Best Car Shipping Companies in Colorado (2024)
If you’re making the move to or from Colorado, shipping your car can be a convenient option. In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides team provide a look at the five best car shipping companies operating in Colorado that offer peace of mind, reliable service and competitive costs. We’ll also highlight how much it may cost to ship your car using both open and enclosed transport services and give you expert guidance on the entire process.
Key Takeaways:
- Our team found SGT Auto Transport to be the best Colorado car shipping company due to its large carrier network, positive customer service and large number of vehicles shipped.
- It’s best to compare SGT Auto Transport’s rates with those from Montway Auto Transport, AmeriFreight and Easy Auto Ship.
- The average cost to ship a car to or from Colorado is $943 for open car shipping services and $1,320 for enclosed auto transport.
- Your car shipping cost in Colorado depends on factors like a city’s population, nearby traffic patterns and weather conditions along the route.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
5 Best Car Shipping Companies in Colorado
We spent over 200 hours researching the auto transport industry and obtaining numerous quotes to create an unbiased review of the best car shipping companies near you. If you’re moving a car to or from Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, Fort Collins or beyond, check out our list of the best Colorado car shipping companies.
1. SGT Auto Transport: Price-Matching Guarantee
SGT Auto Transport is praised as a highly dependable car shipping company, receiving a commendable rating of 9.2 out of 10. SGT provides a range of services that cater to different needs. You can choose between open and enclosed shipping, along with convenient door-to-door service throughout the continental U.S. and Hawaii. For those in a hurry, SGT also offers expedited shipping.
SGT has something called the Price Match Guarantee, which means the company will match the price offered by a competitor if you book the same shipping service within 24 hours. This could save you some money if you compare prices from different shippers. From what we have seen, SGT generally offers affordable quotes.
Read more: SGT Auto Transport Review
2. Montway Auto Transport: Best Customer Experience
Montway Auto Transport ships more than 200,000 vehicles every year and has assisted over 1 million customers. Due to its comprehensive range of shipping services and reliable service, Montway has earned some of the highest average review scores from customers on the BBB and Trustpilot. It also offers an easy and straightforward online quote process, which is another reason it earned our team’s Best Customer Experience award.
Montway partners with more than 15,000 trusted car transport carriers to move vehicles securely and efficiently. These carriers provide insurance for the cargo, and Montway also offers additional coverage if a carrier fails to cover a valid claim. Montway’s years of experience, successful shipment history and additional services are the reasons why we give the company a rating of 9.7 out of 10.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport Review
3. AmeriFreight: Best for Cross-Country Shipments
AmeriFreight is a well-rounded choice for your Colorado car shipment. The company has a stellar industry reputation, earns positive reviews from customers and offers a wide range of shipping options, which is why it received a 9.6 out of 10 rating from our team. It’s also one of the most affordable auto transport options, especially for those who are shipping their cars across the country. On top of providing low costs on average, AmeriFreight has the widest discount selection of any car shipping company we reviewed.
What makes AmeriFreight stand out is its add-on insurance plan, called Allied Fidelity Total Assurance — or AFta, for short. During your car shipment, the carrier’s insurance covers up to a certain amount if your vehicle is damaged. However, carriers’ insurance doesn’t cover everything. AmeriFreight’s additional coverage plan can reimburse up to $2,000 of your auto insurance deductible should you use your collision insurance for damage, which is a unique offering in the industry.
Read more: AmeriFreight Review
4. Easy Auto Ship: Wide Shipping Service Selection
Easy Auto Ship provides shipping services to customers in every state in the U.S., offering both open and enclosed shipping options. The company has received excellent feedback from customers on the BBB and it partners with top-tier carriers to ensure safe transportation for all types of vehicles. Additionally, if there is a delay of over two weeks in your shipment, Easy Auto Ship also includes a car wash service and provides a rental car.
Easy Auto Ship offers two types of convenient transportation services: standard and expedited door-to-door service. Whether you need to transport your everyday vehicle cross-country or move a beloved vintage car to a neighboring state, Easy Auto Ship is a reliable choice. The company received an overall rating of 9 out of 10 in our nationwide review.
Read more: Easy Auto Ship Review
5. UZ Auto Trans Inc.: Regional Choice
UZ Auto Trans is fully insured and bonded and provides discounts for repeat customers. With over 300,000 satisfied customers, it is conveniently located and can deliver to the remote mountain regions of Colorado.
