Best Cheap Car Shipping Companies

Discover how to find low-cost auto shipping options to help with your move.

Written by This Old House Reviews Team Updated 08/22/2022

When budgeting for a home move, you’ll want to find the cheapest moving companies. If you decide to ship your car to your new home, you’ll also want cheap car shipping options. The car shipping industry is full of companies advertising affordable vehicle transport services, but how much do they really cost?

Fortunately for you, the This Old House Reviews Team has taken a deep dive into the top car shipping companies to find out which ones provide the best low-cost shipping options. In this article, we’ll discuss how much car shipping typically costs, what affects those costs, and how you can lower the price of transport. You can also read about the most affordable car shipping companies and compare free quotes to find the best price.

5 Best Cheap Car Shipping Companies

Finding cheap car shipping options can help you stay within budget for your move. You have plenty of other costs to consider, which is why well-rated cheap auto transport is crucial.

The This Old House Reviews Team studied the top auto shipping companies to find out which offer cheap car shipping options. We considered services, shipping rates, customer reviews, and more. Through our research, our team found that these companies offer the best low-cost vehicle shipping services:

Montway Auto Transport: Best Shipping Company
Easy Auto Ship: Best for Added Benefits
AmeriFreight: Best for Discounts
uShip: Best Transport Marketplace
Sherpa Auto Transport: Best for Locked-In Rates

Montway Auto Transport: Best Shipping Company

Founded: 2006

Headquarters: Schaumburg, Illinois

Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A+

BBB customer review score: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars

Montway Auto Transport has one of the strongest reputations in the auto transport industry. The company holds accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB and an average customer review rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. The auto transport broker works with over 15,000 carriers to provide low-cost car shipping across the United States.

Based on quotes from the This Old House Reviews Team, the average cost to ship a car with Montway Auto Transport is $1,159.

Montway Auto Transport Pros and Cons

✔ Works with over 15,000 verified carriers

✔ Competitive prices

✔ Strong reputation with customers

✘ Doesn’t offer terminal-to-terminal shipping

✘ $199 cancellation fee

✘ No guaranteed pricing

Discover more in our full Montway Auto Transport review.

Easy Auto Ship: Best for Added Benefits

Founded: 2013

Headquarters: Youngstown, Ohio

BBB rating: A+

BBB customer review score: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars

Easy Auto Ship has relocated over 123,000 vehicles of all sorts across all 50 states since 2013. The auto shipping broker is known for its low car shipping prices, largely thanks to its guaranteed pricing. Once you book your transport with Easy Auto Ship, you can rest assured there will be no hidden fees. Additionally, the company provides perks like car wash reimbursement after delivery and rental car reimbursement if your shipment takes more than 14 days from pickup.

The BBB gives the car shipper an A+ rating. Customers also rate Easy Auto Ship highly, giving the company an average of 4.6 stars out of 5.0.

According to quotes we received from Easy Auto Ship, the average cost of an auto transport is $1,196.

Easy Auto Ship Pros and Cons

✔ Hassle-free booking process

✔ Guaranteed pricing

✔ Bonus perks like rental car and car wash reimbursement

✘ Doesn’t offer terminal-to-terminal shipping

✘ No instant quote tool

✘ Doesn’t offer GPS tracking

See our complete Easy Auto Ship review for more details.

AmeriFreight: Best for Discounts

Founded: 2004

Headquarters: Peachtree City, Georgia

BBB rating: A+

BBB customer review score: 4.9 out of 5.0 stars

AmeriFreight is an auto shipping broker that works with a vast network of over 10,000 vetted car carriers. The Georgia-based company is a great option for cheap car shipping as it offers a wide array of discount opportunities for students, senior citizens, members of the military, and many more. AmeriFreight also offers price breaks for returning customers as well as discounts for those who ship multiple cars at once.

Customers clearly appreciate these discounts, as more than 1,000 reviews on the BBB’s website rate the auto shipper an average of 4.9 out of 5.0 stars. The organization gives AmeriFreight an A+ rating.

We reached out to AmeriFreight for car shipping quotes online, finding that the average cost to ship a vehicle with the company is $1,229.

