Best Car Shipping Companies In Delaware
While the best Delaware 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 need to move to Delaware temporarily or permanently, it should be easy to transport your car there and back. In this article, we’ll provide a look at the five best car shipping companies in Delaware that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We’ll also explain the costs of shipping your car using open or enclosed transport services, and give you guidance on how to ship your car easily.
The Gist:
- Our team found that Montway Auto Transport is the best Delaware 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 Delaware is $964 for open car shipping services and $1,349 for enclosed auto transport.
- Your car shipping cost in Delaware depends on factors like a city’s size, nearby traffic patterns, and weather conditions.
5 Best Car Shipping Companies In Delaware
We have dedicated more than 300 hours to researching the auto transport industry so that we can offer a genuine review of the top car shipping companies. If you’re moving a car to or from Bear, Dover, Middletown, or beyond, check out our list of the best Delaware 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 offer dependable service and satisfactory rates. While their pricing is not the absolute best, Montway surpasses the competition with their exceptional customer service and the variety of options they provide.
Montway Auto Transport is a big and well-liked company that moves cars around the United States and internationally. They work in all 50 states and have good prices because of their many carrier connections.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport review
2. Sherpa Auto Transport: Best For Locked-In Rates
According to our research team, Sherpa Auto Transport receives a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. This is because they have fixed rates, a high customer satisfaction rating, and provide a range of different services. In addition, customers can get a $20 reimbursement for a car wash through Sherpa’s Clean Car Guarantee.
Sherpa Auto Transport makes shipping simple and gives you a guaranteed price through their Price Lock Promise. This means that the initial quote you receive will be the exact final price. If needed, the company will even cover up to $300 to prevent any rate increase.
Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport review
3. SGT Auto Transport: Best Price-Match Guarantee
SGT Auto Transport has been given a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars because it provides different shipping choices at affordable prices. The company was praised for its services, which include open, enclosed, and door-to-door auto transportation, as well as fast delivery and guaranteed pickup dates.
You don’t have to pay until the carrier comes to pick up your vehicle with SGT Auto Transport. And if you find a lower price from another company, SGT Auto Transport will match it. Our team discovered that most customers have a good experience with this provider.
Read more: SGT Auto Transport review
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. With a strong rating of 5.0 in the services category, this company offers options such as 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
5. AmeriFreight: Best For Discounts
AmeriFreight has prices that are average for the industry, but customers can pay even less with AmeriFreight’s discounts and pricing levels. They have different discounts for different situations, such as for customers who have used their service before, people who are shipping multiple vehicles, first responders and medical personnel, seniors, students, and more.
AmeriFreight is one of the top five companies for shipping cars because they offer many discounts, price-match services, and great customer service. They work with over 10,000 car carriers and make sure that each carrier is licensed and insured through a thorough background check.
Read more: AmeriFreight review
Other Delaware Car Shipping Companies
We mentioned five well-known car shipping companies nationwide earlier. However, there are also some excellent local choices available for shipping cars in Delaware. Take a look at the provider mentioned below as an additional option to consider.
OldDominion Freight Line
OldDominion Freight Line is headquartered in New Castle, DE. Learn more about this provider on the OldDominion Freight Line website.
Delaware Car Shipping Costs
The price of shipping a car in Delaware can be different based on various factors. Some factors depend on what you need, like the type of auto transport you choose. Most people use either open or enclosed trailer transport when shipping their vehicle. In the next sections, we have average costs for both methods of shipping to and from Delaware.
