Best Car Shipping Companies (2026): Honest Comparison & Reviews

How We Built This Comparison

Most “best car shipping companies” lists are written by affiliate marketers who have never booked a single car shipment. This one is different. I run Best Care Auto Transport (MC-1391138), a mid-size brokerage based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. I talk to carriers and customers every day. This guide covers the major national players honestly — their strengths, their tradeoffs, and the things their marketing pages leave out. I include Best Care in the table too, with the same honesty I apply to everyone else.

If you want the quick answer: Montway is the safe default for a standard coast-to-coast move (massive network, predictable pricing). Sherpa is the best if you value price certainty above all (Price Lock Promise means no surprises). Best Care (us) wins on personal service and the Chicagoland market — one point of contact, direct phone, no call-center runaround. But the right answer depends on your specific situation, so read the full breakdown.

What Separates a Good Car Shipping Company from a Bad One

Before the comparison table, here is what actually matters when choosing an auto transport company:

• Broker vs. direct carrier: Most companies on this list are brokers — they connect you with a vetted carrier. Direct carriers own their own trucks. Brokers give you more options and faster pickup; direct carriers give you single-company accountability. Neither model is inherently better — but you should know which one you are dealing with. Read our broker vs. carrier comparison for the full breakdown.
• Binding vs. non-binding quotes: A non-binding quote can go up after you book. A binding quote (sometimes called “locked” or “guaranteed”) means the price you see is the price you pay — unless you change the pickup/delivery or the vehicle details. Only some companies offer true binding quotes. Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise is the gold standard here.
• Upfront deposit policies: Most brokers charge a deposit ($150-$350) at booking. Some, like Easy Auto Ship, operate on a no-upfront-deposit model. A deposit is normal — but make sure it is refundable if no carrier is assigned within a reasonable time. Read our guide to car shipping fees to understand every charge.
• Insurance coverage: Every federally licensed carrier must carry cargo insurance (minimum $350,000). The broker’s job is to verify the carrier’s insurance is active. When evaluating a company, ask: “Do you verify carrier insurance before dispatch, and will you send me the certificate?” If they hesitate, walk away. Read our full car shipping insurance guide.
• FMCSA licensing: Every legitimate broker and carrier must have an active MC number registered with the FMCSA. You can verify any company’s license at the FMCSA SAFER database. Our scams guide shows you exactly how to check — do it before you pay a deposit.

Best Car Shipping Companies: Full Comparison Table

All data current as of September 2026. MC numbers verified through FMCSA. Review scores sourced from Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and BBB as publicly available. “Price model” describes the most common experience — your specific quote will vary by route, vehicle, and season.

Company	MC#	Model	Review Score	Standout Feature	Deposit	Price Model
Montway Auto Transport	775506	Broker	4.6 ★ (Trustpilot, 100K+ reviews)	Largest broker network — fastest pickup on popular lanes; 24/7 online tracking dashboard	~$199-$299	Non-binding; competitive baseline, price can shift at dispatch
Sherpa Auto Transport	945333	Broker	4.8 ★ (Google, 2K+ reviews)	Price Lock Promise — binding quote guaranteed at booking; no surprises at delivery	~$299	Binding (locked) — higher initial quote but zero risk of price creep
AmeriFreight	480389	Broker	4.5 ★ (BBB, 9K+ reviews)	Discount programs: military, student, first responder, and senior; long industry tenure since 2004	~$150-$300	Non-binding; discount stacking can lower total by 5-15%
Easy Auto Ship	784695	Broker	4.5 ★ (BBB, 4K+ reviews)	No upfront deposit — you pay when a carrier is assigned; low-pressure sales process	$0	Non-binding; no-deposit model reduces upfront risk
RoadRunner Auto Transport	1086930	Hybrid	4.2 ★ (Trustpilot, 2K+ reviews)	Self-described asset-based with owned fleet on some lanes; transparent per-mile pricing published online	Varies	Non-binding; published rate ranges add transparency
Ship a Car Direct	882770	Broker	4.8 ★ (Google, 1K+ reviews)	Damage-free guarantee + app-based vehicle inspection photos at pickup and delivery	~$199	Non-binding; emphasis on carrier quality screening
A-1 Auto Transport	655978	Broker	4.4 ★ (BBB, 3K+ reviews)	Since 1988 — among the oldest brokers; handles domestic, international, and heavy equipment	Varies	Non-binding; experience premium on complex international moves
SGT Auto Transport	803839	Broker	4.7 ★ (Trustpilot, 5K+ reviews)	Strong BBB rating; consistent mid-market pricing; good communication cadence	~$175-$275	Non-binding; reliable for standard door-to-door moves
Nexus Auto Transport	1036098	Broker	4.7 ★ (Trustpilot, 15K+ reviews)	High-touch service with dedicated agent; price-match policy; strong Trustpilot volume	~$199-$349	Non-binding; price-match guarantee adds leverage
Best Care Auto Transport	1391138	Broker	4.8 ★ (Google, 105+ reviews)	Chicagoland personal touch — real office at 1193 E Higgins Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL; direct phone (224) 414-2700; one agent handles your move from quote to delivery	~$150-$250	Non-binding; small-team model means you never talk to a call center

Note: Review scores are point-in-time snapshots and can change. Always verify a company’s current MC authority status at the FMCSA SAFER website before booking. MC numbers above were verified active as of September 2026.

