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 Missouri

From our #1 rated provider,

844-601-0286

08/05/2024 08:01 AM

If you need to move somewhere in Missouri for a short period or permanently, transporting your car there and back should be easy. In this article, we’ll provide a look at the five best auto transport companies in Missouri that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We will also explain the costs of shipping for both open and enclosed transport services and provide guidance on how to easily ship your car.

The Gist:

  • Our team found that Montway Auto Transport is the best Missouri 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 Missouri is $937 for open car shipping services and $1,312 for enclosed auto transport.
  • Your car shipping cost in Missouri depends on factors like a city’s size, nearby traffic patterns, and weather conditions.

5 Best Car Shipping Companies In Missouri

We have dedicated more than 300 hours to studying the auto transport field in order to give an honest review of the top car shipping companies in the industry. If you’re moving a car to or from Independence, Kansas City, Springfield, or beyond, check out our list of the best Missouri car shipping companies.

1. Montway Auto Transport: Best Reputation

Montway Auto Transport is our favorite choice among the best auto transport companies of 2024 because they provide dependable service with rates that satisfy customers. While Montway may not have the lowest prices, their exceptional customer service and extensive options give them an edge over their competitors.

Montway Auto Transport is a big and well-liked car shipping company in the country. They serve all 50 states and also provide international shipping. Because they have many carriers in their network, Montway can offer lower prices to customers compared to what is usually charged.

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 gets a score of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars for its guaranteed prices, high customer satisfaction, and different services it provides. On top of that, Sherpa also gives customers a $20 refund for car washes through their Clean Car Guarantee.

Sherpa Auto Transport makes shipping simple and guarantees fair pricing with their Price Lock Promise. This means that the original quote is the final amount you pay, and if needed, they will even help by covering 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 receives a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars from us. This is because they have a wide range of shipping choices available at prices that compete well with other companies. They scored highly in terms of services offered, which include open, enclosed, and door-to-door auto transportation. They also offer expedited delivery and guaranteed pickup dates.

SGT Auto Transport allows you to pay only when the carrier is sent to collect your vehicle. Plus, if you discover a lower price from a rival, SGT Auto Transport will match it. Based on our research, the majority of customers have a positive 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 ensure your vehicle arrives at its intended location. With an impressive 5.0 rating in the services category, this company offers convenient door-to-door shipping, 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 offers prices that are similar to what other companies charge, but customers can pay even less with AmeriFreight’s discounts and special pricing options. There are different discounts available for returning customers, shipping multiple vehicles, first responders and medical personnel, seniors, students, and others.

AmeriFreight is one of the best auto shipping companies because they offer lots of discounts, can match prices, and have excellent customer service. They work with over 10,000 car carriers and make sure to check that each carrier is licensed and insured.

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 Missouri Car Shipping Companies

We mentioned five reputable national car shipping providers earlier, but there are also some excellent regional options available in Missouri. Check out one more provider below that you should consider.

Nexus Auto Transport

Nexus Auto Transport is headquartered in Chicago, IL. Learn more about this provider on the Nexus Auto Transport website.


Missouri Car Shipping Costs

The price of shipping a car in Missouri can change a lot based on a few different things. Some factors that affect the cost depend on what you want, like the type of auto transport you choose. Most likely, you’ll either use an open or enclosed trailer to ship your vehicle. In the next sections, we will give you the average costs for both methods of shipping to and from Missouri.

Open Car Shipping Costs In Missouri

Open car shipping means using a trailer with no walls or roof to transport multiple vehicles at once. It is a cheaper way to ship cars, but it also has more risks compared to enclosed transport services.

