Best Car Shipping Companies in North Dakota (2024)
5 Best Car Shipping Companies in North Dakota
We spent over 200 hours researching the auto transport industry and gathering thousands of quotes. This helped us write an impartial review of the best car shipping companies in your area. If you’re moving a car to or from Bismark, Fargo, Grand Forks or beyond, check out our list of the best North Dakota car shipping companies.
1. Sherpa Auto Transport: Locked-In Costs
Sherpa Auto Transport is our top choice for shipping cars in North Dakota. Although not in business as long as some competitors, Sherpa is known for providing excellent customer service. In fact, of all the shipping companies we reviewed, Sherpa has some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. For its strong industry reputation and reliable services, the company earned a rating of 9 out of 10 from our research team.
The shipping broker has a special offer called the Price Lock Promise. This means that your initial quote is the final price you will pay. If Sherpa can’t find a carrier for that price, it will pay the difference (up to $300) to help you book your vehicle shipping service. Also, if your car arrives dirty, the company will give you $20 to cover the cost of a car wash.
Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport Review
2. SGT Auto Transport: Price-Matching Guarantee
SGT Auto Transport earned a rating of 8.9 out of 10. We found SGT to be a dependable company for customers needing various services, including open and enclosed shipping. The company offers door-to-door service throughout the continental U.S. and Hawaii. SGT also provides expedited shipping for customers who are in a hurry.
Under SGT’s Price Match Guarantee, the company will match the price offered by a competitor for the same shipping service if found within 24 hours of booking. This allows you to potentially save some money by comparing prices. Based on our experience, SGT provides affordable quotes in general.
Read more: SGT Auto Transport Review
3. Montway Auto Transport: Editor’s Choice
Montway Auto Transport has gained a great reputation in the car shipping industry due to its strong service track record. It transports more than 200,000 vehicles annually and has assisted over 1 million customers. Providing a wide range of shipping services to all 50 states, Montway also assists customers with international transport, which can be hard to find.
The company partners with more than 15,000 trusted car transport carriers to move vehicles in a safe and efficient manner. These carriers provide cargo insurance but in case your carrier doesn’t cover a legitimate claim, Montway also offers additional coverage. Its extensive experience, track record in shipping and extra services are the reasons why we give Montway a rating of 9.5 out of 10 overall.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport Review
4. Easy Auto Ship
Easy Auto Ship provides shipping services to and from all 50 states, including both open and enclosed shipping options. The company has excellent customer ratings and it partners with top carriers to transport various types of vehicles. Additionally, if your shipment is delayed by more than two weeks, Easy Auto Ship also offers car wash and rental car services.
Customers may choose between the company’s standard or expedited door-to-door service. Whether you need to transport your everyday vehicle across the country or ship a vintage car to a neighboring state, Easy Auto Ship is a reliable choice. Our overall rating for the company is 8.8 out of 10.
Read more: Easy Auto Ship Review
5. Freedom Auto Transport: Regional Choice
Freedom Auto Transport operates across the entire United States with door-to-door service and has live agents available to chat with customers. It is fully insured and offers transparent auto shipping pricing, with no hidden fees. Freedom Auto Transport allows you to fill your car with up to 100 pounds of personal items.
Address: S. 36th St. SW, Fargo, ND 58103
Phone Number: (701) 404-2075
Read more on the Freedom Auto Transport website.
Car Shipping Companies in North Dakota: 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.
North Dakota Car Shipping Costs
As car transportation costs increase, it’s crucial for car owners to compare prices from multiple companies before making a choice. We have obtained price estimates from several top providers to give you an idea of how much you might pay for shipping your car.
Open Car Shipping Costs in North Dakota
Open car shipping involves using a trailer without walls or a roof to transport many vehicles at once. Usually, this is the most affordable way to ship cars, but it has higher potential risks than enclosed transport services.
The average cost to ship a car to and from North Dakota using open car shipping is $1,295, which is 28% more expensive than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular North Dakota car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
| Fargo, N.D., to Chicago | $609 |
| Grand Forks, N.D., to Chicago | $769 |
| Bismarck, N.D., to Chicago | $819 |
| Grand Forks to San Francisco | $849 |
| Fargo to New York | $1,029 |
| Bismarck to New York | $1,179 |
| Grand Forks to Miami | $1,199 |
| Fargo to Los Angeles | $1,249 |
| Grand Forks to New York | $1,279 |
| Fargo to San Francisco | $1,329 |
| Bismarck to San Francisco | $1,339 |
| Bismarck to Miami | $1,399 |
| Bismarck to Los Angeles | $1,469 |
| Fargo to Miami | $1,489 |
| Grand Forks to Los Angeles | $2,779 |
Enclosed Car Shipping Costs in North Dakota
Enclosed auto transport provides a higher level of protection from road hazards during transport as vehicles are moved via an enclosed carrier. While it makes North Dakota car shipping much pricier than open car shipping services, owners of classic or luxury cars should consider enclosed transport.
