Best Car Shipping Companies

Author: Steve Palmer

Ideas or suggestions to this article: support@transportli.com

Updated: 07/24/2022

With large amount of car shipping companies in the USA it might be hard to understand where to start your online research when you need to ship a car. Some companies can offer great rates, some carriers can cost higher but their reviews are much more better. It’s totally understandable that you might have a lot of questions, especially when shipping your car for the first time. In this article we’ll explain everything about the car shipping marketplace, share some light on the best car shipping companies, their reviews and services. It’s our obligation to update this article every month to be on the top of ever-changing market.

Researching the markets take time, so we at Transportli desired to make it a bit easier for you. To find the best car shipping companies we collected all information (that’s available for niche insiders). We hope this comprehensive guide will help you with your car shipping needs, decision-making process and will answer all your questions about the car shipping process.

It’s worth noting that there are hundreds great car shipping companies. But only a handful of them dominate the market. We created a list of top 10 companies based on our research, online ratings, our own take and information we were able to get from industry insiders.

TOP-1 Ship a Car Direct

Transportli Score – 9.8 out of 10 

• Registration address: 11830 N 75TH ST #492, HYGIENE, CO 80533  
• USDOT number: 2241272
• MC number: 632461
• Phone: (866) 221-1664
• Business description: The most trusted car shipping company, offering a 100% damage free guarantee. Every carrier is reviewed to ensure the best auto transport service available.

Why we picked it: 

Ship a Car Direct has been in the auto transport business since 2008. The Los Angeles based company started under the name Honesty First Auto Transport, but changed to Ship a Car Direct in 2011. These days, the company offers door-to-door shipping services for customers in every state (and Washington, D.C.) except Alaska.

Customer reviews summary: 

Ship a Car Direct has an outstanding industry reputation, as evidenced by its A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It is also accredited by the BBB.

Ship a Car Direct Score Basics

• Industry standing among other companies score 99.7% on CentralDispatch – 9.7 total
• Legal standing score – 10 total
• Customer reviews score (Google – 4.6 stars, Transportreviews – 5 stars, BBB – A+, Yelp – 4 stars) – 9.7 total
• Online presence score (website, phone, chat, instant quotes) – 10 total
• Our internal take score – 10 total

TOP-2 AmeriFreight Car Shipping

Transportli Score – 9.7 out of 10 

• Registration address: 417 DIVIDEND DRIVE SUITE D, PEACHTREE CITY, GA 30269  
• USDOT number: 2238770 
• MC number: 597401
• Phone: (770) 486-1010 
• Business description: AmeriFreight has been in business since 2004 working to improve the experience of shipping your vehicle. We are your premier car transport company.

Why we picked it: 

AmeriFreight is an auto transport broker that works with a network of reliable carriers to help consumers transport their cars and other vehicles across the lower 48 states, Canada and a few other select locations.

Customer reviews summary: 

AmeriFreight addresses the three most important areas of shipping a vehicle: price, quality and safety.

No other company has done more to help consumers save money. In fact, AmeriFreight will negotiate with the top 5% of more than 11,000 carriers for the best possible rate to ship your vehicle, and no carrier with less than a 95% internal quality rating will be considered to ship their customers’ vehicles.

AmeriFreight Car Shipping Score Basics

• Industry standing among other companies score 99.8% on CentralDispatch – 9.9 total
• Legal standing score – 10 total
• Customer reviews score (Google – 4.7 stars, Transportreviews – 5  stars, BBB – A+, Yelp – 3.5 stars) – 9.4 total
• Online presence score (website, phone, chat, instant quotes) – 9 total
• Our internal take score – 10 total

TOP-3 Montway Auto Transport

Transportli Score – 9.6 out of 10 

• Registration address:425 N. MARTINGALE SUITE 550, SCHAUMBURG, IL, 60173  
• USDOT number: 2239816
• MC number: 611862
• Phone: (224) 220-0221 
• Business description: Montway Auto Transport offers nationwide, door-to-door vehicle transport. Completely bonded and insured for secure, affordable, quality delivery of your car, truck, or motorcycle.

Why we picked it: 

Montway is on of the most trusted and biggest companies in car shipping industry.

Customer reviews summary: 

Montway Auto Transport is a nationwide company offering fast and reliable vehicle and motorcycle moving services. The company ships more than 100,000 vehicles annually and offers efficient auto transportation backed by years of experience across the entire United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Montway provides services for both individuals and businesses. Shipments are closely monitored to ensure the highest level of safety and support. Insurance coverage is included in the price of shipping, and no upfront payment is required.