The average cost to ship a car to and from Missouri using open auto transport is $937, which is 7 percent cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Missouri car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:

Auto Shipping RouteTotal Average Cost
St. Louis to Chicago$419
Kansas City to Chicago$529
St. Louis to Miami$719
St. Louis to New York$719
Independence to Miami$749
Kansas City to New York$769
Kansas City to Miami$869
Kansas City to Los Angeles$1,029
Independence to San Francisco$1,079
Kansas City to San Francisco$1,099
Springfield to Los Angeles$1,099
Springfield to New York$1,099
St. Louis to Los Angeles$1,129
St. Louis to San Francisco$1,199

Enclosed Car Shipping Costs In Missouri

Enclosed auto transport services utilize an enclosed carrier that provides the ultimate level of protection from road hazards during transport. While it makes Missouri 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 Missouri using enclosed auto transport is $1,312, which is 40 percent more than the average cost of open car shipping in Missouri. The table below has average costs of popular Missouri car shipping routes using enclosed transport.

Auto Shipping RouteTotal Average Cost
St. Louis to Chicago$589
Kansas City to Chicago$739
St. Louis to Miami$1,009
St. Louis to New York$1,009
Independence to Miami$1,049
Kansas City to New York$1,079
Kansas City to Miami$1,219
Kansas City to Los Angeles$1,439
Independence to San Francisco$1,499
Kansas City to San Francisco$1,539
Springfield to Los Angeles$1,539
Springfield to New York$1,539
St. Louis to Los Angeles$1,579
St. Louis to San Francisco$1,679

What Affects Car Shipping Costs In Missouri?

Your exact auto transport expenses for Missouri will likely depend on various factors. When shipping a car, the price you pay can be influenced by factors like the type of transportation, where it needs to be delivered, fuel prices, the distance it needs to be shipped, the type of vehicle, and the condition of the car.

A visual list of items that affect car shipping prices

How To Ship A Car To And From Missouri

Are you trying to send a car in Missouri but don’t know where to begin? The process of moving your vehicle might seem difficult at first, but we have explained how to transport your car below to make it easy and stress-free.

Choose Your Shipping Method

First, you have to choose how you’ll 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 Missouri Car Shipping Quotes

After you have chosen how to transport your vehicle, it is time to compare the quotes for auto transport in Missouri. 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 while certain companies promise to keep your quoted price for shipping your car in Missouri, others might raise the rate due to market changes. If it’s important to you to have a fixed price for your Missouri car shipping service, make sure to choose a provider that offers this guarantee.

Select A Transport Provider

After you compare quotes from different providers, you will probably limit your options for car shipping services in Missouri. This is when you decide if you prefer a car shipping broker or an online shipping marketplace. Brokers will help you find a car carrier, while shipping marketplaces let you handle carriers on your own.

Make sure to use online review websites and discussion boards to gather information before making a decision. Reading about the experiences of other customers with shipping providers will help you choose the right one for transporting your car to Missouri.

Prepare Your Car And Meet The Carrier

After you have scheduled a service to transport your vehicle, it is important to prepare your car for shipment. Remove all personal belongings from the vehicle, as some transporters in Missouri may take into account the weight of the vehicle when determining the 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. Before your car gets loaded onto the trailer, make sure to take pictures of it for accurate documentation. 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 Missouri.

Pick Your Car Up

If the company you use to transport your vehicle has GPS tracking, you can watch your car travel to or from Missouri live on a map. If they don’t have GPS tracking, you’ll still get a message from them about when they’ll pick up your car.

When you arrive at the place and time where you’re supposed to meet your carrier, make sure to check your vehicle for any damages. This is extra important for people 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 Missouri Car Shipping

When you ship a car to or from Missouri, there are certain factors unique to the state that could affect your car shipping experience. These include factors like the size of the city, the population, traffic patterns, and bad weather conditions. It’s a good idea to know about these things beforehand so that you’re not surprised or unprepared during the shipping process.

Population density can also have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. Missouri 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 Independence and Kansas City.

In addition, many cities in Missouri have higher-than-average rainfall and greater chances of extreme weather. Bad weather like storms or flooding could make it more likely that shipping for cars in Missouri will be delayed. To avoid problems, make sure to plan ahead and be open to the possibility of your delivery time changing during the shipping process.


Missouri Car Shipping: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions customers have about Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri?

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 Missouri, you’ll meet the car carrier for pickup.

How We Rate Missouri 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.