Car Shipping Quotes Online
Getting car shipping quotes online is one of the easiest and fastest ways to find out how much shipping your vehicle will cost. While only some auto transport companies offer free instant quotes online, there are multiple ways to get estimates.
This article will uncover what you can expect when searching for car shipping quotes online. We’ll also explore how to find auto shipping quotes and look at some car shipping companies that create hassle-free experiences and peace of mind.
Table of contents
What Are Car Shipping Quotes?
Getting car shipping quotes online takes drivers beyond initial transport rates. When you request car shipping quotes online, an auto transport company asks for detailed vehicle information, your shipping needs, and desired add-ons. The car shipping provider then calculates a shipping quote, which better reflects how much transporting your vehicle will cost.
While some car shipping providers honor this quote, most consider it a non-binding estimate. In these cases, your final price could be slightly higher or less than the original quote. Don’t expect much difference, but know that your final rate could be slightly off your first car shipping quote online.
Is It Worth It To Ship A Car?
Drivers who seek out car shipping quotes online from reputable vehicle movers are usually pleased with their experiences. Having a car shipping company transport your car reduces hassle, eliminates time spent on the road, and eliminates potential damage and wear and tear on your vehicle.
We asked motorists in our 2021 shipping survey about their satisfaction with the car shipping process, and our findings are listed below:
Most drivers were satisfied with their auto transport experience, which bodes well for those considering the process. There’s a strong likelihood that you’ll also enjoy your car shipping process if you select a high-quality car shipper such as Montway Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, or Sherpa Auto Transport.
Car Shipping Quotes
Suppose it’s your first time considering vehicle transport. In that case, you likely have no idea what numbers to expect when requesting car shipping quotes online. Most drivers pay between $1,000 and $2,000 for auto transport services. Still, this number varies based on the specifics of your vehicle (make, model, year, etc.) and the distance that haulers travel.
Car Shipping Company Quotes
Below are some average quotes from our top car shipping companies. These quotes are an average of the provider's 500, 1,500, and 2,700-mile shipments.
Provider |
Transport Type |
Average Quote |
---|---|---|
AmeriFreight |
Open |
$1,295 |
Easy Auto Ship |
Open |
$1,522 |
Montway Auto Transport |
Open |
$1,232 |
Sherpa Auto Transport |
Open |
$1,337 |
SGT Auto Transport |
Open |
$1,090 |
uShip |
Open |
$1,398 |
Montway Auto Transport, one of the car shipping industry's leading companies, has quote estimates on its website. Though your auto transport costs will likely vary, Montway says you can expect to pay:
- $1.96 per mile for 1-500 miles
- 93 cents per mile for 500-1,500 miles
- 58 cents per mile for 1,500+ miles
Long-distance moves, such as from California to New York or Florida, will almost always cost more than transit over a shorter distance. As seen by the rate estimates above, you’ll probably pay far less per mile.
Car Shipping Quote Estimates
We also ran a 2021 auto shipping survey to find out how much drivers typically pay for car shipping services. Below are the results we received from 1,000 respondents:
Remember that sourcing car shipping quotes online is the best method for finding the average cost of auto transport. The industry's cheapest options often change based on the time of year, your transport needs, and the location of the move.
Enclosed Car Shipping Quotes
Below are some quotes for enclosed car shipping from our top providers. As you can see AmeriFreight has the lowest quote at only $1,209.
Provider |
Distance (Miles) |
Quote |
---|---|---|
AmeriFreight |
1,481 |
$1,209 |
Easy Auto Ship |
1,481 |
$1,976 |
Montway Auto Transport |
1,481 |
$1,569 |
Sherpa Auto Transport |
1,481 |
$1,720 |
SGT Auto Transport |
1,481 |
$1,295 |
uShip |
1,481 |
$1,485 |
Open Car Shipping Quotes
SGT Auto Transport has the lowest quotes for open transport at only $885 for a 1,481-mile trip.
