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Best Car Shipping Companies In Ohio

From our #1 rated provider,

844-601-0286

08/05/2024 08:00 AM

Whether you need to move temporarily or permanently, transporting your car to or from Ohio should be easy. In this article, we’ll provide a look at the five best auto transport companies in Ohio that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We will also explain the costs for shipping using either open or enclosed transport services. Additionally, we will provide guidance on how to easily ship your car.

The Gist:

  • Our team found that Montway Auto Transport is the best Ohio car shipping company, though it’s best to compare rates with those from Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping and AmeriFreight.
  • The average cost to ship a car to or from Ohio is $920 for open car shipping services and $1,288 for enclosed auto transport.
  • Your car shipping cost in Ohio depends on factors like a city’s size, nearby traffic patterns, and weather conditions.

5 Best Car Shipping Companies In Ohio

We have dedicated more than 300 hours to studying the auto transport field in order to deliver a truthful evaluation of the top car shipping companies in the industry. If you’re moving a car to or from Cleveland, Cinncinnati, Columbus, or beyond, check out our list of the best Ohio car shipping companies.

1. Montway Auto Transport: Best Reputation

We recommend Montway Auto Transport as the best auto transport company of 2024 because they offer reliable service and reasonable rates. While they may not have the lowest prices, their excellent customer service and variety of options make them stand out from their competitors.

Montway Auto Transport is a big and well-liked auto shipping company in the country. They operate in all 50 states and offer international shipping too. With many carriers in their network, Montway can provide customers with prices that are lower than the average.

Read more: Montway Auto Transport review

Montway Auto Transport Best Reputation
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 844-601-0286 Coverage : 50 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Strong reputation, customer satisfaction, and industry ratings Carrier vetting Large network of 30,000+ carriers Offers expedited delivery Competitive pricing Cons No real-time tracking or mobile-app; must contact company for tracking info No guaranteed pricing $249 cancellation fee No specialty shipping services for recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, trailers, or other watercraft Intrusive Pop-up Ads
Summary

Montway Auto Transport is a reputable auto transport broker offering several car shipping services and cheap car shipping rates. We named it the Best Reputation car shipping company for 2024.

2. Sherpa Auto Transport: Best For Locked-In Rates

According to our research team’s special rating system, Sherpa Auto Transport received a score of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars for its fixed prices, high level of customer satisfaction, and wide range of services. Furthermore, Sherpa gives customers a $20 reimbursement for a car wash under their Clean Car Guarantee.

Sherpa Auto Transport offers a convenient shipping service and guarantees fair pricing with their Price Lock Promise. This means that the first price you are quoted is what you will pay in the end. They will even cover up to $300 if required to ensure that your rate won’t go up.

Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport review

Sherpa Auto Transport
4.5
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 888-202-7706 Coverage : 49 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Locked-in shipping rates through the Price Lock Promise Vetted network of reliable and friendly carriers Strong customer service ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Offers a Clean Car Guarantee Cons Slightly higher prices than competitors Does not provide terminal-to-terminal shipping
Summary

Sherpa Auto Transport has many strengths, from excellent customer service to the added security of the Price Lock Promise.

3. SGT Auto Transport: Best Price-Match Guarantee

SGT Auto Transport has been given a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. This is because they provide different options for shipping vehicles at prices that are competitive. They have received a high score for their services because they offer various transportation choices such as open, enclosed, and door-to-door shipping. Additionally, they provide expedited delivery and guaranteed pickup dates.

You only have to pay with SGT Auto Transport once the carrier is sent to pick up your vehicle. If you find another company offering a lower price, SGT Auto Transport will match it. Our team discovered that most customers have had a good experience with this provider.