Montway Auto Transport Score Basics

• Industry standing among other companies score 100% on CentralDispatch- 10 total
• Legal standing score – 10 total
• Customer reviews score (Google – 4.6 stars, Transportreviews – 5 stars, BBB – A+, Yelp – 2.5 stars) – 9 total
• Online presence score (website, phone, chat, instant quotes) – 10 total
• Our internal take score – 9 total

AutoStar Transport Express

Transportli Score – 9.5 out of 10

• Registration address: 80 SW 8TH STREET SUITE 2000, MIAMI , FL 33130 
• USDOT number: 2239014 
• MC number: 600908
• Phone: (888) 802-8250
• Business description: AutoStar Transport Express is a Top Rated car shipping company with a personalized support and 15+ Years in vehicle transport services

Why we picked it: 

AutoStar Transport Express is a relatively small car transport broker. Yet, its high-quality carriers, personalized service and excellent reputation make it one of the best companies in the industry. AutoStar ships cars nationwide and offers both open and enclosed car carrier services.

Customer reviews summary: 

AutoStar Transport Express has great reviews on all platforms that we checked. One of the best rated car shipping company in the industry.

AutoStar Transport Express Score Basics

• Industry standing among other car shipping companies score 100% on CentralDispatch – 10 total
• Legal standing score – 10 total
• Customer reviews score (Google – 4.2 stars, Transportreviews – 5 stars, BBB – A-, Yelp – 3 stars) – 9.3 total
• Online presence score (website, phone, chat, instant quotes) – 9 total
• Our internal take score – 9.5 total

Easy Auto Ship

Transportli Score – 9.5 out of 10 

• Registration address: 860 Boardman Canfield Rd. Youngstown, OH 44512  
• USDOT number: 3149259
• MC number: 103888
• Phone: (888) 687-3243
• Business description: Easy Auto Ship is one of the country’s top Auto Transport firms, specializing in the shipping of privately owned vehicles, motorcycles, and heavy equipment to and from all fifty states as well as international. We work extremely hard to build solid carrier relationships so that our customers have a high-quality shipping experience at a fair price.

Why we picked it: 

Customer reviews summary: 

Easy Auto Ship reviews are great. The company has accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds an A+ rating with a lot of positive feedbacks.

Auto Shipping Group Score Basics

• Industry standing among other car shipping companies score 100% – 10 total
• Legal standing score – 10 total
• Customer reviews score (Google – 4.6 stars, Transportreviews – 5 stars, BBB – A+, Yelp – 2.5 stars) – 8.6 total
• Online presence score (website, phone, chat, instant quotes) – 10 total
• Our internal take score – 9 total

Auto Shipping Group

Transportli Score – 8.9 out of 10 

• Registration address: 1204 E Basline Rd. Suite 106 Tempe, AZ 85283  
• USDOT number: 2239008
• MC number: 600841
• Phone: (888) 588-1269
• Business description: Auto Shipping Group Inc. is the parent operating company of four very successful auto shipping brokerages. They include Magic Carpet Auto Transport , Cascade Vehicle Shipping , Domestic Auto Transport , and Red Carpet Auto Transport . These four companies have a combined total of over 30 years experience in the Auto Shipping Industry.

Why we picked it: 

Customer reviews summary: 

Auto Shipping Group reviews are outstanding. The company has accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds an A+ rating. Auto Shipping Group has a BBB customer review score of 4.8 out of 5.0 stars.

Auto Shipping Group Score Basics

• Industry standing among other car shipping companies score 99.6% – 9.9 total
• Legal standing score – 10 total
• Customer reviews score (Google – 4.8 stars, Transportreviews – 5 stars, BBB – A+, Yelp – 2 stars) – 8.5 total
• Online presence score (website, phone, chat, instant quotes) – 7.5 total
• Our internal take score – 8.5 total

Ultimate Transport 123

Transportli Score – 8.9 out of 10 

• Registration address: 1614 GRAND AVE, BALDWIN, NY 11510  
• USDOT number: 2247479 
• MC number: 724477
• Phone: (888) 885-9123 
• Business description: At Ultimate Transport 123, we work with you through every step of your car or truck's move. Experience hassle-free shipping when you choose Ultimate Transport 123

Why we picked it: 

Headquartered in Baldwin, New York, Ultimate Transport 123 is an auto transport broker that was founded in 2010 as Auto Transport 123. Auto transport brokers connect customers with their networks of auto carriers, negotiating prices and pickup and delivery dates on their behalf. Ultimate Transport 123 works with 15,000 licensed and insured carriers.

