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Mercury Auto Transport Review

Mercury Auto Transport is the most affordable car shipping broker of the providers we reviewed, with costs falling well below the industry average.

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From our #1 rated provider,

844-601-0286

Written by:
Dash Lewis , Writer
Written by: Dash Lewis Content Writer
02/09/2024 03:25 PM

Key Points:

  • We rate Mercury Auto Transport 4.5 out of 5.0 stars and give the company our award for Most Affordable car shipping services.
  • Mercury Auto Transport offers open and enclosed car shipping services for an average rate of $973 overall or 69 cents per mile, lower than the industry average.
  • Mercury Auto Transport has an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and customers on the platform rate Mercury 4.7 out of 5.0 stars.

With all the car shipping options available, it can feel overwhelming to choose one, especially if this is your first time shipping a vehicle. Mercury Auto Transport is a reputable car shipping broker that works to find the carrier best suited to your needs, but is it right for you?

In this review, we’ll walk you through Mercury’s process, services, customer reviews, and other details you’ll need in order to make an informed decision. If you’re considering Mercury Auto Transport for your car shipping needs, we recommend comparing quotes from other car shipping brokers. To help kick that process off, we’ll also offer our recommendations for the best car shipping companies to request quotes from.


Mercury Auto Transport Ratings

We gave Mercury Auto Transport a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.0 and our award for Most Affordable pricing. The company works hard to ensure the best possible price for your vehicle transportation without hidden fees or surprise costs.

Mercury works with an extensive network of car transport carriers to ship vehicles across the country. It offers options for a wide range of vehicles, earning it a high score in our services category. Its lowest score is in our customer experience category, but the company has a customer rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 from customers on the BBB.

See how Mercury Auto Transport scored in all of our categories below:

Overall Rating4.5
Reliability4.5
Pricing4.5
Services4.8
Customer Experience4.4

Mercury Auto Transport Overview

Founded: 2007
Headquarters: Davie, Florida
Service area: The U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska

Mercury Auto Transport is a licensed, bonded, and insured vehicle transport broker that works with a wide variety of vehicle transporters through the National Dispatch Board.

Mercury primarily offers door-to-door service, and the company can ship a variety of vehicles. Its prices are guaranteed, meaning there are never unexpected fees.

Pros Guaranteed pricing High customer review scores Ships nationwide
Cons Doesn’t offer international shipping No tracking services

Mercury Auto Transport Services

Door-to-door shipping: Yes
Terminal-to-terminal shipping: Yes
Open transport: Yes
Enclosed shipping: Yes
Flatbed transport: Yes
RV shipping: Yes
Motorcycle/ATV shipping: Yes
Expedited transport: Available for an additional cost

Mercury Auto Transport offers shipping options for many types of vehicles, including:

  • RVs
  • SUVs
  • Limousines
  • Classic and exotic cars

Though it doesn’t offer international car shipping, the company can transport your vehicle to Alaska and Hawaii in a timely manner. Mercury recommends door-to-door shipping but can also provide terminal-to-terminal service if that better suits your needs.

All Mercury Auto Transport service agreements come with 100 percent bumper-to-bumper insurance, covering your car for any damages incurred during the process.

Additional Mercury Auto Transport Services

In addition to taking care of the logistics of your vehicle shipment, Mercury Auto Transport does thorough background checks on all its carriers. The company ensures the carrier handling your auto transport is licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier and Safety Administration (FMCSA) and verifies the carrier’s ratings and references. Mercury also obtains a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate.


How Much Does Mercury Auto Transport Cost?

Based on quotes we received, the average cost to ship a car with Mercury Auto transport is $973 or 69 cents per mile. Compare those costs to the industry average of $1,262 or 93 cents per mile.

What you’ll pay to ship your vehicle may be more or less depending on a number of factors, especially distance. Cross-country shipping will cost less per mile than shorter distances, but you’ll pay more overall.

Our team reached out to Mercury Auto Transport for shipping quotes for an operable 2019 Mazda CX-5. Below, you can see how shipping type and distance can impact your overall costs:

Shipping DistanceType of TransportNational Average Cost
Chicago to Nashville (470 miles)Open$445
Phoenix to Minneapolis (1,640 miles)Open$965
Phoenix to Minneapolis (1,640 miles)Enclosed$1,305
Boston to Los Angeles (2,985 miles)Open$1,175

What Affects Car Shipping Costs?

Car shipping costs differ based on the pickup and delivery locations, the delivery method, and how urgently you need your vehicle shipped. Other key factors include:

  • Vehicle size and weight
  • Type of transport (open or enclosed trailer)
  • Time of year (costs rise during January and the summer)
  • Shipping distance
  • Price of fuel (high fuel costs mean higher shipping costs)

The initial pricing quotes from Mercury Auto Transport contain all charges, taxes, and insurance. That means you won’t need to worry about any hidden or surprise fees popping up unexpectedly during your car shipment process.


Mercury Auto Transport Process

Thankfully, you don’t need to know all the ins and outs of how to ship a car when working with Mercury Auto Transport. As a shipping broker, the company goes through the process of finding and coordinating transport services so you don’t have to. Its shipping process is straightforward and works as follows:

  1. You use the tool on Mercury Auto’s website to enter your contact information and request a free car shipping quote online.
  2. A Mercury representative will provide a quote based on your vehicle type and shipping specifications.
  3. Once Mercury Auto Transport locates a carrier for your transport, the company will contact you with a final rate.
  4. If you accept the rate, your carrier is booked.
  5. Mercury Auto Transport coordinates your shipment with the carrier and provides you with a final pick-up date.
  6. On the day of pickup, your carrier will meet you at the pickup location, and you’ll note any existing damage on the car on a document called a bill of lading, which is essentially a receipt that documents the vehicle from pickup to drop off.
  7. Your carrier will deliver your vehicle to the chosen destination, and you’ll again inspect it for damage, then sign the bill of lading to confirm the job is complete.
  8. You pay your carrier the final amount via cash, money order, or cashier’s check.

