9 Best Car Shipping Companies [2026 Comparison]

ByGeoff Cudd

Whether you’re relocating across the country, buying a car online, or sending a vehicle to a college student, choosing the right auto transport company matters. Prices vary, timelines differ, and not all carriers handle your vehicle with the same care.

We evaluated the top car shipping companies based on pricing, reliability, customer reviews, insurance coverage, and transparency to help you make the best decision.

Quick Picks

Note: Prices vary based on distance, vehicle type, time of year, and whether you choose open or enclosed transport. Always get at least two to three quotes before booking.

1. RoadRunner Auto Transport – Best Overall

Rating: 4.9/5

RoadRunner Auto Transport is our top pick for car shipping in 2026.

Based in Miami, Florida, RoadRunner Auto Transport has built a reputation for transparent pricing, a simple quote process, and a network of vetted carriers that spans all 50 states. Unlike brokers that simply pass your order to the lowest bidder, they actively manages the carrier relationship and keep customers informed throughout the process.

The company offers both open and enclosed transport, handles door-to-door pickup and delivery in most markets, and provides real-time shipment tracking. Their pricing is competitive without the bait-and-switch tactics some competitors are known for.

What RoadRunner Auto Transport Offers

  • Open and enclosed transport
  • Door-to-door pickup and delivery
  • Real-time tracking
  • Nationwide carrier network
  • Instant online quotes

Why Choose RoadRunner Auto Transport

RoadRunner Auto Transport stands out for its combination of price transparency and customer communication. You get a real quote upfront, not a lowball estimate that changes at pickup.

The booking process is simple, and their customer service team is responsive if anything comes up during transport. For most standard shipments, they offer some of the best value in the industry.

Check out our review

Pros

  • Transparent pricing with no surprise fees at pickup
  • Strong customer service reputation
  • Nationwide coverage, including Alaska and Hawaii
  • Open and enclosed options available
  • Easy online quote and booking process

Cons

  • Lead times can stretch during peak seasons
  • Door-to-door delivery not always available in rural areas

2. SGT Auto Transport – Best Budget Option

Rating: 4.5/5

SGT Auto Transport is a good option for cost-conscious shippers who still want reliable service. They operate as a broker, working with a network of carriers to find competitive rates on standard open transport.

SGT tends to come in at lower price points than many competitors, making them worth a look if budget is the primary concern.

What SGT Auto Transport Offers

  • Open and enclosed transport
  • Nationwide coverage
  • Online quotes and booking

Why Choose SGT Auto Transport

SGT is a practical choice for budget-focused shippers moving a standard vehicle on an open carrier. They have a solid reputation for getting cars delivered on time at competitive rates.

Their customer service has improved in recent years based on reviews, though response times can vary.

Pros

  • Among the most competitive pricing for open transport
  • Decent customer reviews for standard shipments
  • Easy online quote process

Cons

  • Less experience with specialty or high-value vehicles
  • Customer service can be inconsistent

3. AmeriFreight – Best for Military and First Responders

Rating: 4.4/5

AmeriFreight offers discounts for military personnel, first responders, students, and senior citizens, making it a good option for those who qualify. They operate as a broker and work with a vetted network of carriers across the country.

Their gap protection coverage is a notable feature that provides additional peace of mind.

What AmeriFreight Offers

  • Open and enclosed transport
  • Discounts for military, first responders, seniors, and students
  • Gap protection coverage add-on
  • Nationwide service

Why Choose AmeriFreight

If you qualify for one of their discount programs, AmeriFreight can offer solid value. Their gap protection add-on is a useful option for higher-value vehicles. They have a reasonably strong reputation for communication and follow-through.

Pros

  • Meaningful discounts for qualifying customers
  • Gap protection coverage available
  • Good track record for military moves

Cons

  • Base pricing without discounts is not particularly competitive
  • Mixed reviews on carrier quality consistency

4. Sherpa Auto Transport – Best Price-Lock Guarantee

Rating: 4.4/5

Sherpa Auto Transport offers a price-lock guarantee, meaning the price you quote is the price you pay at delivery. This sets them apart from brokers that quote low and adjust at pickup.

Sherpa uses a smaller, curated carrier network, which contributes to more consistent service quality.

What Sherpa Auto Transport Offers

  • Price-lock guarantee
  • Open and enclosed transport
  • Curated carrier network

Why Choose Sherpa Auto Transport

Sherpa is a good fit for shippers who have had bad experiences with price changes at pickup. Their price-lock commitment provides real peace of mind, and their carrier vetting process results in more consistent service than some larger brokers.

Pros

  • Price-lock guarantee eliminates surprise fees
  • Curated carrier network with higher vetting standards
  • Strong customer satisfaction scores

Cons

  • Pricing can be higher than non-guaranteed competitors
  • Smaller network means less flexibility in some markets

5. Intercity Lines – Best for Enclosed Transport

Rating: 4.3/5

Intercity Lines is a specialist enclosed transport carrier that has been moving classic, exotic, and high-value vehicles since the 1980s. Unlike most companies on this list, Intercity operates its own fleet of enclosed trailers rather than acting purely as a broker, which gives them tighter control over driver training and equipment standards.

If you’re shipping a vehicle that needs serious protection, this is the kind of operator collectors and dealerships use.

Routes and pickup windows are less flexible than the big national brokers, and pricing reflects the specialty service. For the right vehicle, the trade-off is worth it.

What Intercity Lines Offers

  • Enclosed transport only
  • Owned fleet rather than pure brokerage model
  • Climate-controlled and lift-gate equipped trailers
  • Experienced drivers trained for high-value vehicles
  • Coast-to-coast service on scheduled routes

Why Choose Intercity Lines

Intercity Lines is the choice when the vehicle itself is the constraint; collector cars, exotics, low-clearance sports cars, and anything where you don’t want a stranger making the call about how to load it.