Provider |
Distance (Miles) |
Quote |
---|---|---|
AmeriFreight |
1,481 |
$939 |
Easy Auto Ship |
1,481 |
$1,526 |
Montway Auto Transport |
1,481 |
$1,109 |
Sherpa Auto Transport |
1,481 |
$1,520 |
SGT Auto Transport |
1,481 |
$885 |
uShip |
1,481 |
$915 |
As you can tell, open transport is significantly cheaper than enclosed transport. Open may be cheaper, but enclosed is safer and more reliable.
How To Find Car Shipping Quotes Online
The method for getting online car shipping quotes largely depends on your auto transport provider. Some companies offer an online car shipping calculator where you enter information and receive instant car shipping quotes, while others will call back later with an estimate.
Here’s what you should have on hand when requesting car shipping quotes online from most auto transport brokers:
- Personal information (name, email, and phone number)
- Pickup and drop off locations
- Ideal shipping time frame
- Preferred shipping method (door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal, open, or enclosed)
- Vehicle make, model, age, and operability
You'll find instant quotes from many of the best auto shipping companies. Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Easy Auto Ship, and uShip all have free car shipping quotes online, so be sure to find the best price using their quote calculators.
How To Find Cheap Quotes For Car ShippingIt’s easy to get car transport quotes, but most drivers also care about pricing. Luckily, there’s a pretty easy process for finding cheap car shipping quotes online from the industry’s top auto transporters.
You need to know which car shipping companies are at the top of the industry. Our 2021 car transport survey showed us which are leaders in the space, and we’ll provide our findings below:
You’ll likely notice that “other” is the most common choice among drivers. That’s because there are countless options for auto transport on the market, which ultimately leads to lower prices for motorists who seek out car shipping quotes online from at least a few providers.
Remember that one company may have better rates for shipping vehicles over short distances. At the same time, another might be more cost-effective for long-distance moves. The only way to know for sure is to compare various car shipping quotes online.
Companies Offering Car Shipping Quotes Online
After comparing average rates, car delivery services, and customer reviews, Montway Auto Transport and Easy Auto Ship are our top choices in the auto transport industry. Both moving companies offer free car shipping quotes online, so you can easily discover your rate estimate.
Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall
Average Car Shipping Cost: $1,097
Availability: US mainland, Hawaii, Alaska, and international locations
Services: Open, enclosed, international, expedited, door-to-door shipping
Montway Auto Transport Pros |
Montway Auto Transport Cons |
---|---|
Guaranteed pickup dates |
No mobile app |
Allows personal items in your car |
No shipping options for watercrafts or RVs |
Strong customer service reputation |
No real-time tracking services |
A huge network of car carriers |
Montway Auto Transport has been one of the country's most popular car transportation providers since 2006, and it ships over 250,000 vehicles per year. The transporter vets each of its 30,000 auto transport partners to ensure that customers receive standout service and strong cargo insurance policies.
Positive Montway Auto Transport reviews online yield ratings of 4.7 stars out of 5.0 on Google along with 4.6 stars and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Easy Auto Ship: Best Added Benefits
Average Car Shipping Cost: $1,168
Availability: US mainland, Hawaii, Alaska, and international locations
Services: Expedited, international, door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal, open, alternative vehicle, enclosed auto transport
Easy Auto Ship Pros |
Easy Auto Ship Cons |
---|---|
Useful perks and benefits |
More customer service complaints than some providers |
Guaranteed phone quotes |
Lots of pop-ups on the company website |
Affordable rates |
No 24/7 customer service |
Extra damage protection |
Easy Auto Ship holds a reputation as a low-cost car transport service that offers some unique benefits. For example, the company will pay for a car wash if your vehicle arrives at its destination dirty. The car shipping company will also reimburse you for the cost of a rental car if your vehicle takes more than 14 days to arrive.
Easy Auto Ship reviews are largely positive. The BBB awards the company an A+ rating and accreditation for its services, and customers on the BBB website give the provider an average of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. Similarly, Easy Auto Ship gets 4.6 out of 5.0 stars based on over 2,900 Google reviews.
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Quotes Online
Cost-per-mile estimates are far from the best way to estimate car transport pricing. After all, numerous variables in the car shipping process can significantly affect how much it costs to move your vehicle. See below for the main factors affecting your online car shipping quotes.
