Best Company to Ship a Car to Another State in 2026: 9 Tools Compared

Price certainty with a price lock · Starting price: See website
How we put this together: we compare official feature and pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public user reviews. Prices change, so check the provider's site before you pay.
Key takeaways
- Most interstate car shipping is quote-based, so the best company for you depends on route, vehicle, timing, and whether you want open or enclosed transport.
- Sherpa Auto Transport is our pick for price certainty, because its Price Lock Promise guards the quoted price for a set period.
- Montway suits long-distance shippers who want a large carrier network, while AmeriFreight suits buyers who want extra insurance options.
- Always get at least three written quotes with the same vehicle details, dates, and transport type before you choose.
- Check whether your quote is from a broker or a carrier, and confirm insurance, pickup windows, and cancellation terms in writing.
Quick comparison
| Name | Who it suits | Starting price | Free option | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price certainty with a price lock | See website | No | Visit | |
| Long-distance and large network | See website | No | Visit | |
| Extra insurance and gap cover | See website | No | Visit | |
| Strong service with clear quotes | See website | No | Visit | |
| Damage-free guarantee focus | See website | No | Visit | |
| Motorcycles and standard cars | See website | No | Visit | |
| Comparing carriers in a marketplace | See website | No | Visit | |
| Flexible cross-country booking | See website | No | Visit | |
| Simple quotes and enclosed options | See website | No | Visit |
The best company to ship a car to another state
Shipping a car to another state is not like buying a fixed-price product. Quotes change with distance, route popularity, vehicle size, season, and whether the car runs. Most firms below are brokers, which means they arrange a carrier for your job rather than driving the truck themselves. That model is normal in this industry, but it makes written terms more important than a low first quote.

Sherpa Auto Transport is known for its Price Lock Promise, which holds your quoted price for a set period. That promise matters because some brokers quote low to win a job, then ask for more when no carrier accepts the load. With Sherpa, the price you agree to is the price you plan around, subject to the written terms.
Service focuses on communication, with updates as your car moves through pickup, transit, and delivery. Sherpa handles standard cars, classics, and luxury vehicles, with enclosed options for higher-value cars. The catch is price. Sherpa quotes often sit above budget brokers, so you pay for certainty. If a fixed budget matters more than the lowest possible quote, Sherpa is our pick.
- Price Lock Promise
- Clear communication
- Free car wash after delivery on many jobs
- Quotes can be higher than budget rivals
- No live GPS tracking on all jobs

Montway Auto Transport is one of the largest brokers in the United States, with a wide carrier network that helps on long and less common routes. It ships cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles across all 50 states, with open transport as the standard and enclosed transport for vehicles that need extra protection.
Montway offers online quotes, tracking updates, and support through pickup and delivery. Long-distance pricing is often competitive, because more carriers compete for the load. The honest catch is that a quote is not a final contract price in every case, and a hard-to-fill route can lead to a revised price. Get the terms in writing, and keep some flexibility on pickup dates if you want the best rate.
- Large carrier network
- Serves all 50 states
- Enclosed and open options
- Quotes can rise if a carrier is hard to find
- Cancellation fee applies in some cases

