Alex is the founder of 9Kilo Moving, which he started to help people easily find and choose the right moving company to make their move as stress-free and seamless as possible. He has spent over 20 years working in the moving industry, so he knows every aspect of the business and uses his knowledge to write about the industry and give moving advice. More on about us page
Buying a car is an investment dearly made by many of us. And while we do take utmost care of our cars at all times, it becomes an important matter of concern when you’re moving from one location to the other. If driving isn’t a feasible option for you, your next best bet would probably be reaching out to a car shipping company. That’s exactly where our list of the best car shipping companies will help you out. But before we get to the specific details of every company, let us tackle the first question that might pop up in your head when you’re looking to transport your car.
With plenty of reputable auto transport companies entering the market every now and then, it can get a little tricky to pick the right one for you. But to make it simpler, you can start by making a detailed note of your requirements, as well as keeping all relevant information about your car handy. Once you’re ready with this set of information, you can narrow down your search pool and make it easier, based on your specific needs. When you begin with your research, make sure to check the credentials of all companies on your list. Along with being registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a reputable company will also be registered and licensed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). An interstate car shipping company should also carry a Motor Carrier (MC) number. Proof of insurance is yet another indicator of a reliable car shipping company. After verifying these credentials, you can call up the auto transport companies, discuss your needs and requirements, and get an accurate quote. Based on all the information that you gather; you can make an informed choice for the car shipping company that best caters to your requirements.
You’ll definitely agree with the fact that cost is an important factor in determining the choice of your car shipping company, or rather, should you be approaching one in the first place, right? While quotes offered by many car shipping companies can make you doubt your decision, Bargain Auto Transport strives to deliver their services at rates suitable for many budgets.
As their name suggests, Bargain Auto Transport gives you the power to bargain and decide your quote, and then a carrier would be matched with you accordingly. And if you don’t happen to find a carrier that matches your budget, the company is ready to go that extra mile for you to help you adjust for a more competitive price range.
Whether you’re transporting your car or an SUV, Bargain Auto Transport specializes in moving all varieties of cars including luxury and antique cars. They offer both open and enclosed transport options with a door-to-door facility to maximize the convenience of planning your move.
One thing that you should be knowing when moving with Bargain Auto Transport is that they will be charging you a $100 non-refundable listing fee when you list your vehicle on their website. But even though it is mandatory for you to pay this fee, you can be assured that the final price that you pay your carriers will still be reasonable and well within your budget.
Along with affordable prices, another stand-out feature of Bargain Auto Transport is that they will only connect you with professional and vetted carriers. To add to it, the company has also made it mandatory for all the carriers in their network to have a liability coverage of at least $1,000,000. Put all these qualities together, and it’s easy to figure out how Bargain Auto Transport has earned a spot on our list.
Retirement Living Reviews – 4.7/5Consumer Affairs – 5/5
Montway Auto Transport laid its foundation in the industry in the year 2006. Since then, it has only been growing consistently, partnering with some of the top moving companies in the industry. As of now, it has transported over 747k vehicles, not just in the United States, but also in places abroad. Even if you’re hunting for a company that can help you transport your car from areas of Hawaii and Alaska, Montway Auto Transport could be a good choice to consider.
Over the years, Montway Auto Transport have expanded their services beyond the common ones offered by all car shipping companies. Along with open and enclosed transport services, they also cater to the special needs of the military and college students. Their expedited car transport services could also help you at times when you need to ship your car at the earliest. Do keep in mind that you might have to pay a good amount for these expedited services. On average, you can expect to pay between $350 to $700 for moving your car across a distance of less than 500 miles with Montway Auto Transport.
Most of their customers have rated Montway highly for their round-the-clock customer service. To add to it, they also offer some of the most cost effective prices and guaranteed pick-ups. If punctuality is your forte, the guaranteed pick-ups offered by Montway are sure to pull the right strings for you. Their easy availability in the US and highly professional staff make them one of the best car shipping companies in the industry.
Consumer Affairs – 4.9/5
With its headquarters in Peachtree City, Georgia, AmeriFreight has been around in the car shipping industry since 2004. Their expertise ships over 30,000 vehicles each year and they offer a wide range of services for both national and international moves. Open and closed transport options for all forms of transports including motorcycles, boats, RVs and golf carts are some of the popular services offered by AmeriFreight. Adding to it, is the convenience they offer with their door-to-door services.
Even though AmeriFreight is a broker who acts like an intermediary between your auto carrier and you, they have a lot of policies in place to ensure that you don’t face issues common to brokering. For instance, AmeriFreight offers optional AF Total Assurance (AFta) coverage as an additional security over and above your standard insurance. Once you confirm your booking with AmeriFreight, you will be asked to pay a deposit. But if you happen to cancel your move for any reason, you might be refunded for the deposit, if it’s way before your pick-up date.
