Cheap Car Shipping
Our team found the top cheap car shipping companies to be Mercury Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, Montway Auto Transport, and AmeriFreight
From our #1 rated provider, 
Key Points:
- Mercury Auto Transport is our pick for the cheapest car shipping company considering cost, reputation, and services.
- Since most people move in the summer and relocate for the winter in January, car shipping costs are high during these times.
- Open carrier shipping is the most affordable and popular method of vehicle transport.
If you’re planning a move, there’s a good chance that you’re on the hunt for cheap car shipping services. In this article, we’ll show you how to get the best price for high-quality auto transport.
We’ve ranked the best car shipping companies to help consumers make sense of the industry. Our research includes collecting quotes, surveying thousands of customers, evaluating shipping services, and interacting with companies through secret shopping. We’ll rank cheap companies and also recommend affordable providers that have other aspects like reliability.
Cheapest Car Shipping Providers
AmeriFreight gave us the cheapest car shipping rate to transport a 2019 Mazda CX-5 nearly 3,000 miles on an open trailer, at 39 cents per mile. Our car shipping quotes reveal that the average 1,640-mile open car shipment costs $1,192, while enclosed carriers typically cost around $1,836 for that same distance.
Auto transport costs vary widely by the company, so it’s important to get multiple car shipping quotes online as you shop around. Many sites offer car shipping calculators you can use to get rates quickly.
Cheapest Auto Transport Companies
According to our research, the cheapest car shipping prices are generally offered by Mercury Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping, RoadRunner Auto Transport, uShip, and Door to Door Transport. This analysis includes an average of open shipping quotes for three different distances: 470, 1,640, and 2,985 miles.
Below, you can see how over a dozen leading companies rank on open shipping average cost per mile. The total average open shipping per-mile cost for all companies was 88 cents in our analysis.
| Car Shipping Company | Average Cost Per Mile
for Open Transport |
|---|---|
| Mercury Auto Transport | $0.64 |
| American Auto Shipping | $0.71 |
| RoadRunner Auto Transport | $0.75 |
| uShip | $0.76 |
| Door to Door Transport | $0.76 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | $0.83 |
| Easy Auto Ship | $0.83 |
| Montway Auto Transport | $0.85 |
| Ship a Car Direct | $0.86 |
| AmeriFreight | $0.89 |
| A-1 Auto Transport | $0.93 |
| Ultimate ATransport 123 | $0.94 |
| Guardian Auto Transport | $1.24 |
| SGT Auto Transport | $1.30 |
We found Mercury Auto Transport to be the cheapest when looking at the average cost per mile across all these types of quotes. That said, all of our top picks are affordable in one way or another, whether for enclosed shipping, short-distance transports, or cross-country moves.
Some companies are cheap for shorter trips, others are competitive for longer distances, and a few offer cheap enclosed transport. We encourage you to get free quotes from multiple auto transport companies to see which one is most affordable for your situation.
Cheapest Car Shipping Rates By Distance
While open-air carriers offer the cheapest overall cost to ship a vehicle, long-distance shipping comes with a lower per-mile cost. In the following sections, we’ll highlight the cheapest prices our review team received for short-distance and long-distance car shipping services.
Cheap Short-Distance Car Transport
Mercury Auto Transport is the cheapest option for short-distance open car shipping with a rate of 95 cents per mile. According to our research, the average car shipping rate for short-distance moves is about $1.63 per mile, so Mercury is far below this.
Cheapest Short-Distance Shipping Rates
Below are leading car shipping companies ranked by their cost for 470-mile open car transport from Chicago to Nashville. You can see the uShip and American Auto Shipping are also affordable.
| Car Shipping Company | Quote for
470 Miles Open | Rate Per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Auto Transport | $445 | $0.95 |
| uShip | $500 | $1.06 |
| American Auto Shipping | $509 | $1.08 |
| Door to Door Transport | $595 | $1.27 |
| Easy Auto Ship | $609 | $1.30 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | $625 | $1.33 |
| Montway Auto Transport | $649 | $1.38 |
| A-1 Auto Transport | $654 | $1.39 |
| Ultimate ATransport 123 | $660 | $1.40 |
| Ship a Car Direct | $725 | $1.54 |
| AmeriFreight | $764 | $1.63 |
| Guardian Auto Transport | $915 | $1.95 |
| SGT Auto Transport | $1,099 | $2.34 |
Cheap Long-Distance Car Transport
The cheapest cross-country car shipping rate our review team found was from AmeriFreight at 39 cents per mile. On average, auto transport customers pay 49 cents per mile to ship a vehicle about 3,000 miles from Boston to Los Angeles.
