Shipping a car can be costly and confusing. Believe us, Car Talk has been through it a number of times. Whether you're moving from one coast to another, or just heading somewhere far away for the season, you might find yourself researching car shipping companies looking for the best possible option. There are many options to choose from in the car shipping industry. Car Talk's auto transport experts can help you figure out which shipping company is the best for your needs.
With over 40 years of automotive industry experience, Car Talk experts have researched the top car shipping companies and integrated our findings based on hundreds of customer reviews, ratings, state and federal customer complaints to help you choose a reliable and affordable option. We’ll explain how much auto transport costs and how to secure the best price.
The 5 best car shipping companies in the industry are listed below with more detail. Note there is a 3-way tie for the top Golden Wrench awards in 2026:
AmeriFreight works with the top five percent of over 11,000 carriers to negotiate the best rate on the shipper’s behalf, and won’t consider a carrier with less than a 95 percent quality rating for its customers. The company offers a money-back guarantee and ships almost anything motorized from coast to coast. Your car is completely covered by the carrier’s insurance including gap protection with the AFta PLAN, so there’s no need to worry about damages.
AmeriFreight says their costs can range from around $500 to well over $1,000 for shipping a sedan on open transport. The upside is that several discounts are available for various reasons, such as for members of the military, students, and seniors.
Why is AmeriFrieght our #1 Golden Wrench winner?
- With a solid rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on average over 4,500 reviews on Google, and their money-back guarantee, AmeriFrieght sets itself apart as a very impressive car shipping company.
Customer Reviews of AmeriFreight
“I have never shipped a vehicle before, but I recently purchased a 2026 Ram 2500 Limited from a dealership in Florida. After contacting AmeriFreight, within 3 days, they had a driver for me. The driver promised delivery within a week, and he delivered. Great service and they always communicated very well with many follow-ups. Will definitely use them again if the situation comes up.”
- D.C., Google 5 Stars, November 2025
“Had a great experience with AmeriFreight getting my car sent to me after it arrived from overseas! The agent was awesome, getting information to me quickly, and things were set up as quickly as possible in a challenging situation where the military had displaced me from my car and both the pickup/receiving parties were different people.”
- S.B., BBB Reviews, November 2025
“I needed to get my father's car from NH to Houston as soon as possible. I contacted AmeriFreight, and they got me scheduled in less than a day, and the experience from start to finish was the easiest I have ever had. I could not have been happier when the car was picked up and very carefully loaded on the truck by a very nice young man. My father was equally happy with the dropoff, and if we ever need to transport again, this is the company I will be calling!”
- J.I., Google, 5 Stars, February 2025
“We shipped our car from Michigan to Washington State using Ameri-Freight. We had initially signed up with a different carrier about 2 weeks before. On the day the car was to be picked up the other carrier tried to extort another $400 out of us. We then contacted Ameri-Freight, and our car was on the carrier that same day! The price was great and Robyn's communication skills were excellent! She's a true professional in her field. The car arrived on-time (5 days) and it was a great experience! Especially after all the stress with other carriers that preceded our hiring Ameri-Freight."
- Dave K., Yelp, 5 Stars December 2024
The following is example pricing to ship a standard 2025 Camry with open the transport option with AmeriFreight. Note that your own quote may vary:
| From | To | Rate Quote |
|---|
For more in-depth information, read our full AmeriFreight review »
Montway, as opposed to a company like uShip, is an actual shipper. And unlike the rest of these companies, the only items Montway ships are vehicles. When we ran the quote at uShip, Montway was one of the shippers that provided a quote, and the pricing ended up mid-pack, around $1,300.
We ran the same shipping quote we did for uShip -- a 2003 Jeep Wrangler -- to and from the same destination. Interestingly, the quote we got direct from Montway was a bit cheaper than the quote that showed up at uShip.
Montway provides two quotes: one for a cash price, and one for a credit or debit card. The credit card price was $1,149. Cash saved $60, with a price of $1,089. Insurance was included in the quote.
That’s for an open car transporter. Montway also shows you a price if you’d like a closed transporter. For our trip from Massachusetts to Texas, we got an additional $410 fee for a closed transporter. Not a bad deal, really.
