The 5 Best Classic Car Transport Companies of 2021

Move.org collected more than 500 quotes and evaluated 14 auto transport companies to find your best bet for shipping a classic car.

Our top pick: Montway Auto Transport takes our number one spot. Not only does Montway Auto Transport have low prices and an impressive track record, but it also includes $250,000 of no-deductible insurance coverage to protect your classic car.

The 5 best enclosed car shipping companies

• Montway Auto Transport: Best overall
• Easy Auto Ship: Fast delivery
• Bargain Auto Transport: Lowest prices
• Ship a Car Direct: Free gap coverage
• Sherpa Auto Transport: Guaranteed quotes

Compare enclosed car shipping companies

What should you look for in an enclosed car shipping company?

• Enclosed shipping prices. We compared over 500 quotes from more than a dozen companies to create an average shipping price—but you should always get your own quotes to see how much your shipment will cost. Be sure you don’t confuse enclosed shipping prices with open transport rates (enclosed transport is about 60% more expensive).

• Extra insurance coverage. Car shipping companies must carry basic insurance, but your classic car deserves more than the bare minimum. Focus on transport companies that provide additional insurance coverage. You’ve put a lot of work into your car and want to make sure your investment is protected.

• Clean track record. Nobody wants to see their vehicle damaged in transit—especially if it’s a classic car. We looked at 20 random reviews for each company and counted customer complaints about damage. It’s not a perfect system (even the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration doesn’t keep up-to-date accident info), but it gives you an idea of what other customers think.

• Overall excellence. You need a company that’s impressive from top to bottom. So look for a car shipper that tops the charts in all the ways that matter. That includes things like company longevity, perks, and customer reviews.

Montway Auto Transport—Best overall

Montway Auto Transport tops our list. It has low enclosed shipping prices perfect for classic cars and includes $250,000 of no-deductible insurance to keep your vehicle safe. It even ships to Alaska and Hawaii. The only real downside is that it gets lower-than-average customer reviews.

It also ships over 100,000 vehicles each year—more than five times the industry average. Montway Auto Transport doesn’t play around when it comes to safely shipping your classic car.

What sets Montway Auto Transport apart?

Low prices

Montway Auto Transport has some of the lowest prices for enclosed shipping. The average cost to ship your classic car with Montway Auto Transport is about $980—or $140 less than the industry average. It also has tons of discounts, meaning you can save even more money if you’re a student, returning customer, military member, or belong to AARP.

Additional insurance coverage

Montway Auto Transport requires all its drivers to provide at least $100,000 of insurance coverage. It also gives customers an extra $250,000 of coverage that kicks in if your carrier’s policy doesn’t cover the damage. There isn’t even a deductible. It’s tough to beat more protection with no extra costs.

Impressed by our top pick?

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Easy Auto Ship—Fast delivery

Easy Auto Ship is perfect if you need your classic car shipped quickly. Not only does Easy Auto Ship get the job done four times faster than its slowest competitors, but it also has low prices and top-notch customer service. It even includes an extra $100,000 of insurance coverage to give you peace of mind. While Easy Auto Ship is only about half as old as most car shippers (longevity is a big deal in this industry) and has an annoying website pop-up ad, its strengths easily outweigh its weaknesses.

What sets Easy Auto Ship apart?

Fast delivery

Easy Auto Ship is one of the fastest car shippers around. Whether you hate the anxiety of waiting for your vehicle to arrive or need it shipped lickity-split for a car show, Easy Auto Ship’s average delivery time is 3.5 days. The slowest car shippers take 11 days—a full week longer.

Extra damage protection

Easy Auto Ship takes care of any vehicle you want to ship, but it has extra advantages for classic car owners. In addition to using only insured carriers, Easy Auto Ship gives you an additional $100,000 of insurance at no cost. So if an accident happens and the carrier’s insurance doesn’t foot the bill, Easy Auto Ship steps in with a backup plan that can save the day. It’s a perfect setup for your dreamy 1969 Ford Mustang in mint condition.

Need your classic car delivered ASAP?

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Bargain Auto Transport—Lowest prices

Bargain Auto Transport is an ideal pick if you want to ship your classic car on the cheap. The car shipping company has the lowest enclosed shipping prices around. Bargain Auto Transport also gets perfect customer reviews and requires its drivers to carry a $100,000 cargo insurance policy in addition to liability coverage. The only real drawback is that you have to call for a quote (you can’t get online estimates). But a few minutes on the phone is worth an average savings of $150.

What sets Bargain Auto Transport apart?

Low prices

Bargain Auto Transport doesn’t just have low prices—it’s typically your single-most inexpensive option for enclosed shipping. The car shipping company is about 20% below the industry average, meaning you’ll often save about $150. While you do have to pay a $100 “listing fee,” that just means you’re making a downpayment towards your final bill. The bottom line is that Bargain Auto Transport is . . . a bargain.

Bargain Auto Transport enclosed shipping prices

Fantastic customer reviews

Bargain Auto Transport is a relatively new car shipping company, but it makes a splash with perfect customer reviews. Literally. Every review we’ve seen gives Bargain Auto Transport a stellar five out of five stars. That’s likely to drop a little as the years go by, but customers routinely say the same thing we think: Bargain Auto Transport is a pretty darn good company.

