off at a storage facility. Others consider this too much of a hassle. 
• GPS tracking: Some car carriers are willing to have their trailers tracked to give customers greater peace of mind. Montway Auto Transport has the best reputation for finding GPS-friendly carriers.

Continue reading: More car shipping FAQs

When we first started researching car shipping companies, we noticed an alarming trend: every brand seemed to have irate customers warning others to never use them. Type any car shipping company into Google and you'll find people complaining about lapses in communication, no-show carriers, surprise price increases, and scratched vehicles. 

Such widespread dissatisfaction seems to suggest that the problem isn't necessarily with the companies themselves, but with the car shipping industry as a whole. Brokers provide a popular service by streamlining the hiring process and allowing multiple carriers to bid on each job, which helps lower the final price. Some brokers offer additional perks like extra insurance coverage and quick access to a back-up plan when a carrier drops the ball, but the fact remains that they're middlemen and have little control over the carriers' schedules or communication skills.

Still, there are companies that successfully deliver cars and customer satisfaction more often than others. It's our job to figure out how they do it and who has the best track record.

We started by reading hundreds of customer reviews to identify common complaints. We determined people care most about the following four things:

• Accurate, transparent pricing with no surprise fees upon delivery.
• A reliable service with on-time pickup and delivery and responsive customer care.
• Carriers who communicate about schedule changes and take good care of the vehicle.
• Some kind of protection or guarantee, often in the form of gap coverage or a damage-free guarantee.

We developed a four-part grading system based on these criteria. Companies earn points in each category, and points equal grades on a scale from A+ to D. We'll adjust our grading criteria as we continue to gather more nuanced information and data, but here's what we currently consider:

• Price transparency: Online quote calculator functionality and privacy, easily accessible fee explanations, guaranteed quotes, price matching, customer satisfaction regarding the final price. 14 points possible.
• Reliability: Guaranteed pickup and/or delivery, customer satisfaction regarding timeliness, and customer satisfaction regarding broker's ability to quickly solve problems. 11 points possible.
• Carrier quality: Transparency regarding carrier vetting process, quality of carrier vetting process, and customer satisfaction with carriers. 6 points possible.
• Insurance coverage: Bare minimum vs. extra liability coverage, optional gap coverage, and extras like claim assistance, damage-free guarantees, and time to inspect for damage. 11 points possible.

To grade a company, we collect information by mystery shopping and analyzing customer reviews on third-party websites like the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot.

Mystery shopping allows us to experience the brand's website, sales process, and customer service from the perspective of the buyer. For example, some brokers have easy-to-use online quote calculators, while others collect your information and provide a quote over the phone. 

Customer reviews give us insight into real experiences, but we tread carefully here because reviews can often be faked. We look for trends that have occurred in the last 12 months and consider warnings from the Better Business Bureau. We calculate a weighted star rating based on all the reviews we can find online. This average customer rating is shared under each brand section but is distinct from the Move.org star rating, which is an editorial score we create to help readers understand the relative value and quality of each company.

We've also conducted online and in-person interviews with company leaders to learn behind-the-scenes information that sets each one apart. We find these interviews especially helpful in understanding the carrier vetting process.

We've published our car shipping leadership interviews below:

• Asadullah Sameer Ismailzada, AmeriFreight Auto Transport (coming soon)
• Mark Scholl, Montway Auto Transport
• Jack Savov, SGT Auto Transport
• Terry Williams, Auto Shipping Group

To date, we've collected more than 800 quotes from more than 13 car shipping companies to find industry and company averages. The car shipping quotes include prices for a motorcycle, car, SUV, and pick up truck across multiple distances with both open and enclosed transport and running and non-running vehicles with a one-week lead time. We use the same criteria when gathering quotes so that we can easily compare prices across brands.

We've published many of our quotes on this page and in our individual brand reviews so you can get a sense of how much it might cost to ship your car without having to share your private information. 

However, we take cost data with a grain of salt when ranking and reviewing companies that don't guarantee their quotes. Our research shows that the final car shipping price can increase by 25% when all is said and done.

Car shipping is a competitive industry, and companies make changes all the time. We repeat our review methodology at least once per year to ensure we publish up-to-date price averages, customer ratings, and proprietary grades.

AmeriFreight Auto Transport is our number one auto transport company because it offers a variety of services and price packages, but each of these transport brokers brings something special to the table:

• Montway Auto Transport's customer service representatives and experienced carrier network go above and beyond to accommodate special requests.
• SGT Auto Transport provides the most affordable quotes for open carrier shipping.
• Sherpa Auto Transport's Price Lock Promise and free car washes keep customers happy.
• uShip puts you in the driver's seat by allowing you to vet carriers who bid on your job.

The average shipping cost is calculated using average quotes for cross country and regional car shipping received from each company. Prices may vary by vehicle type and whether you choose an open carrier or enclosed truck to ship your car.

Star ratings: Star ratings reflect the editorial assessment of each company for the purposes of this particular article (e.g. Best Moving Companies for Military Moves, Best Cheap Moving Companies, etc.). These ratings may be different from star ratings found on other articles, such as Best Long-Distance Moving Companies, Best Moving Container Companies, etc.).