Address: 6960 Smith Rd #1, Denver, CO 80207
Phone Number: (303) 872-3672
Read more on the UZ Auto Trans Inc. website.
Car Shipping Companies in Colorado: Buyer’s Guide
Car shipping can seem complicated at first. In the sections below, we’ll cover how much shipping costs, how to ship a car, what to expect and more.
Colorado Car Shipping Costs
As car transportation costs are increasing, it is crucial for owners to compare quotes from multiple companies before choosing one. We have gathered rate estimates from top providers to give you an idea of how much you might pay for transporting your car.
Open Car Shipping Costs in Colorado
Open car shipping refers to using a trailer that doesn’t have walls or a roof and is designed to transport multiple vehicles at one time. It is generally the most affordable option for shipping cars, but it carries more risks compared to enclosed transport services.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Colorado using open car shipping is $943, which is 7% cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Colorado car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Fort Collins, Colo., to Chicago | $529 |
| Colorado Springs, Colo., to Chicago | $609 |
| San Francisco to Colorado Springs | $649 |
| Fort Collins to Los Angeles | $649 |
| Grand Junction, Colo., to Chicago | $659 |
| Colorado Springs to Los Angeles | $799 |
| Colorado Springs to New York | $819 |
| Fort Collins to New York | $819 |
| Grand Junction to Los Angeles | $919 |
| San Francisco to Grand Junction | $999 |
| Miami to Fort Collins | $999 |
| San Francisco to Fort Collins | $1,049 |
| Miami to Colorado Springs | $1,129 |
| Miami to Grand Junction | $1,299 |
| Grand Junction to New York | $1,489 |
Enclosed Car Shipping Costs in Colorado
Enclosed auto transport means your vehicle is shipped using an enclosed carrier that provides the ultimate level of protection from road hazards during transport. While it makes Colorado car shipping much pricier than open car shipping services, owners of classic or luxury cars should consider the enclosed shipping option.
The average cost to ship a car to or from Colorado using enclosed car shipping is $1,320, which is 40% more than the average cost of open car shipping in Colorado. The table below has average costs of popular Colorado car shipping routes using enclosed transport.
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Fort Collins to Chicago | $739 |
| Colorado Springs to Chicago | $849 |
| San Francisco to Colorado Springs | $909 |
| Fort Collins to Los Angeles | $909 |
| Grand Junction to Chicago | $919 |
| Colorado Springs to Los Angeles | $1,119 |
| Colorado Springs to New York | $1,149 |
| Fort Collins to New York | $1,149 |
| Grand Junction to Los Angeles | $1,289 |
| San Francisco to Grand Junction | $1,399 |
| Miami to Fort Collins | $1,399 |
| San Francisco to Fort Collins | $1,469 |
| Miami to Colorado Springs | $1,579 |
| Miami to Grand Junction | $1,819 |
| Grand Junction to New York | $2,079 |
What Affects Car Shipping Costs in Colorado?
Your exact car transport costs in Colorado will likely depend on various factors, including:
- Fuel prices
- The vehicle type
- Vehicle condition
- Your car’s final destination
- Open vs. enclosed transport
- Total distance you ship your car
If you ship a vehicle in the peak season, you’ll pay higher rates.
How To Ship a Car to and From Colorado
At first, it might seem hard to move your vehicle. However, we make it easy and stress-free by explaining the process of car transport below.
What To Expect With Colorado Car Shipping
If you need to transport a car to or from Colorado, there are some specific factors about the state that might affect your car shipping process:
| City size | Large cities have tighter streets, more cars parked on those streets and generally less space for large haulers to move around. If you live downtown in a major metropolitan area, your carrier may have to park farther away from your home with door-to-door shipping. |
| Population | Population density can have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. Colorado is less densely populated than other U.S. states, which may make door-to-door delivery less of a hassle. Availability may differ in major cities like Colorado Springs and Grand Junction. |
| Traffic congestion | When there are more cars on the roads, traveling to a shipping destination will take more time, which can cause delays. |
| Bad weather | Some cities in Colorado have less-than-average rainfall and a lesser chance of extreme weather. When there is bad weather such as storms or flooding in Colorado, it becomes more probable for car shipments to experience delays. |
Beforehand, it’s important to understand these factors and be ready to make changes to the delivery schedule while your vehicle is being shipped. Take a look below for the necessary steps to ship your vehicle.