The average cost to ship a car to and from North Dakota using enclosed car shipping is $1,813, which is 40% more than the average cost of open car shipping in North Dakota. The table below has the average costs of popular North Dakota car shipping routes using enclosed transport.
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
| Fargo, N.D., to Chicago | $849 |
| Grand Forks, N.D., to Chicago | $1,079 |
| Bismarck, N.D., to Chicago | $1,149 |
| Grand Forks to San Francisco | $1,189 |
| Fargo to New York | $1,439 |
| Bismarck to New York | $1,649 |
| Grand Forks to Miami | $1,679 |
| Fargo to Los Angeles | $1,749 |
| Grand Forks to New York | $1,789 |
| Fargo to San Francisco | $1,859 |
| Bismarck to San Francisco | $1,879 |
| Bismarck to Miami | $1,959 |
| Bismarck to Los Angeles | $2,059 |
| Fargo to Miami | $2,089 |
| Grand Forks to Los Angeles | $3,889 |
What Affects Car Shipping Costs in North Dakota?
Your exact car transport costs in North Dakota 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 North Dakota
At first, it might feel hard to move your vehicle but don’t worry. We’ll explain the process of car transport below to make it simple.
What To Expect With North Dakota Car Shipping
If you need to transport a car to or from North Dakota, there are specific aspects of the state that may 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. North Dakota is less densely populated than other states, which may make door-to-door delivery less of a hassle. Availability may differ in major cities like Bismark and Fargo. |
| Traffic congestion | If the roads have a lot of cars, it will take more time to reach a shipping destination, so there might be delays. |
| Bad weather | Some cities in North Dakota have less-than-average rainfall and less chance of extreme weather. If there is bad weather such as storms or flooding, there is a higher chance that car shipments in North Dakota will be delayed. |
Before shipping your vehicle, it’s important to know these factors and be ready to change the delivery schedule. Check out the following steps on how to ship your vehicle.
1. Choose Your Shipping Method
First, you need to decide how to move 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota Car Shipping Quotes
Once you decide how to move your vehicle, the next step is to compare price estimates from auto transportation companies in North Dakota. 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 some companies promise not to change the price in your initial quote, while others might increase your shipping rate because of market changes. If you want a fixed price for shipping your car in North Dakota, choose a provider that guarantees it.
3. Select a Transport Provider
After you’ve compared prices and services, you need to decide on a car shipping company. At this point, you have two options: working with a car shipping broker or using an online shipping marketplace. Brokers assist in finding a car carrier while shipping marketplaces allow you to choose your own — but you need to check each carrier’s credentials yourself.
Before choosing a shipping provider, it’s important to do some research. Check out reviews to find out what other people have experienced with different providers. This will help you pick one that you can trust.
4. Prepare Your Car
Once you have arranged for a service to transport your vehicle, it’s important to get your car ready for shipment. Remember to have only a quarter tank of gas remaining in your car.
Make sure to take out all personal things from your car because certain transport companies in North Dakota consider the car’s weight when figuring out prices. Also, keep in mind that your belongings are probably not covered by the carrier’s 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.
Take pictures of your car before it’s loaded on the trailer. This way, you will have the right paperwork showing its current condition in case the vehicle is damaged during transit. Then, sign the bill of lading. This document acts as a receipt that follows your vehicle as it travels to or from North Dakota.
6. Pick Up Your Car
If the company you choose to transport your vehicle has GPS tracking, you can keep track of where your car is in real-time while it is on its way to or from North Dakota. If the company does not have GPS tracking, you’ll get a message to let you know when to pick up your vehicle.
Look for any damage to your car when you arrive for pickup. 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 insurance claims. However, if everything looks good, sign the bill of lading one last time and drive the car away.
Car Shipping Options by State
When shipping a vehicle to another state, your best option might change slightly depending on your route and the companies that are available. Below, you can check out our top picks for each state.
North Dakota Auto Transport: The Bottom Line
You have many options for car shipping in North Dakota. We recommend picking a few top companies and comparing quotes to see which provides the best service and price for your move.
North Dakota Car Shipping: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about shipping a car in North Dakota:
On average, you can expect to pay about $1,295 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 Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport and Montway 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:
- Reputation (22% of total score): Our research team considered availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Cost (33% of total score): Auto shipping companies with affordable rates, locked-in pricing and discount opportunities scored highest in this category.
- 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.
- Customer experience (25% of total score): This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and the availability of extras like GPS tracking. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each transporter’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
Our credentials:
- 200+ hours researched
- 20 companies reviewed
- 2,000+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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