RoadRunner Auto Transport Review (2026)

Rating: 4.8/5 – Best Overall Car Shipping Company

RoadRunner Auto Transport is one of the most consistently well-reviewed car shipping companies operating today.

Based in Miami, Florida, the company has built its reputation on transparent pricing, responsive customer service, and a vetted carrier network that covers all 50 states.

Overview

RoadRunner operates primarily as a broker, connecting customers with licensed, insured carriers across its nationwide network. Unlike some brokers that simply post your shipment to the open market and wait, they actively manage the carrier relationship and provide tracking and communication throughout the process.

The company handles both open and enclosed transport, offers door-to-door pickup and delivery in most markets, and provides an online quote tool that gives you a real price rather than a placeholder estimate.

Pricing

RoadRunner’s pricing is competitive and, importantly, transparent. You get an upfront quote that reflects what you will actually pay, without the common industry practice of quoting low to win the booking and adjusting the price at pickup.

Quotes are based on distance, vehicle size, transport type, and current carrier availability.

For context, a standard open transport shipment from New York to Los Angeles typically runs in the $1,000 to $1,300 range through RoadRunner, which is in line with or slightly below the industry average. Enclosed transport runs roughly 30 to 50 percent more.

You can get an instant quote online without providing your contact information first, which is a small but meaningful point of differentiation. Many competitors require an email or phone number before showing you a price.

Transport Options

Open Transport

Open transport is RoadRunner’s most popular option and the right choice for most vehicles. Your car is loaded onto an open multi-vehicle trailer alongside other shipments. It is the same method used to deliver new cars from manufacturers to dealerships.

The vehicle is exposed to the elements, but damage is rare on well-maintained carrier equipment.

Enclosed Transport

Enclosed transport places your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, road debris, and other external factors. RoadRunner offers this option for customers shipping luxury vehicles, classics, exotic cars, or anything with low ground clearance or high sentimental or dollar value.

Expect to pay more, but it is worth it for the right vehicle.

Door-to-Door Service

RoadRunner offers door-to-door pickup and delivery in most markets, meaning the carrier comes to your location rather than requiring you to drop off or pick up at a terminal.

In some rural areas or tight urban environments, the carrier may need to arrange a nearby meeting point due to truck access limitations, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

How the Process Works

Get a quote online using RoadRunner’s instant quote tool. Enter your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle make and model, and preferred transport type.
Book and pay a deposit to secure your shipment.
RoadRunner assigns a licensed carrier from its network. You receive carrier information before pickup.
The carrier picks up your vehicle, does a condition inspection, and gives you a bill of lading to sign.
Your car is transported and delivered to your destination. You inspect it on arrival and sign off on delivery.

The whole process is typically completed within one to two weeks, depending on distance and route, with shorter timelines for more common corridors.

Insurance and Coverage

RoadRunner carriers are required to carry cargo insurance as mandated by federal law. Before your vehicle ships, you can request a copy of the carrier’s certificate of insurance.

If you have questions about how coverage applies, their customer service team can walk you through it.

It is also worth checking with your personal auto insurance provider before shipping. Many policies extend some coverage to vehicles in transport, which can provide an additional layer of protection.

In the event of damage during transport, the standard process is to document it at delivery on the bill of lading and file a claim with the carrier’s insurance. The clearer your pre-ship condition documentation is, the smoother the claims process tends to go.

RoadRunner recommends photographing your vehicle from multiple angles before pickup.

Customer Reviews

RoadRunner consistently earns strong reviews across platforms, including the BBB, Trustpilot, and Google. Customers frequently cite transparent pricing, professional carriers, and good communication as reasons for high ratings.

Negative reviews, when they exist, most often reference delays during peak shipping seasons, which is a common industry issue rather than a RoadRunner-specific one.

The company holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, which reflects both its complaint resolution process and its overall track record.

Who RoadRunner Is Best For

Customers relocating across the country who need reliable, full-service transport
Online car buyers who need a vehicle delivered from a remote seller
Anyone who values price transparency and wants to avoid bait-and-switch pricing
Military and civilian families on PCS moves or other long-distance relocations
Snowbirds and seasonal movers who ship vehicles between homes regularly

Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere

Shippers who need guaranteed same-week pickup (expedited options exist but cost more)
Customers in very remote rural locations where door-to-door service may be limited
Anyone shipping an inoperable vehicle (confirm with RoadRunner directly, as most standard transport requires a running vehicle)

RoadRunner Pros and Cons

Pros

Transparent pricing; the quote you get is the price you pay
Nationwide coverage, including Alaska and Hawaii
Open and enclosed transport options
A+ BBB rating and consistently strong customer reviews
Online quote tool that does not require contact information upfront
Real-time tracking available

Cons

Lead times can extend during peak demand periods (summer, end of month)
Door-to-door delivery not available in all rural markets
Broker model means the assigned carrier varies by shipment

Final Verdict

RoadRunner Auto Transport earns its spot as our top-rated car shipping company for 2026.

The combination of transparent pricing, strong customer service, and a vetted carrier network makes it the most consistent choice for most shippers. Whether you are moving a daily driver across two states or shipping a vehicle from coast to coast, RoadRunner delivers a reliable, low-drama experience.

Get a quote directly from RoadRunner’s website to see current pricing for your specific route.

Frequently Asked Questions

RoadRunner operates primarily as a broker, meaning they connect customers with licensed carriers from their vetted network. This is standard in the industry; the key difference is that they actively manage the carrier relationship rather than simply passing the shipment to whoever bids lowest.

Booking one to two weeks in advance gives them enough time to find the best carrier match for your route and timeline. Booking further out is fine; last-minute bookings are possible but may cost more or take longer to match with a carrier.

Yes. RoadRunner handles shipments to and from both Hawaii and Alaska, which not all auto transport companies offer. These routes involve additional logistics, including ocean freight for Hawaii, so pricing and timelines differ from standard continental U.S. shipments.

Document any damage on the bill of lading at delivery and photograph it immediately. Then file a claim with the carrier’s insurance. Their customer service team can assist with the process. Having clear pre-ship photos makes the claims process significantly easier.

This depends on the carrier. Some allow a small amount of personal belongings in the trunk, while others do not permit it due to weight and liability concerns. Check when booking, and do not leave anything of significant value in the vehicle, regardless.

Last Updated: May 2026