Along with catering to a variety of moves, another noteworthy aspect about AmeriFreight is that they offer some of the best discounts in the industry. Yes, maybe we should have led you on with that but here’s what you need to know. From students, senior citizens, military personnel, first responders and return customers, AmeriFreight has plenty of discounts to lighten the weight on your pockets. One of their other interesting discounts is for early birds; you can save at least $35 if you confirm your booking within 48 hours of receiving an estimate. Reach out to AmeriFreight to know more about their unique deals and discounts.
Google Reviews – 4.8/5Yelp – 3.5/5Consumer Affairs – 4.6/5
Great customer service and guaranteed prices are some of the qualities that Sherpa Auto Transport prides on being associated with. They’ve were determined to bring in a transformation in the car shipping industry. That’s exactly how Sherpa Auto Transport wants to be recognized as – a car shipping company offering meticulous services to lift the stress off their client’s shoulders.
Sherpa Auto Transport offers a wide range of car shipping services including open and enclosed transport, military transport, corporate relocation and auto shipping for college students. One interesting service provided by Sherpa Auto Transport is auto transport for snowbirds and seasonal travelers. If you’ve decided to spend your holiday months in some other parts of the country and would love to have your car around at that location, you can reach out to Sherpa Auto Transport, who will ensure that your vehicle reaches your preferred location on time.
While getting your quotes from the company, you might notice that the prices quoted by Sherpa Auto Transport aren’t amongst the cheapest in the industry. But on a positive note, the company does offer a price lock guarantee, which means that the estimate you receive shall be the final price that you pay for your service. There won’t be any hidden costs sliding up to shock you at the end.
Adding to these perks is the Clean Car Guarantee offered by Sherpa Auto Transport. Your car can get a good wash for $20. The cherry on the top is that you could also get reimbursed for that amount if you submit the receipt with the bill of lading within 30 days after you’ve received your car at the new location.
Google Reviews – 4.7/5Yelp – 4/5Consumer Affairs – 4.9/5
With over a decade’s worth of experience in the moving industry, Ship A Car Direct has earned a reputation amongst the best car shipping companies in the country. Providing services as clear as its name, Ship A Car Direct specializes in car shipping and have also recently expanded their services to ship motorboats, motorcycles, RVs, as well as ski-doos.
An important thing to know about Ship A Car Direct is that they are a broker service. Basically, after you confirm your booking with them, and pay the initial deposit, you’ll be put in touch with a carrier who will be assisting you with the process. You can discuss the relevant details like the pick-up and delivery time of your car, with your carrier and get your car transported in no time. To give you a price perspective, if you’re shipping your car for a distance of less than 200 miles with Ship A Car Direct, you can expect to pay between $120-$190 on average. Overall, you’ll find the costs quoted by Ship A Car Direct to be around 10% to 15% lower than the industry average.
Along with offering affordable rates, the company also stands out for its damage-free guarantee. Under this guarantee, if your claim is denied by your carrier’s insurance in case of any damages sustained by your car in transit, then Ship A Car Direct will pay $500 towards your deductible. To add to it, the company also offers wide availability and prompt services to efficiently move your car from one point to another. With so much to offer to its clients, it isn’t surprising that Ship A Car Direct has a great reputation when it comes to customer service and experience as well.
Google Reviews – 4.6/5Yelp – 4/5Consumer Affairs – 5/5
Bargain Auto Transport, Montway Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Sherpa Auto Transport and Ship A Car Direct are among the best car shipping companies in the US. Good reviews, binding estimates, and reasonable pricing and insurance options are just some of the qualities common to the top rated car shipping companies.
Using an open transport carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car. These open carrier services are offered by most car shipping companies, and the more flexible you are with your time window, the better are your chances of saving a few additional bucks.
No, the American Automobile Association (AAA) does not offer car transport services. However, there are a few car shipping companies by the name “AAA” that do offer such services.
Bargain Auto Transport is the most reliable company. One of the things that makes Bargain so great is its free estimates - there's no obligation to buy! One of the best ways to find a reliable car transport service is to get multiple quotes and compare prices.
It would be best if you considered both options when you're moving. Driving is cheaper for shorter moves, but transport may be worth the price if your move will take more than 500 miles and it's inconvenient to drive a car that far.
Conclusion
You may choose to reach out to any of the car shipping companies that we’ve mentioned in our list, based on your needs and requirements. Irrespective of the company you choose, it is best that you do your research and confirm your booking at least a month or two in advance. This will give you adequate time to efficiently plan your car shipping process as well as the other details of your move.
Also See: How to Transport Car Cross Country | Do Car Shipping Companies Have GPS Tracking? | Moving Leased Car Out of State
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