Car Shipping Quotes: Compare Free Quotes (2024)
The Gist
- Car shipping quotes can range anywhere from $450 to $2,000 on average but will depend on a number of factors including total miles shipped.
- Montway Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, and Mercury Auto Transport are great companies to start with when looking for car shipping quotes online.
- Always compare quotes from multiple providers before making your decision on a car shipping service.
The best way to figure out auto shipping costs is to get quotes online. Doing so will give you a sense of how much shipments cost on average, but it’s important to keep in mind that shipping prices can vary considerably based on the specifics of your shipment and the company you choose.
In this article, we review the best car shipping companies and compare quotes from numerous providers to provide a good idea of what you can expect to pay when shipping a vehicle both long and short distances.
What Is A Car Shipping Quote?
When you receive a car shipping quote online, you get an estimate of your potential vehicle transport costs. Since car shipping rates vary wildly, an auto shipping quote calculator can help you know what to expect to pay for your shipment.
Best Car Shipping Quotes
In our nationwide study of best car shipping companies, Mercury Auto Transport, Ship a Car Direct, AmeriFreight, Montway Auto Transport, and Easy Auto Ship offered some of the best rates and earned top scores in our “cost rating” category.
| Provider | Price Rating |
|---|---|
|
Mercury Auto Transport |
5.0 |
|
Ship a Car Direct |
4.8 |
|
AmeriFreight |
4.7 |
|
Montway Auto Transport |
4.6 |
|
Easy Auto Ship |
4.3 |
Car Shipping Company Quotes
Car shipping quotes depend on several factors, including the distance of shipment and the type of carrier you chose, be it open or enclosed.
The table below shows the best quotes we received from our top-rated car shipping companies.
| Provider | Average Quote |
|---|---|
|
Mercury Auto Transport |
$990 |
|
Ship a Car Direct |
$1,000 |
|
AmeriFreight |
$1,103 |
|
Montway Auto Transport |
$1,277 |
|
Easy Auto Ship |
$1,401 |
*Average quotes include short, medium, and long-distance shipments using either open or enclosed carriers.
Compare Car Shipping Quotes
When comparing car shipping quotes, we recommend starting with Mercury Auto Transport, Ship a Car Direct, AmeriFreight, Montway Auto Transport, and Easy Auto Ship. Each of these companies offer some of the most competitive rates in the market.
Open And Enclosed Car Shipping Quotes
Aside from distance, the way you choose to have your vehicle shipped will have the biggest impact on your rate. There are two main types of shipping: open and enclosed. Open shipping is the cheapest and involves shipping your vehicle on an open trailer, exposed to the elements.
Enclosed shipping is more secure–your vehicle is transported in a fully enclosed trailer–but also costs significantly more. Because there are fewer enclosed trailers and fewer vehicles can ship at one time–the cost increases for each car in the shipment.
Enclosed Car Shipping Quotes
Mercury Auto Transport offered the best rate on enclosed shipping at $1,265. The quotes below are for shipping an operable 2020 Hyundai Elantra 1,504 miles.
| Provider | Quote |
|---|---|
|
Mercury Auto Transport |
$1,265 |
|
Ship a Car Direct |
$1,350 |
|
AmeriFreight |
$1,726 |
|
Montway Auto Transport |
$1,699 |
|
Easy Auto Ship |
$1,904 |
Open Car Transport Quotes
Ship a Car Direct offered the best rate on open shipping at $875 to ship an operable 2020 Hyundai Elantra 1,504 miles.
| Provider | Quote |
|---|---|
|
Mercury Auto Transport |
$955 |
|
Ship a Car Direct |
$875 |
|
AmeriFreight |
$1,015 |
|
Montway Auto Transport |
$1,359 |
|
Easy Auto Ship |
$1,404 |
Compare Car Shipping Quotes By Distance
After collecting quotes for open car shipping we found that each distance has a different cheaper provider. If you’re looking to ship your car across the country, for example, your best bet may lie with AmeriFreight, which has notoriously affordable rates and discount opportunities.
| Distance | Cheapest Provider | Quote |
|---|---|---|
|
Short: 515 miles |
Mercury Auto Transport |
$455 |
|
Medium: 1,504 miles |
Ship a Car Direct |
$875 |
|
Long: 2,761 miles |
AmeriFreight |
$1,174 |
It’s common for short-distance quotes to be lower than long-distance quotes overall. However, you will find that long-distance shipping quotes are substantially lower on a per-mile basis. You can see how distance affects quotes in the table below.
| Provider | Short Distance Quote | Medium Distance Quote | Long Distance Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mercury Auto Transport |
$455 |
$955 |
$1,285 |
|
Ship a Car Direct |
$500 |
$875 |
$1,275 |
|
AmeriFreight |
$495 |
$1,015 |
$1,175 |
|
Montway Auto Transport |
$699 |
$1,359 |
$1,379 |
|
Easy Auto Ship |
$764 |
$1,404 |
$1,533 |
Auto Transport Quotes: What To Know
You can get instant car shipping quotes by going online or by calling the broker. The easiest way to get a quote is to use online car shipping calculators. We recommend getting quotes from at least three auto transport companies to find the best rate and transport type that suits your needs.
