The Gist
- Car shipping quotes can range anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 on average
- Montway Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, and uShip are great companies to start with when looking for car shipping quotes
- Always compare quotes from multiple providers before making your decision on a car shipping service.
There’s no quicker or easier way to discover potential auto transport costs than getting car shipping quotes online. The process varies from provider to provider, though, and many car transporters don’t offer this service.
While reviewing the country’s best car shipping companies, we noted which ones offer easy car shipping quotes online. In this article, we’ll share our findings and explain how to get the lowest rates on auto transport using a quote calculator.
Car Shipping Quotes
Our shipping survey, which polled 1,000 respondents, found that most customers paid between $1,000 and $2,000 for car shipping services. This is in line with what our research found when we reached out for car shipping quotes from top providers.
Additionally, we found that a 1,500-mile open transport shipment between cities tends to cost around $1,350 on average. And depending on which company and services you choose, you could end up paying between $1,054 and $1,596 for that distance.
Enclosed Car Shipping Quotes
Below are some car shipping quotes for a 2018 Hyundai Elantra sent from Rapid City, SD, to Atlanta, GA, using enclosed auto transport.
| Provider | Shipping Distance | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| AmeriFreight | 1,504 miles | $1,414 |
| Montway Auto Transport | 1,504 miles | $1,779 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | 1,504 miles | $1,850 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 1,504 miles | $1,910 |
| uShip | 1,504 miles | $1,970 |
| Easy Auto Ship | 1,504 miles | $2,016 |
Open Car Transport Quote
We compared some open car shipping quotes from top providers, below. You can get a car shipping quote from AmeriFreight for around $1,200 for a 1,500-mile trip. As you can see, it is cheaper than enclosed car transport, but this method leaves your vehicle open to the elements.
| Provider | Shipping Distance | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Montway Auto Transport | 1,504 miles | $1,419 |
| Easy Auto Ship | 1,504 miles | $1,516 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | 1,504 miles | $1,650 |
| uShip | 1,504 miles | $1,632 |
| AmeriFreight | 1,504 miles | $1,214 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 1,504 miles | $1,325 |
Cross-Country Car Transportation Quote
The quotes below are based on a car shipment from Washington, D.C., to Seattle, WA. The quotes we received for this long-distance shipment ranged from around $1,000 to over $3,000. Once again, these quotes are for a 2018 Hyundai Elantra using open car transport.
| Provider | Shipping Distance | Method | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montway Auto Transport | 2,761 miles | Open | $1,749 |
| Easy Auto Ship | 2,761 miles | Open | $1,808 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | 2,761 miles | Open | $1,700 |
| uShip | 2,761 miles | Open | $2,357 |
| AmeriFreight | 2,761 miles | Open | $1,100 |
| Golden Key Express | 2,761 miles | Open | $1,680 |
| eShip | 2,761 miles | Open | $2,750 |
| Door to Door Transport | 2,761 miles | Open | $2,750 |
| Guardian Auto Transport | 2,761 miles | Open | $2,005 |
| Gartho Logistics | 2,761 miles | Open | $1,280 |
| A-1 Auto Transport | 2,761 miles | Open | $2,320 |
| Mercury Auto Transport | 2,761 miles | Open | $3,000 |
| Ship a Car Direct | 2,761 miles | Open | $1,933 |
| RoadRunner Auto Transport | 2,761 miles | Open | $1,446 |
| Ship a Car Inc | 2,761 miles | Open | $3,100 |
| SGT Auto Transport | 2,761 miles | Open | $1,559 |
| American Auto Shipping | 2,761 miles | Open | $1,749 |
| Nexus Auto Transport | 2,761 miles | Open | $1,225 |
Remember that these numbers are just rate estimates, and your transport needs will factor into your overall price. The best way to determine your average car transport cost is by getting free car shipping quotes online from multiple car delivery providers.
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Quotes
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: The pricier and larger a car like an SUV, the more costly it is to move. Classic cars also add a considerable amount to shipping costs.
- Car transport type: Enclosed auto transport is more expensive than open transport. This is because your car will not be exposed to road and weather conditions.
- Delivery method: While it’s 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.
Another important factor to keep an eye out for is hidden fees. Unless you choose Sherpa Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, or another car shipping company that promises to avoid hidden fees, your final price tag may be higher than what you were originally quoted.
Tips To Reduce Car Shipping Costs
Getting the best possible price should be one of your main concerns when shopping for car shipping quotes online. Here are a few tips you can follow to help lower your overall car shipping costs:
- Choose terminal-to-terminal shipping: This shipping option transports your car to a terminal rather than to your door. While this is less inconvenient, it can help you save quite a bit on costs. Keep in mind, though, that not every shipping provider offers terminal-to-terminal shipping.
