How To Ship A Car To Another State

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Car Talk / Car Shipping / Ship a Car to Another State How To Ship a Car to Another State

Written ByChris Teague×
Chris Teague
Chris Teague is a staff writer for Car Talk. In addition, his work can be seen on Forbes, J.D. Power, The Drive, Autoblog, and others. Chris co-hosts...
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11/3/2025
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Edited ByJulie Bausch Lent× Photo of Julie Bausch Lent

Julie Bausch Lent

Julie Bausch Lent is the Managing Editor of Car Talk. In addition to writing and editing for Car Talk, her published works can be found in Forbes and...

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Meegan Hall

Meegan Hall is Car Talk’s Senior Editor and Social Media Director. She has a background in writing and creating content in both the private and...

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Sometimes, you just need to get a vehicle from one city to another and don’t have the time to drive it there yourself, or you don't want to put the miles on the car. That’s where car shipping comes in handy, and there are several companies just waiting for the opportunity to load up your vehicle and take it to its new destination.

Popular Shipping Companies

Nexus Auto Transport

Refundable Deposit

Get Quote

AmeriFreight

Great Price and Service

Get Quote

Sherpa Auto Transport

Door-To-Door Delivery

Get Quote

Montway Auto Transport

Excellent Reviews

Get Quote

Easy Auto Ship

Great Customer Service

Get Quote

SGT Auto Transport

Free Instant Quotes

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What you need to know about car shipping

Shipping a car is quite simple, and doesn’t take much stress or effort to do correctly. Deciding whether or not to ship a car is the most important part of the process. If you’re shipping long distances, such as cross-country or even just a few states over, shipping may be your best bet, but if you’re looking to transport a car just over a state line, you might want to consider driving it yourself. In general, though, you should consider the following when shipping a car.

Shipping method: You have a few choices available to you in the shipping method, which include open trailer, enclosed transport, and even rail. In general, an open trailer is the most cost effective way to ship a car.
Distance: The distance you need to ship a vehicle will ultimately be the largest determining factor in the price that you pay. Unsurprisingly, shipping further means paying more.
Shipping company: There are many, many options for shipping companies, many of which offer similar services. It’s best to choose the one that gives you the best peace of mind and ability to ship your car damage and stress free.

For more on this topic, see our detailed guide on how to ship a car.

How much does auto transport cost?

Auto shipping costs depend on many factors, including the type of vehicle, type of shipping services, distance, and more. You may also find that shipping at certain times of year costs more, as there is higher demand for transport services.

Company	Average Cost	Notes

Auto transport company overviews

Amerifreight

Amerifreight was founded in Georgia in 2004, and has grown to become one of the largest auto transport companies in the United States. It offers services for vehicles, boats, large trucks, and anything in between.

Pros and Cons

Refunds for cancellations
Matches competitors’ pricing
Offers several discount programs
Does not offer online quotes
Does not offer tracking of vehicle shipments

Sherpa Auto Transport

Sherpa is a relatively new company to the world of auto shipping, but they are quickly establishing themselves as a big player. The company states that it offers customer-centric care and meticulous shipping services for everything from a one-off sports car to a well-worn family SUV.

Pros and Cons

Quotes are guaranteed
Highly rated customer service
Nice add-ons and perks
Website is not very helpful
Cannot get online quotes

Montway Auto Transport

With 14 years of experience under its belt, Montway is one of the longer running auto transport businesses around. It sports one of the easier to use websites, and states that it is a leading employer for military veterans.

Pros and Cons

Affordable
Dates can be locked in
Offers extra coverage options
Can ship to Hawaii and Alaska
Might take longer to schedule or pickup/deliver due to high demand.

Easy Auto Ship

Easy Auto ship hasn’t been around as long as many others, but it’s grown quickly and provides shipping services nationwide as well as internationally. They are a popular choice for vehicle platforms like Classic Cars and Hemmings. Easy Auto Ship services range from simple open trailer transports to complex international auto moves.

Pros and Cons

Affordable
Quick shipping options
Very quick and easy quotes process
Additional damage coverage options
Great customer service
Not as established

Bargain Auto Transport

Though new to the world of auto shipping, Bargain Auto Transport has quickly established itself as a leader in the space. Its prices are typically 15 percent or more lower than its competition, and it still offers many of the same coast-to-coast shipping options.

Pros and Cons

Very affordable
Solid reviews and customer service
Does not offer online quotes

How to ship a car?

When you start the process of shipping a car, it’s important to remember that you’re only dealing with a dispatcher in many cases. This means that the company you choose is just a messenger, searching out available carriers to get the shipment done.

Your journey through auto shipping starts with getting a quote, whether it’s online or over the phone. You’ll need to have information on your vehicle available, as well as detailed information on the shipment’s departure and destination locations.

Once you’ve settled on a company and received a quote, you’ll be assigned a date with the company's carrier partners. In many cases, this date is locked-in, which means you’re guaranteed to be able to ship on that date. You’ll need to take the time to prepare your car by removing personal items and unnecessary cargo.

The carrier will arrive at your pickup location and load the truck. Your vehicle will be issued paperwork, such as a bill of lading, that states its condition and other information. Many companies offer the ability to track your shipment with GPS installed on the carrier truck, but in some cases you’ll be left to wait on your own.

