Shipping a car sounds simple until you start collecting quotes.
Three different companies. Three different quotes. No logical reason for the discrepancies. One wants a deposit right now. One will not give you a window for pickup. One quotes you low then calls back.
The true differentiator between auto transport companies isn’t the posted price — it’s what goes on behind the scenes from booking to delivery. Virtually every recognizable name in this space is a broker that connects your car to a licensed, insured carrier. The purchase you are actually making is the quality of that match, the transparency of the quote and the breadth of vehicles already under that company’s control.
This comparison evaluates four well known providers across scope, pricing strategy and the guarantees each offers in writing.
In This Guide
- Start here: match the shipper to the move
- A-1 Auto Transport
- Montway Auto Transport
- Sherpa Auto Transport
- AmeriFreight Auto Transport
- How the four compare
- The bottom line
Start Here: Match the Shipper to the Move
Most buyers fall into one of four situations.
- You ship more than just a car. Boats, RVs, motorcycles, heavy equipment or vehicles being shipped overseas require a provider that has a network already in place for that equipment.
- You’re shipping one car at a time, whether sedan or SUV, across state lines. Your lane coverage is your carrier options above all else.
- You are working to a tight budget and can’t absorb an unexpected expense. Choose a company that will stick to the figure it quoted you.
- You want to qualify for a discount, or you want additional damage coverage. Some brokers center their entire package around this.
Why does that matter? Because the lowest price opening quote outside your classification is often NOT the lowest priced final bill.
1. A-1 Auto Transport — Best Overall for Coast-to-Coast and Specialty Moves
A-1 has been arranging vehicle shipments since the late 1980s, and the breadth shows.
Cars, trucks and SUVs make up the bulk of A-1’s business. The same booking team also books motorcycles, boats and yachts, RVs, heavy equipment, military vehicles, golf carts and non-running machinery, as well as shipping pretty much anywhere in the world. Of the companies reviewed here, that is the largest range offered by a single provider.
Includes: open/topless carriers, enclosed carriers, door-to-door or terminal to terminal pickup, pre-loading condition report and dock-to-dock matching inspection upon delivery, and carrier freight insurance from loading to unloading.
Example: a household moving from California to Florida with a daily driver, a classic car and a boat can centralize all three through a single point of contact instead of briefing three different brokers on the same group of dates.
Discounts are entered by the team, not calculator. Veterans, military, students, seniors, government employees and dealerships are all typed out, so they’re definitely worth asking about on the call.
The downside? Specialty and international bookings must be priced around your specific equipment and routing, making them less of a two-minute checkout and more of a conversation. That’s exactly what allows a one-provider move to happen, though, and it’s why A-1 is the first suggestion here for anyone who will be shipping more than just one sedan. Have expert vehicle transport services priced for your entire move, then compare quotes from there.
2. Montway Auto Transport — Best for a Routine Cross-Country Car
Montway is built for volume.
Established in 2007 and boasting a network exceeding 15,000 carriers, it possesses one of the largest lane inventories in its class. That generally means less time waiting for a truck that’s already headed your way. The carrier’s TruePrice Guarantee locks in your quoted price for 30 days. If market rates increase during that time period, Montway covers the difference.
Best bets for: familiar car models like sedans, SUVs and trucks traveling heavy traffic interstates when capacity is the primary concern.
There is one structure limitation you should be aware of. Montway doesn’t provide online tracking of customers. So, updates will be sent to you from your dedicated driver instead of a live map. This hasn’t been an issue on a regular open-carrier run.
3. Sherpa Auto Transport — Best for Quote Certainty
Sherpa exists because of one industry habit: the soft opening quote that quietly climbs.
Its Price Lock Promise locks in your all-in number when you book. If Sherpa can’t find a carrier in its preferred network at that price, Sherpa will use up to $300 of its own deposit to make up the difference instead of asking you for more money.
The most frequently commented upon topics across all review sites are two items: communication throughout the process and no hidden fees. Mention of a free car wash after pick up also seems common.
Best suited to: those shipping for the first time with just one standard vehicle who prefer to pay a bit of a firmer price rather than risk a soft price.
Sherpa was founded in 2017, so the breadth of their published service scope is less than some of the more established providers here. You may have fewer out-of-the-box solutions if you have unconventional gear.
4. AmeriFreight Auto Transport — Best for Discounts and Added Damage Cover
AmeriFreight competes on two things many brokers leave alone.
- Discount programmes. Military, first responders, medical professionals, students, seniors and returning guests are eligible for published discounts. An early bird booking discount can be stacked on top of these.
- Gap protection. Its optional AFTA plan covers up to $2,000 of a deductible if a carrier’s cargo insurance falls short on a legitimate claim.
Traded for over 20 years and never pay until you accept a carrier offer. Make them a legit option for price sensitive moves on common routes.
The catch? Quotes are given as corridor ranges, not hard numbers. So having flexible pickup dates will usually lower your price here more than negotiating will.
How the Four Compare
| Company | Best for | Vehicle types serviced | How they price | What sets them apart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 Auto Transport | Across the country and specialty moves | Largest selection: automobiles, motorcycles, boats, RVs, heavy machinery, international transport | Get free estimate, discount applied by agent | Single carrier transporting a mixed load |
| Montway | Non-commercial highway travel | Personal vehicle | Instant web-based rate quote | Guaranteed price for 30 days |
| Sherpa | High certainty quoting | Cars, trucks, motorcycles and some specialty vehicles | Guaranteed all-in fixed quote | Price Lock Promise |
| AmeriFreight | Discount your moves and protect against damage | Automobiles, motorcycles, boats, golf carts | Get corridor estimated rates | Purchase gap insurance protection plan |
The four are all brokers so the open-carrier pricing for a given lane will usually track to the same market. The big difference where they truly differentiate is in scope: three are built around the product of shipping a car and one built around shipping whatever happens to be in your driveway.
The Bottom Line
Choose on fit, not on the opening number.
Sherpa deserves consideration if getting a fixed quote is your highest priority. AmeriFreight could work well for buyers eligible for one of their discount programs. Montway is a viable carrier for an empty sedan traveling cross-country.
Of course lots of car shipping gigs aren’t quite so clean. Another car, or motorcycle, or whatever is headed overseas.
That’s where A-1 Auto Transport becomes your logical choice: over 30 years of shipping experience, open and enclosed transport, both end inspections, and volume large enough that one shipment can do your entire move.
Get that quote first. Then compare.