Best Car Shipping Companies in Minnesota (2024)
If you are thinking about moving, it should be simple to transport your car to or from Minnesota. In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides team provide a look at the five best car shipping companies operating in Minnesota that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We will also tell you how much it costs to ship a car using both open and enclosed transport services and give you advice on the whole process.
Key Takeaways
- Our team found SGT Auto Transport to be the best Minnesota car shipping company due to its large carrier network, positive customer service and high number of vehicles shipped.
- It’s best to compare SGT Auto Transport’s rates with those from Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport and Easy Auto Ship.
- The average cost to ship a car to or from Minnesota is $946 for open car shipping services and $1,325 for enclosed auto transport.
- Your car shipping cost in Minnesota depends on factors like a city’s population, nearby traffic patterns and weather conditions.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
5 Best Car Shipping Companies in Minnesota
We have spent over 200 hours researching the auto transport industry and gathering thousands of quotes to create an impartial review of the best car shipping companies in your location. If you’re moving a car to or from Bloomington, Duluth, Minneapolis or beyond, check out our list of the best Minnesota car shipping companies.
1. SGT Auto Transport: Price-Matching Guarantee
SGT Auto Transport is rated as a highly dependable car shipping company, receiving a score of 9.2 out of 10 in our review. SGT provides a range of services including open and enclosed shipping options, with the convenience of door-to-door service available throughout the continental U.S. and Hawaii. Additionally, for customers in need of fast delivery, SGT also offers expedited shipping.
SGT’s Price Match Guarantee ensures that if you find a lower price for the same shipping service from a competitor, the company will match it within 24 hours. This allows you to save money by comparing prices. Based on our experience, SGT generally provides affordable quotes.
Read more: SGT Auto Transport Review
2. Montway Auto Transport: Best Customer Experience
One of the largest and most reputable companies in the industry, Montway Auto Transport ships more than 200,000 vehicles each year and has provided services to over 1 million customers. Its customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot highlight many positive experiences, and it has one of the easiest-to-use quote platforms of any provider we reviewed. Montway offers a complete range of shipping services to all 50 states and can also assist with international transportation, which can be difficult to find elsewhere.
Collaborating with more than 15,000 approved car transport carriers, Montway ensures safe and efficient vehicle transportation. Your carrier will provide vehicle shipment insurance but if a legitimate claim is not covered, Montway offers additional coverage. Montway’s excellent track record, experience and extra services are the reasons why we rate the company 9.7 out of 10 overall.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport Review
3. Sherpa Auto Transport: Locked-In Costs
Sherpa Auto Transport is one of our favorite choices for shipping cars. Even though the company hasn’t been in business as long as Montway, Sherpa is known for providing excellent customer service. Sherpa has very high ratings on the BBB website, reflecting its satisfied customers. With a great reputation and reliable services, our research team gives Sherpa a score of 8.8 out of 10.
The shipping broker has a special offer called the Price Lock Promise. This means that your final price won’t exceed your initial shipping quote. If Sherpa can’t find a carrier for the price you’re quoted, the company will pay the difference, up to $300, to find one. Additionally, you can be reimbursed up to $20 for a car wash if your vehicle arrives dirty, thanks to Sherpa’s Clean Car Guarantee.
Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport Review
4. Easy Auto Ship: Wide Shipping Service Selection
Easy Auto Ship provides shipping services to customers in all 50 states, offering open and enclosed shipping options for all types of vehicles. The company is highly regarded by its customers on the BBB and partners with top carriers. Additionally, Easy Auto Ship offers car wash services and a rental car if your vehicle shipment is delayed for more than two weeks.
Easy Auto Ship offers two types of service: standard and expedited door-to-door delivery. Whether you need to transport your everyday car across the country or ship a vintage car to a neighboring state, Easy Auto Ship is a reliable choice. Based on our evaluation, we give the company an overall rating of 9 out of 10.
Read more: Easy Auto Ship Review
5. Global Auto Transportation Minneapolis: Regional Choice
Global Auto Transportation provides a wide variety of vehicle shipping options, including door-to-door and expedited shipping. It ships cars across the entire United States, including in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The company may be able to match competitors’ quotes and aims to offer Global Auto Transportation customers 20% lower rates compared to other services.
Address: Thorp Building, 1620 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Phone Number: (763) 310-1811
Read more on the Global Auto Transportation Minneapolis website.
Car Shipping Companies in Minnesota: 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 vehicle, what to expect and more.
Minnesota Car Shipping Costs
As car transport prices are increasing, it’s crucial for owners to compare quotes from multiple companies before choosing one. We obtained estimates from different top providers to give you an idea of how much you might pay for shipping your car.