AmeriFreight Auto Transport
Who it suits: Extra insurance and gap cover

AmeriFreight Auto Transport focuses on protection as well as transport. It offers gap coverage options that can help if carrier insurance falls short, which appeals to owners shipping newer or higher-value cars. Discounts are available for groups such as military members, students, and first responders, subject to eligibility.
As a broker, AmeriFreight matches your job to a carrier, so the driver and truck will vary by route. That is normal, but it means you should confirm carrier insurance and inspection steps before pickup. AmeriFreight suits buyers who want extra peace of mind on cover and are willing to compare its quote with two others before booking.
- Gap protection options
- Discounts for military, students, and others
- Strong reviews for service
- Broker model means carrier quality varies
- Quote depends heavily on route
SGT Auto Transport has built a reputation for responsive support and clear quotes. It offers open and enclosed transport, door-to-door service where possible, and tracking so you can follow progress. Some services require no upfront deposit, which lowers the risk of booking early while you finalise dates.
SGT works well for standard interstate moves and for owners who want a person to talk to when plans change. Availability still depends on route and season, and enclosed transport will cost more than open transport on any route. If service quality matters as much as price, SGT deserves a quote in your comparison set.
- Responsive support
- GPS tracking on many jobs
- No upfront deposit on some services
- Availability varies by route
- Enclosed transport costs more, as with all firms
Ship A Car Direct focuses on carrier vetting and a damage-free guarantee, which is a strong selling point for owners worried about scratches or dents. It screens carriers, arranges door-to-door pickup where possible, and offers open and enclosed transport. That vetting can reduce the chance of a poor carrier experience.
Read the guarantee terms before you book, because any guarantee has conditions around inspection photos and claim timing. Ship A Car Direct is not always the cheapest quote, and a budget broker may beat it on a simple open-transport route. If protection and carrier quality matter more than shaving dollars off the quote, it is a solid choice.
- Damage-free guarantee terms
- Vetted carriers
- Door-to-door service
- Not the cheapest on every route
- Terms need careful reading