Cheapest Long-Distance Shipping Rates
Below are leading car shipping companies ranked by long-distance shipping costs:
| Car Shipping Company | Quote for
2,985 miles Open | Rate Per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| AmeriFreight | $1,168 | $0.39 |
| Mercury Auto Transport | $1,175 | $0.39 |
| Door to Door Transport | $1,195 | $0.40 |
| Ship a Car Direct | $1,200 | $0.40 |
| RoadRunner Auto Transport | $1,295 | $0.43 |
| SGT Auto Transport | $1,337 | $0.45 |
| Easy Auto Ship | $1,371 | $0.46 |
| American Auto Shipping | $1,419 | $0.48 |
| Montway Auto Transport | $1,469 | $0.49 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | $1,500 | $0.50 |
| uShip | $1,723 | $0.58 |
| Ultimate ATransport 123 | $1,800 | $0.60 |
| Guardian Auto Transport | $2,015 | $0.68 |
| A-1 Auto Transport | $2,021 | $0.68 |
Cheapest Car Shipping Services By Carrier Type
The easiest and most cost-effective way to ship a car is by using open auto transport services. With this method, your car travels on an open double-decker carrier that’s exposed to the elements. Each open carrier can ship eight or more vehicles at once, making it an extremely economical option.
On the other hand, enclosed auto transport carriers can protect high-value vehicles from potential damages from poor weather or flying objects. Expect to pay a considerably higher rate, though. In this section, we’ll compare open and enclosed rates for a shipment of 1,640 miles from Phoenix to Minneapolis.
Cheap Open Car Transport
The most affordable shipping option using open transport for 1,640 miles is American Auto Shipping at 58 cents per mile. This is quite a bit below the average of 73 cents per mile for the route.
Cheapest Open Car Shipping Rates
Below, compare the cheapest car shipping companies for open shipments of 1,640 miles:
| Car Shipping Company | Quote for
1,640 Miles Open | Rate Per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| American Auto Shipping | $949 | $0.58 |
| Mercury Auto Transport | $965 | $0.59 |
| Door to Door Transport | $995 | $0.61 |
| uShip | $1,036 | $0.63 |
| Ship a Car Direct | $1,050 | $0.64 |
| RoadRunner Auto Transport | $1,065 | $0.65 |
| AmeriFreight | $1,073 | $0.65 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | $1,075 | $0.66 |
| Montway Auto Transport | $1,129 | $0.69 |
| A-1 Auto Transport | $1,198 | $0.73 |
| Easy Auto Ship | $1,213 | $0.74 |
| Ultimate ATransport 123 | $1,310 | $0.81 |
| Guardian Auto Transport | $1,795 | $1.10 |
| SGT Auto Transport | $1,838 | $1.12 |
Cheap Enclosed Car Transport
According to our research, the cheapest enclosed car shipping rate is offered by Mercury Auto Transport with prices starting at 80 cents per mile for an operable 2019 Mazda CX-5 traveling 1,640 miles in an enclosed truck. The per-mile average for this route is $1.12.
Cheapest Enclosed Car Shipping Rates
Below you can see leading car shipping companies by their cost for enclosed transport. Not all providers offered instant enclosed shipping quotes during our research, so fewer companies are represented here.
| Car Shipping Company | Quote for
1,640 Miles Enclosed | Rate Per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury Auto Transport | $1,305 | $0.81 |
| Ship a Car Direct | $1,475 | $0.91 |
| Montway Auto Transport | $1,549 | $0.95 |
| RoadRunner Auto Transport | $1,651 | $1.01 |
| Ultimate ATransport 123 | $1,660 | $1.01 |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | $1,675 | $1.02 |
| Easy Auto Ship | $1,713 | $1.05 |
| American Auto Shipping | $1,809 | $1.10 |
| AmeriFreight | $1,824 | $1.11 |
| SGT Auto Transport | $2,628 | $1.60 |
| Guardian Auto Transport | $2,905 | $1.77 |
With enclosed car shipping, your car is secured in an enclosed semi truck where it’s safe from the elements. Since these car carriers can only ship a few vehicles at a time, enclosed shipping is more expensive.
