Best Car Shipping Companies 2026

Our recommendation

Montway Auto Transport is our top-scoring pick in Car Shipping, at 9.8/10 — it highlights “Largest US car shipper”.

Sherpa Auto Transport sits just 0.2 behind at 9.6, close enough that the deciding factor is usually which specification matters more to you — it highlights “Price Lock Promise”.

Both scores are our editors’ assessment of published specifications, pricing and terms against the criteria in our rating methodology — they are not aggregated customer reviews.

Broker or carrier: the distinction that explains everything

Most companies you find online are brokers. They do not own trucks; they list your vehicle on a national load board where carriers — the companies that actually own the trucks — choose whether to accept it at the offered price. A minority are carriers, and some are both.

Neither model is inherently better, but the implications are practical. A broker has access to far more capacity and can usually cover unusual routes, though you may not know which carrier is coming until close to pickup. A carrier gives you one accountable company and direct control of the schedule, but only on the lanes its trucks actually run.

This structure also explains the industry's most common complaint. Because carriers accept loads by price, a broker who quotes you unrealistically low simply cannot get a truck to take it, and your car sits while the quote is quietly revised upward. A quote well below every other quote is not a bargain; it is a load that no carrier will accept.

Verify the company before you pay anything

Every legitimate broker and carrier operating across state lines is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and has an MC number and USDOT number. You can look these up free on the FMCSA's public registration and safety databases, which show operating authority, whether the authority is active, the insurance on file, and for carriers, inspection and safety records. Ask for the numbers, then check them yourself against the company name you are dealing with. Brokers are also required to maintain a surety bond.

It is worth searching the company name in the FMCSA complaint database and with your state consumer protection office as well.

Open or enclosed

Open transport is the standard multi-car trailer and accounts for the large majority of shipments. Your car is exposed to weather and road debris, much as it would be if driven the same distance. It is significantly cheaper and far more available, so lead times are shorter.

Enclosed transport puts the vehicle inside a trailer, protected from weather and largely from view, usually with liftgate loading suitable for low-clearance cars. It typically costs substantially more and there are far fewer trailers, so booking takes longer. It is the right choice for classic, exotic, low-clearance or newly restored vehicles, and generally unnecessary for an ordinary daily driver.

Insurance: ask precisely

Carriers must hold cargo insurance, but coverage is not unlimited and the details matter. Request the certificate of insurance for the actual carrier assigned to your vehicle, and confirm the cargo limit per vehicle, whether there is a deductible and who pays it, and what is excluded. Standard exclusions commonly include acts of nature, damage from pre-existing mechanical faults, and — importantly — personal belongings left in the car, which are typically not covered at all and may exceed weight rules. Some carriers permit a small amount of items in the boot; many prohibit it. Check your own motor policy too, since it may extend some cover during transport.

Pickup windows, and why dates move

Car shipping works on windows, not appointments. You will usually be given a pickup range of one to five days and a delivery estimate rather than a guaranteed date, because the truck is completing a multi-vehicle route subject to weather, traffic, mechanical issues and hours-of-service limits. Anyone guaranteeing an exact hour weeks ahead is overselling.

Prices also move seasonally. Northbound routes in spring and southbound routes in autumn are busy on the Florida and Arizona corridors; major metropolitan lanes are cheaper and quicker than remote origins; and door-to-door service costs more than meeting the truck at a nearby accessible location, which is sometimes necessary anyway since a full-size transporter cannot enter many residential streets. Inoperable vehicles need winch or forklift loading and cost more, so declare that upfront.

The Bill of Lading is your protection

At pickup, the driver completes a condition report — the Bill of Lading — noting existing damage. Treat this as the single most important document in the transaction. Wash the car first so scratches are visible, photograph and video every panel, the roof, wheels, glass and interior in good light with a visible date, and record the odometer. Check the report matches reality before signing, and keep your copy.

At delivery, inspect before signing and before the driver leaves, in daylight if at all possible. If there is new damage, note it on the Bill of Lading at that moment and photograph it. Signing a clean delivery report makes a later claim very difficult. On payment, a modest deposit is normal; be wary of demands for the full amount by wire or cash transfer in advance, and get the total price, including any terminal or storage fees, in writing.

Regulations, insurance requirements, seasonal pricing and company standing change over time. Verify registration and insurance directly with the FMCSA and the carrier, and confirm current terms in writing before booking.