Best Car Shipping Companies In Idaho
While the best Idaho car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
From our #1 rated provider, 
If you want to temporarily move or permanently relocate, shipping your car to and from Idaho should be easy. In this article, we’ll provide a look at the five best car shipping companies in Idaho that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We will also explain the costs of shipping for both open and 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 Idaho 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 Idaho is $1,196 for open car shipping services and $1,674 for enclosed auto transport.
- Your car shipping cost in Idaho depends on factors like a city’s size, nearby traffic patterns, and weather conditions.
5 Best Car Shipping Companies In Idaho
We have dedicated more than 300 hours to thoroughly researching the auto transport sector 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 Boise, Idaho Falls, Meridian, or beyond, check out our list of the best Idaho car shipping companies.
1. Montway Auto Transport: Best Reputation
Montway Auto Transport is our number one choice out of the top auto transport companies of 2024 because they provide trustworthy service and affordable rates. While Montway isn’t ranked highest for price, their excellent customer service and variety of options put them ahead of the competition.
Montway Auto Transport is a big and well-liked company that transports cars. They operate in all 50 states and also ship internationally. Because they have many partners, Montway can give customers prices that are lower than the usual.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport review
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 fixed rates, high customer satisfaction rating, and range of services. Also, Sherpa provides customers with a $20 refund for a car wash as part of their Clean Car Guarantee.
Sherpa Auto Transport makes shipping easy and guarantees reliable pricing with their Price Lock Promise. This means that the initial quote you receive will be the final price. In fact, if needed, the company will even cover up to $300 so that your rate doesn’t go up.
Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport review
3. SGT Auto Transport: Best Price-Match Guarantee
We gave SGT Auto Transport a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars because it provides different choices for shipping cars at prices that are competitive. The company received a high score in terms of services because it offers options like open, enclosed, and door-to-door car transportation, as well as fast delivery and guaranteed pickup dates.
You don’t have to make a payment to SGT Auto Transport until they send someone to pick up your vehicle. If you find a cheaper price from another company, SGT Auto Transport will match it. Our team discovered that many customers have had a good experience with this provider.
Read more: SGT Auto Transport review
4. American Auto Shipping: Best Service Availability
American Auto Shipping provides various services for transporting vehicles to their intended destinations. With an excellent 5.0 rating in the services category, this provider offers door-to-door shipping, both open and enclosed auto transport, shipping services to Hawaii, motorcycle transportation, military vehicle shipping, heavy equipment transport, and much 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
5. AmeriFreight: Best For Discounts
AmeriFreight has prices that are typical for the industry, but customers can reduce their rates with AmeriFreight’s discounts and pricing levels. There are various ways to get discounts, such as reduced rates for returning customers, shipping multiple vehicles, being a first responder or medical personnel, being a senior citizen, a student, and more.
AmeriFreight is one of the top five auto shippers because they offer many discounts, match prices, and have great customer service. They work with over 10,000 car carriers and make sure each one is licensed and insured through a thorough background check.
Read more: AmeriFreight review
Other Idaho Car Shipping Companies
Although we mentioned five well-known car shipping providers at the national level, there are also excellent regional choices for car shipping in Idaho. Take a look at the additional provider mentioned below.
Cross Country Moving Company
Cross Country Moving Company is headquartered in San Leandro, CA. Learn more about this provider on the Cross Country Moving Company website.
Idaho Car Shipping Costs
The price of shipping a car in Idaho can vary a lot based on certain factors. Some of these factors depend on what you specifically need, like the type of transportation you choose for your car. When shipping your vehicle, you will probably use either an open or enclosed trailer, so we have included average costs for both methods of shipping to and from Idaho in the sections below.
