Advisor

Content on Jalopnik Advisor is commercial in nature and independent of Jalopnik Editorial and Advertising. Jalopnik Advisor content is free to consumers and always will be, however we and our partners may be compensated if you purchase a product or service through the links on this website.

Car transporter carries new vehicles along the highway

Best Car Shipping Companies In New York

From our #1 rated provider,

844-601-0286

08/05/2024 08:00 AM

If you need to move temporarily or permanently, it should be easy to ship your car to or from New York. In this article, we’ll provide a look at the five best car shipping companies in New York that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We will also provide a detailed explanation of shipping costs for open and enclosed transport services, as well as guidance on how to easily ship your car.

The Gist:

  • Our team found that Montway Auto Transport is the best New York 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 New York is $1,008 for open car shipping services and $1,410 for enclosed auto transport.
  • Your car shipping cost in New York depends on factors like a city’s size, nearby traffic patterns, and weather conditions.

5 Best Car Shipping Companies In New York

We’ve dedicated more than 300 hours to researching the field of auto transport in order to offer an unbiased assessment of the top car shipping companies in the industry. If you’re moving a car to or from New York, Buffalo, Rochester, or beyond, check out our list of the best New York car shipping companies.

1. Montway Auto Transport: Best Reputation

Montway Auto Transport is our top choice among the best auto transport companies of 2024 due to its dependable service and reasonable rates. While Montway may not have the best price, its excellent customer service and wide variety of options give it an edge over the competition.

Montway Auto Transport is a big and well-liked company that moves cars from one place to another in the United States. They can also ship cars internationally. They have many carriers to work with, so they can give customers lower prices than other companies.

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 own research team, Sherpa Auto Transport gets a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. This is because they have fixed rates, high customer satisfaction, and a range of services. On top of that, Sherpa also gives customers a $20 reimbursement for getting their car washed through their Clean Car Guarantee.

Sherpa Auto Transport makes shipping simple and keeps prices consistent with a Price Lock Promise. This means that the initial quote you receive will be the final price, and if needed, the company will even cover up to $300 to prevent any increase in your rate.

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 is given a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars because it provides different shipping choices at affordable prices. The company received a high score because of the many services they offer, such as open, enclosed, and door-to-door auto transportation. They also provide expedited delivery and guaranteed pickup dates.

You don’t have to pay until the carrier comes to pick up your vehicle with SGT Auto Transport. If you find a lower price from another company, SGT Auto Transport will match it. According to our team, most customers have 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 various auto transport services to help you transport your vehicle to where it needs to go. They have a strong rating of 5.0 in the services category. This provider offers door-to-door shipping, both open and enclosed auto transport, shipping to Hawaii, motorcycle shipping, military vehicle shipping, heavy equipment transport, and more.

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 in the industry, but you can pay even less by taking advantage of their discounts and different price levels. Some of the ways you can get a discount include being a repeat customer, shipping multiple vehicles, being a first responder or medical personnel, being a senior, being a student, and more.

AmeriFreight is considered one of the best auto shippers because they offer various discounts, price-match services, and excellent customer service. They work with over 10,000 car carriers and make sure each one is licensed and insured through a thorough background check 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 New York Car Shipping Companies

Although we mentioned five well-known national car shipping providers earlier, there are also excellent regional options that you can consider in New York. Take a look below for an additional provider to keep in mind.

Safeeds Transport Inc

Safeeds Transport Inc is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. Learn more about this provider on the Safeeds Transport Inc website.


New York Car Shipping Costs

The price of shipping a car in New York can change a lot based on a few things. Some things that can affect the price depend on what you want, like the type of transport you choose. Most people use either open or enclosed trailers to transport their vehicles, so we’ve listed the average costs for both methods below for shipping to and from New York.

Open Car Shipping Costs In New York

Open car shipping is when multiple vehicles are transported together on a trailer that doesn’t have walls or a roof. It’s cheaper than enclosed transport, but there is more risk involved.