Why is Montway a Golden Wrench winner?
- The company maintains a great rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, has a respectable reputation for great service, and over 22,000 excellent customer reviews.
Customer Reviews of Montway Auto Transport
“This is an amazing company and the only way I will ever ship my automobile! Honestly, we were a bit nervous shipping our car. Simply because there are so many shady companies out there. But many people had recommended Montway to us. We went with them and have no regrets! They have amazing customer service, and the gentleman who picked up our car and dropped it off was so kind and personable.”
- A.V., Google, 5 Stars, November 2025
“Montway was fabulous. After a terrible experience with another company trying to get ship my car, my experience with Montway was seamless. Picked up when they said they would and went 10 days earlier than I initially thought. Would highly recommend.”
- A.L., BBB Reviews, November 2025
"First time shipping a vehicle from NJ and the process was extremely easy from start to finish. The driver, Pavel, was awesome with communication and loaded the car without any issues. Thank you Pavel & Montway for a painless experience."
- Edwin, Yelp, 5 Stars, March 2024
"Got lucky and was connected with a good transportation company. Montway is not a transportation company but just a broker however they will assign and un-assign drivers without notice. I would much rather go directly with a shipping company if you care about your car."
The following is example pricing to ship a 2025 Camry and a 2012 Silverado, open and closed trailer from Portland, ME to Austin, TX. Please note the difference between cash pricing and credit pricing. Note that your own quote may vary:
| Vehicle | Cash Quote | Credit Quote |
|---|
For more in-depth information, read our full Montway Auto Transport review »
Sherpa Auto Transport specializes in relocations, snowbird moves, multi-car shipments, and late model transport. They’re also well-known for shipping classic autos, larger SUVs and trucks, and vehicles that are no longer operable. The average price to ship a car with Sherpa is around $900, but that number can vary greatly depending on the type of vehicle being shipped, how far it needs to be moved, the season, and other factors. If you decide to ship with Sherpa, the initial payment is not charged until a carrier is secured. Canceling before a carrier has been assigned will only cost you a $25 dispatch fee.
The company offers local and long-haul transport and can ship door-to-door. Direct delivery is Sherpa’s most popular type of transport since the level of convenience for shippers is much greater. Sherpa takes the added step of reimbursing owners up to $20 for a car wash after shipping has been completed since they recognize that vehicles may get dirty during transit.
Sherpa Auto Transport's big selling point is what it calls its Price Lock Promise, which just means that the company will cover up to $300 price change from their initial quote if the price changes. The practice provides extra assurance, especially when some shipping charges with other companies can grow quickly with hidden costs.
Why is Sherpa Auto Transport a Golden Wrench winner?
- With a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, solid customer reviews, and an A+ BBB rating, Sherpa has proved itself to be an excellent choice for car shipping services. Sherpa’s review score at BBB is a solid 4.92 out of 5 stars.
Customer Reviews of Sherpa Auto Transport
“I needed to move a car to my daughter across the country, and needed a reliable transport company. I contacted one company, which caused a considerable delay! I found Sherpa online, received a quote, and was able to get the car to my daughter in a timely manner! If I ever need another transport service, they will be the ones I call! Great customer service, reliable, and committed to their customers.”
-S.S., BBB Reviews, November 2025
“Sherpa did a great job transporting my vehicle I purchased from Colorado to the Chicagoland area. I had the car shipped to me via open transport and the condition was exactly the way it left Colorado. I was very happy using Sherpa and I highly recommend them!”
- K.S., Google, November 2025
“Sherpa contracts transport rather than being first party, at least with my order. Their dispatch service was extremely responsive and were great through an initial pickup that had to get waved off due to issues on my end. The driver that they contracted was extremely kind and professional and took any worries we had away. I will absolutely use them in the future.”
- Joe, Yelp, 5 Stars, March 2025
“Sherpa decided to raise the price by hundreds of dollars since it was the next day, probably 10 hours after my first call. I cancelled the order and went with a different company. There was little info available on them, but the price was better than the initial quote Sherpa gave me and the people on the phone actually were helpful in answering questions about the delivery and advising me on how the process works with details. I saved a lot of money ($1000+ cheaper).” (Edited for brevity)
- Dan, Yelp, 1 Star, November 2024
"Great service. Car arrived on schedule in great condition. Stress free for us. Thanks Sherpa!"
