What Makes a Reliable Car Shipping Company?
These are all things you should look for in an auto logistics company:
Transparency, with inclusive pricing and no tacked-on fees or bait-and-switch tactics
Length of time in the industry (more than ten years is good)
Instant quote calculator on company website, eliminating the need for a lengthy call to customer support to get your price quote
Customer service that’s informative, helpful and available
USMCA and DOT licensing and credentials that are up to date (look for certification numbers)
Flexible shipping options for different vehicles, budgets and needs for security and protection
Real-time tracking, if possible, or at least regular updates on request
Comprehensive carrier insurance to cover your vehicle while en route
BBB accreditation and positive reviews and feedback in online reviews
Flexible delivery and pickup arrangements, such as door to door service
SGT Auto Transport
Let’s start off with one of the most popular and well-respected companies in the auto logistics business, SGT Auto Transport. Some of the assets that SGT Auto Transport brings to the game include:
Easy to use online quote calculator feature
Service-oriented, customer-first mentality
Responsive and well-informed customer service 24/7, including live chat on the website
24 hour price match guarantee, honoring lower price quotes from competitors
Over 26,000 professional transport drivers on call, all handpicked and screened for the right equipment, licensing, insurance, permits and certifications (followed up regularly by SGT’s compliance team)
Broad coverage across 49 states, including international shipping
Discount shipping available, with balance due on delivery
White-glove shipping for rare, delicate or high-dollar cars, as well as expedited shipping for short-notice orders
Montway Auto Transport
Next, let’s talk about one of the biggest players in the auto transport arena, Montway Auto Transport. Montway has a reputation for:
Coverage for all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, as well as Puerto Rico and Guam
4.7 star rating out of over 22,000 Google reviews
Customer support available for extended hours, including a live chat feature
No deposit required to book an order
Nearly 20 years experience
Quotes may change due to seasonal fluctuations
Canceling orders will incur a fee, once the order is assigned to a driver
International ro-ro transport options are limited
RoadRunner Auto Transport
What does RoadRunner Auto Transport bring to the table?
Extensive network of professional transport drivers dispersed around the country for better coverage
Competitive shipping rates
Cost Calculator widget on website, making it easy and quick to get your shipping quote
Over a decade of experience
Fleet management and inventory rotation services available for commercial accounts
Expedited shipping isn’t available for short-notice needs
Hefty charge for cancellations
Coverage limits for carrier insurance are on the low side
Reviews are mixed, and the company is not BBB accredited
No live chat feature on the website
Nexus Auto Transport
How does Nexus Auto Transport fit into the picture for vehicle logistics?
Multiple cost calculators on the site, including a moving cost calculator
Commercial services available for dealerships and fleets
Nationwide coverage, including Alaska and Hawaii
Mixed reviews as far as on-time performance
No real-time tracking; it would involve a call to customer service, who then calls the driver for an update
Refunds aren’t available - if the order is canceled after the driver is assigned, the customer is billed anyway
No in-house claims department to handle insurance issues
AmeriFreight
AmeriFreight presents many of the same strengths and weaknesses as some of the competition:
Binding and locked-in pricing with no surprises
Up to $2000 of gap insurance if a carrier doesn’t fully compensate for damage
Shipping available for boats, golf carts, RVs, motorcycles
Multiple discounts available year-round
No international shipping available
No real-time tracking via GPS
Customers report occasional glitches with the quote calculator feature
Axis Auto Logistics
What’s the story with Axis Auto Logistics, and what makes them a standout compared to other companies in the car shipping sphere?
Competitive pricing and payment policies, often beating other larger companies in their rate structure
Flexibility and agility in responding to customer needs, with open transport, enclosed transport, door-to-door shipping, white glove service and specialized classic car transport available
Customer comments speak of professionalism, responsiveness, transparency and an overall smooth experience, with a full 4 star rating on Trustpilot
On the downside, Axis Auto Logistics has less experience and less time in the auto shipping business, which could be a problem for some people. It’s also worth noting that they have a less extensive roster of transport drivers, which can affect their dispatch operations and territorial coverage. Still, Axis Auto Logistics seems to have few issues with performance and service, which is reflected in the customer reviews online.
Comparing Car Shipping Rates in 2026
Shipping rates can vary somewhat from one auto logistics company to another, but more than that, it’s important to remember that rates fluctuate seasonally. There are times of the year where there is a spike in demand for auto shipping, and that extra demand means that fewer drivers will be on deck to handle incoming orders. Until things slow down again, rates will necessarily be a bit higher during these surges in shipping orders.
The good news is that cost calculator widgets are now pretty common with auto logistics companies. They all ask for the same info: vehicle year/make/model, vehicle running condition, zip codes of starting point and destination, preferred timeframe and preferred method for transport. Shipping rate strategies are based on these factors, and taking advantage of the rate calculator feature makes it quick and easy to get accurate quotes and then compare between carriers.
Key Factors to Consider Before You Book
What’s the company’s reputation like, and what’s being said by customers in online reviews?
Does the company offer shipping services that are the right fit for your vehicle, your budget and your concerns for vehicle safety, protection and security while en route?
Does the company have good insurance coverage for vehicles, and what are their coverage limits?
Is the company BBB accredited?
Does the company have USMCA and DOT registration, and are they up to date (ask for registration numbers)?
What’s their policy on cancellations and refunds?
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Partner for 2026
There are a lot of strong contenders out there when you’re looking for the right auto transport company. That means plenty of companies to choose from, many of them offering features and pricing that are comparable with each other, but there’s one thing you should keep in mind when shopping for the right auto logistics solution.
Too often, a company that offers a suspiciously low per-mile rate can end up being a “you get what you pay for” situation. That can mean some real tradeoffs in performance and service, or bait-and-switch pricing with surprise fees and surcharges on the back end, or stuff that’s buried in the fine print of the agreement that may not be in your favor.
When you’re doing your comparison shopping and analyzing your choices, be sure to keep in mind everything we talked about here, and do a deep dive into customer reviews and feedback. Places like Google reviews are really the town square of the 21st century, with customers telling the story of their experiences in their own words, and that’s what might end up giving you a clearer picture of what to expect than anything else could.