AmeriFreight Pros and Cons

✔ Offers price matching on other A+ rated shipping providers

✔ Many discount opportunities

✔ Network of vetted carriers

✘ No guaranteed pricing

✘ Higher initial quotes

Learn more about this provider in our AmeriFreight review.

uShip: Best Transport Marketplace

Founded: 2003

Headquarters: Austin, Texas

BBB rating: A+

BBB customer review score: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars

Unlike the other companies reviewed here, uShip is a marketplace where customers can post shipping requests. Carriers bid on the jobs, giving customers more control over pricing and the shipping process. The BBB gives the shipping marketplace an A+ rating, and customers on the site give uShip an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5.0.

This Old House Reviews Team found the average price for shipping a car through uShip was $1,223.

uShip Pros and Cons

✔ Competitive prices

✔ Lets customers compare quotes from many carriers at once

✔ Shipment tracking via uShip mobile app

✘ uShip service fee of $25–$150

✘ Doesn’t vet carriers for cargo insurance

✘ Doesn’t offer guaranteed pricing

Read our complete uShip review to learn more.

Sherpa Auto Transport: Best for Locked-In Rates

Founded: 2017

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina

BBB rating: A+

BBB customer review score: 4.9 out of 5.0 stars

Since its founding in 2017, Sherpa Auto Transport has developed a strong reputation for providing cheap car shipping services. Setting itself apart from most other auto shipping providers, Sherpa offers its Price Lock Promise, meaning the price you’re quoted won’t change. If your final price differs from the quoted price, Sherpa will pay up to $300 of the difference.

In the BBB’s reviews section, customers give Sherpa Auto Transport a near-perfect average star rating of 4.9 out of 5.0. The organization gives Sherpa an A+.

Based on the quotes we received from Sherpa, the average cost to ship a car with the company is $1,213.

Sherpa Auto Transport Pros and Cons

✔ Locked-in rates

✔ Reimburses up to $20 for a car wash after delivery

✔ Very few customer complaints

✘ No instant car shipping quotes online

✘ No terminal-to-terminal shipping option

Learn more in our Sherpa Auto Transport review.

How Much Does Car Shipping Cost?

Knowing the average price for auto shipping can help you when getting quotes from companies. Before you choose a carrier and price, you can use average costs to determine how much you should budget for car shipping costs in your move and recognize a good price.

According to Montway Auto Transport and Easy Auto Ship, two of the best car shipping companies, you can expect to pay between 40 cents and $2 per mile to ship a car. But keep in mind that the price per mile is a baseline, as many factors go into determining the cost of auto transport services.

Here’s a basic breakdown of the cost per mile to ship a car:

Distance	Cost per Mile
500 miles or fewer	$1 to $1.96
500–1,500 miles	$0.75 to $0.93
1,500 miles or more	$0.58 to $0.40

Though long-distance shipments cost less per mile, shorter-distance trips cost less overall.

What’s the Cheapest Way to Ship a Car?

Whether you’re moving to the next town over or making a long-distance move, there are many costs involved that make moving expensive. If you also need to ship your car to your new home, you’re likely interested in finding the cheapest option while still being able to trust you’re getting good service.

Pros of Open Auto Transport

In general, the cheapest way to ship your car is by using open auto transport. Almost every shipping carrier operates open transport trailers, essentially making it the standard method for shipping vehicles.

Open-air trailers can carry between eight and 10 cars at a time, depending on the vehicle size, weight, and clearances. This means that on a given shipping route, car carriers can make multiple stops to deliver vehicles and load new cargo.

Open auto transport also allows for greater flexibility when booking your shipment. Additionally, it helps diffuse fuel costs, as the carrier’s expense is spread across clients.

Cons of Open Auto Transport

Keep in mind, however, that open carrier transport leaves your vehicle exposed to road hazards and weather conditions. The risk isn’t great, but rocks, dirt, and other road debris could damage your car. At the very least, your vehicle could show up dirtier than when it was picked up. Most carriers hold cargo insurance policies to cover any damage that may occur during shipment.