- Darlene, Yelp, 5 Stars, March 2024
The following is example pricing to ship a 2025 Toyota RAV4 in an open trailer. Note that your own quote may vary:
| From | New York, NY | Los Angeles, CA | Miami, FL |
|---|
For more in-depth information, read our full Sherpa Auto Transport review »
Nexus Auto Transport was established in 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. This large national car shipping company has reasonable prices and offers door-to-door shipping options. Nexus Auto Transport has a very simple online quotes process and as of this year, they no longer require a reservation fee to get the process started.
The company also offers a few types of shipping options, so that they can offer the best pricing depending on your budget. Premium closed-container, reliable budget open-container, and the fastest expedited options are all on offer, and the consumer can choose which option is best for their budget.
When Car Talk scrutinized the reviews for Nexus, we found a surprising number of very special cars, such as vintage muscle cars and supercars, being transported by customers. One was an irreplaceable Jaguar E-Type. Nexus has earned the trust of owners of high-end vehicles.
Why is Nexus Auto Transport a Golden Wrench winner?
- With a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, very reasonable prices and an A+ BBB rating, Nexus has proved itself to be an great option for car shipping services.
Customer Reviews of Nexus Auto Transport
“I couldn't have asked for faster, more reliable, safer transport than what I received. The service was seamless from start to finish. I requested closed transport. I needed my vehicle picked up within five days and delivered by the time I arrived in a new city across the country. My car was picked up, transported, and arrived in excellent condition in just two days! Highly recommend Nexus anytime.”
- V.H., BBB Reviews, November 2025
“After I called Nexus to schedule a pick up, within five minutes I received a call from a driver wanting to pick the cars up that day or the next day. Within 24 hours, my classic cars were delivered to my friend's house in North Carolina. The driver was very courteous. On the other end, my friend said he was just as courteous to him. The cars arrived perfectly. I would recommend them, and I will use them again to return the cars back to Florida.”
- J.C., Google Reviews, November 2025
“I recently used Nexus Auto Transport to help move my Jeep Grand Cherokee from Northern California to South Texas, and I couldn’t have been more Satisfied with the experience. The price that I was quoted was exactly what I paid- no hidden fees or unexpected charges. The driver was fantastic, keeping in touch with me throughout the journey with updates on his location and estimated arrival time. He arrived on the scheduled pickup date and delivered my vehicle right on time as promised. The communication was excellent, and the entire process was seamless. I highly recommend Nexus for anyone looking for a reliable and hassle-free car shipping service.”
- Mr. J, Google Reviews, 5 Stars March 2025
The following is example pricing to ship a 2025 Subaru Outback in an open trailer. Note that your own quote may vary:
| From | To | Rate Quote |
|---|
For more in-depth information, read our full Nexus Auto Transport review »
Easy Auto Ship has emerged as a top-ranked shipper over the last few years. Easy Auto Ship has excellent reviews, varied options for shipping, from open transport to enclosed classic car shipping options.
Easy Auto Ship offers many options for auto transport of all sorts of vehicles, including RVs, boats and classic cars. Shipping to international destinations is also an option.
Why is Easy Auto Ship a Golden Wrench winner?
- The company received 4.6 out of 5-star-average on over 4,400 Google Reviews, maintains excellent ratings and offers all types of shipping options for the consumer, including expedited shipping options. When we reviewed this shipping company’s credentials for our 2026 update, no other provider had a higher volume of positive recent reviews.
Customer Reviews of Easy Auto Ship
“OUTSTANDING! I spent 5 weeks with other shippers trying to get my car moved. Easy Auto Ship gave me more good information in one hour than I received in the month before. Easy Auto Ship found a driver later the same day I booked. They picked the car up the next day and delivered it right when they promised. I could not be more satisfied.”
