Shipping your car across the country, whether for a big move, a new purchase, or a seasonal escape, sounds simple but can quickly become a maze of unreliable carriers, hidden fees, and confusing options. One wrong choice could leave your prized sedan scratched or delayed, turning your relocation into a headache.
At Coastal Moving Services, a moving brokerage specializing in finding the best rates, we’ve helped clients like the Jacksons ship their vintage Mustang from Miami to Seattle without a hitch by navigating the chaos for them.
This article tackles the challenges of choosing the top auto transport companies in 2025, highlighting their strengths, pricing, and services.
We’ve included a comparison of open versus enclosed transport and key takeaways to show why going it alone is risky.
Just call us at +1-334-659-1878 for a free quote.
Why Picking an Auto Transport Company Is So Hard
Choosing a reliable auto transport company feels like a gamble. With thousands of carriers and brokers out there, you’re wading through a sea of flashy websites, vague quotes, and horror stories of damaged cars or no-show drivers. A 2024 Moving APT survey found 68% of customers struggle to find vetted carriers with transparent pricing. You need a company with an A+ BBB rating, 4.5+ star reviews, and strong insurance, but verifying credentials on FMCSA.gov is time-consuming.
Hidden fees can spike costs by $200-$500, and picking the wrong transport type risks your vehicle’s safety. Coastal Moving Services cuts through the noise, connecting you with trusted carriers to avoid scams and delays, saving you hours of research.
Let us handle the heavy lifting; call +1-334-659-1878 for a free quote.
Top Auto Transport Companies of 2025
Finding the best auto transport company in 2025 is tricky with so many variables; pricing, reliability, and specialized services all matter. After analyzing reviews, pricing, and offerings, here are five standouts, but navigating their differences without help can be daunting:
- Mercury Auto Transport: Top-rated for affordability, with an A rating from the BBB and 4.7-star reviews. Average rates of $0.86/mile sound great, but ensuring guaranteed quotes and matching carriers to your route is complex without expertise.
- Sherpa Auto Transport: Known for a Price Lock Promise, covering up to $300 if costs rise, with a 4.92-star BBB rating. Their free car wash reimbursement is a perk, but you’ll need to confirm availability for your specific dates.
- Montway Auto Transport: Offers unmatched coverage, shipping over 1 million vehicles across all 50 states, including Hawaii. Their $250,000 insurance is robust, but coordinating multi-vehicle or motorcycle moves requires careful planning.
- AmeriFreight: Great for discounts ($25-$50 off for military, students, seniors), with no deposit and gap coverage. But finding the right discount and carrier match takes research most don’t have time for.
- Nexus Auto Transport: Excels in customer service with a 5-star rating and fast quotes. Their expedited options are ideal for tight schedules, but rush fees can catch you off guard without guidance.
Coastal Moving Services takes the guesswork out of choosing, matching you with the best carrier for your budget and needs. Don’t risk a bad match; call +1-334-659-1878 for a free quote.
The Challenges of Choosing the Right Company
Picking an auto transport company is a minefield of decisions. Do you need open or enclosed transport? Can you trust the carrier’s insurance? Average costs in 2025 range from $550-$2,450 for a 1,500-mile open shipment, but prices fluctuate based on season, route, and vehicle size.
Verifying FMCSA licensing and sifting through reviews on Trustpilot is tedious, and 72% of movers value flexible cancellation policies, per a 2024 U-Haul study, which not all companies offer.
Misjudge your needs, and you could overpay or risk damage to your car.
Coastal Moving Services simplifies this, vetting carriers like Montway or Nexus for you, ensuring transparency and reliability. Save yourself the stress; call +1-334-659-1878 for a free quote.
Open vs. Enclosed Transport: A 2025 Comparison
Choosing between open and enclosed transport is another hurdle. Each has trade-offs, and picking wrong could cost you money or safety:
- Open Transport: Cheaper at $0.75-$1.50 per mile (e.g., $1,125 for 1,500 miles), used by 80% of shippers. It’s fine for standard cars but exposes them to weather, and scheduling can be tricky without a broker’s help.
- Enclosed Transport: Costs $1.50-$2.50 per mile (e.g., $2,250 for 1,500 miles) and protects luxury or classic cars from debris. Limited carrier availability means longer wait times, per U.S. News, making coordination critical.
Coastal Moving Services matches you with the right transport type, balancing cost and protection. Don’t gamble with your vehicle, call +1-334-659-1878 for a free quote.
Navigating the Auto Transport Companies and Process
The logistics of auto transport are no walk in the park. You’ll need quotes 2-4 weeks out to avoid price spikes, but comparing carriers takes hours. Cleaning your car and removing personal items (up to 100 lbs. allowed in the trunk, per Montway) requires prep, and documenting its condition with photos is a must for damage claims. Some people would want to store their cars asides from moving it, we have prepared a comprehensive article about it.
GPS tracking, offered by Nexus or Sherpa, helps, but coordinating pickup and delivery windows is a hassle without expertise. Coastal Moving Services handles these details, connecting you with trusted carriers and ensuring clear communication from start to finish. Let us make it easy; call +1-334-659-1878 for a free quote.
Coastal Moving Services
long distance moves
as low as $1748
Long-distance moving all across the United States. Experienced and insured, residential and commercial.
4.9/5 AVERAGE RATING
Why Choose Coastal Moving Services?
As a moving brokerage, Coastal Moving Services takes the stress out of auto transport, finding the best rates and trusted carriers like Mercury, Sherpa, and Montway for your move. We navigate the complexities, from quotes to delivery, so your car arrives safely.
Ready to ship your car? Request a free quote from us at +1-334-659-1878.