Car Shipping Quotes Online
Most car shipping companies are brokers. This means the company is an intermediary between you and the auto transport carrier–with trucks and drivers who actually handle the shipment. However, some companies, like uShip, provide an online marketplace that connects clients directly with car shipping carriers.
Online car shipping marketplaces provide a platform for clients to post their shipment details for carriers to bid on. The marketplace will usually notify you of each bid, and you can pick the one that best suits your needs.
Car Shipping Marketplace Quotes
Although car shipping marketplaces don’t have an instant quote option, you’ll likely find a better price since carriers have to compete against one another to win the bid directly. Keep in mind that marketplaces don’t verify the insurance coverage of the carriers who bid on your shipment.
Guaranteed Car Shipping Quotes
Most online car shipping quotes are just quote estimates based on some basic up-front info. That means your final price could change as the carrier tallies the total for your specific shipment. Some carriers will also only hold your initial quote for a specified time, so if you don’t book within that window the price could change.
If you’re looking for a guaranteed car shipping quote, Easy Auto Ship is your best bet, promising “no hidden fees or surprises” on its website. The company tries to ensure that your upfront quote is as accurate as possible so you’re not confronted with additional fees and charges after booking.
What You Need To Get A Car Shipping Quote
Whether you get an online quote using a car shipping calculator or call the transport provider, you’ll need the following information on hand to get the most accurate quote:
- Dropoff and delivery locations
- Dropoff and delivery dates
- Vehicle make, model, and year
- Vehicle operability
- Shipping preferences (enclosed vs. open transport and door-to-door vs. terminal-to-terminal shipping)
- Your email and phone number
How To Get Cheap Car Shipping Quotes
Here are a few tips you can follow to help lower your overall car shipping costs:
- Choose terminal-to-terminal shipping. This option transports your car to a terminal rather than your door. While this is less inconvenient, it can help you save quite a bit on costs. But, not every shipping provider offers terminal-to-terminal shipping.
- Select open transport instead of enclosed trailer transport. Open transport can help you save hundreds of dollars in shipping costs when compared to enclosed shipping. The only downside is your vehicle will be exposed to the elements during transport, which could put it more at risk for damages.
- Book in advance. The earlier you book your car shipment in advance, the better. You’ll avoid paying hefty fees for expedited shipping since the auto transport broker will have time to find the best carrier and route. It’s good to book at least two weeks in advance.
- Pickup and dropoff date flexibility. Vehicle shipping costs can depend heavily on carrier availability. If you’re flexible with your pickup and dropoff dates, car shipping brokers can find you better rates.
Once you find a quote that suits your needs, you must finalize your booking. After the booking is confirmed, the auto transport company will secure a carrier, at which point you’re committed to shipping your car with them. Most carriers charge a cancellation fee, so make sure you have all your ducks in a row before booking.
What Affects The Cost Of Car Shipping?
Auto transport prices fluctuate based on the time of year, demand, and competition. Below, we’ve highlighted some factors that impact prices to help you find cheap car shipping quotes online:
- Shipping provider: Some providers specialize in low-cost car transport services.
- Size, weight, and type of vehicle: Understandably, larger vehicles and more expensive vehicles cost more to ship because they often require enclosed shipping.
- Car transport type: Enclosed auto transport is more expensive than open transport. This is because enclosed trailers are not as abundant as open trailers and can ship fewer vehicles at a time.
- Delivery method: While less convenient, terminal-to-terminal shipping is more cost-effective than door-to-door delivery.
- Time of year: The summer months and January tend to cost more due to increased demand.
- Urgency of request: Being flexible with your delivery date can save you money, while expedited shipping will increase your overall cost.
- Distance: Long-distance and cross-country trips cost more overall but have better transport rates per mile. Shipping from New York to Florida will be cheaper than shipping a car to Hawaii or Alaska.
- Car carrier competition: When more providers serve a route, they often charge less.
- Vehicle condition and operability: Inoperable vehicles are more expensive to ship.
- Fuel costs: If fuel costs are high, the shipment rate will likely reflect that.
Car Shipping Quote Calculator
Most auto transport brokers have their own car shipping calculators, which you can use to learn the approximate price of your car delivery. Not every provider has an instant quote calculator, though. Some vehicle moving companies ask you to call for car shipping cost estimates instead.
Best Companies To Collect Car Shipping Quotes From
Most major auto transport companies offer easy online quotes. In fact, you can usually get a quote in just minutes by entering vehicle details, to and from locations, and your contact info. Based on our in-depth study of the car shipping industry, we recommend starting your search with Mercury Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, and Montway Auto Transport.