- L.M., BBB Reviews, November 2025
“I was very nervous about having my car shipped across the country, but this was a great experience from beginning to end. The communication from the dispatch person to the driver was great. The driver was very easy to get a hold of during his journey and responded quickly when I contacted him. I would definitely recommend this company for your auto shipping needs.”
- M.R., Google Reviews, March 2025
“Carrier that was assigned was not good. Bad communication, and damaged car during transport.” (Edited for Brevity)
- B.H., Google, 1 Star, February 2025
The following is example pricing to ship a 2024 Ford F-150 in an open trailer. Note that your own quote may vary:
| From | To | Rate Quote |
|---|
For more in-depth information, read our full Easy Auto Ship review »
With all the car shipping options out there now, it can be tough to make a choice as to which option is best. Ship a Car Direct makes that decision even harder, as they have some of the lowest prices we have seen this season.
Ship a Car Direct offers an insurance and damage-free guarantee and maintains excellent customer service reviews. The company has been providing stellar shipping experiences since 2008, offering door-to-door auto transport and exceptional pricing.
Customer Review For Ship a Car Direct
“I just received my car delivered and I felt a satisfactory experience, 5 star service, very grateful for the service. 100% recommended.”
- C.M., Google Reviews, November 2025
“I had a great experience using Ship A Car Direct. I was leary about shipping a collector car from Maryland to Kansas, especially in February. Jennifer walked me through the steps and was very helpful. Once the deal was confirmed, I contacted Jennifer and she immediately went to work. She was able to secure an enclosed hauler for not much more than others had quoted for an open trailer. Within a week the car was picked up and delivered 1400 miles. Safe and sound and just as clean as it was when it left its hibernation in Maryland. I am extremely pleased. Next time I need a transport company, Ship A Car Direct will be the first one I will call.”
- B.H., Google, 5 Stars, March 2025
For more in-depth information, read our full Ship a Car Direct review »
Like the rest of these companies, uShip will ship just about anything legal that you can put in a crate, as well as cars. However, uShip isn’t really the shipper; it’s a clearinghouse for shipping quotes. Think of this as a Kayak or Priceline for shipping quotes. There’s good and bad about that.
The good news is, the web interface works really well. In order to see prices, you have to log in with your name, email address, and phone number. Once you do that, you’ll see quotes from a number of different shippers, and you’ll also see an instant average of shipping quotes, so you know right away whether you’re getting a good deal or not. The quotes also include ratings from each of the shippers.
We put in a quote request for shipping a 2003 Jeep Wrangler -- something not terribly large -- from Holliston, Massachusetts to Austin, Texas. We received nine different quotes, ranging from a low of $1,061 to $1,804. All of the quotes are subject to an additional service fee -- ranging from $79.59 on the low end to $100 on the high end -- and an additional nominal $67.25 fee for cargo insurance.
The bad news with a shipping price aggregator like uShip is the same as for a Kayak or a Priceline: If things go wrong, you’ll have to deal directly with the shipper, rather than the site where you made your reservation. It’s not the end of the world, mind you, but it’s something to be well aware of.
Customer Review of uShip
“Uship and Outlaw did a great job communicating and even through a significant snow storm, delivered car as stated without issues.”
- J.C., BBB Review, 5 Stars, March 2025
For more in-depth information, read our full uShip review »
SGT Auto Transport is one of the most popular choices in the industry for auto transport services. This company is a vehicle shipping and transport company with a long track record of dependable service and maintains positive ratings and reviews.
Whether you are a migrating snowbird heading south for the winter, a military service member relocating to a new position, or perhaps looking to buy a car out of state online to get the best deal, SGT Auto Transport can help.
Customer Review of SGT Auto Transport
“This is my second time using SGT auto transport company, and I am very pleased with the customer service. All of my questions were answered, and I was also informed me of the new tracking feature that this company has.”
- Y.W., Google Reviews, November 2025
“Great service and care for the car. Timely delivery from Fort Wayne to Jacksonville. We would definitely use SGT Auto Transport again.”