Open Car Shipping Costs In Delaware
Open car shipping is when multiple vehicles are transported together on a trailer that does not have walls or a roof. This method is cheaper, but it is also riskier compared to using enclosed trailers.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Delaware using open auto transport is $964, which is 5 percent cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Delaware car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Wilmington to New York | $509 |
| Wilmington to Chicago | $659 |
| Wilmington to Miami | $729 |
| Middletown to Miami | $799 |
| Dover to Miami | $799 |
| Bear to Dallas | $999 |
| Wilmington to Los Angeles | $1,129 |
| Dover to Los Angeles | $1,149 |
| Middletown to Los Angeles | $1,199 |
| Wilmington to San Francisco | $1,299 |
| Bear to San Francisco | $1,299 |
Enclosed Car Shipping Costs In Delaware
Enclosed auto transport services utilize an enclosed carrier that provides the ultimate level of protection from road hazards during transport. While it makes Delaware 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 Delaware using enclosed auto transport is $1,349, which is 40 percent more than the average cost of open car shipping in Delaware. The table below has average costs of popular Delaware car shipping routes using enclosed transport.
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Wilmington to New York | $709 |
| Wilmington to Chicago | $919 |
| Wilmington to Miami | $1,019 |
| Middletown to Miami | $1,119 |
| Dover to Miami | $1,119 |
| Bear to Dallas | $1,399 |
| Wilmington to Los Angeles | $1,579 |
| Dover to Los Angeles | $1,609 |
| Middletown to Los Angeles | $1,679 |
| Wilmington to San Francisco | $1,819 |
| Bear to San Francisco | $1,819 |
What Affects Car Shipping Costs In Delaware?
Your exact auto transport expenses for Delaware will likely depend on various factors. When you ship a car, things like the type of transportation, where the car is being delivered, the cost of fuel, the distance it’s being shipped, the type of vehicle, and the condition of the car will all impact how much you have to pay.
How To Ship A Car To And From Delaware
Are you trying to send a car in Delaware but don’t know where to begin? Although it may seem confusing to transport your vehicle, we have simplified the process for you below, so it’s easy and hassle-free.
Choose Your Shipping Method
First, you must 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 Delaware Car Shipping Quotes
After you have made a decision about how you want to transport your vehicle, it is time to compare quotes for auto transport in Delaware. 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 honor the price they initially quoted you for Delaware auto transport, there are others that might raise your shipping rate because of fluctuations in the market. If it is important to you to have a fixed price for your Delaware car shipping service, select a provider that offers this assurance.
Select A Transport Provider
Once you’ve looked at different offers for transporting cars, you will probably start to have fewer options for car shipping services in Delaware. This is when you need to decide if you prefer a car shipping broker or an online shipping marketplace. Brokers will find a carrier for you, while shipping marketplaces let you handle carriers yourself.
Make sure you do your homework by checking out online reviews and discussion boards. Hearing directly from other customers about their experiences with shipping providers is really helpful when deciding which one to choose for transporting cars to Delaware.
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 any personal belongings from your vehicle, as some transporters in Delaware factor in the weight of the vehicle when determining the cost. 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 put onto the trailer, make sure to take pictures of it to keep proper records. 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 Delaware.
Pick Your Car Up
If the vehicle transport carrier you choose has GPS tracking, you can see your car moving to or from Delaware as it happens. However, even if they don’t have GPS, you’ll still get a message from the carrier about when they will pick up your vehicle.
When you meet your carrier at the assigned place and time, make sure to check your vehicle carefully for any damage. This is especially important 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 Delaware Car Shipping
When you ship a car to or from Delaware, there are certain factors that are specific to the state that might affect your car shipping experience. Things like the size of the city, the number of people living there, the traffic patterns, and bad weather can all impact how long it takes for your car to be shipped in Delaware. It’s a good idea to know about these things ahead of time so you aren’t surprised or caught off guard when you ship your car.
Population density can also have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. Delaware 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 Bear and Dover.
In addition, many cities in Delaware have higher-than-average rainfall and greater chances of extreme weather. Bad weather like storms or flooding could make it more likely for shipping to Delaware auto transport to be delayed. Therefore, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and be open to the idea of flexible delivery times during the shipping process.
Delaware Car Shipping: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions customers have about Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware?
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 Delaware, you’ll meet the car carrier for pickup.
How We Rate Delaware 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.
