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American Auto Shipping Reviews

American Auto Shipping reviews from customers are positive on the whole and mention reliable car transport services and helpful staff members.

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From our #1 rated provider,

844-601-0286

Written by:
Dash Lewis , Writer
Written by: Dash Lewis Content Writer
02/11/2024 01:56 PM

Key Points:

  • Looking at trends in American Auto Shipping reviews, our team found this company to offer great customer service and good transport options. 
  • The services offered by American Auto Shipping set it apart, and include car transport to anywhere in the United States plus Hawaii.
  • If you have a tight timeframe for shipping your car, American Auto Shipping can pick up a car within 24 hours.

American Auto Shipping serves all states and has a variety of reliable car shipping services. But how does American Auto Shipping compare to other options? We’ll take a deep dive into the company’s services and reputation to find out. Our review team has examined the best car shipping companies in the country and we’ll recommend a couple of other options, too.


American Auto Shipping Overview

Founded: 1999
Headquarters: Las Vegas, Nevada
Service area: The 48 contiguous states plus Hawaii and U.S. territories

American Auto Shipping has shipped over 137,000 vehicles since its founding in 1999. The auto transport broker provides locked-in pricing, door-to-door shipping, and instant quotes via its website. The company offers three tiers of service based on how quickly you need a vehicle shipped.

American Auto Shipping also provides perks, such as a free car wash in the form of reimbursement for up to $20 and a free rental car in the case of delayed delivery.

American Auto Shipping Pros And Cons

Below are a few pros and cons of the provider.

Pros Offers Standard, Priority, and Expedited services Provides a free car wash after delivery Strong industry reputation
Cons No service to Alaska

How Much Does American Auto Shipping Cost?

Based on the free quotes we received from American Auto Shipping, the company’s prices are a little below the national average. The company offers locked-in pricing, meaning you won’t get surprised by hidden fees or sudden price changes.

We reached out to American Auto Shipping for price quotes on transporting an operable 2019 Mazda CX-5. Keep in mind that inoperable vehicles cost significantly more to ship. Here’s what we received:

Shipping RouteTransport TypeAmerican Auto Shipping
Quote
Chicago to Nashville
(470 miles)
Open$509
Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles)
Open$949
Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles)
Enclosed$1,809
Boston to Los Angeles
(2,985 miles)
Open$1,419

What Affects Car Shipping Costs?

When you’re looking for cheap car shipping, there are many factors that determine the cost of your vehicle transport service:

  • Type of vehicle: Larger and heavier vehicles, such as SUVs, cost more to ship.
  • Type of transport: You’ll need to choose between open or enclosed shipping. Open carrier transport is less expensive but leaves vehicles exposed to the elements.
  • Location: It’s cheaper to ship a vehicle to an urban area rather than a rural one.
  • Vehicle condition: Inoperable vehicles take more time and effort to move, so shipping them costs more.
  • Shipping distance: Shorter trips cost less overall but more per mile.
  • Fuel costs: The higher the price of fuel, the more expensive shipping will be.
  • Time of year: January and the summer months typically have an increase in demand for car shipping, so costs rise.

American Auto Shipping Services

American Auto Shipping offers a wide range of shipping options, including:

  • Door-to-door shipping: You can choose the pickup and delivery locations.
  • Open transport: This is the most affordable option, but does leave your car exposed to road debris and weather hazards.
  • Enclosed transport: This option is a bit more expensive, but the enclosed carrier protects your car from damage.
  • Rail transport: Shipping a car via train is an affordable option when fuel costs are high. However, rail transport is limited compared to shipping by truck.

American Auto Shipping also offers shipping for other types of vehicles:

  • Motorcycles
  • Military car shipping
  • Heavy equipment
  • Auto auction vehicles

The auto transport company ships to Hawaii and all U.S. territories but it doesn’t ship internationally.

Service Level Tiers

American Auto Shipping offers three levels of service based on your timeframe for shipping your car:

  • Standard service: Designed to get a car picked up in one to five weekdays, this is the lowest-priced tier. It’s recommended for those not in a rush to ship their vehicles.
  • Priority shipping: This schedules the car pick up one or two weekdays after the order is placed and costs $200 more than standard service.
  • Expedited shipping: This tier is designed to get a car picked up within 24 hours. It costs $500 more than standard service but works best for people who need their cars shipped right away.

American Auto Shipping Process

American Auto Shipping’s website spells out its simple, four-step process:

  1. Get a free car shipping quote online. 
  2. Talk to a vehicle shipping specialist and place your order.
  3. Schedule your pickup.
  4. Receive your vehicle.