Their reputation in the enthusiast community is strong, and their accident record is among the cleanest in the industry.

Pros

  • Owns its enclosed fleet; not just a broker
  • Specialized in high-value and classic vehicles
  • Strong accident record and driver training
  • Trusted by dealerships and collectors

Cons

  • Enclosed only; no open transport option
  • Less route flexibility than the large national brokers
  • Premium pricing reflects the specialty service

6. Easy Auto Ship – Best for Customer Service

Rating: 4.3/5

Easy Auto Ship has built a reputation around responsive, attentive customer service. They operate as a broker with a broad carrier network and are known for proactive communication throughout the shipping process.

A good option for first-time shippers who want more guidance.

What Easy Auto Ship Offers

  • Open and enclosed transport
  • Door-to-door service
  • Strong customer support availability

Why Choose Easy Auto Ship

If this is your first time shipping a car and you want someone to walk you through the process, Easy Auto Ship is worth considering. Their customer service team is consistently praised in reviews for responsiveness and follow-through.

Pros

  • Highly rated customer service and communication
  • Good for first-time shippers
  • Competitive pricing on standard routes

Cons

  • Broker model means carrier experience can vary
  • Not the cheapest option on competitive routes

7. uShip – Best for Comparing Bids

Rating: 4.2/5

uShip operates as a marketplace rather than a traditional broker or carrier. You post your shipment and carriers bid on it, which can drive prices down if you have flexibility on timing.

The tradeoff is that the experience is more variable than working with a dedicated broker, since carrier quality ranges widely across the platform.

What uShip Offers

  • Competitive bidding marketplace
  • Wide range of transport options
  • Carrier reviews and ratings visible before booking

Why Choose uShip

uShip can work well for flexible shippers who want to see multiple carrier options and prices in one place. The bidding model can produce lower prices than going through a broker, especially on less common routes.

Reviewing carrier ratings before accepting a bid helps mitigate quality risk.

Pros

  • Competitive pricing through bidding model
  • Transparency on carrier ratings and history
  • Wide variety of transport options

Cons

  • Experience varies significantly by carrier
  • Less hand-holding than a full-service broker
  • Requires more due diligence from the customer

8. Ship a Car Direct – Best Damage-Free Track Record

Rating: 4.1/5

Ship a Car Direct places a strong emphasis on damage-free delivery and only works with carriers that have clean records. Their vehicle damage protection guarantee and pre and post-transport photo documentation process give customers a clear record if anything goes wrong.

What Ship a Car Direct Offers

  • Damage-free guarantee
  • Photo documentation at pickup and delivery
  • Vetted carrier network

Why Choose Ship a Car Direct

For shippers with newer or higher-value vehicles who are worried about damage, Ship a Car Direct’s documented approach offers useful protection.

Their focus on carrier vetting means a more consistent experience, even if pricing is not always the lowest.

Pros

Cons

  • Pricing tends to run higher than budget options
  • Network is smaller than large national brokers

9. Nexus Auto Transport – Best for Last-Minute Shipping

Rating: 3.9/5

Nexus Auto Transport specializes in expedited and last-minute shipments. If you need a car moved quickly and are willing to pay a premium for fast pickup, Nexus is worth a call. They have a solid carrier network and are experienced at routing urgent shipments.

What Nexus Auto Transport Offers

  • Expedited and standard transport
  • Open and enclosed options
  • Nationwide coverage

Why Choose Nexus Auto Transport

Nexus is most useful when timing is a constraint. They are not always the cheapest option for standard shipments, but their ability to move vehicles quickly sets them apart for time-sensitive situations.

Pros

  • Strong at expedited and last-minute moves
  • Responsive customer service
  • Good reviews for on-time performance

Cons

  • Pricing for expedited service is higher than standard
  • Less of a differentiator for non-urgent shipments

How to Choose a Car Shipping Company

Here are the key factors to consider before booking:

  • Open vs. enclosed transport: Open is cheaper and accounts for about 90% of shipments. Enclosed is recommended for luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles.
  • Broker vs. carrier: Most companies you book through are brokers that assign your shipment to a carrier. This is normal; just verify the carrier is licensed through FMCSA before they pick up your vehicle.
  • Get multiple quotes: Prices vary significantly. Get at least two to three quotes and compare what is included, not just the bottom line.
  • Avoid the lowest bid: An unusually low quote often means the company is hoping to collect a deposit and renegotiate later, or that they are cutting corners on carrier quality.
  • Verify insurance: Carriers are required to carry cargo insurance. Ask for a copy of the certificate of insurance before booking.
  • Read the contract: Know what you are agreeing to, especially around pickup windows, delivery timeframes, and damage claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

The national average for open transport is roughly $700 to $1,400, depending on distance, vehicle size, and time of year. Coast-to-coast shipments typically run $1,000 to $1,500. Enclosed transport costs 30 to 50 percent more.

Most shipments take between one and two weeks from pickup to delivery, depending on distance and route. Cross-country shipments can take seven to ten business days. Expedited options are available for faster delivery at a higher cost.

Carriers are required by federal law to carry cargo insurance. However, coverage levels and deductibles vary. Some shippers also have their personal auto insurance apply during transport; check with your insurer before you ship.

Open transport is fine for most vehicles and is significantly less expensive. Enclosed transport is worth the premium for vehicles valued over $50,000, classic cars, or anything with low ground clearance that could be damaged during loading.

Remove personal items from the interior, document any existing damage with photos before pickup, leave about a quarter tank of gas, and make sure the battery is charged and the car is in working order. Disable any toll transponders or parking passes. See more on how to ship a car long distance.

Last Updated: May 2026