RoadRunner Auto Transport
Who it suits: Motorcycles and standard cars
RoadRunner Auto Transport ships cars and has a strong profile for motorcycle transport, which needs different loading and securing than a car. It offers open and enclosed options, tracking, and door-to-door service where routes allow. That mix suits households moving a car plus a bike, or riders shipping a motorcycle alone.
For a standard sedan on a popular route, RoadRunner is competitive but not always the lowest quote. Seasonal demand, especially around snowbird routes, can move prices. If you are shipping a motorcycle, ask about crating, tie-downs, and insurance in detail, because those details matter more than a small price gap.
- Motorcycle shipping expertise
- Tracking available
- Open and enclosed options
- Smaller profile than Montway or Sherpa
- Pricing varies by season
uShip is a marketplace rather than a single broker. You list your shipment, carriers bid, and you compare offers, reviews, and service details. That model can surface a good price on an unusual route, and it covers cars, motorcycles, boats, and heavy equipment as well as standard vehicles.
The trade-off is vetting. Carrier quality, insurance, and communication vary, so you need to check reviews, insurance proof, and pickup terms for each bid. uShip suits confident buyers who like to compare and who will do that homework. If you want one company to manage the whole job, a broker such as Sherpa or Montway will feel simpler.
- Marketplace comparison
- Reviews for carriers
- Wide range of vehicle types
- Quality varies by carrier
- You must vet each offer carefully
Nexus Auto Transport focuses on cross-country and long-distance moves, with open and enclosed transport and door-to-door service where possible. It suits buyers moving between distant states who want a straightforward quote process and flexible dates. Support can help adjust pickup windows when a move date shifts, which happens often with house moves.
Nexus has a shorter track record than Montway or AmeriFreight, so check recent reviews for your route before you book. Quote stability also depends on carrier availability, as with any broker. If you are comparing long-distance quotes, add Nexus to your list and judge it on written terms, not just the first number.
- Cross-country coverage
- Flexible booking
- Open and enclosed options
- Newer profile than long-running rivals
- Quote stability varies
Easy Auto Ship offers a simple quote process that suits first-time shippers. You enter pickup and delivery details, vehicle type, and transport preference, then receive a quote for open or enclosed service. That simplicity helps if you are also juggling a house move, a job start, or a vehicle purchase in another state.
As with other brokers, the assigned carrier affects the day-to-day experience, so confirm insurance, inspection, and tracking before pickup. Easy Auto Ship may not be the best-known name here, but it is a useful comparison quote. Use it to test whether a larger broker is charging a premium for the same route and service level.
- Simple online quote process
- Enclosed transport available
- Good for first-time shippers
- Less brand recognition than top rivals
- Service depends on assigned carrier
How we picked these
We compared official service pages, pricing and quote pages, insurance descriptions, app and review listings, and public reviews for firms still offering interstate transport in October 2026. We kept firms that serve multiple states, offer open transport, and publish clear service terms. We dropped firms with only local service or unclear carrier terms. Prices are quote-based, so we used "See website" throughout, and you should get written quotes for your exact route, vehicle, and dates. We did not ship a vehicle ourselves, so treat this as a comparison guide, not a booking guarantee.
Getting a fair quote for an interstate move
Start with the same details for every firm. Give each one the same pickup and delivery ZIP codes, vehicle year and model, running condition, preferred dates, and transport type. That way, price gaps reflect the market, not different assumptions. Ask whether the quote includes all fees, what deposit is due and when, and what happens if no carrier accepts the job at that price.
Open versus enclosed transport
Open transport is the standard, cheaper option, and most cars ship this way. Your car travels on an open trailer, exposed to weather and road dust, which is normal and safe for most vehicles. Enclosed transport costs more, often several hundred dollars more, but it shields the car from weather and debris. Choose enclosed for classics, luxury cars, and freshly painted vehicles, and open for daily drivers.
Check insurance and inspection before pickup
Take dated photos of every side, the roof, and the interior before the driver loads your car, and note existing marks on the inspection sheet. Ask for proof of carrier insurance and confirm what it covers, including the deductible and claim deadline. At delivery, inspect the car in daylight before you sign, and note any new damage on the sheet. Signing a clean sheet makes a later claim much harder, so take your time at delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car shipping company?
Sherpa Auto Transport is our pick for price certainty, while Montway suits long-distance value and AmeriFreight suits extra insurance cover. The best firm for you depends on route, vehicle, and timing. Get three written quotes with identical details, then compare total price, insurance, pickup windows, and cancellation terms, not just the headline quote.
How much does it cost to ship a car to another state?
Cost varies widely by distance, route, vehicle size, season, and transport type. Short interstate moves can cost a few hundred dollars, while coast-to-coast open transport often costs well over $1,000. Enclosed transport adds a premium. The only reliable price is a written quote for your exact route and vehicle, so avoid firms that give a firm price without those details.
How long does interstate car shipping take?
Transit time depends on distance and route. A move of a few hundred miles may take one to three days, while a coast-to-coast move often takes seven to ten days, plus time to assign a carrier. Pickup windows are usually given as a range, not a single day. Book early if you have a fixed job start or closing date, and keep a backup transport plan for the first days after you arrive.
Is open or enclosed transport better?
Open transport is better for most daily drivers because it costs less and capacity is plentiful. Enclosed transport is better for classics, luxury cars, and vehicles with custom paint, because it protects against weather and road debris. Both options use insured carriers, so the choice is about risk tolerance and vehicle value, not basic safety.
Should I use a broker or a carrier directly?
Brokers arrange a carrier for you and often offer wider route coverage and support, while carriers own the trucks and drive the route. Most well-known interstate firms are brokers, and that model works well if you check terms and insurance. Booking a carrier directly can work on a popular route, but availability may be limited. Either way, confirm insurance and inspection steps in writing.
Do I need to prepare my car before shipping?
Yes. Remove personal items, toll tags, and loose accessories, leave about a quarter tank of fuel, and check tyre pressure, battery, and leaks. Take dated photos before pickup and keep a copy of the inspection sheet. Tell the firm about alarms, modifications, or running problems, because those details affect loading and price. A prepared car loads faster and reduces dispute risk at delivery.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://www.sherpaautotransport.com/pricing
- https://www.montway.com/pricing
- https://www.amerifreight.net/pricing
- https://www.sgtautotransport.com/pricing
- https://www.shipacardirect.com/pricing
- https://www.roadrunnerautotransport.com/pricing
- https://www.uship.com/pricing
- https://www.nexusautotransport.com/pricing
- https://www.easyautoship.com/pricing
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