The extra protection of enclosed car shipping may be worth it if you’re moving a classic or luxury vehicle. During open car transport, your car will likely get dirty and fluids from the upper vehicles may drip on your car, depending on where it gets loaded. Enclosed shipping may cost hundreds more than open transport, but the extra protection could be worth the rate increase according to your situation.
Car Shipping Deals
The most affordable car shipping companies offer multiple deals that could lower the total cost of transport for current or retired military personnel, students, and those willing to pay in cash upon delivery.
Car Shipping Discounts
Compare top-rated cheap car shipping companies and the discounts they offer in the table below:
| Car Shipping Company | Cash | Military | Students | Returning
Customer | Multiple
Vehicles | Snowbirds | First
Responders | Medical
Personnel | Early
Bird | Senior
Citizens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmeriFreight | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Montway Auto Transport | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
| SGT Auto Transport | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
| Easy Auto Ship | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
| Sherpa Auto Transport | ✓ |
Best Cheap Car Shipping Companies
Mercury Auto Transport is our pick for the best cheap car transport company. The auto shipping company was awarded Most Affordable, has a rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars, and received the best Pricing rating during our review of cheap car shipping rates.
Price is one of the most important factors when choosing a car shipping company, but reliability is also crucial. Only pick an auto shipper that’s fully registered and licensed. Also, for peace of mind, make sure your shipper has proper cargo insurance policies in case your vehicle suffers damage during transport.
#1 Mercury Auto Transport: Most Affordable
Average open shipping cost per mile: $0.64
Cheap for: Short to long distances, open and enclosed
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A rating and accreditation with a 4.7-star customer rating
Mercury Auto Transport is the cheapest company overall and we also rank it high in other categories like reliability, services, and customer experience. After analyzing multiple quotes, we found Mercury Auto Transport to be one of the most affordable options whether you want open or enclosed shipping for a short-, medium-, or long-distance move.
Mercury Auto Transport Cost
You can see example quotes from Mercury Auto Transport below.
| Carrier Type | Shipping Route | Transport Rate | Rate Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Chicago to Nashville
(470 miles) | $445 | $0.95 |
| Open | Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles) | $965 | $0.59 |
| Enclosed | Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles) | $1,305 | $0.81 |
| Open | Boston to Los Angeles
(2,985 miles) | $1,175 | $0.39 |
#2 Sherpa Auto Transport: Positive Customer Experience
Average open shipping cost per mile: $0.83
Cheap for: Short to medium distances and enclosed shipping
BBB rating: A+ and accreditation along with 4.9 out of 5.0 stars
Sherpa has reasonable rates overall. We found it has below-average rates for short- and medium-distance moves as well as enclosed shipping rates. If you want to give your car the best protection on its journey, consider an instant quote from Sherpa Auto Transport.
Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport review
Sherpa Auto Transport Cost
In the table below are the rates our review team received from Sherpa Auto Transport:
| Carrier Type | Shipping Route | Transport Rate | Rate Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Chicago to Nashville
(470 miles) | $625 | $1.33 |
| Open | Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles) | $1,075 | $0.66 |
| Enclosed | Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles) | $1,675 | $1.02 |
| Open | Boston to Los Angeles
(2,985 miles) | $1,500 | $0.50 |
With other auto shipping providers, your initial quote is just an estimate and your final rate may end up being higher. Sherpa Auto Transport offers the Price Lock Promise, which reduces costs and hassle by making your original transport quote the final price you pay.