Car Transport Type
Open shipping is cheaper than enclosed shipping but exposes your vehicle to weather conditions and road hazards. Your car is better protected with an enclosed trailer, but shipping will be higher.
Pickup and Drop-Off Methods
Terminal-to-terminal shipping means your car is picked up and dropped off at a centralized location. This method is generally cheaper than door-to-door transport, where your vehicle heads to specific delivery locations.
Type of Vehicle
Larger cars typically cost more to ship than smaller ones. Vehicles like SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks may carry a premium, while motorcycles could have different rates.
Vehicle Operability
Your vehicle’s condition and operability status will significantly influence the transport prices you receive from car shipping quotes online. An inoperable vehicle will cost considerably more to ship than an operational one.
Time of Year
Vehicle shipping rates fluctuate depending on the time of the year. In general, increased demand makes the summer months and January the most expensive times to ship a car.
Fuel Costs
Fuel is one of auto transport carriers' highest car transport costs. When fuel prices go up, expect shipping prices to rise quickly.
Pickup Date and Delivery Date
Auto shippers' availability changes depending on your selected day, which easily influences the cost of shipping your car. Being open to alternate dates can save drivers considerable money compared to if the car shipment has to occur on a specific timeline.
Distance
The farther you ship your car, the more expensive your auto transport quote will likely be. However, auto transport providers reduce the cost per mile for cross-country moves such as from Boston to Los Angeles or Seattle.
Many drivers believe that the only time to get car shipping quotes online is when a long-distance move is involved. That's not the case, as a large proportion of vehicle moves are under 500 miles in total. Consider the distance results from our 2021 shipping survey:
Plenty of motorists shipped their vehicles to faraway spots such Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, but an even larger number went much shorter distances. That's because the benefits of auto transport come with nearly any type of move, whether a large or a relatively minor one.
Car Ship Quote: Conclusion
Finding cheap car shipping quotes online is usually an easy process. If you're prepared with the vehicle and driver information, expect to gain car shipping estimates from multiple providers quickly.
It's always smart to compare car shipping quotes online from different companies since you're more likely to find an auto transporter that suits your budget and vehicle transport needs.
Our Shipping Review Standards
- Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, distances, and routes.
- Services: A wide variety of services is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the types of services available, insurance coverage, and the ability to guarantee pickup and dropoff dates. We also consider whether a car transport company is a broker or a provider.
- Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by a shipping company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company’s customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
- Reputation: Good auto shipping providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company’s history of reliable service when giving this score.
Q & A
What's the cheapest way to ship my car?
The cheapest way to ship your car with an auto transport service is by transporting it terminal-to-terminal using open transport. Choosing an open carrier instead of enclosed car shipping and terminal-to-terminal instead of door-to-door will greatly reduce your overall costs.
Is shipping a car expensive?
The cost to ship a car varies greatly based on many factors. In general, expect to pay between $500 and $1,500 to ship a car from one point to another in the US. However, your transport cost could fall outside that range if the vehicle shipment is particularly long or short or if you own classic cars or other vehicles with specialized needs.
Does AAA offer car shipping?
A vehicle transport company called AAA Transporters does ship cars, but it is in no way affiliated with the well-known roadside assistance provider AAA.
What is the cheapest company to ship your car?
The cheapest companies to ship your car are Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, and AmeriFreight. We ranked these companies highly for their competitive car shipping rates along with for their service offerings and customer service.
Is it cheaper to ship a car or buy one there?
It's almost always cheaper to ship your car than to sell it and buy a new one later. It may not be worth shipping your car if it's nearing the end of its life, though.
Can I put stuff in my car when I ship it?
You can usually put up to 100 pounds of personal items in your car when you ship it. More than that isn't permitted, as it weighs down the truck that's moving your vehicle.
Stephen Kenney is a writer and editor who focuses on car insurance, auto financing, and vehicle shipping services. He's a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and has experience covering categories ranging from travel to sports to environmental sustainability. In his free time, Stephen enjoys going on long-distance runs, trying out new recipes, and exploring his adopted hometown of Cincinnati.
More by Stephen Kenney
Comments
Join the conversation
Hi , I have also Know About the Amazing Car shipping company is USA