- Select open transport instead of enclosed trailer transport: Choosing open transport can help you save hundreds of dollars in shipping costs. The only downside is your vehicle will be exposed to the elements during transport.
- Book in advance: The earlier you book your car shipment in advance, the better. You’ll avoid paying hefty fees since the auto transport broker will have time to find a car carrier.
- Pickup and drop-off date flexibility: Vehicle shipping costs can depend heavily on carrier availability. If you’re flexible with your pickup and drop off dates, car shipping companies can find you better rates.
How To Get Car Shipping Quotes Online
The process of getting car shipping quotes online is simple. Using an online quote calculator usually takes minutes, is absolutely free, and comes with no commitments.
Before you get started, have the following details ready for your quote:
- Vehicle make, model, and age
- The car’s operability status
- Pickup and delivery locations (door-to-door vs. terminal-to-terminal)
- Estimates of pickup and drop-off dates
- Preferred shipping options (open vs. enclosed car shipping)
- Personal information such as your name, phone number, and email address
To find the best price, we recommend reaching out to multiple providers for car shipping quotes online. The more companies you receive quotes from, the more likely you’ll find one that fits your needs and budget.
Once you’ve provided the details above, the auto transport company will either list an immediate offer, or contact you later via phone or email.
Conclusion: What Is a Car Shipping Quote?
When you receive a car shipping quote online, you’re getting an estimate of your potential vehicle transport costs. Since car shipping rates can vary greatly, using an auto shipping quote calculator can help you know what to expect to pay for your shipment.
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.
Most online car shipping quotes are not all-inclusive, so providers may add fees to your final cost. This is not the case for all auto transport companies, however. Easy Auto Ship pledges on its website to avoid hidden fees, while Sherpa Auto Transport’s Price Lock Promise means that you will never pay more than the shipping price you’re originally quoted.
Best Car Shipping Companies for Quotes
Many enclosed carriers will give you car shipping quotes online, but make sure the company you choose is reputable. Our team has researched and evaluated major providers, and we’ve identified Montway Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, and uShip as some of the top auto transport carriers in the car shipping industry.
Montway Auto Transport Rating: 4.7 Stars
Reputation |
4.8 out of 5.0 stars |
|---|---|
Price |
4.5 out of 5.0 stars |
Services |
4.8 out of 5.0 stars |
Customer Experience |
4.6 out of 5.0 stars |
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.
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. We believe that Montway Auto Transport offers an excellent value, which is why we named it the Best Overall car delivery service.
Easy Auto Ship Rating: 4.4 Stars
Reputation |
4.6 out of 5.0 stars |
|---|---|
Price |
4.0 out of 5.0 stars |
Services |
4.9 out of 5.0 stars |
Customer Experience |
4.4 out of 5.0 stars |
Easy Auto Ship makes auto transport simple, starting with its calculator for instant car shipping quotes online. In under two minutes, customers can receive auto transport quotes online–no phone call 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.
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.
uShip Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reputation |
4.5 out of 5.0 stars |
|---|---|
Price |
4.5 out of 5.0 stars |
Services |
5.0 out of 5.0 stars |
Customer Experience |
4.2 out of 5.0 stars |
Rather than being a broker or a carrier like most shipping providers, uShip is an online auto transport marketplace. While customers are still able to get car shipping quotes online using the standard method, the majority of drivers instead opt to post details about their vehicle shipments online for haulers to bid on.
According to uShip customer reviews, the competition between shippers usually leads to lower car transport costs. You can ship many things besides cars using uShip, like motorcycles, heavy appliances, and just about anything that is difficult to move.
One potential downside is that while uShip’s website makes the process nearly seamless, some customers prefer the peace of mind that comes with letting shipping brokers decide the best overall bid. If you’re willing to do some research, you might find highly competitive car shipping quotes online with uShip.
Consumer Experience When Shipping A Car
Our October 2021 car shipping survey found that 68 percent of the 1,000 respondents surveyed were satisfied with their car shipping experience.
However, while the majority were happy overall, several reported experiencing issues during the shipping process. Here’s a closer look at the reported issues in our survey:
- 41 percent stated their vehicle was damaged upon delivery
- 36 percent said the carrier’s cargo insurance policy did not cover damages
- 35 percent reported that prices increased after booking
- 31 percent mentioned that their shipment was extended a week or more beyond the original delivery date
- 29 percent claimed guaranteed pickup dates were not fulfilled
There are a lot of variables to be aware of when shipping a car. If you’re flexible in your expectations, you will likely have a more positive experience.
Car Shipping Quotes Online: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about 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 drop-off and pickup 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.