If you’re looking for specifics, customer reviews often focus on two things:

1. Talking with telephone reps. Customers often praise Bargain Auto Transport’s informative customer service. Car shipping can be confusing, and Bargain Auto Transport goes out of its way to make sure you understand everything that will happen from the moment you hang up the phone to the day your classic car arrives at its new location.

2. Picking a price. Most car shipping companies submit your shipment details to a network of carriers (or drivers) who bid on the job. That can result in a final price that doesn’t match your initial quote. Bargain Auto Transport understands how shady that is and lets you set your price. Telephone reps walk you through all the details of your shipment, explain the pros and cons of different price points, and then let you make the call. More often than not, you end up with the lowest prices in the biz. How’s that for a bargain?

Want low prices and fantastic customer service?

Get a Quote | Read Our Review

Ship a Car Direct—Free gap coverage

Ship a Car Direct has all the things you want in a great classic car shipping company: low prices, great reviews, and extra perks. That last bit is our favorite feature. Ship a Car Direct has a damage-free guarantee in case your car gets damaged. That means if the carrier denies your claim, Ship a Car Direct pays $500 toward your deductible.

What sets Ship a Car Direct apart?

Low prices

Ship a Car Direct is determined to give you a low price. If you call up the company and say you’re shopping around, they’ll usually commit to getting the job done for the same price as Montway Auto Transport (our top pick). What does that mean in dollars and cents? You’ll often save an average of $140.

Damage-free guarantee

Ship a Car Direct uses only insured carriers—but so does every other legitimate auto transport company. What sets this broker apart is its $500 gap coverage. If your claim gets denied for any reason, Ship a Car Direct chips in $500 towards your deductible. No classic car owner wants to see countless hours of work damaged in an accident, but it’s tough to beat a free $500 if things go south.

Need to keep your classic car safe during transport?

Get a Quote | Read Our Review

Sherpa Auto Transport—Guaranteed quotes

Sherpa Auto Transport has something we’ve rarely seen: guaranteed quotes. Since car shipping quotes rarely match final prices, Sherpa Auto Transport’s “Price Lock Promise” helps you get the best rates for shipping a classic car. Plus, the company receives fantastic customer reviews. It even gives you a free car wash when your vehicle arrives. The only real downside is that you can’t get online quotes.

What sets Sherpa Auto Transport apart?

Guaranteed quotes

Sherpa Auto Transport guarantees your quote will be the same amount as your final price. If you think that should be common sense, you’re right. But most auto transport companies haven’t caught on. The car shipping industry is notorious for giving customers lowball quotes and then jacking up the price when it’s time to pay. With Sherpa Auto Transport, you know exactly how much it will cost to ship your classic car. If you don’t think that’s a big deal, just imagine how you’d feel if your final bill cost $400 more than what you planned on. That’s not chump change.

Clean Car Guarantee

If your car gets dirty in transit, Sherpa Auto Transport has a Clean Car Guarantee. When your vehicle arrives, Sherpa Auto Transport will give you $20 for a free car wash. It’s a small thing, but it shows the company is in tune with what matters to classic car enthusiasts.

But don’t vehicles shipped on enclosed carriers stay clean the entire trip? Yep, they do. So rather than clean your car as soon as it arrives, you can hang on to your free car wash and use it a couple of weeks later. What classic car owner doesn’t want to keep their vehicle looking its best?

How ’bout a free car wash?

Get a Quote | Read Our Review

Top 5 enclosed car shipping companies

• Montway Auto Transport: Best overall
• Easy Auto Ship: Fast delivery
• Bargain Auto Transport: Lowest prices
• Ship a Car Direct: Free gap coverage
• Sherpa Auto Transport: Guaranteed quotes

Car shipping FAQ

What are the best sports car transport companies?

The best sports car transport companies are Montway Auto Transport (best overall), Easy Auto Ship (fast delivery), and Bargain Auto Transport (lowest prices), according to Move.org.

How much does classic car shipping cost?

Classic car shipping costs an average of $1,120, although you can find better deals with companies like Montway Auto Transport and Easy Auto Ship. Classic car transport costs are about 60% higher than regular vehicles because classic cars ship on an enclosed trailer that protects your vehicle during transit.

Do classic car shipping companies offer insurance?

Yes, classic car shipping companies offer insurance. All carriers must provide basic insurance, but companies like Montway Auto Transport and Ship a Car Direct provide extra insurance that is ideal for classic car owners.

Should I use an open or enclosed transport truck?

It depends on your needs. An open transport truck is less expensive but leaves your car exposed to the weather during shipping. An enclosed transport truck costs more but protects you from things like rock chips, rain, and even hail. Enclosed shipping is ideal for several vehicles:

• Antique car
• Classic car
• Collector car
• Exotic car
• Luxury car
• Vintage car

Recap

Your best bet to ship a classic car is Montway Auto Transport. The shipping company has been around for more than a decade and has a proven track record of excellence. In addition to low rates for enclosed transport, Montway Auto Transport also gives you an extra $250,000 of insurance in case your carrier’s insurance won’t pay.