When the vehicle arrives at its destination, you or the person you’re shipping to will need to perform an inspection. This is usually done with the driver, and is intended to prevent surprises with condition. If there is damage, or if the vehicle didn’t arrive as expected, this is your opportunity to work with the company to find a resolution.

You can read more on Car Shipping and see our recommendations for the Best Car Shipping Companies in 2025 here.

Car Talk's car shipping experts weigh in on car shipping

Car Talk's reached out to car shipping expert Tim DeMille from Sherpa Auto Transport. Here's what he has to say about what question to ask when booking a car shipping company.

"Make sure to ask the right questions. Don't be afraid to ask for more details. Here are some good questions to ask. What happens if you can’t secure a driver for this quoted price? Does your company chip in, or is the customer responsible for adding funds? How can you guarantee my quote will remain the same and that I won’t pay more?What is your carrier vetting process? How do you source your drivers? What is your insurance coverage and claims policy?"

Golden Wrench Winners for Best Car Shipping Companies

4.9 of 5#1. AmeriFreight (Tie for #1)

AmeriFreight is one of the most prominent and well known names in the auto transport industry. With coast-to-coast delivery and discounts available for military, seniors and students, AmeriFreight remains a big player in car shipping.

Get QuoteCall Now: 678-961-0526Full Review

4.9 of 5#1. Montway Auto Transport (Tie for #1)

Montway Auto Transport is a very well known name in the car shipping world. This company simplifies the car shipping process and even includes the cost of insurance in the price. Their quote process is simple and they sustain excellent reviews within the industry.

Get QuoteCall Now: 833-953-2543Full Review

4.9 of 5#1. Sherpa Auto Transport (Tie for #1)

Sherpa Auto Transport is a very trusted name in the car shipping industry. With door-to-door delivery and a large array of auto transport options available for the consumer, Sherpa is a great choice.

Get QuoteCall Now: 844-904-2121Full Review

4.8 of 5#2. Nexus Auto Transport

This nationwide shipping company is based in Chicago and is one of the only options available that offers a refundable deposit, should your plans change. They have a very easy quote process in place, even though they have not been in business as long as some of the other companies in the industry.

Get QuoteFull Review

4.5 of 5#3. Easy Auto Ship

Easy Auto Ship is a newer player in the car shipping game, but very respected. This shipper has excellent reviews and many options to choose from, including motorcycle, classic and international shipping options.

Get QuoteCall Now: 234-855-0392Full Review

4.4 of 5#4. Ship a Car Direct

Ship a Car Direct maintains a large network of qualified drivers, and is known for their damage free guarantee. The company maintains excellent ratings and reviews, and offers very reasonable prices.

Get QuoteCall Now: 866-957-7470Full Review

4.2 of 5#5. uShip

This very reasonably priced company is a meta-search shipping option. uShip will provide you with quotes from multiple shipping companies to find the best deal for your needs. They have good reviews and many options available.

Get QuoteFull Review

4.2 of 5#6. SGT Auto Transport

SGT Auto Transport is a highly rated car shipping company in the industry which offers a quick, instant quote process and a long track record of service.

Get QuoteCall Now: 864-565-9644Full Review

3.5 of 5#7. eShip

This well known auto shipper uses a trusted network of approved carriers and can ship your car to far away destinations like Alaska and Puerto Rico. They are known for high quality service and reasonable pricing.

2.8 of 5#8. RoadRunner Auto Transport

This nationwide auto transport company offers real-time, online vehicle tracking and instant quotes for the consumer. They are known for reasonable prices and a large list of shipping options.

About the expert

Tim DeMille

Tim has been with Sherpa Auto Transport since its inception and currently leads the company's sales and business development efforts. From overseeing the first shipment to now managing over 113K shipments, Tim has gained unparalleled experience in the auto transport industry. Sherpa’s unwavering focus on putting the customer first has enabled him to become a leading expert in auto transport...

See full bio

FAQ

Can I ship other items inside my vehicle?

No. Extra items inside your vehicle not only add weight, they can also end up being damaged. If a non-vehicle item is damaged during shipping, the carrier will likely not reimburse you for the costs of repairs or replacement.

Can I ship a boat?

Yes, you can. Most major auto shippers offer services for boats, RV, and other recreational vehicles. Easy Auto Ship also offers instant online quotes for these vehicles.

Can I Ship A Car That Doesn’t Run?

Absolutely, but it’s important to let your shipping company know about any operational issues your car has before booking it a ride on a truck. If the car doesn’t run, extra equipment and preparation steps will be needed to load it on a trailer, which is going to add cost to the shipping quote.

Can I ship a damaged vehicle?

Again, yes, but make sure you let the shipper know ahead of time. If the vehicle is absolutely mangled, you’ll probably be able to ship it, but special accommodations may need to be made to both load and fit it onto a trailer.

Editor's note and disclaimer: Car Talk is supported by our fans, readers and listeners. When you click on some of the links on our website, we may receive referral compensation. However, you should know that the recommendations we make are based on our independent editorial review and analyses.