Open carrier
- Price
- The standard rate
- Protection
- Exposed to weather and road dust
- Availability
- Lots of trucks, faster pickup
- Best for
- Daily drivers, used and new cars
Find a trusted car shipping company near you
Best Car Shipping Companies is a free directory of verified auto transport companies. Compare them in your state and city, no sign-up.
Popular: Miami, FL Houston, TX Orlando, FL Philadelphia, PA Chicago, IL
- USDOT & MC numbers checked with FMCSA
- 1285 verified companies in 49 states
- Carriers and brokers clearly labeled
Browse the directory
Car shipping companies by state
Tap your state on the map to compare local auto transporters and the companies that serve it. Darker states have more companies based there.
- AK 2
- ME 1
- VT 2
- NH 2
- WA 34
- ID 10
- MT 4
- ND 2
- MN 16
- IL 82
- WI 18
- MI 31
- NY 45
- RI 6
- MA 64
- OR 6
- NV 11
- WY 3
- SD 2
- IA 6
- IN 25
- OH 51
- PA 105
- NJ 46
- CT 22
- CA 88
- UT 10
- CO 13
- NE 7
- MO 25
- KY 8
- WV 1
- VA 24
- MD 43
- DE 8
- AZ 34
- NM 2
- KS 7
- AR 3
- TN 14
- NC 25
- SC 15
- DC
- OK 4
- LA 1
- MS 11
- AL 14
- GA 32
- HI
- TX 118
- FL 182
Companies based in the state
Video guide · 3 min
How to choose a car shipping company here
A quick walkthrough of the directory: find companies in your city, narrow them down, compare them side by side and check each one’s FMCSA record before you ask for a quote.
- Search by state and city
- Filter by service, experience and safety
- Compare local companies in one table
- Check the verification record
- Request a quote from one company only
Play video: How to choose a car shipping companyHow it works
From quote to driveway in four stops
Most cross-country moves are booked one to two weeks ahead and take about a week on the road. Here is what happens, and when.
-
Day 0
Compare and get quotes
Pick two or three licensed companies that run your route. Compare the price, the pickup window, open or enclosed trailer and the cargo insurance limit.
-
Day 1–5
Book the pickup window
Carriers usually quote a 1–5 day window. Need a fixed date? Expedited service guarantees it for an extra fee.
-
Pickup
Inspect and sign the Bill of Lading
Walk around the car with the driver and mark every scratch on the Bill of Lading. Take your own dated photos too.
-
Delivery
Check it again before you sign
Compare the car with the pickup report. New damage goes on the Bill of Lading before you sign — that note is the start of any claim.
Car shipping cost
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Shipping a standard sedan on an open carrier usually costs $500 to $2,000. Distance sets the base price; the car, the trailer and the season move it up or down. Try your trip:
Estimate e.g. Miami → New York
$950–$1,350
Transit 3–6 days after pickup
- Base, open carrier$950–$1,350
A rough guide from typical 2026 prices, not a quote. Exact routes, dates and pickup spots change the price.
Get an estimate for your exact route →Typical prices by distance (table)
| Distance | Example route | Typical cost | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | Tampa → Atlanta | $500–$850 | 1–3 days |
| 500–1,000 miles | Chicago → New York | $750–$1,150 | 2–4 days |
| 1,000–1,500 miles | Miami → New York | $950–$1,350 | 3–6 days |
| 1,500–2,500 miles | Houston → Los Angeles | $1,150–$1,650 | 5–8 days |
| Coast to coast (2,500+ miles) | Los Angeles → New York | $1,400–$2,000 | 7–10 days |
Trailer type
Open vs. enclosed car transport
Most cars ride on open carriers — the double-deck trailers you pass on the interstate. Enclosed trailers are for cars whose value or finish needs a roof over them.
Enclosed trailer
- Price
- About 40–60% more
- Protection
- Fully covered, soft-tie straps
- Availability
- Fewer trucks, book further ahead
- Best for
- Classic, exotic, luxury, restored
13% of companies in the directory offer enclosed transport.
Who moves your car
Carrier or broker?