How to Pick the Right Company for Your Situation

Different moves call for different strengths. Here is how to match the company to your scenario:

If you are shipping a standard sedan or SUV on a popular lane (NY-FL, CA-TX, etc.):

Montway or Nexus — their massive carrier networks mean the fastest pickup on high-traffic corridors. You will likely get a competitive rate because carriers bid aggressively on popular lanes where they know they can fill their trucks.

If you want guaranteed pricing with zero surprises:

Sherpa — their Price Lock Promise is the only binding quote model at scale. You will pay slightly more upfront than the lowest non-binding quotes, but you eliminate the risk of a $300-$500 price increase 48 hours before pickup. For people on a tight moving budget, that certainty is worth it.

If you are shipping a classic, exotic, or high-value vehicle:

Ship a Car Direct or A-1 Auto Transport — both emphasize carrier quality and have strong damage-prevention protocols. Ship a Car Direct’s app-based photo documentation creates a defensible pre-shipment condition record. A-1’s 35-year history gives them access to the most experienced enclosed carriers. Expect to pay a 30-60% premium for enclosed transport regardless of which company you choose. Read our guide to enclosed transport for cost specifics.

If you are in the Chicagoland area or shipping from the Midwest:

Best Care Auto Transport (us) — we are physically based in Elk Grove Village, minutes from O’Hare. Our office at 1193 E Higgins Road is a real place you can visit. The big national brokers are remote-first operations — if you value a local point of contact who knows the Midwest carrier market, we are the best fit. And because we are a smaller team, you get one person who owns your move from quote to delivery.

If you have never shipped a car before:

Easy Auto Ship or Best Care — Easy Auto Ship’s no-deposit model removes the fear of losing money to an unknown company. Best Care’s one-on-one model means you are never bounced between departments. Both are low-stress entry points. Read our first-time shipper guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.

If you qualify for a discount program (military, student, senior):

AmeriFreight — their structured discount programs are the most generous in the industry. If you stack a military + early-booking discount, you can save 10-15% off the base rate.

How Not to Choose a Car Shipping Company

Three common mistakes first-timers make:

1. Picking the lowest quote. A quote that is $300 below market is not a deal — it is a signal that the broker plans to lowball carriers. When no carrier accepts the job at that rate, your car sits, or the broker calls back with a higher price. Read our hidden fees guide to understand the real cost structure.
2. Ignoring the FMCSA check. It takes 60 seconds to verify a company’s MC number and see if they have active insurance. Companies with revoked authority, pending complaints, or expired insurance will show it in the database. Our scams guide walks you through the exact steps.
3. Not reading recent reviews. A company can have 10,000 five-star reviews from 2023 — and a service meltdown in 2026. Filter reviews by most recent. Look for patterns: repeated complaints about communication, pricing changes, or damage claims are more telling than the overall star rating.

What the Big Companies Don’t Tell You

Every broker — including us — operates on the same basic model: we connect you with an independent carrier who actually transports the car. When you book with Montway, Sherpa, or Best Care, a different company’s truck shows up at your door. This is normal and legal — but many first-time shippers are surprised by it. The carrier’s name and DOT number will be on the Bill of Lading at pickup. That is the company whose insurance covers your vehicle during transit. The broker’s role is to vet that carrier, set the price, and manage the logistics; the carrier’s role is to drive the truck. Read how the broker-carrier model actually works for a detailed walkthrough.

Bottom Line

The “best” car shipping company is the one that fits your specific move. For most people on a standard route, Montway’s network speed and competitive pricing make it the safe default. If price certainty matters more than getting the absolute lowest number, Sherpa is unmatched. If you are in the Midwest and value a real person who answers the phone, we (Best Care) would love to earn your business.

Before you book anywhere, do the 60-second FMCSA check, read the recent reviews, and ask the broker point-blank: “Is this quote binding, and is my deposit refundable if no carrier is assigned within five business days?” A good company answers that question directly. Get a free quote from Best Care Auto Transport or call us at (224) 414-2700.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a car shipping company is legitimate?