Mercury Auto Transport: Best Value
Mercury Auto Transport offers reliable service at competitive rates and has established itself as a reputable and trustworthy auto shipping broker. Below you can see how the provider stacked up in our industry-wide study.
| Review Category | Ratings Score |
|---|---|
|
Reputation |
4.7 |
|
Price |
5.0 |
|
Services |
4.9 |
|
Customer experience |
4.7 |
|
Overall rating |
4.9 |
Mercury Auto Transport reviews are overwhelmingly positive, revealing that most customers are satisfied with the company’s services overall. In fact, Mercury scored 4.7 for its customer experience, higher than many of its competitors.
Montway Auto Transport: Best Reputation
Montway Auto Transport offers an instant quote calculator, so you’ll get car shipping quotes online within minutes. It’s a hassle-free process with zero phone calls or middlemen required. Montway Auto Transport reviews show that it consistently gives customers low pricing and quality car shipping services.
| Review Category | Ratings Score |
|---|---|
|
Reputation |
4.9 |
|
Price |
4.6 |
|
Services |
4.8 |
|
Customer experience |
4.6 |
|
Overall rating |
4.7 |
While Montway Auto Transport doesn’t have the auto transport industry’s highest customer satisfaction scores, the vast majority of drivers are happy with its service and responsiveness towards quotes. Overall, Montway has an excellent standing with customers and within the industry at large.
Easy Auto Ship: Best For Locked-In Rates
Easy Auto Ship makes auto transport simple, starting with its calculator for instant car shipping quotes online. Customers can receive auto transport quotes online in under two minutes–no phone call is required.
Another key benefit: Easy Auto Ship pledges to avoid hidden fees. That means that the rate you’re quoted should remain constant throughout the shipping process. It’s a benefit that not all car shipping companies provide.
You can see how our review team rated Easy Auto Ship in the table below.
| Review Category | Ratings Score |
|---|---|
|
Reputation |
4.8 |
|
Price |
4.3 |
|
Services |
4.9 |
|
Customer experience |
4.2 |
|
Overall rating |
4.5 |
Though Easy Auto Ship reviews are somewhat lower than other auto shippers’, its prices are among the cheapest. You can expect reliable auto transport services at exceptional rates if you go with Easy Auto Ship.
Car Shipping Quotes Online: Our Take
For the best car shipping quotes online from some of the leading auto transport companies in the industry, we recommend Mercury Auto Transport, Ship a Car Direct, AmeriFreight, Montway Auto Transport, and Easy Auto Ship. Each of these companies offers reliable service and competitive rates. Just be sure to get quotes from a handful of companies to find the best services and options at the best price possible for you.
Car Shipping Quotes: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about car shipping quotes online:
What is the cheapest company to ship your car?
Shipping rates will vary widely based on the specifics of your shipment. But the companies offering some of the cheapest rates at the moment are Mercury Auto Transport, Ship a Car Direct, and AmeriFreight.
Is it cheaper to ship or drive a car?
Whether it’s cheaper to ship a car or drive it largely depends on the shipping distance and details about your car, such as its make and model. Driving your car to your final destination could mean gas, food, and hotel costs, but shipping a car could easily cost well above $1,000 depending on the distance. The best way to know is to collect shipping quotes from three or more companies and compare them from the estimated cost of driving your car.
What is the best company to transport my car?
After thorough research, we think that Mercury Auto Transport is the best overall car transport company for most vehicle owners. Other excellent choices include Easy Auto Ship, AmeriFreight, Ship a Car Direct, and Montway Auto Transport.
What is the cheapest way to ship your car?
The cheapest way to ship your car is by open vehicle transport using terminal-to-terminal shipping. Open car transport means your vehicle will be strapped securely onto a flatbed with other cars, which is usually hundreds of dollars less expensive compared to enclosed auto transport. Terminal-to-terminal shipping means your car will be delivered at the nearest warehouse or designated location that’s easiest to reach for the carrier, which is understandably cheaper than having your car shipped right to your door.
Can I put stuff in my car when I ship it?
Yes, some companies will let you put personal items in your car during shipment, but we don’t recommend this. Items inside your vehicle lack insurance coverage during transport and the added weight will make your shipping cost go up. You can typically only ship up to 100 extra pounds worth of items for companies that allow the action.
How much does it cost to ship a truck?
The cost of shipping a truck depends largely on its size and weight. Truck transport is generally pricier than car transport due to the added weight of a larger vehicle. To determine exact pricing, reach out to multiple transport companies for car shipping quotes online.
How We Rate Auto Shippers
Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car shipping companies. While there are multiple qualities that make an auto transport provider successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:
- Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact auto shipping rates. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and routes.
- Services: Our team of experts looks at the types of services available, as well as insurance coverage and the ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates. Ratings also take into account whether the transport company is a broker or a carrier.
- Reputation: It’s important that a car shipping provider is able to deliver your vehicle in a safe and timely manner. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
- Customer Experience: We comb through consumer reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Car transport companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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