#3 Easy Auto Ship: Excellent Service Selection
Average open shipping cost per mile: $0.83
Cheap for: Short-distance trips with open shipping
BBB rating: A+ and accreditation along with 4.6 out of 5.0 stars
As far as shipping rates go, Easy Auto Ship’s rates are slightly lower than the industry average overall. But it really shines in short-distance shipping, where its rates are 33 cents below the per-mile average. Easy Auto Ship offers discounts to military members and veterans, as well as savings for paying in cash. The company’s strong customer service is seen by its A+ rating on the BBB, guaranteed pricing structure, and free car wash if your vehicle is dirty when you sign the bill of lading. (The bill of lading is the document you sign at pickup and drop-off that records your vehicle’s condition.)
Read more: Easy Auto Ship review
Easy Auto Ship Cost
Open shipping rates from Easy Auto Ship average $0.83 per mile, though this depends on your shipping distance and various other factors. The table below has rates we received from Easy Auto Ship:
| Carrier Type | Shipping Route | Transport Rate | Rate Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Chicago to Nashville
(470 miles) | $609 | $1.30 |
| Open | Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles) | $1,213 | $0.74 |
| Enclosed | Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles) | $1,713 | $1.05 |
| Open | Boston to Los Angeles
(2,985 miles) | $1,371 | $0.46 |
#4 Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall
Average open shipping cost per mile: $0.85
Cheap for: Enclosed shipping
BBB rating: A+ and accreditation along with 4.6 out of 5.0 stars
Montway has decent prices overall but it stands out for having very affordable enclosed shipping rates. If you need to ship a classic car or luxury sedan, definitely check out a quote from Montway. The enclosed transport quote we received from Montway was $420 higher than the open quote for the same distance. In comparison, many other companies in our review charged $500 to $800 more for the same upgrade.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport review
Montway Auto Transport Cost
The table below contains the car shipping rates we received from Montway Auto Transport:
| Carrier Type | Shipping Route | Transport Rate | Rate Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Chicago to Nashville
(470 miles) | $649 | $1.38 |
| Open | Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles) | $1,129 | $0.69 |
| Enclosed | Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles) | $1,549 | $0.95 |
| Open | Boston to Los Angeles
(2,985 miles) | $1,469 | $0.49 |
#5 AmeriFreight: Great Industry Reputation
Average open shipping cost per mile: $0.89
Cheap for: Long-distance open shipping
BBB rating: A+ and accreditation along with 4.8 out of 5.0 stars
AmeriFreight’s open shipping average of $0.89 per mile isn’t the best, but it’s worth taking a look at long-distance quotes from the company. AmeriFreight was the cheapest long-distance provider with rates of $0.39 per mile. So if you’re moving your family across the country and want to find an affordable car shipping provider, take a look at AmeriFreight.
Read more: AmeriFreight review
AmeriFreight Discounts
Many auto transport brokers offer minimal discounts, but AmeriFreight is an exception. Customers could potentially receive one of the following savings opportunities:
- Military members or veterans: $35 off
- First responders: $35 off
- Medical personnel: $35 off
- Early Bird: $35 off if you sign up within 48 hours of getting a quote
- Students: $25 off
- Senior citizens: $25 off
- Return customers: $50 off
- Multiple vehicles: $50 off every additional vehicle
Early bird is the only discount that AmeriFreight allows you to combine with another on the same order. Customers get locked-in pricing by choosing AmeriFreight’s First Class rate.
AmeriFreight Cost
Below are the car transport rates provided to us by AmeriFreight representatives:
| Carrier Type | Shipping Route | Transport Rate | Rate Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Chicago to Nashville
(470 miles) | $764 | $1.63 |
| Open | Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles) | $1,073 | $0.65 |
| Enclosed | Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles) | $1,824 | $1.11 |
| Open | Boston to Los Angeles
(2,985 miles) | $1,168 | $0.39 |
How To Get Cheap Car Shipping
Whichever provider you choose, the following methods can bring down your total car shipping cost:
- Reserve early: The earlier you post your transport request, the more time providers have to bid on your contract and the better chance you have of getting a good deal.
- Choose open shipping: Open auto shipping is far cheaper than enclosed shipping. However, you may want the added protection of enclosed shipping if you have a luxury vehicle, a classic car, or a model with low clearance.
- Discounts: See what kind of discount opportunities auto transport companies provide to lower the cost of shipping. Many car carriers offer savings for veterans, students, and first responders, among others.