How to Reduce Car Shipping Costs

Besides choosing open auto shipping, there are a few other ways to cut down on the cost of shipping your car to your new home. Here are some options to consider:

Get no-obligation quotes: Compare quotes from several shipping companies before booking transport.
Look for guaranteed or locked-in pricing: To avoid hidden fees or sudden price jumps, book with a car transport company that guarantees the quoted price is exactly the price you’ll pay.
Book early: We recommend booking your vehicle shipment at least two weeks before your move date. Some companies offer expedited shipping, but it usually costs quite a bit more.
Have a flexible time frame: You’ll save money by keeping your pickup dates and drop-off dates flexible. This will increase the number of transport carriers available to take the job.
Clean your car out: Heavier cars cost more to ship, so remove unnecessary or personal items from your vehicle.

Choose terminal-to-terminal delivery: Shipping to and from central locations in major cities shortens the route a car hauler takes, cutting down on the price you pay.

How Are Car Shipping Costs Determined?

Several factors help determine the cost of shipping a car, so keep that in mind when budgeting for your move. These factors include:

Type of car: Larger and heavier cars, like trucks and SUVs, are costlier to ship. Modifications that lower the car or require a higher clearance may also increase the shipping cost.
Vehicle condition: If your car is inoperable, a winch or forklift may be needed to load it.
Shipping distance: Long-distance or cross-country shipments, such as those from New York to California or Hawaii, cost less per mile than shorter-distance shipments but more in total.
Pickup and delivery locations: Rural areas require longer driving distances, increasing costs. Terminal-to-terminal shipping is much cheaper than door-to-door shipping.
Transport type: Open car transport is generally the cheapest vehicle shipping option. Enclosed transport is a good option for luxury or classic cars since it provides more protection from road debris and weather conditions, but it can cost up to 40% more.
Time of year: Demand for auto shipping tends to go up in January and the summer, making it more expensive to ship a car during those times of the year.
Fuel prices: As the cost of fuel increases, so does the cost of shipping a car.

Additional Considerations For a Move

Finding cheap car shipping can help you stick to your budget and your timeline when you’re preparing to move. However, there are many other things to consider when you’re relocating, especially if you’re making a long-distance move.

Our reviews team created a guide to moving to help you sort through the process and feel prepared. Here are some of the things to consider when you move:

Planning your budget
Creating a timeline and plan for the move
Deciding between moving yourself or hiring a moving company
Buying or renting moving supplies
Donating or selling clothes and furniture you’re not taking with you
Taking time off of work
Asking friends and family to help you move
Researching the area you’re moving to
Preparing children and pets for the move
Changing your address and doing other administrative tasks

FAQs

What is the cheapest moving company?

According to our research, U-Pack is the most affordable moving container company. We consider International Van Lines the most affordable option if you’re looking for a full-service mover.

What is the cheapest way to move long-distance?

In general, moving long distances will be cheapest if you do the bulk of the work yourself. A self-service container company is a cheap option that still handles the transportation part of your move.

Can I ship my car in a PODS container?

No, PODS doesn’t allow motorized vehicles to be shipped in its containers. PODS containers should only be used for shipping your furniture and other household items to your new home.

What’s the cheapest way to ship my car?

The cheapest way to ship a car is by using open auto transport. Open carrier shipping trailers can transport eight to 10 vehicles at a time, which gives customers more flexibility and cuts down on fuel costs.

Is it cheaper to ship more than one car?

Some auto transport companies, such as Montway Auto Transport and AmeriFreight, offer discounts for shipping multiple cars at once. To qualify for the multiple car discount with Montway, vehicles must be on the same truck and be delivered to the same address. AmeriFreight’s website doesn’t state whether it has the same requirements for a multiple car shipping discount.

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for auto shipping service providers is based on four categories:

Price (30% of total score): Many factors affect car transport rates. To determine our price score, we secret shop with providers across a variety of cars and routes.
Services (25% of total score): Our team of experts looks at available services, guaranteed pickup and drop-off dates, and insurance coverage.
Industry Standing (20% of total score): Providers with a high rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score best in this category. Reputable providers with a history of reliable service and timeliness also receive strong marks.
Customer Experience (25% of total score): We learn about consumer experiences by reading through reviews on sites including the BBB. Auto shipping companies with a low volume of complaints score highest in this area.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.