Customer reviews summary: 

Ultimate Transport 123’s reviews are average, both from customers and organizations like the BBB. The company holds a customer rating of 2.6 out of 5.0 stars from the BBB, averaged from more than 120 reviews. Ultimate Transport 123 has a more positive average rating from over 2,000 consumers on Google, with 3.6 stars out of 5.0.

Ultimate Transport 123 Score Basics

• Industry standing among other car shipping companies score 100 % on CentralDispatch – 10 total
• Legal standing score – 10 total
• Customer reviews score (Google – 3.7 stars, Transportreviews – 5 stars, BBB – B-, Yelp – 1.5 stars) – 7.4 total
• Online presence score (website, phone, chat, instant quotes) – 10 total
• Our internal take score – 7.5

Sonic Auto Transportation

Transportli Score – 8.9 out of 10 

• Registration address: 708 N MANHATTAN PL, LOS ANGELES, CA 90038 
• USDOT number: 3437626 
• MC number: 1115582
• Phone: (213) 212-8414 
• Business description: Sonic is a licensed shipping company that is fully insured and bonded. We operate across the country to make the relocation of all kinds of auto easier

Why we picked it: 

Sonic Auto Transportation is a vehicle transport broker that has shipped over 8,000 vehicles for customers across the United States. While the company has plenty of experience, we’ll consider Sonic Auto Transportation’s costs, shipping services, and customer reviews so you can determine whether it meets your needs.

Customer reviews summary: 

Sonic Auto Transportation has thousands of reviews online from customers who report an easy, successful shipping experience. The company also offers shipping options for a variety of vehicle types, making it an attractive option if you need to ship something other than a standard car.

Sonic Auto Transportation Score Basics

• Industry standing among other companies score 100% on CentralDispatch- 10 total 
• Legal standing score – 10 total
• Customer reviews score (Google – 4.5, Transportreviews – 5, BBB – C, Yelp – 1) – 6.3 total 
• Online presence score (website, phone, chat, instant quotes) – 9 total
• Our internal take score – 9 total

Mercury Auto Transport

Transportli Score – 8.5 out of 10 

• Registration address: 2240 SW 70 AVE, DAVIE, FL 33317  
• USDOT number: 2242305 
• MC number: 647319
• Phone: (954) 239-1780 
• Business description: Mercury Auto Transport is America's auto transport & car shipping expert. Find out why we have over 4000+ 5-star reviews and an A+ from the BBB

Why we picked it: 

Based in Davie, Florida, Mercury Auto Transport is an experienced car transporter that’s shipped more than 186,000 vehicles around the country since 2008. As a licensed, bonded, and insured broker, Mercury uses a network of motor carriers to connect its customers with auto shipping services.

Customer reviews summary: 

When it comes to industry standing, Mercury Auto Transport is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds a B rating. The company’s highly satisfied customers are also a testament to its high quality of service. The company has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 stars from more than 400 BBB customer reviews and an average of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars from more than 3,700 Google reviews.

Mercury Auto Transport Score Basics

• Industry standing among other companies score 99.9% on CentralDispatch – 9.9 total
• Legal standing score – 10 total
• Customer reviews score (Google – 4.6 stars, Transportreviews – 5 stars, BBB – B, Yelp – 3.5 stars) – 8.7 total
• Online presence score (website, phone, chat, instant quotes) – 6 total
• Our internal take score – 8 total

MoverJet Logistics

• Registration address: 3422 OLD CAPITOL TRL STE 700, WILMINGTON, DE 19808  
• USDOT number: 2989759 
• MC number: 18428
• Phone: (302) 212-0134 
• Business description: We are a professional broker company, with a big experience in the shipping industry. Our main goal is to provide you with a 5-star auto transport service!

Why we picked it: 

Register in 2018 Moverjet Logistics is one of the most trusted companies on the market.

Customer reviews summary: 

Reviews are controversial. While Trustpilot and Transportreviews have 1000s of positive feedbacks, Yelp and BBB are not so good.

United Freeway Transportation LLC

Transportli Score – 8.2 out of 10

• Registration address: 5652 N INKSTER RD, DEARBORN HTS, MI 48127
• USDOT number: 3713977 
• MC number: 1304594
• Phone: (818) 337-0699 
• Business description: United Freeway Transportation LLC is one of the country's top Auto Transport firms, specializing in the shipping of privately owned vehicles, motorcycles and heavy equipment.

Why we picked it: 

United Freeway Transportation LLC is one of the country’s top Auto Transport firms, specializing in the shipping of privately owned vehicles, motorcycles, and heavy equipment to and from all fifty states as well as international. We work extremely hard to build solid carrier relationships so that our customers have a high-quality shipping experience at a fair price.

