3 minute read

Shipping a car isn’t complicated if you know what to look for. Most first-timers spend too long worrying about the wrong things and not enough time vetting the company handling their vehicle. Here are five auto transport companies that actually deliver.

1. RoadRunner Auto Transport

RoadRunner Auto Transport is the benchmark. Thirty-plus years in business, a network of 14,000+ vetted carriers across the country, and more than 30,000 verified five-star reviews on Shopper Approved — a review count that no other auto transport company comes close to matching.

They’re veteran-owned and headquartered in Bethpage, New York. No deposit is required until a carrier is confirmed. Quotes come back in under 60 seconds. Door-to-door service covers all 50 states plus Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Open and enclosed transport are both available.

For most shipments — domestic moves, seasonal relocations, buying a car out of state — RoadRunner Auto Transport is the right starting point. Use their car shipping calculator to get a price in under a minute.

2. Passport Transport

Passport Transport has been in the business since 1988, and they’ve spent those decades focused on one specific segment: enclosed transport for classic cars, collector vehicles, and high-value exotics. If the vehicle you’re moving requires more care than a standard open trailer, Passport is worth knowing.

They’re a licensed carrier, not a broker, which means they own and operate the equipment directly rather than outsourcing to a third-party network. That distinction matters when you’re shipping something irreplaceable. They handle auction pickups, dealer-to-dealer transfers, and private collector moves with the kind of care that comes from doing this specific work for a long time.

3. Mercury Auto Transport

Mercury has been operating out of Florida since 2007 and has built a consistent reputation for one thing: communication. You can reach a real person throughout your shipment, not just when you’re filling out the quote form. That sounds like a low bar, but it’s not universal in this industry.

They cover the contiguous US with both open and enclosed options. Pricing is competitive and holds after booking. A solid choice for anyone who wants a straightforward process with a broker that stays in contact.

4. Direct Express Auto Transport

Direct Express is built around simplicity. Their online quoting system is fast, their pricing runs competitive for budget-conscious shippers, and they don’t bury you in upsells. For a standard commuter car on a well-traveled route, they handle the job at a fair price without overcomplicating it.

They’re best suited to standard domestic shipments rather than specialty or high-value vehicles, but for that use case they’re a reliable, no-frills option. If price is your primary driver and the vehicle is a daily driver, Direct Express makes sense.

5. AmeriFreight

AmeriFreight has been around since 2004 and stands out for one specific feature: optional gap coverage insurance. Their base rate includes the standard carrier cargo policy, and for vehicles worth more, they offer gap coverage that extends protection beyond that baseline.

If you’re shipping a car worth $40,000 or more and want more than the standard carrier insurance, AmeriFreight’s gap coverage is one of the more accessible ways to get it from a mainstream broker. They also offer military and student discounts and have a strong track record on BBB. For owners who prioritize insurance flexibility, they belong on the shortlist.