How much does it cost to ship a car?

Cost depends on distance, vehicle size, transport type, and timing, commonly ranging from several hundred dollars for short hauls to well over a thousand for cross-country moves. Enclosed transport and expedited timing add to the price. Get multiple quotes.

Is my car insured during shipping?

The carrier must carry cargo insurance covering damage in transit — always request the certificate and understand the coverage limits and deductible. Document the vehicle’s condition with photos at pickup and delivery to support any claim.

Open or enclosed car transport?

Open transport is cheaper and perfectly adequate for most vehicles. Enclosed transport costs more but protects the car from weather and debris, making it the choice for luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles where appearance and condition are paramount.

Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through our links. This never affects our editorial independence. Read our disclosure policy.

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Best Car Shipping Companies of 2026

Move a vehicle across the country safely — verified carriers and clear pricing.

Independent Research
No Paid Placements
Transparent Methodology
Updated for 2026

What to Look for in Car Shipping

The factors that separate a strong pick from a mediocre one. Understanding these is usually enough to narrow the field before you compare providers head to head.

Licensing and insurance

Confirm the company or its carriers are registered with a verifiable USDOT/MC number and carry adequate cargo insurance. Ask for the carrier’s insurance certificate — your vehicle’s protection in transit depends on it.

Open vs. enclosed transport

Open carriers are cheaper and standard for everyday vehicles; enclosed transport costs more but shields high-value or classic cars from weather and road debris. Choose based on the vehicle’s value and your risk tolerance.

Brokers, quotes, and timing

Many "shippers" are brokers who assign a carrier, which is normal — but understand who actually moves your car. Get the pricing structure and any deposit terms in writing, and set realistic expectations, since delivery windows are ranges, not guarantees.

How We Evaluate Car Shipping

Our comparisons are editorially independent. Recommendations are based on transparent, disclosed criteria — never on who pays the most. We weigh real-world trade-offs and update our research as each market changes.

Total cost, not the headline

We compare the numbers that actually move your bottom line — effective rates, fees, and the fine print — rather than the figure in the advertisement.

Real-world fit

The best pick for one reader is rarely the best for another. We weigh how each option performs for different budgets, situations and needs.

Transparency and terms

What a provider discloses up front, how clear its contract is, and whether the trade-offs are stated plainly or buried.

Service and support

Speed, responsiveness and the quality of help when something goes wrong — the difference a comparison chart rarely captures.

Track record

Reputation, longevity and verifiable customer experience, checked against independent sources rather than the marketing.

Overall value

How the total package stacks up at the tier you would realistically choose — not the cheapest one advertised.

ExpertPicked may earn a commission when you buy through our links, which never affects how providers are ranked. Details change frequently — always confirm current pricing and terms on the provider’s own site before you buy.

Our review methodology →Editorial policy →

Compare the Top Car Shipping Providers

Our ranked provider comparisons — with ratings, pros and cons, and current pricing — alongside related guides for the choices people weigh up most often.

The Complete Guide to Car Shipping in 2026

Car shipping companies transport a vehicle between distant locations, sparing you a long drive or the wear of a cross-country trip. Much of the industry works through brokers who arrange carriers, so protecting yourself means verifying licensing and insurance and understanding exactly what the quote covers.

We compare companies on licensing and insurance, transport options (open versus enclosed), pricing transparency, and their track record on pickup and delivery timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Editorial independence & disclosure. ExpertPicked is reader-supported and may earn a commission on purchases made through our links. This never affects our rankings or recommendations, which are based solely on the disclosed criteria above. Read our full editorial policy.