- M.D., Google Reviews, 5 Stars, March 2025
“I had an extremely disappointing experience with SGT Auto Transport. I paid in full upfront for the transport of my two vehicles, only to have my original carrier canceled just days before pickup. They reassigned me to Spark Prime Logistics, whose driver not only failed to deliver my vehicles to my door as promised but also arrived in the middle of the night, insisting on dropping them off on a busy street. The entire process was frustrating, unprofessional, and far from the reliable service I expected. I would not recommend SGT Auto Transport based on this experience.”
- C.T. Google Reviews, 1 Star, March 2025
For more in-depth information, read our full SGT Auto Transport review »
eShip moves thousands of vehicles every year and offers services seven days a week. The company will shop its carriers to help you find the best rates for the time period you need, and can ship everything from motorcycles to exotic cars and trucks. In a rare move, eShip doesn’t require a deposit before starting the process, but the company does not offer terminal-to-terminal shipping, which may be a non-starter for some shippers.
The company has one of the best insurance policies of any shipper, and you won’t have to pay extra for additional coverage. eShip will refund service fees if the job is canceled before a carrier has been assigned.
These are just five of the major shipping companies that offer vehicle transport. We chose them partially for their transparency, services offered, and customer feedback. Even so, there may be a local shipper with much better rates or service offerings that you can use, so it’s important to do your own research to find out what’s available to you. You should be comparing at least three companies’ pricing before making a decision.
Customer Review of eShip
“My experience with EShip was great. Previously used other companies, and they were not as professional and efficient as eShip. Will definitely recommend them to my family and friends!.” (Edited for brevity)
- S.A., Google Reviews, 5 Stars, February 2025
For more in-depth information, read our full eShip review »
RoadRunner Auto Transport is an auto transport company with nationwide shipping options available. The company offers online vehicle tracking, which is a helpful feature for any potential car shipping customer. RoadRunner also has an online shipping calculator so consumers can get an instant quote, or you can call the company directly and have a customer service representative take care of your shipping needs.
RoadRunner is known for being an affordable option to ship all sorts of large vehicles, including boats and RVs. They offer both closed and open container shipping. The company uses a network of over 14,000 nationwide carriers to offer multiple routes and flexible dates.
Customer Review of RoadRunner Auto Transport
“The driver kept me updated on where he was and when he would arrive at the house to pick up the car. Loaded it carefully and safely! Advised me when it would be delivered about 3 hours prior, which was perfect! Our vintage VW Beetle arrived in perfect condition, and I’m very appreciative of the care given to my dad’s '66 bug that I inherited! Thank you so much!”
- D.G., Google Reviews, November 2025
“Roadrunner was the cheapest option I found to transport a car about 2,000 miles. The driver was a nice guy, and the car arrived undamaged. My biggest problem was with the assigned carrier company. Very poor communications from them. They told me it would arrive the day before it actually arrived. We waited around all day. The carrier did not answer the phone or respond to my email. Then the guy came the next day. RoadRunner customer service did not respond to my emails. Their salespeople are all over you during the quote phase, and as soon as you pay and book, they go dark.” (Edited for brevity)
- S.A., Google Reviews, 5 Stars, February 2025
For more in-depth information, read our full RoadRunner Auto Transport review »
Several of these companies are aggregators that work across multiple car transporters and will help you price shop across them. The aggregators are responsible for vetting the individual carriers and often will show you the consumer ratings and individual price quotes so you understand exactly who will be moving your vehicle. They also tend to offer standardized insurance packages that work across their carrier network.
We selected these 10 companies based on over 30 data points and an extensive secret shopper initiative to ensure unbiased and clear results. Our main focus is obtaining the most useful information for our readership based on the central ideas below.
Once you’ve decided that shipping is the way to go, you’ll need to determine the best way to actually transport your vehicle and find companies that offer that type of shipping. A few of the most popular vehicle shipping methods include:
Open Car Transport: Truck transport is the most common way for individuals to ship a vehicle. Open-air transport, where the trailer or truck bed is uncovered, is one of the most cost-effective ways to move a vehicle by truck but comes with risks of damage as the vehicle is completely exposed to the elements.
Enclosed Car Transport: Vehicles that require a bit more care or discretion in shipping may need a closed truck transport. As the name suggests, the trailer or truck bed is enclosed, which both protects the vehicle from damage and keeps it out of sight.