Both are legal and both must be registered with the FMCSA. The difference is who is standing between you and the truck.
Direct
Booking with a carrier
1,149 in the directory
- You
- Carrierown truck & driver
- Your car
The company that quotes you is the company that drives your car.
- One company from quote to delivery
- You talk to the people who have your car
- Only covers the routes its own trucks run
Middleman
Booking with a broker
136 in the directory
- You
- Brokerfinds the truck
- Carrier
- Your car
The broker posts your car to a network of carriers and books one for you.
- Often faster on busy or unusual routes
- One call reaches many trucks
- Ask for the carrier's name and USDOT number before pickup
From our data
What 1285 verified car shipping companies look like
We checked every company in the directory against FMCSA records. A few things stand out.
89%
run their own trucks. The rest are brokers who book carriers for you.
11 yrs
average time in business; the longest-running has operated since 1974.
13%
offer enclosed trailers for classic and high-value cars.
108 of 108
carriers with an FMCSA safety rating are rated Satisfactory.
Updated October 2026 · How we verify companies
Before you book
Five checks that prevent most car shipping problems
Five minutes of checking before you pay a deposit.
-
Look up the USDOT and MC numbers
The operating authority should say “Active”, and the name on the record should match the company you’re talking to.
Check a company for free → -
Ask for the insurance certificate
The cargo limit should be higher than your car’s value.
-
Know if it’s a carrier or a broker
With a broker, get the name of the carrier that will haul your car before pickup.
-
Get the price and pickup window in writing
Compare at least three quotes for the same dates. One far below the rest is a warning sign.
See what your route should cost → -
Read the Bill of Lading before you sign
Inspect the car with the driver at pickup and again at delivery, and note every scratch.
Printable inspection form →
FAQ
Car shipping questions, answered
Short, straight answers to what people ask most before they ship a car.
How much does it cost to ship a car?
Most customers pay between $500 and $2,000 to ship a standard sedan on an open carrier. Short trips under 500 miles usually cost $500–$850, while coast-to-coast moves typically run $1,400–$2,000. Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%. Distance, vehicle size, season and pickup location have the biggest effect on price.
How long does car shipping take?
Transit takes about 1–3 days for trips under 500 miles and 7–10 days coast to coast. Add 1–5 days for the carrier to schedule pickup. Expedited service shortens the pickup window for an extra fee.
Is it safe to ship a car with a transport company?
Yes, when you use a licensed company. Every interstate auto carrier must hold an active USDOT number and operating authority (MC number) from the FMCSA and carry cargo insurance. Check both before you book, and inspect the car with the driver at pickup and delivery.
What is the difference between a car shipping carrier and a broker?
A carrier owns the trucks and moves your car itself. A broker arranges the move with a partner carrier from its network. Brokers often find a truck faster on busy routes; carriers give you direct contact with the company that has your car. Both must be registered with the FMCSA.
Should I choose open or enclosed car transport?
Open transport is the standard choice for everyday cars: it is cheaper and trucks are easier to book. Choose enclosed transport for classic, exotic, luxury or freshly restored vehicles that need protection from weather and road debris.
Do I need to be present at pickup and delivery?
You or someone you trust (18+) needs to hand over the keys, inspect the car with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading at both ends. Note any existing damage on the Bill of Lading before the car is loaded.
Can I put personal items in my car during transport?
Most carriers allow up to about 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk or cargo area, but these are not covered by the carrier's cargo insurance. Remove valuables, toll tags and loose items before pickup.
How do I prepare my car for shipping?
Wash the car and take dated photos from every side, leave about a quarter tank of fuel, remove personal belongings and toll transponders, disable alarms, and give the driver a spare key. Tell the company in advance if the car does not run.
What is Best Car Shipping Companies?
Best Car Shipping Companies (BCSC) is a free, independent directory of US car shipping companies. We are not a broker and do not move cars ourselves. Every listed carrier and broker is checked against FMCSA records (USDOT number, operating authority and insurance) before it appears, and a quote request goes only to the company you choose.
Guides
Car shipping guides
Prices, timing, scams and paperwork, explained with real numbers.
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