Keep in mind that the longer the lead time on booking your shipment, the less you’ll have to pay. Mercury Auto Transport does offer expedited shipping, but at a much higher cost.


Mercury Auto Transport Reviews

Mercury Auto Transport LLC is accredited by the BBB and holds an A rating from the organization. Customers rate the shipping broker positively, giving the company an average 4.7-star rating across nearly 600 reviews. Additionally, the company has an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5.0 from more than 6,000 Google reviews.

Positive Mercury Auto Transport Reviews

Customers who rate Mercury Auto Transport positively praise the company’s clear communication and professionalism.

“Highly recommend!! My agent, Scott Hawley, was very helpful and communicative with all my needs. Service exceeded expectations, very responsive, my vehicle was shipped quicker than expected!”

– Dario via BBB

“Mercury Auto Transport is highly recommended, my agent was … very reliable and quick, very attentive … very professional and prompt.”

– Lorna via BBB

Negative Mercury Auto Transport Reviews

Customer complaints about Mercury cite miscommunication and damage to their vehicles during the shipping process.

“Kept being put off until it was too late to transport. Took [a] long time to answer emails and messages. I would not recommend them to anybody.”

– Sandra via BBB

“Never did I think the driver would have an accident, and would you believe he didn’t even call us! No one from this company to date has been in contact! … This is truly [a] bad business, and as a consumer who works hard and only has one car, this experience has been truly devastating!”

– Donna via BBB


Mercury Auto Transport: Our Take

Mercury Auto Transport offers shipping services in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. The company was rated Most Affordable by our research team because quote rates fell well below the average of providers we reviewed. 

Mercury Auto Transport offers a wide selection of vehicle shipping services, including services for specialty and recreational vehicles. However, the company doesn’t offer international shipping services at this time.

To ensure you get the best rate and schedule for your car shipping needs, we recommend comparing free quotes from other reputable car shipping brokers.

Other Recommendations For Car Shipping

Even if you think Mercury Auto Transport is a good option for your vehicle transportation needs, we still recommend shopping around with other companies for cheap car shipping. That way, you’ll find the best possible match in price and services and have more peace of mind with your ultimate decision. Below are two companies we think you should consider.

Montway Auto Transport: 4.7 stars

Montway Auto Transport offers car shipping services across the United States, including to Alaska and Hawaii. Montway has a reputation of being reliable and trustworthy, with customers noting in reviews that the shipping broker has excellent customer service.

The auto shipper has an A+ rating on the BBB, and more than 2,200 customer reviews on the site give Montway an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5.0. Though the company doesn’t guarantee pricing, most customers say Montway’s services are priced affordably. We consider Montway Auto Transport the Best Overall vehicle shipper in the U.S.

You can get more information in our Montway Auto Transport review.

AmeriFreight: 4.6 stars

AmeriFreight is one of the biggest auto transport companies in the U.S., working with more than 10,000 shipping carriers. In reviews, customers mention AmeriFreight’s good customer service and wide variety of shipping options.

The BBB gives AmeriFreight an A+ rating, and it has an average of 4.8 out of 5.0 stars from over 500 customer reviews. We consider AmeriFrieght the provider with a Great Industry Reputation, as it has a considerable amount of positive reviews.

You can learn more in our AmeriFreight review.


Mercury Auto Transport: FAQ

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about Mercury Auto Transport:

Is Mercury Auto Transport bonded?

Mercury Auto Transport is licensed, bonded, and insured. Its FMCSA Motor Carrier Number is MC647319.

What days are Mercury Transport open?

Mercury Auto Transport is available Monday through Sunday 24/7 at 800-553-1828.

What forms of payment are accepted?

Mercury Auto Transport accepts checks and credit cards for deposits. Final payment to the driver should be made with cash, cashier’s check, or money order, as most auto carriers don’t take credit cards.

What are the benefits of using Mercury Auto Transport?

Mercury Auto Transport has a network of carriers that ship many types of vehicles to all 50 states, and customers note the company’s clear communication and professionalism. It offers open and enclosed shipping, as well as door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal shipping options.

How long will my transport take?

With any auto transport, the distance dictates how long it will take. Generally speaking, a transport of 0–1,500 miles can take up to five days, and a transport of 1,501–2,500 or more miles can take up to two weeks.

What if my drop-off or pickup location is inaccessible for the truck?

If your drop-off or pickup location isn’t accessible to the carrier’s truck, Mercury can help you negotiate a better rate if you’re willing to move your car to a better location or pick it up elsewhere.

Can I ship my car with personal items?

It’s not recommended to pack anything in your car’s trunk for shipping, though Mercury will allow a few small items. Keep in mind that the heavier your car is, the more it will cost to ship.

When is my payment due?

Once you agree to the cost and sign a contract, a non-negotiable credit card deposit of $200–$300 is due before the carrier is dispatched. The remaining balance will be due at the time of delivery.

Can I track my vehicle during shipment?

While Mercury Auto Transport doesn’t offer tracking, your driver will give you timely updates on your shipment, and you’ll be provided with a contact phone number to reach out to at any time during the shipment.


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.