Air/Rail/Ship: International moves or those off of the mainland will require a move by air or sea, but long-range continental transport can be achieved relatively easily with rail freight. You’ll have to deal with an inflexible schedule and do a lot of the legwork yourself, but the payoff might be worth it for longer routes.
See our full guide on how to ship a car.
Prices in the vehicle shipping world can vary wildly, depending on the shipper, the vehicle, the shipping distance, and even the weather. You can set yourself up to get the best price by shopping around to at least three different shipping agencies, trying to ship between major cities if possible, shipping during off-season times (winter), and choosing a cost-effective shipping method like open truck transport.
Read our extensive guide on how much it costs to ship a car here.
The “best” shipping company will be different for everyone. We listed just three of the dozens of companies, giving them a nod for high customer ratings, good insurance coverage, and for offering a wide variety of shipping methods. Of those three, there may be only one that offers the pricing and scheduling that you need, but the framework to look for other companies is in place:
Shop the shipper, not the price: Determine who you feel most comfortable with moving your vehicle. No discount in the world will make you feel better if your vehicle arrives damaged or two months later than expected.
Check the coverage: Does your shipper have a clearly defined insurance policy? Are they able to guarantee that your vehicle will reach its destination in the condition you left it? These are not just selling points or good marketing. They can make the difference between a successful move and a nightmare.
Get multiple price quotes: As with anything in life, getting a second (or third) opinion is a good plan. Sometimes, shippers will have vastly different pricing for the same route or for additional services like insurance, so be sure you’re getting the pricing you need.
Don’t hurry: It’s impossible to prepare for all of life’s emergencies, but you should give yourself as much time as possible to avoid unnecessary charges and to allow enough time to shop around. If you need to ship your car now - like today - you may have fewer options and need to pay a premium. Plan ahead and book ahead, if you can.
There are many ways to look for discounts and price breaks when shipping a vehicle. Having prior or current military service on your resume may allow you to take advantage of many companies’ military discounts. Similarly, students, teachers, and school administrators are sometimes able to enjoy those discounts.
For everybody else, shipping a car can still be relatively affordable for a little bit of legwork ahead of time. Do your homework to find a shipper that offers the type of transport you need and that offers services in your area. Getting competing rates will help you trim down your list as well. Once you’ve chosen a shipper, selecting a shipping method is next. As we discussed, open-truck transport is the most cost-effective, but you may find better luck with rail transport.
It’s also important to not be in a hurry when you’re shopping around. It’s impossible to avoid every emergency, but needing a rush job won’t be cheap. If you’re able to ship your vehicle in the off-season, such as during winter, you may be able to secure a much better rate than choosing a high-traffic time of year. Lastly, shipping between major cities or terminals can net you the best pricing, as many shippers operate routes between large metro areas.
The most important thing to consider when shipping a car is trust. Do you trust the company? Have the company representatives given you the information you need and have they inspired confidence when describing the shipping process? Further, make sure that you understand the services that you are paying for, and be sure to confirm insurance, costs, and shipping times. And check the reviews online. Personal experience goes a long way to build trust in any consumer.
Car Talk's very active online Community has many interesting and thoughtful perspectives on shipping a car, based on real life user experience and knowledge.
Any tips do you have from your experience?
"Take lots of photos and make sure you’re insured. They ended up causing some damage and I had to file claims. Pictures were critical. And they tried to lowball the compensation of course."
What type of shipping did you choose?
"Enclosed. No way I wanted my cars exposed to elements, debris, nefarious people seeing them and wanting to steal them or something from them…"
-TwinTurbo
Read what our Community has to say about their experiences in car shipping here.
Montway provides fast and reliable car shipping

John Goreham is an expert vehicle tester/reviewer who covers a wide range of topics for Car Talk. Prior to Car Talk, he worked in the automotive component, semiconductor, and biopharmaceutical industries. John is a graduate of multiple performance driving programs and has published thousands of articles in dozens of online and traditional media outlets. Two media organizations have credentialed...
See full bio