Look up their MC number at the FMCSA SAFER database. Verify it is active, the insurance is current, and there are no pending revocation actions. Every company on our comparison table has an active, verified MC number as of September 2026. Also check for a physical address — brokerages that hide their location or use a virtual office are a red flag.

What should I expect to pay to ship a car in 2026?

For an open carrier on a 1,000-mile route (e.g., Chicago to Dallas), expect approximately $700-$1,000. A cross-country move (2,000+ miles) typically runs $1,200-$1,800 on an open carrier. Enclosed transport adds 30-60%. These are illustrative ranges — your actual quote depends on the specific route, vehicle size, season, and current fuel prices. Our full cost guide breaks it down by distance band.

What is the difference between a binding and non-binding quote?

A non-binding quote (most common) is an estimate — the final price can change based on carrier availability when dispatch happens. A binding quote (like Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise) guarantees the price as long as the pickup/delivery details and vehicle info do not change. Binding quotes typically run $50-$150 higher than the lowest non-binding estimates because the broker is absorbing the risk of carrier-rate fluctuations.

Does Best Care Auto Transport service routes outside the Midwest?

Yes. While we are based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, we arrange transport nationwide. Our carrier network covers all 48 contiguous states. Being Midwest-based means we have especially strong carrier relationships on Chicago-origin lanes, but we handle coast-to-coast moves, snowbird routes to Florida, California-to-Texas lanes, and everything in between.

Car Shipping Company Comparison Table

*Review scores and USDOT numbers were checked against public BBB, Trustpilot, and FMCSA SAFER listings at time of writing and can change. Always re-verify a company’s current USDOT/MC status at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before paying any deposit.

What the Table Doesn’t Tell You

Broker vs. marketplace — you’re not comparing the same thing everywhere

Montway, Sherpa, AmeriFreight, American Auto Shipping, SGT, Easy Auto Ship, and Best Care are all licensed brokers: they quote you a price, then dispatch your car to one of the licensed carriers in their network. uShip works differently — it’s a bidding marketplace where you post your shipment and individual carriers (or brokers) bid on it directly, so you’re choosing a specific driver based on their own feedback score rather than a single company’s overall reputation. Neither model is inherently better; they just put different amounts of legwork on you. If you want the research done for you, a broker is simpler. If you want to hand-pick your carrier and compare bids yourself, a marketplace gives you more control.

Review scores swing more than people expect

Notice how wide the range is even among “top 5” lists — Easy Auto Ship’s Trustpilot score has been reported as low as roughly 2.6 out of 5 on a small sample, while AmeriFreight and Sherpa sit closer to 4.5-4.9. A handful of loud recent reviews (good or bad) can swing a small-sample Trustpilot score by a full star in a matter of weeks. That’s exactly why we tell every customer to check the review date, not just the star average, and to read the most recent 10-15 reviews rather than the aggregate badge on a company’s homepage.

Price isn’t listed above on purpose

You’ll notice we didn’t put a single “price” column in the table. That’s deliberate: none of these companies — including us — publish a fixed price list, because car shipping is priced on a real-time spot market that moves with fuel costs, carrier availability on your specific route, the season, and your vehicle’s size. Two companies quoting the same Chicago-to-Florida move in the same week can land $150-$300 apart depending on which carriers happen to be running that lane that day. For real, current cost ranges by distance and trailer type, see our full car shipping cost guide — it breaks down typical per-mile pricing so you can sanity-check any quote you receive from a company on this list.

The company name on the quote may not be who shows up

Every broker on this list — again, including us — dispatches your car to a third-party carrier, so the truck that arrives at your driveway is very often a different company name than the one you booked with. That’s normal and legal, but it’s also exactly where scams hide: someone impersonating a real broker, or a broker who won’t disclose which carrier is actually assigned. Before you pay any deposit to any company on this page, verify its USDOT number yourself at SAFER and read our guide to avoiding car shipping scams for the specific red flags (huge upfront deposits, no physical address, pressure to wire funds). If you’d rather skip the broker layer altogether, we also cover when it makes sense to book directly with a carrier instead.

How to Actually Choose

1. Get 3 quotes, not 1. Spot-market pricing means a single quote tells you almost nothing about whether it’s fair.
2. Verify the USDOT/MC number yourself at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov before you pay anything — don’t trust a logo or a badge on a website.
3. Read the most recent reviews, not just the star average, and look specifically for how the company handled a complaint, not whether one exists.
4. Ask who the assigned carrier is once your car is dispatched, and confirm that carrier’s own USDOT number separately from the broker’s.
5. Match the company to your priority — network size, price certainty, discounts, or local service — rather than chasing whichever one ranks #1 on a given list this month.