At the time of your pickup, you and the carrier driver will inspect your vehicle for any existing damage. You’ll do the same once the car is delivered to the drop-off location. You’ll sign a bill of lading at pickup and drop-off, which records your car’s condition and the service rendered.


American Auto Shipping Customer Reviews

American Auto Shipping holds an A+ rating from the BBB. Customers on the site rate the auto transport broker highly, giving it an average score of 4.7 out of 5.0 from nearly 400 reviews. The company has a similar rating on Google, with more than 600 reviews giving an average score of 4.7 out of 5.0.

Positive American Auto Shipping Reviews

Positive reviews praise the company’s clear and constant communication.

“The employees at American Auto Shipping were down to earth and so kind and informative. They were quick to respond and answered all of our questions. … [The drivers] communicated constantly and made us so comfortable.”

–Sarah via BBB

“Excellent service. [O]n time, professional and the communication was fluid and constant.”

–Al via BBB

Negative American Auto Shipping Reviews

Negative reviews cite issues with delivery date availability and sudden price changes.

“I had my order [in mid-December] with $1,600 to ship my car from the East Coast to the West Coast. … On Jan 26, they told me they had to cancel my order or I needed to pay more for the car to be shipped. … [T]hey guarantee that as long as they made the order, they will never change the price.”

–Yankang via Google

“I was very disappointed with this company, and I would not recommend it. I scheduled my delivery three months in advance with a deposit. When the time came for my delivery window, there was still no driver dispatched that could give me a date and time for pickup.”

–Salema via Google


American Auto Shipping Review: Our Take

American Auto Shipping is highly reputable based on customer reviews and offers a variety of shipping options. The quotes we received were generally lower than the national average costs. However, you’ll have to look elsewhere if you want to ship a car to Alaska. 


Other Recommendations For Car Shipping

Shipping your car can be a costly and time-consuming process. It’s important to do your research and compare companies to find the best choice for your needs. While American Auto Shipping is a reputable service provider, we recommend also reaching out to Easy Auto Ship and Montway Auto Transport.

Easy Auto Ship: 4.6 Stars

Easy Auto Ship offers customers guaranteed pricing and full insurance coverage for vehicles during shipment. It provides transport to all 50 states for a wide variety of vehicles, including motorcycles and boats.

The BBB gives Easy Auto Ship an A+ rating, and consumers who left post-transport reviews on the site give the company an average rating of 4.6 stars. We believe Easy Auto Ship is a very reliable choice for auto transport.

Read more in our complete Easy Auto Ship review.

Montway Auto Transport: 4.7 Stars

As one of the most popular car shipping companies in the industry, Montway has shipped vehicles for over 1 million customers. The company has been in business since 2006 and maintains an A+ rating from the BBB with accreditation.

Montway serves all 50 states and can also help arrange international transport from any U.S. port city. The company has a 4.6-star rating from customers on the BBB, which shows the vast majority are satisfied.

Read more: Montway Auto Transport review


American Auto Shipping Review: FAQ

Below are a few frequently asked questions about American Auto Shipping:

Is American Auto Shipping legit?

Yes, American Auto Shipping is a legitimate auto shipping broker. The company is fully licensed and bonded and only works with licensed and fully insured carriers.

Will my vehicle stay on the same truck for the entire transport?

Yes, your vehicle will be on the same truck during the entire transport. Once your vehicle is scheduled for pickup, American Auto Shipping will provide you with the name and contact information of your driver.

Should I ship my car enclosed?

You should ship your car in an enclosed trailer if you want extra protection and don’t mind paying a bit more for your shipment. An enclosed hauler will protect your classic car or luxury vehicle from bad weather and road debris.

Can I track my vehicle when it’s in transport?

Many transport carriers offer GPS tracking for vehicles that are in transport. If GPS isn’t offered by your auto shipper, you’ll still have the contact information of your truck driver.

How does American Auto Shipping compare to other auto transport companies?

In our comprehensive study of auto transport companies, we found American Auto Shipping to be reputable with great customer reviews. Our top pick for the most reliable auto transport company is Montway Auto Transport. Our runner-ups include AmeriFreight, Easy Auto Ship, Mercury Auto Transport, and Sherpa Auto Transport.


How We Rate Auto Shipping Companies

Our review team extensively researches car shipping providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

  • Reliability: Providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have a long history in the auto transport industry score well in this category.
  • Services: We take a look at what types of transport services are available through each company, including open and enclosed transport, door-to-door shipping, and more. Those with wider service selections are more likely to meet consumers’ needs.
  • Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis to get quotes for a variety of shipping routes and services. We compare each company’s costs to industry average prices to see how it stands up to the competition.
  • Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot to better understand the consumer experience. Car shipping companies with convenient quote processes also perform well in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.