The 3 Best Classic Car Transport Companies of 2020

The best classic car shipping companies specialize in vintage vehicles and offer enclosed transport and lift gates for loading. You wouldn’t hand your car keys to just anyone—and if you have an antique ride that you love like your own child, it’s even more important to find an auto shipping company that knows its classic cars.

Classics cars tend to be more fragile than newer models, and since they’re older, their parts are often more difficult to repair or replace.

And let’s face it: you didn’t spend every Saturday buffing out your 1961 Jaguar just to have it dinged by a shipper who lacks basic vintage car care expertise.

Each classic car transport company that made our cut met these criteria:

• Specializes in classic car transport
• Offers enclosed transport services
• Uses state-of-the-art tie-down or car wrapping methods during transport
• Loads and unloads using hydraulic lift gates

We also give extra props to the companies that keep you up to speed on your car’s whereabouts once it’s on the road—whether that’s via online GPS tracking or consistent contact with your truck driver.

United Routes—Best for transparent prices

Like all of the companies on our list, United Routes specializes in transporting classic and exotic cars—which is exactly what you want for getting your ride from point A to point B.

United Routes has above-average prices, but your money gets you top-rated, above-average service.

Take note, though, that United Routes is a brokerage, and service will vary depending on the specific carrier you’re working with. Luckily, it only contracts with companies that have the expertise and tools to handle your classic car properly.

Why we recommend United Routes

It has 5-star customer service—literally

Simply put, United Routes’s pricing transparency and lack of hidden fees is a breath of fresh air. To us, companies that are honest about pricing signal trustworthiness.

Another thing we like? United Routes excels it in the customer reviews department.

Customers rave about United Routes’s efforts to keep you in the loop during your car’s move.

In addition to frequent phone calls updating you while your vehicle is en route, the company sends pictures during loading and unloading so you have a visual on the process. (*Cue the sigh of relief.*)

United Routes also does well on the timeliness front. According to customer reviews, the company responds quickly to queries, which is helpful if you’re strapped for time and need to transport your car within a matter of days—or if you have questions or concerns about your shipment.

It offers guaranteed pickup

Road conditions, mishaps, and everyday delays make car shipping unpredictable—and delivery windows ranging from five to seven days make planning nearly impossible.

Loose timeframes are among the biggest complaints customers have about car shipping, but United Routes offers guaranteed pickup dates if you need them.

In general, United Routes will send a truck to collect your ride within seventy-two hours of your preferred pickup date. But with guaranteed pickup, you’ll hand over your keys on the exact date you request so long as you make your reservation at least seven days in advance.

Guaranteed pickup is more expensive than standard transport, but if you’re short on time, the cost of convenience may be worth a couple extra Benjamins.

To move a 2002 BMW 3 Series Wagon from Salt Lake City, UT, to Eugene, OR, United Transport quoted us $850 for standard transport. If we opted for guaranteed pickup, the rate would rise to $1,150.

Passport Transport—Most experienced

Passport Transport is the oldest player in the classic car transport game—in fact, it was the first US company to be licensed and insured for this niche.

Passport pioneered classic car transport by offering only enclosed trailers and door-to-door transport (as opposed to open carriers and terminal-to-terminal shipping).

The company has a rough-and-tumble vibe about it, so it doesn’t waste time on the formalities of customer service. Instead, all that TLC goes towards your vehicle.

If you value safe transport and working with people who know vintage cars like the backs of their hands, you can’t go wrong with Passport Transport.

Why we recommend Passport Transport

It has industry expertise

Passport is staffed with car aficionados left and right. You’ll know your ride is being handled by people who are experts in all things vintage vehicles—and who get as excited about them as you do.

Let’s say you have a 1968 Corvette you’ve revived with a replaced bumper. A car carrier who doesn’t specialize in exotic or vintage cars may not know that your Corvette needs a lift gate instead of a ramp to prevent the bottom from getting scratched. But Passport Transport would.

Customer reviews say Passport’s service isn’t the most mannerly, but your car will get five-star treatment, which, for some people, is worth the trade-off.

It offers 24/7 tracking—sort of

One of the biggest gripes people have with car transport (and moving in general) is that it’s hard to track shipments along the way—and that uncertainty can cause you to grow a few grey hairs.

With classic car shipping, this unknown is even more frustrating since moving your car isn’t just transactional. Your car is your hobby, your pastime, your pride and joy.

Passport Transport says it offers 24/7 tracking, but there are three things you should be aware of:

1. You can’t track the shipment in real time—you have to send an email or make a phone call.
2. The phone number provided by Passport Transport for tracking goes to an automated FedEx phone tree.
3. Our research failed to find a single customer who was able to take advantage of the feature.

Keep this in mind if being able to track your shipment is high on your priority list. 

Intercity Lines—Best customer service

Intercity Lines knows what it’s doing when it comes to classic car transport—and dozens of positive customer reviews and a helpful website jam-packed with tips and resources reaffirm this.

Intercity Lines routinely visits trade shows and has a wealth of knowledge about vintage cars.

Why we recommend Intercity Lines

It has glowing customer reviews

Intercity Lines’s customer reviews are so good that we’re suspicious. In fact, they’re the most consistently positive of any company we researched. Literally. There’s one negative review for every twenty or so positive reviews we’ve seen.

From fast delivery and safe car treatment to professional communication from the business, customers have lots of good things to say about Intercity Lines.

Plus, the company boasts lots of return customers, which shows that its service quality is consistent.

It offers top-notch features

In addition to lift gates and enclosed transport, Intercity Lines also offers the following features:

• Hand-built car carriers
• Nylon wheel saddles for tie-downs (vs. chains)
• Plastic seat covers and floor mats
• Cloth covers for car exteriors

All of these services ensure that your car will get the best treatment—and that it will stay protected in transit.

Intercity Lines’s efforts to provide top-tier equipment show that it knows how to take care of your ride—and that it’s willing to go the extra mile to make sure your car gets the best service possible.

Recap—our top classic car shipping companies

• United Routes Auto Transport—best for transparent prices
• Passport Transport—best tracking options
• Intercity Lines—best customer service

How to pick the right transporter for your classic car

Remember, the best classic car shipping companies aren’t just experts in car shipping—they’re experts in vintage and exotic vehicles too.

Here are the services to look for in classic car shippers:

• Enclosed transport
• Expedited shipping
• Hydraulic lift gates for loading and unloading
• Innovative tie-down and car wrapping methods (avoid chain tie-downs)
• Industry and classic car knowledge (because each type of car needs its own kind of care)

Have you moved with any of the companies on our list? We want to hear about your experience! Tell us all about it in the comments section below.