The average cost to ship a car to and from New York using open car shipping is $1,008, which is 0 percent cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular New York car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:

Auto Shipping RouteTotal Average Cost
Albany To Los Angeles$1,009
Albany To Miami$799
Buffalo To San Francisco$1,499
Buffalo To Chicago$769
Rochester To Miami$969
Rochester To San Francisco$1,599
Syracuse To Chicago$769
Syracuse To Los Angeles$1,539
New York To Dallas$899
New York To Denver$1,199
San Francisco To Albany$1,599
Chicago To Albany$899
Los Angeles To Buffalo$1,299
Miami To Buffalo$1,179
Los Angeles To Rochester$1,299
Chicago To Rochester$549
Miami To Syracuse$1,129
San Francisco To Syracuse$1,199
Orlando To New York$819
Phoenix To New York$1,209

Enclosed Car Shipping Costs In New York

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

The average cost to ship a car to and from New York using enclosed car shipping is $1,410, which is 40 percent more than the average cost of open car shipping in New York. The table below has average costs of popular New York car shipping routes using enclosed transport.

Auto Shipping RouteTotal Average Cost
Albany To Los Angeles$1,409
Albany To Miami$1,119
Buffalo To San Francisco$2,099
Buffalo To Chicago$1,079
Rochester To Miami$1,359
Rochester To San Francisco$2,239
Syracuse To Chicago$1,079
Syracuse To Los Angeles$2,159
New York To Dallas$1,259
New York To Denver$1,679
San Francisco To Albany$2,239
Chicago To Albany$1,259
Los Angeles To Buffalo$1,819
Miami To Buffalo$1,649
Los Angeles To Rochester$1,819
Chicago To Rochester$769
Miami To Syracuse$1,579
San Francisco To Syracuse$1,679
Orlando To New York$1,149
Phoenix To New York$1,689

What Affects Car Shipping Costs In New York?

Your exact auto transport expenses for New York will likely depend on various factors. When you ship a car, things like the type of transportation, where it’s being delivered, the price of fuel, the distance it needs to travel, the type of vehicle, and the condition of the car can all affect how much you have to pay.

A visual list of items that affect car shipping prices

How To Ship A Car To And From New York

Do you want to send a car in New York but don’t know where to begin? Even though transporting your vehicle may seem difficult, we have provided a straightforward guide below to make it easy and stress-free.

Choose Your Shipping Method

First, you will 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 New York Car Shipping Quotes

After you’ve chosen how to transport your vehicle, it’s time to compare the quotes for auto transport in New York. It’s easy to get car shipping quotes online, and we recommend providing vehicle details to various car shipping companies to find the best price.

Remember that while certain companies promise to honor the price they quoted you for shipping your car to New York, others may raise the rate they charge you because of changes in the market. If it’s important to you to have a fixed price for shipping your vehicle to New York, then choose a provider that offers this guarantee.

Select A Transport Provider

Once you’ve compared different quotes for transporting cars, you’ll probably start to narrow down your options for shipping services in New York. Now is the time to decide if you prefer working with a car shipping broker or an online shipping marketplace. With brokers, they’ll find a car carrier for you, whereas with shipping marketplaces, you’ll have to handle carriers on your own.

Make sure to do some research using online reviews and discussion boards, no matter what you decide on. Hearing about other people’s experiences with shipping providers is really helpful when picking one to transport your car to New York.

Prepare Your Car And Meet The Carrier

After you’ve scheduled a service to transport your vehicle, it’s important to prepare your car for shipment. Remove any personal belongings from your vehicle, as some New York transporters factor in the weight of the vehicle when determining costs. 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 to have the right records before it gets put on the trailer. 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 New York.

Pick Your Car Up

If the vehicle transport company you choose has GPS tracking, you can keep track of your car’s journey to or from New York in real time. Even if they don’t have GPS tracking, you will still get a message from the company about when they will pick up your vehicle.

When you meet your carrier at the agreed-upon pickup spot and time, make sure to check your vehicle for any damage. This is especially crucial for those who choose open auto transport. 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 New York Car Shipping

If you need to ship a car to or from New York, there are specific things about the state that could affect your shipment. The size of the city, how many people live there, traffic patterns, and bad weather might make your shipment take longer. It’s smart to know about these things in advance so you’re not surprised when you ship your car.

Population density can also have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. New York 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 New York and Buffalo.

In addition, many cities in New York have higher-than-average rainfall and greater chances of extreme weather. Bad weather like storms or flooding could make it more likely for shipments to be delayed when it comes to transporting cars in New York. Therefore, it’s a good idea to prepare and be willing to adjust your delivery expectations during the shipping process.


New York Car Shipping: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions customers have about New York 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 New York 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 New York 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 New York?

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 New York, you’ll meet the car carrier for pickup.

How We Rate New York 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.