Read more: SGT Auto Transport review

SGT Auto Transport Best Price-Match Guarantee
4.5
BBB Rating : B Phone : 864-635-4879 Coverage : 49 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Available in 49 states Offers price matching Has an option for a guaranteed pickup date Cons Doesn’t offer real-time tracking No terminal-to-terminal shipping option
Summary

We give SGT Auto Transport an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. This shipping broker has an outstanding reputation and offers affordable options for car transport services. Price matching, express shipping, and guaranteed pickups are other great features of SGT Auto Transport.

4. American Auto Shipping: Best Service Availability

American Auto Shipping provides a variety of services to transport your vehicle to where it needs to go. They have a top-notch rating of 5.0 in the services category. This provider offers door-to-door shipping, open and enclosed auto transport, shipping to Hawaii, motorcycle shipping, military vehicle shipping, heavy equipment transport, and many other options.

American Auto Shipping strives to offer customers a pleasant experience with perks like a covered rental car if your shipment is delayed over 14 days past the delivery date. Another benefit is your choice of pickup times from three different options–standard, priority, or expedited.

Read more: American Auto Shipping review

American Auto Shipping Best Service Availability
4.6
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 800-238-7613
Pros & Cons
Pros Instant online quotes 24/7 customer service A+ rating from the BBB Standard, priority, and expedited service Cons No Alaska service No terminal-to-terminal shipping No GPS tracking
Summary

Considering its service offering, availability, and average rates, we give American Auto Shipping 4.5 out of 5.0 stars overall. It can work with a variety of shipping timelines, whether you need to ship your car next month or tomorrow. We recommend checking out a quote from American Auto Shipping when you plan your car shipment.

5. AmeriFreight: Best For Discounts

AmeriFreight has prices that are typical for the industry. However, customers have the chance to reduce their rates through discounts and different pricing options. Some of the available discounts include lower rates for returning customers, shipping multiple vehicles, first responders and medical personnel, seniors, students, and more.

AmeriFreight is one of the best auto shippers because they offer several discounts, price-match services, and great customer service. They work with over 10,000 car carriers and make sure each one is licensed and insured through a careful screening process.

Read more: AmeriFreight review

AmeriFreight Best for Discounts
4.8
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 855-460-6609 Coverage : 50 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Affordable rates and several discount opportunities available Thorough carrier vetting process Excellent reviews on BBB; A+ rating and accreditation Offers a guaranteed price option Delivers coast to coast Cons No real-time GPS tracking or mobile app Charges extra for insurance No locked-in rates No international shipping
Summary

AmeriFreight is a leading car shipping broker that partners with over 10,000 car carriers to deliver a wide range of auto transport services. The company also works with government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, and retailers to deliver outsourced logistics services and shipping on a large scale.

Other Ohio Car Shipping Companies

Even though we mentioned five well-known car shipping providers across the country earlier, there are also good choices available at a regional level in Ohio. Take a look below for an additional provider you should consider.

Easy Auto Ship

Easy Auto Ship is headquartered in Youngstown, OH . Learn more about this provider on the Easy Auto Ship website.


Ohio Car Shipping Costs

The price of shipping a car in Ohio can be different depending on a few things. Some factors that affect the cost depend on what you need, like the type of transport you choose. Most people use open or enclosed trailer transport, so we have given the average prices for both methods below.

Open Car Shipping Costs In Ohio

When cars are transported using an open-air trailer that doesn’t have walls or a roof, it’s called open car shipping. This method is cheaper, but there is more risk involved compared to enclosed transport services.

The average cost to ship a car to and from Ohio using open auto transport is $920, which is 9 percent cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Ohio car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:

Auto Shipping RouteTotal Average Cost
Cincinnati to Chicago$499
Dayton to Chicago$509
Columbus to Chicago$509
Canton to Chicago$549
Cleveland to New York$559
Toledo to Chicago$559
Akron to New York$609
Akron to Chicago$609
Canton to New York$609
Cincinnati to New York$639
Youngstown to Chicago$639
Cleveland to Chicago$649
Toledo to New York$719
Columbus to New York$719
Youngstown to New York$719
Cincinnati to Miami$779
Dayton to Miami$799
Columbus to Miami$819
Dayton to New York$819
Toledo to Miami$849
Dayton to Los Angeles$949
Akron to Miami$969
Canton to Miami$969
Youngstown to Miami$969
Cleveland to Miami$1,019
Columbus to Los Angeles$1,129
Youngstown to Los Angeles$1,149
Cleveland to Los Angeles$1,179
Toledo to Los Angeles$1,179
Akron to San Francisco$1,199
Columbus to San Francisco$1,199
Cleveland to San Francisco$1,199
Canton to Los Angeles$1,229
Toledo to San Francisco$1,229
Youngstown to San Francisco$1,249
Akron to Los Angeles$1,249
Canton to San Francisco$1,299
Cincinnati to San Francisco$1,299
Dayton to San Francisco$1,329
Cincinnati to Los Angeles$1,399

Enclosed Car Shipping Costs In Ohio

Enclosed auto transport services utilize an enclosed carrier that provides the ultimate level of protection from road hazards during transport. While it makes Ohio car shipping much pricier than open car shipping services, owners of classic or luxury cars should consider it.

The average cost to ship a car to and from Ohio using enclosed car shipping is $1,288, which is 40 percent more than the average cost of open car shipping in Ohio. The table below has average costs of popular Ohio car shipping routes using enclosed transport.

Auto Shipping RouteTotal Average Cost
Cincinnati to Chicago$699
Dayton to Chicago$709
Columbus to Chicago$709
Canton to Chicago$769
Cleveland to New York$779
Toledo to Chicago$779
Akron to New York$849
Akron to Chicago$849
Canton to New York$849
Cincinnati to New York$889
Youngstown to Chicago$899
Cleveland to Chicago$909
Toledo to New York$1,009
Columbus to New York$1,009
Youngstown to New York$1,009
Cincinnati to Miami$1,089
Dayton to Miami$1,119
Columbus to Miami$1,149
Dayton to New York$1,149
Toledo to Miami$1,189
Dayton to Los Angeles$1,329
Akron to Miami$1,359
Canton to Miami$1,359
Youngstown to Miami$1,359
Cleveland to Miami$1,429
Columbus to Los Angeles$1,579
Youngstown to Los Angeles$1,609
Cleveland to Los Angeles$1,649
Toledo to Los Angeles$1,649
Akron to San Francisco$1,679
Columbus to San Francisco$1,679
Cleveland to San Francisco$1,679
Canton to Los Angeles$1,719
Toledo to San Francisco$1,719
Youngstown to San Francisco$1,749
Akron to Los Angeles$1,749
Canton to San Francisco$1,819
Cincinnati to San Francisco$1,819
Dayton to San Francisco$1,859
Cincinnati to Los Angeles$1,959

What Affects Car Shipping Costs In Ohio?

Your exact auto transport expenses for Ohio will likely depend on various factors. When you are shipping a car, there are different factors that will affect how much you have to pay. These include things like how you transport the car, where it needs to be delivered, the cost of fuel, how far it needs to be shipped, what type of vehicle it is, and the condition of the car.

A visual list of items that affect car shipping prices

How To Ship A Car To And From Ohio

Do you need help shipping a car in Ohio but don’t know where to begin? Though it might seem complicated, we have explained how to transport your vehicle below, so it’s easy and stress-free.

Choose Your Shipping Method

First, you have to choose how you want to transport your vehicle. As previously mentioned, enclosed and open carrier car shipping are the most common types used across the industry. Both have their pros and cons, so comparing enclosed vs. open auto transport will help you determine which best fits your needs.

Compare Ohio Car Shipping Quotes

After you have chosen how you want to transport your car, it is time to look at and compare the prices for Ohio auto transport. It’s easy to get online quotes for car shipping, and we recommend providing vehicle details to various car shipping companies to find the best price.