Customer reviews summary: 

United Freeway Transportation LLC has great reviews among all review websites.

Angels Moving Autos

Transportli Score – 7.9 out of 10

• Registration address: 7449 MILLPORT DRIVE, ROSEVILLE, CA 95678  
• USDOT number: 2231182 
• MC number: 465801
• Phone: (530) 246-3462 
• Business description: As the angels of the industry, we are known for our spotless record and outstanding customer experience in vehicle transport service. With service in all 50 states, we’ve been successfully moving personally owned vehicles since 2003.

Why we picked it: 

Angels Moving Autos was established in 2003 with the sole purpose of assisting people to ship their cars from one point to another. Angeles Moving Autos serves 50 states with high quality service.

Customer reviews summary: 

When it comes to industry standing, Angels Moving Autos is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds a B rating. The company’s highly satisfied customers are also a testament to its high quality of service. The company has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 stars from more than 400 BBB customer reviews and an average of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars from more than 300 Google reviews.

Angels Moving Autos Score Basics

• Industry standing among other car shipping companies score 99.4% on CentralDispatch – 9.9 total
• Legal standing score – 10 total
• Customer reviews score (Google – 3.4 stars, Transportreviews – 5 stars, BBB – A+, Yelp – 3.5 stars) – 8.5 total
• Online presence score (website, phone, chat, instant quotes) – 3.5 total
• Our internal take score – 7.5 total

There are a dozen of most popular car shipping routes. Here is a price breakdown to understand most common prices on all routes.

The car shipping companies treat each and every individual with equal respect. They will help you to ship your car at affordable prices, hassle-free, and on time. They also provide their customers with full car insurance and door-to-door delivery stressing the fact that there should be no damage during the process of transportation. Even if your car suffers minor to major damage, you can keep your calm as they have got the car insurance covered. The claim is also sanctioned very efficiently and fast.

Every car shipping company is a licensed and bonded company that each and every client will trust. They even offer zero deposition booking of schedule for their car transportation. Additionally, they provide trustworthy, experienced, and genuine carriers to the clients so that they experience the best transportation service.

House-to-house or door-to-door car shipping services is a very significant pro in the case of US-based car shipping companies. This is most probably one of the most important and convenient services in which your car will essentially be picked up and then delivered at the exact or preferred location that you provided. This will avoid all the hassle or trouble, and extra cost of bringing your car from a garaged location.

The door-to-door shipping services provided by the transport companies in the US provides transportation within fifty states without charging you an extra penny for real.

The trailer driver will normally come to the doorstep of the address of the customer’s preference and pick up your car and drop it at the desired address again at the doorstep. The address can belong to a rural area, a dealership, a residential place, or a commercial (business) place. They will ensure the safety and security of your car as well while picking up and dropping off so that there are no chances of theft or illegal parking resulting in towing of your car.

Car shipping process: 

• Request a car shipping quote from multiple businesses to compare companies and their rates;
• Compare quotes and companies (use Google or TransportReviews);
• Place your order with selected company;
• The company will assign the driver to pickup your vehicle;
• The driver will get in touch with you a few hours before the pickup to schedule the perfect location and timeframe;
• While your vehicle is in transit it’s secured and insured by carriers insurance;
• Don’t forget to sign the Bill of Lading on delivery location!

Open trailers

If you are willing to ship your car to or from the USA by open car transport, then you are making the correct decision as it is one of the most popular ways preferred by customers to ship a car.

Open car shipping trailers are very similar to double-decker or two-storied car trailers. Every individual car is fastened securely to prevent the car from moving or dislocating during the shipping journey.

Open car shipping trailer transport system is considered one of the most affordable or cheapest modes of transporting your car along with full protection and security. By choosing the Open car shipping service, your car will reach exactly your destination location within a couple of days which mostly depends on the travel distance, safe traveling, and without digging a hole in your pocket as well.

Enclosed car transport

If you are willing to ship your car to or from the USA by enclosed car transport, it will provide your car extra protection. This process of car transportation is considered the safest way possible to ship your brand new, luxury, and classic or vintage cars. The shipping trailer’s consignment is well secured by straps, side covers, as well as the car carrier’s top covers. The enclosed carrier covers your car fully so that a single dust particle cannot enter the car that is, the enclosed protection will safeguard your car from every possible foreign element like debris, wind-blown ash, gusty storms, and continuous sun damage, and damage from snowfall or rain.

