Ah, car shipping. That magical service where you pay someone to treat your four-wheeled baby like a glorified Amazon package while you cross your fingers and hope it arrives without looking like it spent a week in a demolition derby. With gas prices, road rage, and the ever-present chance of hitting a pothole the size of Nebraska, why drive when you can ship?
We compared 34 auto transport companies so you don’t have to wade through endless “five-star” reviews clearly written by the CEO’s cousin. After all, you want a company that will actually deliver your car—not excuses.
Here are the six companies that actually made the cut—because the other 28 were either scams, glorified voicemail boxes, or quoted prices that could buy you a new car outright.
1. Mercury Auto Transport – Top Pick Overall
Rating: 4.6 (324 reviews)
Sample Quote: $965
Specialty: Shipping your car without giving you a nervous breakdown.
Mercury Auto Transport is the broker equivalent of that one friend who actually knows a guy for everything. They connect you with vetted carriers, negotiate pricing, and—get this—they don’t even take your money until a carrier is assigned. In an industry where shady deposits are the norm, that’s basically sainthood.
Why Mercury wins:
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Door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal, and “we’ll make it happen” service.
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They’ll ship anything from motorcycles to RVs—basically, if it has wheels, they’ll move it.
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Full refund if they don’t pick up in three days. A guarantee? In car shipping? Unheard of.
Snark alert: If you’re the type who loves a good gamble, by all means, choose a sketchy carrier on Craigslist. But if you like your car arriving in one piece, Mercury is your safest bet.
2. Tempus Logix – Best Customer Service
Rating: 5.0 (75 reviews)
Sample Quote: $1,256
Specialty: Making you feel like your car is their only customer.
Tempus Logix has customer service so good it makes Chick-fil-A look like the DMV. They’ll ship anything—even boats and heavy machinery—because apparently, limits are for other companies. Their AI-powered cost calculator and real-time tracking make you feel like you’re shipping a Tesla to Mars.
Why Tempus rocks:
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$0 online booking fee.
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International shipping—because sometimes Florida just isn’t far enough.
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$1 million cargo insurance. Yes, a million.
Snark alert: They’re not cheap, but neither is therapy after your car arrives looking like it went a few rounds with a tornado. Pay the extra bucks, sleep at night.
3. AmeriFreight – Best Value
Rating: 4.8 (4,499 reviews)
Sample Quote: $969
Specialty: Saving you money while still getting your car where it needs to go.
AmeriFreight is the coupon-clipping champion of auto transport. They offer discounts for military, seniors, students, first responders, and even people shipping multiple cars (because clearly you’re made of money). They also provide extra insurance to cover your deductible—so when something goes wrong, you don’t have to sell a kidney.
Why AmeriFreight is worth it:
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Works with 11,000+ carriers.
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AFTA Total Assurance Plan (translation: you won’t cry if your bumper gets dinged).
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One of the lowest quotes in our comparison.
Snark alert: Sure, you can save a few bucks elsewhere, but AmeriFreight somehow pulls off the rare combo of cheap and reliable. It’s like finding an Uber driver who doesn’t miss every turn.
4. Sherpa Auto Transport – Best for Long-Distance Transport
Rating: 4.9 (5,250 reviews)
Sample Quote: $1,350
Specialty: Getting your car across the country without losing it in Kansas.
Sherpa’s whole thing is transparency. Their Price Lock Promise means no surprise fees—because the only surprises you should get on a cross-country move are how much you hate unpacking. They also throw in a $20 car wash reimbursement because they know your car will look like it just survived a dust storm.
Why Sherpa stands out:
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$1 million liability coverage.
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Specializes in relocations and snowbird routes (you know who you are).
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Expedited shipping if you’re impatient.
Snark alert: Yes, they’re pricier. But do you really want to cheap out on the service that’s hauling your precious baby 3,000 miles?
5. SGT Auto Transport – Best for Classic and Luxury Cars
Rating: 4.6 (1,068 reviews)
Sample Quote: $1,221
Specialty: Treating your car like royalty.
SGT is where you go when your car isn’t just transportation—it’s a “collectible.” They work with 25,000 carriers and offer enclosed shipping so your classic ride doesn’t arrive with a tan line from road grime.
Why SGT is great:
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Tailored service for classics and luxury cars.
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International shipping options.
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Price-match promise.
Snark alert: If you’re shipping a $100,000 car, maybe don’t cheap out and put it on an open carrier next to a 2002 Honda Civic with a missing bumper. Just saying.
6. Montway Auto Transport – Best for Motorcycle Shipping
Rating: 4.7 (4,821 reviews)
Sample Quote: $1,219
Specialty: Keeping your motorcycle from arriving as a box of parts.
Montway ships everything—from daily drivers to golf carts—but they really shine with motorcycles. They monitor your shipment 24/7, so if anything goes wrong, they know before you do.
Why Montway wins:
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30,000+ carriers in their network.
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All-inclusive quotes.
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No upfront charges.
Snark alert: If you’re the proud owner of a Harley, don’t hand it off to the first guy with a truck and a tarp. Montway will treat it right.
How to Avoid Auto Shipping Nightmares
Want to avoid being the person writing a one-star review in all caps? Avoid these rookie mistakes:
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Paying upfront in full (huge red flag).
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Ignoring insurance (your car deserves better than wishful thinking).
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Falling for super-low quotes (because nothing says scam like “we’ll ship it for $200”).
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Not reading the contract (seriously, read it).
Final Verdict: Who Should You Choose?
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Want the best overall? Mercury Auto Transport.
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Value customer service? Tempus Logix.
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Need the cheapest option that doesn’t suck? AmeriFreight.
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Going cross-country? Sherpa Auto Transport.
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Shipping a luxury ride? SGT Auto Transport.
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Motorcycle lover? Montway Auto Transport.
Whichever you pick, at least now you’re armed with the knowledge to avoid the industry’s bottom-feeders. Because the only thing worse than a delayed car shipment is explaining to your insurance company why your vehicle now looks like abstract art.