Remember that not all companies will keep the same price for shipping your car in Ohio. Some may raise the rate because of market changes. If having a fixed price matters to you, pick a provider that guarantees it.

Select A Transport Provider

Once you’ve looked at quotes for transporting cars from different companies, you’ll probably limit your options for car shipping services in Ohio. Now you need to decide if you prefer to work with a car shipping broker or an online shipping marketplace. Brokers will find a car carrier for you, while shipping marketplaces let you handle carriers yourself.

Make sure you do some research before making a decision. Look up online reviews and check out discussion boards. Hearing from actual customers about their experiences with shipping providers is really helpful when you’re choosing someone to transport your car to Ohio.

Prepare Your Car And Meet The Carrier

After you’ve scheduled a service to transport your vehicle, you need to prepare your car for shipment. Remove all personal belongings from your vehicle because some transporters in Ohio take into account the weight of the vehicle when determining the price. It’s also wise to leave your gas tank no more than a quarter full.

It’s now time to meet your carrier at a predetermined time and location. Whether you opted for door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping, you’ll inspect your vehicle for prior damages such as dents, scratches, and dings. Make sure to take pictures of your car before it gets put on the trailer. This way, you have good records of it. All you need to do now is sign the bill of lading, which is a receipt that follows your vehicle as it travels to or from Ohio.

Pick Your Car Up

If the car shipping company you choose has GPS tracking, you can watch your car in real time as it travels to or from Ohio. If not, the company will still contact you to let you know when they will pick up your vehicle.

After you arrive at the specified place and time to meet your carrier, make sure to check your vehicle for any damage. This is crucial, particularly for those who choose open auto transportation. If you find any damages, report them on the bill of lading and take photos for potential claims. However, if everything looks good, you’ll just sign the bill of lading one last time and drive the car away.


What To Expect With Ohio Car Shipping

If you want to ship a car to or from Ohio, be aware that there are certain things about the state that could affect your car shipping experience. The size of the city, the number of people, the traffic, and the bad weather could all impact how long it takes to ship your car in Ohio. It’s a good idea to know about these things in advance so you’re not surprised during the shipping process.

Population density can also have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. Ohio is less densely populated than other states in the U.S., which may make door-to-delivery less of a hassle. However, availability may differ in major cities such as Cleveland and Cinncinnati.

In addition, many cities in Ohio have higher-than-average rainfall and greater chances of extreme weather. Bad weather like storms or flooding may make it more likely for there to be delays in shipping Ohio auto transport. So, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and be open to different delivery times when shipping your vehicle.


Ohio Car Shipping: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions customers have about Ohio car shipping.

Why would a person want to ship their car?

If you’re moving more than a few hundred miles away, a long-distance road trip might not be worth it. Cross-country car shipping can provide peace of mind while offering protection from risks associated with long drives, such as mechanical breakdowns and car accidents. Getting your car to Ohio from far away states is much easier with auto transport.

What are the benefits of car shipping?

Car shipping is a safe way to get your car to and from Ohio without wasting the time and expenses associated with a long road trip. Choosing to ship your car rather than drive it will also protect your car from the wear and tear that comes along with extended driving periods.

How do I ship a car to Ohio?

You’ll start the shipping process by researching various car shipping companies and getting free quotes online. Next, you’ll choose a provider, book your shipment, and prepare the car for transport. Once your car has made it to or from Ohio, you’ll meet the car carrier for pickup.

How We Rate Ohio Auto Shippers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car shipping companies. While there are multiple qualities that make an auto transport provider successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact auto shipping rates. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and routes.
  • Services: Our team of experts looks at the types of services available, as well as insurance coverage and the ability to guarantee pickup and dropoff dates. Ratings also take into account whether the transport company is a broker or a carrier.
  • Reputation: It’s important that a car shipping provider is able to deliver your vehicle in a safe and timely manner. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Customer Experience: We comb through consumer reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Car transport companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area.

*Data accurate at time of publication.
*Read more about our methodology.