- Be flexible with pickup and delivery dates: With a strict shipping time frame, fewer shippers will be able to fulfill your request. Because of this, you won’t benefit from the price drop that comes when various shippers bid for your contract.
- Compare multiple quotes: Look at instant quotes and offers from multiple auto shipping companies to find cheap car transport.
- Ship by train: The cheapest way to ship your car is by freight train. However, this comes with disadvantages regarding the speed and security of the transport service. Amtrak car shipping is also only available between Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Florida, with no dropoff points in between.
How Much Should You Pay To Ship A Car?
According to the prices we received, a shipment of 407 miles costs $664 on average. A medium-distance shipment of around 1,640 miles costs $1,192, while a cross-country shipment of 2,985 miles goes for about $1,476. You can see that the cost per mile typically decreases as overall mileage increases.
Below are average price ranges for these distances based on quotes from the most popular car shippers:
| Car Shipping Distance | Shipping Type | Average Price | Average Cost
per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago to Nashville
(470 miles) | Open | $664 | $1.63 |
| Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles) | Open | $1,192 | $0.73 |
| Phoenix to Minneapolis
(1,640 miles) | Enclosed | $1,836 | $1.12 |
| Boston to Los Angeles
(2,985 miles) | Open | $1,476 | $0.49 |
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Rates
Various factors can affect your final car shipping cost, including:
- Vehicle size and weight: The heavier your car, the more you’ll pay to transport it. SUVs and trucks usually cost more to ship than sedans.
- Type of car: You’ll likely pay less than average if you’re moving motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), but expect to be charged a steep rate if you’re shipping recreational vehicles (RVs).
- Pickup and delivery locations: Urban areas will likely be less expensive to ship to and from compared to rural regions. Terminal-to-terminal shipping is also cheaper than door-to-door shipping.
- Vehicle condition: The shipping process is easier and cheaper if a car remains drivable. Working vehicles are less expensive to ship than inoperable ones.
- Shipping distance: Shorter distances usually have higher per-mile costs but cheaper prices overall.
- Time of year: It’s more expensive to transport your car in January and during the summer months since these are peak car shipping times.
- Transport type: For cheap car shipping, opt for open carrier transport. Still, use an enclosed trailer if you want full protection from road hazards and bad weather conditions.
- Fuel prices: Prices will fluctuate along with the fuel market. So, if gas prices are especially high, companies may charge customers additional fees.
Cheap Car Transport: Conclusion
The best way to find affordable car shipping costs is to plan ahead and compare multiple transport quotes. The earlier you book, the better chance you have of securing low rates during your time frame. We recommend comparing auto transport quotes from at least three providers to find the best option for your budget.
Cheapest Auto Shipping: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about cheap car shipping services:
What is the cheapest company to ship my car?
Our research found that Mercury Auto Transport tends to have some of the cheapest prices in the auto transport industry. The cost of car shipping services varies based on distance and numerous other factors.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car?
The cheapest way to ship a car is to use open car transport services. Other ways to find the lowest vehicle shipping prices include reviewing multiple quotes from providers, being flexible on drop-off and pickup dates and locations, and paying with cash.
Is it worth it to ship a car?
It’s often worth it to ship your car if you are moving over 500 miles. However, if you’re doing a shorter in-state move, you’d save money by driving the vehicle or having someone else drive it.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car across the country?
The cheapest way to ship a car across the country is to use an open car transport service and book at least two weeks in advance. Also, pay the driver with cash upon delivery for a slightly lower price (instead of by credit card online).
What’s the cheapest way to ship a car to another state?
Whether you’re shipping a car to a neighboring state or halfway across the country, it’s cheapest to use a shipping broker that offers open car transport. The good news is that most carriers provide this as a standard option and will deliver your vehicle to your door.
How much does it cost to ship a car 1,000 miles?
The shipping price for a 1,000-mile move could be anywhere from $750 to $1,500 or more. Factors such as the season of the year, distance, transport method, and type of car all affect shipping costs.
Is it cheaper to ship more than one car?
Car carriers such as AmeriFreight and Montway offer discounts for transporting multiple vehicles. Montway says vehicles need to be on the same transport carrier and heading to the same location to receive the discount.
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.