Shipping a car in an enclosed trailer can be a bit expensive for you. But, if you need to ship your brand new or valuable car in the safest way possible, then consider it as a good and smart investment as unwanted damage can put you through a lot of trouble and hassle.

The car shipping companies in the USA generally provide you with 2 enclosed car shipping solutions to deliver the vehicle:

1. Soft-sided enclosed vehicle shipping- This process of shipping will protect the car from storms, strong winds, dust, sleet, rain, snow, and many other elements.
2. Hard-sided enclosed vehicle shipping- This process of shipping along with all the plus points of the soft-sided enclosed vehicle shipping, adds extra protection to your car for any unlikely damage event during the period of transit.

While all transportation requests are individual and should be handled separately, here are some tips that can help you with your car shipping needs.

• There is a thing called inoperable and operable cars. The operable car essentially means that your vehicle is in running condition that is, it can go both reverse and forward by using its own power, without any external or additional assistance of manpower.

Whereas, if your car is not in a condition to move in reverse and forward motion, then it is considered non-running or inoperable. In such cases, the trailer driver must put additional effort and this service comes with an extra charge. In simple words, the client has to spend extra money for the additional services performed by the driver. However, every car shipping service provider does not offer this inoperable car service.

• The cost that covers all of the transportation procedures of your car is not easy to calculate. Transportation costs in total can vary depending on multiple considerable factors. The several factors influencing the car shipping costs are the distance between the pick-up and drop locations, the car size, and the type of car (vintage, classic, brand new, luxury, freshly painted, etc.).

Apart from all these factors, there are other considerations such as season, for instance, if the customer asks for the shipment of the car during the season of Snowbird, the shipping charges will be higher compared to other times of the year due to the season’s demand. Other influencing factors like the weather and inoperable or operable car can also alter the price of your car’s shipment. It is not advisable to the customers to work with multiple shipping companies as this might increase the prices. So, you should stick with one company.

• Many car shipping companies provide discounts to senior citizens, students, military members, and their valued clients. Apart from the customers falling under these categories, one can avail of the seasonal discounts. You will save a lot of money by working with these US-based car shipping companies.

• Always choose the appropriate shipping service between open and enclosed car transport. As, if you want to save up on money by putting your brand new luxury car or a valuable vintage car under the risk of wear and tear in the open transport model, your investment will go in vain, and additionally you have to face a lot of trouble to fix it back (although it will be insurance covered). It is better to opt for the enclosed transport model if your car is new or valuable.

• You must provide the perfect address for picking up your car and dropping it. Changing the address suddenly during the transport might result in costing you more than the promised amount because there will be rerouting involved.

People who travel from the north to the south direction during the winter season are known as snowbirds. A few of the snowbirds drive their car by themselves but mostly plan to use car transport companies to ship their cars. The shipping procedure ensures that the car is perfectly covered and that it does not get damaged by excessive snowfall or gusty winds. The automobile parts might freeze in extreme weather as well which the shipping experts take care of in a professional way.

The car is covered with wraps so that no foreign body touches the car’s surface. You also need to ensure that the car is safely secured after the shipping professionals put your car on the trailer. Ideally, the sides of your car should be tightly fastened by belts and the top of your car should be secured by a shed. This will ensure that your car would not get dislocated from the carrier trailer during the journey and no parts of the car are left open to come in contact with any extreme weather conditions. If your car is properly covered then the dust will also not stick onto the surface of the car’s body.

It is preferred that you take any essentials out of the car and keep it completely locked so that there is no chance of any midway theft during the transport. You can hand over the keys to the trusted and experienced shipping professionals as during the transport they might require the keys to unload the car from the trailer in the case of an emergency and to unload the car while dropping it at the customer’s preferred location.

The shipping company should have a good customer support system whom you can contact regarding tracking issues, address verification, etc. 24/7.

They must have a good customer review bases on their past records of car transport and according to that, you must choose the appropriate shipping company.

The personnel working in the shipping company should have the expertise in understanding the value of a customer’s automobile and should know to treat their customers in a polite and transparent way.

As a customer, you should always clear all the doubts about any hidden costs and whether the company covers the car insurance in case of any mishap. You should also check whether the car shipping company is licensed or registered.

1. Does Car transport companies provide pick up and drop service?

Yes, car shipping companies in the USA provide a pickup and drop off your vehicle at your required location.

2. How can I transport a car to the USA?

There are trusted and experienced car shipping companies that offer affordable, reliable, and fast shipping so that you do not have to stay without your car for more than couple of days.

3.How much can it cost to ship my car to the USA?

It can cost between one thousand US Dollars to one thousand and five hundred US dollars approximately.