Open Car Shipping Costs In Idaho
Open car shipping means using a trailer without walls or a roof to transport multiple cars together. This method is cheaper but also riskier than using enclosed transport services.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Idaho using open car shipping is $1,196, which is 18 percent more expensive than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Idaho car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Idaho Falls to Los Angeles | $499 |
| Meridian to San Francisco | $599 |
| Meridian to Chicago | $819 |
| Meridian to Los Angeles | $819 |
| Boise to Chicago | $949 |
| Idaho Falls to Chicago | $999 |
| Meridian to New York | $1,189 |
| Idaho Falls to San Francisco | $1,249 |
| Meridian to Miami | $1,349 |
| Idaho Falls to Miami | $1,349 |
| Nampa to Miami | $1,349 |
| Boise to Boston | $1,449 |
| Nampa to New York | $1,499 |
| Idaho Falls to New York | $1,639 |
Enclosed Car Shipping Costs In Idaho
Enclosed auto shipping services utilize an enclosed carrier that provides the ultimate level of protection from road hazards during transport. While it makes Idaho 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 Idaho using enclosed auto transport is $1,674, which is 40 percent more than the average cost of open car shipping in Idaho. The table below has average costs of popular Idaho car shipping routes using enclosed transport.
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Idaho Falls to Los Angeles | $699 |
| Meridian to San Francisco | $839 |
| Meridian to Chicago | $1,149 |
| Meridian to Los Angeles | $1,149 |
| Boise to Chicago | $1,329 |
| Idaho Falls to Chicago | $1,399 |
| Meridian to New York | $1,659 |
| Idaho Falls to San Francisco | $1,749 |
| Meridian to Miami | $1,889 |
| Idaho Falls to Miami | $1,889 |
| Nampa to Miami | $1,889 |
| Boise to Boston | $2,029 |
| Nampa to New York | $2,099 |
| Idaho Falls to New York | $2,299 |
What Affects Car Shipping Costs In Idaho?
Your exact car shipping costs for Idaho will likely depend on various factors. When you ship a car, the amount you pay can be influenced by different factors such as the type of transportation, where it is being delivered, fuel prices, the distance it needs to be shipped, the type of vehicle, and the condition of the car.
How To Ship A Car To And From Idaho
Need assistance with shipping a car in Idaho but don’t know where to begin? Although it may seem complicated, we’ve broken down the car transport process below to make it easy and stress-free.
Choose Your Shipping Method
First, you will have to choose how you would like 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 open vs. enclosed car shipping will help you determine which best fits your needs.
Compare Idaho Car Shipping Quotes
After you have decided on how to transport your vehicle, it is now time to compare the quotes for auto transport in Idaho. 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 not all companies will guarantee the price they quoted you for shipping your car in Idaho. Some companies may increase the price due to changes in the market. If it’s important to you to have a guaranteed price for shipping your car in Idaho, choose a provider that offers this guarantee.
Select A Transport Provider
After looking at prices from different companies that transport cars, you will probably start to have fewer options for shipping services in Idaho. This is when you need to choose if you would prefer to work with a car shipping broker or use an online shipping marketplace. Brokers will find a company to transport your car, while shipping marketplaces leave it up to you to directly communicate with the companies.
When making your decision, make sure to check online review platforms and discussion boards. Hearing from other customers about their experiences with shipping providers can be extremely helpful when choosing one to transport your car to Idaho.
Prepare Your Car And Meet The Carrier
After you have arranged for a vehicle transport service, it is necessary to prepare your car for shipment. Remove any personal belongings from your vehicle, as some Idaho transporters factor in 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. Make sure to take pictures of your car before it gets put on the trailer to keep a record 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 Idaho.
Pick Your Car Up
If the carrier you choose to transport your vehicle has GPS tracking, you can see where your car is going in Idaho in real-time. Even if they don’t have GPS, the carrier will still let you know when they will pick up your vehicle.
When you meet the person who will transport your vehicle at the scheduled place and time, carefully check your vehicle for any signs of damage. This is particularly crucial if you 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 Idaho Car Shipping
If you are shipping a car to or from Idaho, there are certain things that are specific to the state that could impact your car shipping experience. These include the size of the city, the number of people living there, how traffic flows, and bad weather. It’s a good idea to be aware of these things in advance so you aren’t surprised during the shipping process.
Population density can also have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. Idaho 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 Boise and Idaho Falls.
In addition, many cities in Idaho have less-than-average rainfall and less chances of extreme weather. If the weather is bad, like storms or flooding, it might take longer to ship cars in Idaho. So, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and be open to different delivery times.
Idaho Car Shipping: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions customers have about Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho?
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 Idaho, you’ll meet the car carrier for pickup.
How We Rate Idaho 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.
