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August 29, 2022
4 min read
At a glance
The cheapest way to ship your car is to pick the company best suited for your specific needs. Costs often vary depending on how far you’re going, where you’re located, and what type of transport you need. We considered all of these factors when identifying the nation’s best car shipping companies.
We’ve also put together some tips to help you get the lowest price on your auto transport:
- Get multiple quotes
- Make an early reservation
- Use open transport
- Pick the right company
4.6
Top quality with low prices
In 2021, AmeriFreight had the lowest shipping costs and the highest customer ratings (4.8 stars). If you need to ship your car, it’ll be in good hands with AmeriFreight.
Call: 678-833-9150
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How do you find cheap vehicle shipping rates?
The best way to ship a car is to find an honest company with low prices—but it can be tricky to know where to look. We’ll walk you through our tips for finding a reliable shipping company and tell you how to ship your car cheaply.
First, let’s take a quick look at how much it costs to ship a car and why car shipping prices aren’t as straightforward as you may think.
How much does it cost to ship a car?
The average cost to ship a car is about $1,080. Transport costs range from about $550 to $2,060 depending on factors like the size of your vehicle, transport type, and distance.
Anxious about car shipping?
If you’re nervous about letting a shipping company transport your car, you can do it yourself: rent a car trailer or tow dolly.
What do I need to know about auto transport prices?
Car shipping prices vary from day to day and company to company. When you ask a car shipping company for a quote, the amount you receive isn’t necessarily your final price. The company you work with may not even be the company that ships your car.
It can feel a bit like the Wild West, but we’re here to help you choose a reliable car shipper and get the lowest possible rate.
If you still have questions, check our tutorial about how car shipping prices work.
Why am I working with two companies?
When you ship a car, a broker connects you with smaller car transport companies called carriers. These are the companies that own the trucks and hire the staff that actually get your vehicle from point A to point B. Learn more about the difference between brokers and carriers.
How do you ship your car cheaply?
Get multiple quotes
One of the best ways to get a low price for auto transport is to get several quotes. We recommend contacting three to five companies and avoiding those with the lowest and highest prices.
Why avoid a company with rock-bottom prices? Because it’s possible those prices are too good to be true.
The carriers that bid on your job sometimes submit unrealistic prices so you’ll choose them and then raise the price after you’ve booked. You may pay a deposit that can’t be refunded and get stuck with an expensive car company you thought had low rates.
Avoid cheats. Don’t go with a transport company that has the lowest or highest price.
Is car shipping safe?
We know you don’t want to hand over your car to just anyone. Check out our tips for keeping your car safe during auto transport.
Make an early reservation
The more time companies have to bid on your job, the more likely you are to get a low price. One company might submit a bid of $950 the first day, while another could come in at $875 the next day. The longer auto transport companies bid against each other, the lower your price goes.
The benefits of making an early reservation max out at about two weeks, so you don’t have to spend months waiting. Just plan ahead.
You could save hundreds of dollars.
Use open transport
Almost all cars are shipped on the big semitrailers you see on the road. The industry term for this kind of shipment is open transport—and it’s a simple way to save hundreds of dollars.
About 10% of vehicles ship inside a fully enclosed container, but this costs a pretty penny and usually isn’t necessary.
Car shipping costs by transport type
Distance | Open transport | Enclosed transport |
| 500 miles | $610 | $880 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 miles | $1,030 | $1,400 |
| 1,500 miles | $1,100 | $1,600 |
| 2,000 miles | $1,230 | $1,780 |
Data as of May 14, 2021. Average cost calculated by comparing costs for 3 vehicle sizes across 11 distances. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
An enclosed trailer is mainly for customers with specialty cars:
- Classic cars
- Custom cars
- Exotic cars
- Antique cars
Pick the right auto transport company
You can save hundreds of dollars by choosing a company with a strong reputation.We’ve spent countless hours researching the best car shipping companies in the business and found five that stand head and shoulders above the rest:
Let us help you with your car, and everything else
There’s more to moving than getting your belongings from A to B. If setting up insurance, internet, utilities, or home security services while planning your move makes you hyperventilate, we’ve got an answer for you!
Move.org offers a free, all-in-one solution that provides you with a personal concierge who will assist you in setting up all those services (and more!). From finding the best mover in your area, to forwarding your mail to your new address, our moving concierge removes the hassle of self setup and helps you save money.
Cheap car shipping and auto transport FAQ
Is open transport the cheapest way to ship a car?
Yes, the cheapest way to ship a car is on open transport. An open carrier often costs hundreds of dollars less than an enclosed carrier.
Which auto transport companies offer cheap car shipping?
Companies like AmeriFreight, Ship a Car Direct, and Montway Auto Transport offer cheap car shipping. The average cost of auto transport with these companies is $960—or $180 less expensive than the competition.
How much does it cost to ship a car to Hawaii?
The cost to ship a car to Hawaii depends on the auto transport company. Many companies offer service only in the continental US, so we recommend you get quotes from companies like Montway Auto Transportthat ship to Hawaii.
What documents do I need for car transport?
Documents needed for car transport include a bill of lading and your insurance terms and conditions. For shipment to or from Hawaii, you also need a lienholder authorization and absent owner authorization.
Move.org Moving Grants: The 411
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Visit ourMoving Grant hubto find out which companies we’ve worked with and to apply for funding for your next move!
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Written by
Kurt Manwaring
Kurt Manwaring brings nearly a decade’s worth of research experience as a business consultant to the Move.org team. He specializes in taking complicated issues (like moving) and presenting them in a way that everyone can understand. His writing has been featured in hundreds of publications, including USA Today, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Heavy, Slate, and Yahoo! Lifestyle. He brings a BS in sociology and an MPA (masters of public administration) to the Move team. He would love to hear about your moving experiences and questions at kurt@move.org.
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