Open Car Shipping Costs in Minnesota
When you choose open car shipping, your vehicle will be transported using a trailer without walls or a roof. The carrier will haul multiple vehicles at once. This is usually the least expensive transportation option, but it does come with more risks compared to enclosed transport services.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Minnesota using open car shipping is $946, which is 6% cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Minnesota car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis to Chicago | $659 |
| Duluth, Minn., to Dallas | $699 |
| Bloomington, Minn., to Boston | $799 |
| Saint Paul, Minn., to Boston | $799 |
| Minneapolis to New York | $869 |
| Minneapolis to Miami | $969 |
| Duluth to Miami | $1,099 |
| Bloomington to Los Angeles | $1,099 |
| Minneapolis to San Francisco | $1,199 |
| Minneapolis to Los Angeles | $1,229 |
Enclosed Car Shipping Costs in Minnesota
Enclosed car shipping provides an increased level of protection from road hazards during transport as vehicles are moved in an enclosed carrier. While it makes Minnesota car shipping much pricier than open car shipping, owners of classic or luxury cars should consider an enclosed transport service.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Minnesota using enclosed car shipping is $1,325, which is 40% more than the average cost of open car shipping in Minnesota. The table below has average costs of popular Minnesota car shipping routes using enclosed transport.
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis to Chicago | $919 |
| Duluth to Dallas | $979 |
| Bloomington to Boston | $1,119 |
| Saint Paul to Boston | $1,119 |
| Minneapolis to New York | $1,219 |
| Minneapolis to Miami | $1,359 |
| Duluth to Miami | $1,539 |
| Bloomington to Los Angeles | $1,539 |
| Minneapolis to San Francisco | $1,679 |
| Minneapolis to Los Angeles | $1,719 |
What Affects Car Shipping Costs in Minnesota?
Your exact car transport costs in Minnesota 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 Minnesota
Moving your car may seem hard at first, but we will simplify the process of car transport below to make it simple and worry-free.
What To Expect With Minnesota Car Shipping
If you need to transport a car to or from Minnesota, certain aspects of the state could affect how your car shipping process goes:
| 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. Minnesota is more densely populated than other states in the U.S., which may make door-to-door delivery a challenge. Availability could be limited in major cities like Minneapolis and Saint Paul. |
| Traffic congestion | If there are more cars on the roads, it will take longer to reach a shipping destination. This could lead to delays. |
| Bad weather | Some cities in Minnesota have less-than-average rainfall and lower chances of extreme weather. Still, an instance of bad weather, like storms or flooding, increases the chance of delays when shipping cars in Minnesota. |
Beforehand, it’s important to understand these factors and be open to making changes to the delivery schedule as needed during the shipping process. Below are the steps you should follow to ship your vehicle.
1. Choose Your Shipping Method
First, 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 Minnesota offer door-to-door transport services. This means the carrier 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 Minnesota Car Shipping Quotes
Once you have figured out how you will move your vehicle, it’s time to compare the prices for auto transportation in Minnesota. It’s easy to get car shipping quotes, so we recommend getting estimates from at least three car shipping companies to find the best price.
Keep in mind that while some companies promise to maintain your quoted price, others may increase your shipping rate because of market fluctuations. If it’s important to you to have a set price for shipping your car in Minnesota, select a provider that offers this assurance.
3. Select a Transport Provider
After you’ve compared prices and services, it’s time to select a company to ship your car. At this point, you have two options: working with a car shipping broker or using an online shipping marketplace. Brokers assist you in finding a car carrier while shipping marketplaces allow you to choose your own. However, if you go with the marketplace option, you will need to thoroughly evaluate the carriers yourself.
Before making a decision, it’s important to do some research. By looking at reviews, you can find out about other people’s experiences with different shipping providers and choose one that is reliable.
4. Prepare Your Car
Once you’ve arranged a service to transport your vehicle, it’s time to get your car ready. Make sure your gas tank is no more than one-fourth full.
Remove any personal items from your vehicle. This is because some auto transport companies in Minnesota consider the weight of the vehicle when determining prices. Also, keep in mind that your belongings are not likely to be covered 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 damage such as dents, scratches and dings.
Make sure to take pictures of your car before it’s loaded on the trailer. This will help you have the right proof of its existing condition in case your vehicle is damaged in transit. Then, sign the bill of lading. This document acts as a receipt that follows your vehicle as it travels to or from Minnesota.
6. Pick Up Your Car
If the company you pick to transport your vehicle has GPS tracking, you can keep an eye on where your car is in real-time as it travels to or from Minnesota. If GPS tracking isn’t available, the company will send you a message telling you when to pick up your vehicle.
At pickup, carefully look for any damage to your car. This is important, especially if you decide to use 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, just sign the bill of lading one last time and drive the car away.
Minnesota Auto Transport: The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, you have many options for car shipping in Minnesota. We recommend picking a few top companies and comparing quotes to see which provides the best service and price for your move.
Minnesota Car Shipping: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about shipping a car in Minnesota:
On average, you can expect to pay about $946 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 situation.
Typically, it’s cheaper to ship a car with open transport if your move is over 1,000 miles but cheaper to drive for shorter distances. When deciding whether to transport or drive a car, consider the wear and tear on the vehicle, your ideal moving schedule and how much you’ll pay for gas, food and lodging by driving the car.
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.
