Best Car Shipping Companies in 2024
Are you trying to find the best car transport companies to move your vehicle quickly, safely, and without any hassle? It’s super important to pick the right auto shipping service if you want your car to get to its destination on time and in the same condition as when you left. Here’s a list of some top-notch car shipping companies that’ll get the job done right in 2024:
Key Takeaways:
- We went with Payless Auto Shipping as our top pick for car shipping companies because they've got great national coverage and lots of happy customers. They're not the only ones worth considering, though. Montway Auto Transport and Sherpa Auto Transport are also solid options.
- The average cost to get your car shipped is around $1,150, but it really depends on where you're sending it. Shipping a car across the country can cost anywhere from $550 to $2,450, with the national average coming in at about $1,150. If you need to ship your car overseas by boat, it could end up costing you almost $5,000.
- There are lots of things that can affect the price of shipping your car, like distance and the shipping method you choose. The time of year and what kind of car you've got can also play a part.
The Best Car Transport Companies of 2024
- Payless Auto Shipping
- Montway Auto Transport
- Sherpa Auto Transport
- Nexus Auto Transport
- Ship a Car Direct
Compare The Best Car Shipping Companies
We looked at our top car shipping companies after doing our research and analyzing them across a few different areas, like price and insurance, the services they offer, customer support, and what the experts had to say. We wanted to see how they all stacked up against each other.
Payless Auto Shipping LLC
4.8
Key Features
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Experienced drivers
- Fully insured shipments
- No hidden fees
**Best Overall
Montway Auto Transport
4.8
Key Features
- Instant online quotes
- Nationwide coverage
- Real-time tracking
- Best customer support
**Best Service
Sherpa Auto Transport
4.7
Key Features
- Dedicated logistics specialists
- Fully insured shipments
- Online booking and tracking
- Transparent pricing
*Best Pricing
Nexus Auto Transport
4.7
Key Features
- Transparent pricing
- Door-to-door service
- Timely delivery
- Personalized support
*Best Discounts
Ship a Car Direct
4.7
Key Features
- No upfront deposit required
- Real-time tracking
- Dedicated customer support
- Affordable rates
*Best Value
How to Choose the Right Car Shipping Company for You?
When it comes to shipping your car, there are a lot of companies out there to choose from. It can be hard to know which one is the best fit for you. Here are some things to consider when picking a car shipping company:
1. Get multiple quotes: Don’t just go with the first company you find. Get quotes from at least three different companies to make sure you’re getting the best price.
2. Look for hidden costs: Be on the lookout for hidden fees or extra charges that some companies might not tell you about upfront. Ask about everything, like fuel surcharges, taxes, and any other potential costs.
3. Review customer service ratings: Check out reviews on sites like Google and the Better Business Bureau to get an idea of how well a company treats its customers. A company with lots of negative reviews might not be the best choice.
4. Consider experience: An established company with years of experience is usually a good sign. They’ll have a network of carriers and might be able to find you a better deal. But don’t count out younger companies, either. They could be more flexible and willing to work with you.
5. Look for quote guarantees: Some companies offer guaranteed quotes or price locks, which can give you peace of mind. This means that the price they quote you is the price you’ll pay, unless something major changes.
6. Weigh insurance coverage: Carriers are required to have insurance, but you might want to look into additional coverage offered by the broker or carrier. This can protect you in case something happens during transport.
7. Research customer care: How a company treats its customers can be just as important as price. Look for companies that have good communication and offer convenient ways to get in touch, like live chat or 24/7 customer service.
8. Value cost clarity: A company that’s upfront about all its fees and charges is usually a better choice than one that tries to hide costs. Make sure you understand everything before you choose a company.
9. Verify credentials: Make sure your chosen auto shipper is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and has a USDOT and MC number. This will ensure they’re qualified to operate interstate commerce.
By considering these factors, you can find a car shipping company that you can trust to take good care of your vehicle and provide you with a hassle-free experience.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Shipping a Car?
There are several things that can affect how much it costs to ship a car, but the two main ones are distance and the shipping options you choose. For instance, opting for an enclosed shipping method can be pricier than an open one. Other factors that can impact the cost include your location, the type of vehicle you’re shipping, the shipping length, and the time of year you decide to move.
- Where You’re Shipping From and To: The location of where you’re picking up and dropping off your car plays a big role in how much it costs. If you’re shipping your car to a place with more competition, like a city, it could help keep the costs down. And if you choose terminal-to-terminal shipping, you can save money, but you’ll have to drop off and pick up your car yourself.
- The Size and Specs of Your Car: Carriers and brokers usually base their prices on the type of vehicle they’re transporting. Generally, bigger and heavier cars cost more to ship than smaller ones. The length of your car can also affect the price, since it takes up more space on the trailer. Whether or not your car runs can impact the cost too; an inoperable car might cost a little more than one that runs.
- Shipping Options: There are two main shipping options: open and enclosed trailers. Open trailers are cheaper, but there’s a chance your car could get damaged from road debris. Enclosed trailers cost a bit more, but they offer better protection for your vehicle.
- How You Want Your Car Delivered: You can choose between door-to-door shipping, where the carrier picks up and delivers your car right to your house, or terminal-to-terminal shipping, where you drop your car off at a shipping terminal or hub and pick it up from another one. Door-to-door shipping is usually more expensive, but it’s more convenient.
- How Long It Takes: Carriers and brokers offer different time frames for delivering your car. They usually have standard shipping times, priority shipping, or expedited shipping. Standard shipping is the cheapest, but it can take the longest. Faster service, like priority or expedited shipping, costs more.
- Time of Year: The car shipping industry has its busy seasons and its slower times. People tend to move more in the spring and summer, so shipping costs can be higher during those months. Shipping costs might be lower during the fall, as companies try to attract customers. The car shipping industry can get busy again in the fall, as people head south for the winter.
Enclosed Car Shipping vs. Open Carrier Method
When it comes to transporting your car, you’ve got two main options: enclosed car shipping and open carrier shipping. Enclosed car shipping is when your car is placed inside a big trailer, like a giant box on wheels, and open carrier shipping is when your car is secured to the outside of a truck, usually with a bunch of other cars.
A lot of people prefer enclosed car shipping because it provides better protection for their ride. If you’ve got a classic car, a high-end luxury whip, or just a car that you really care about, enclosed car shipping can give you peace of mind. Plus, enclosed trailers are usually smaller and can only fit a few cars at a time, so your baby won’t be bouncing around on the highway with a bunch of other cars.
But, there’s a catch: enclosed car shipping is more expensive than open carrier shipping. Trailers are smaller and there’s less room for cars, which means they gotta charge more. Also, it can take longer for your car to get to its destination since there are fewer cars being shipped at once.
So, should you choose enclosed car shipping or open carrier shipping? It really depends on what kind of car you’ve got and how much you’re willing to spend. If you’ve got a collector’s item or a super nice car, enclosed car shipping might be the way to go. But if you’re just trying to get your car from Point A to Point B without breaking the bank, open carrier shipping might be the better choice.
Some more articles related to car shipping
- Best Moving Companies
- Best Long Distance Moving Companies
- Best Interstate Moving Companies
- Best Cheap Moving Companies
- Best International Moving Companies
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