1. Choose Your Shipping Method
Firstly, you need to decide the method of transportation for your vehicle. As previously mentioned, enclosed and open carrier car shipping are the most common types used across the industry. Both have pros and cons, so comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping will help you find which best fits your needs.
Most car shipping companies in Colorado offer door-to-door transport services. This means the transporter picks up and delivers your car as close to your address as possible. But, be aware the truck driver may have to park farther away if your neighborhood has narrow streets or sharp corners.
If you’re looking for long-distance car transport to Alaska or Hawaii, your options may be slightly limited as some companies only serve the contiguous U.S. Similarly, not all companies offer international car shipping.
2. Compare Colorado Car Shipping Quotes
Once you have chosen your preferred method of transporting your vehicle, it’s time to start comparing different quotes for auto transport services in Colorado. It’s easy to get car shipping quotes, so we recommend getting quotes from at least three car shipping companies to find the best price.
Keep in mind that while some companies will honor your initial quote, others might increase your shipping rate because of changes in the market. If having a fixed price for your car shipping service in Colorado is important to you, select a provider that gives you this guarantee.
3. Select a Transport Provider
After you’ve compared prices and services, it’s time to decide on a car shipping company. This is when you must choose between using a car shipping broker or an online shipping marketplace. Brokers assist you in finding a car carrier while shipping marketplaces allow you to choose your own. However, with the latter option, you’ll need to verify the carrier’s past performance and service quality yourself.
Before you decide, it’s important to do some research. You can check out reviews to find out about other people’s experiences with various shipping providers. This will help you select a trustworthy provider.
4. Prepare Your Car
Once you’ve arranged for your car to be transported, it’s important to get it ready for shipping. Make sure that your vehicle has no more than 25% of its fuel tank filled.
Take out all your personal things from your vehicle because, in Colorado, some transportation companies consider the vehicle’s weight when deciding on fees. And remember, your belongings probably won’t be protected by insurance.
5. Meet the Carrier
On pickup day, you’ll meet your carrier at a predetermined time and location. Whether you opted for door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping, you’ll inspect your vehicle for prior damages such as dents, scratches and dings.
Before your car is put on the trailer, make sure to take pictures of it so that you have the right documentation in case of damage during transit. Then, sign the bill of lading. This document acts as a receipt that follows your vehicle as it travels to or from Colorado.
6. Pick Up Your Car
If you pick a vehicle transport company with GPS tracking, you can keep an eye on where your car is in real time while it’s being transported to or from Colorado. If the company doesn’t have GPS tracking, you’ll get a message to let you know when you should pick up your vehicle.
At the scheduled time, you’ll meet the carrier at your pickup location. Make sure to check your vehicle for any damages. This is important, especially if you opt for open auto transport. If you find any damage, report it on the bill of lading and take photos for potential claims. However, if everything looks good, you’ll just sign the bill of lading one last time and drive the car away.
Colorado Auto Transport: The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, you have many options for car shipping in Colorado. We recommend picking a few top companies and comparing quotes to see which provides the best service and price for your move.
Colorado Car Shipping: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about shipping a car in Colorado:
On average, you can expect to pay about $943 for open car transport depending on how far you’re shipping the vehicle. You’ll pay more for enclosed shipping or expedited transport options.
Our quote data shows SGT Auto Transport, Montway Auto Transport and Sherpa Auto Transport are all affordable car shipping companies. The cheapest car shipping provider depends on your individual situation.
Typically, it can be cheaper to ship a car with open transport if the relocation is more than 1,000 miles. But it’s cheaper to drive your car for shorter distances. When deciding whether to ship or drive a vehicle, consider the wear and tear on the vehicle, your ideal moving schedule, and the added costs of driving the car, such as gas, food and lodging expenses.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. We collected data on dozens of auto transport providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost (33% of total score): Auto shipping companies with affordable rates, locked-in pricing and discount opportunities score highest in this category.
- Customer Experience (25% of total score): This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and the availability of extras like GPS tracking. We also consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each transporter’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Reputation (22% of total score): Our research team considers availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Shipping Methods (10% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for car transport and added benefits are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Logistics (10% of total score): A smooth shipment is all about the details, which is why we look at how long it takes providers to pick up and ship vehicles, whether they include additional insurance coverage and more.
Our credentials:
- 200+ hours researched
- 20+ companies reviewed
- 2,000+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
link
