Best Classic Car Shipping Companies
Our review team found the best classic car shipping companies of 2024 to be Montway Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping, uShip, and SGT Auto Transport.
From our #1 rated provider, 
The Gist:
- Enclosed transport is typically the best way to ship classic cars since it protects vehicles from poor weather and other issues.
- Montway Auto Transport is the best classic car shipping company due to its competitive prices and variety of transport services.
- It’s important to consider both shipping costs and service quality when moving classic cars, exotic vehicles, and sports cars.
If you own a classic car, you don’t just want any shipping company to haul it across the U.S. After all, exotic vehicles are both more valuable and fragile than the average car model. Fortunately, there are many providers that offer relatively affordable rates on classic vehicle transport services.
Our review team has ranked the best car shipping companies, and in this review, we’ll also provide details on what to look for in an auto transport provider. We will explain the process of antique car shipping, and mention how much you could pay.
4 Best Classic Car Shipping Companies
Our team researched the best classic car shipping companies and ranked them based on price, reputation, services offered, and customer experience. Here are our top four overall providers:
| Classic Car Shipping Companies | Overall Rating | Price Rating | Customer Experience Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Montway Auto Transport | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| 2. American Auto Shipping | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| 3. uShip | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| 4. SGT Auto Transport | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.6 |
1. Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A+
Average enclosed shipping cost per mile: $1.18
Hawaii car transport: Yes
Montway Auto Transport has nearly 20 years of experience and works with a network of over 30,000 vetted truckers. The company offers enclosed car shipping services and has options for trucks with hydraulic gates to protect low-clearance cars. Montway Auto Transport typically provides door-to-door shipping, reducing the chance that your car will arrive damaged.
Classic car enthusiasts should carefully consider customer service as they pick a shipping provider. On this front, Montway Auto Transport stands out with a 4.6-star rating on the BBB.
Learn more: Montway Auto Transport review
2. American Auto Shipping: Best Service Availability
BBB rating: A+
Average enclosed shipping cost per mile: $1.25
Hawaii car transport: Yes
American Auto Shipping provides enclosed and door-to-door shipping options for classic cars. The company is known for its three different pickup options: Standard, Priority, and Expedited. Because of this, customers can balance their time and budget needs as they search through various delivery choices.
American Auto Shipping has instant quotes online that are binding and good for up to 24 hours. In addition, customers can call the company’s phone number at any time for updates on the car shipment, which may provide greater peace of mind. American Auto Shipping receives mostly positive reviews, as seen by its 4.6-star rating on Google.
Learn more: American Auto Shipping review
3. uShip: Best Shipping Marketplace
BBB rating: A+
Average enclosed shipping cost per mile: $1.31
Hawaii car transport: Yes
uShip differs from other providers by being an online shipping marketplace where customers list jobs for car carriers to bid on. This can speed up the search process, as it allows you to receive multiple classic car shipping bids at once. It’s worth noting that any company can bid on jobs, so you’ll need to vet the haulers on uShip yourself for customer service and insurance coverage.
uShip has an alternative option that gives instant rates, though it tends to be more expensive. The company has a solid 4.5-star rating from over 11,000 reviewers on Trustpilot.
Learn more: uShip review
4. SGT Auto Transport: Best Price-Match Guarantee
BBB rating: B
Average enclosed shipping cost per mile: $1.27
Hawaii car transport: Yes
Founded in 2014, SGT Auto Transport has quickly become a top choice among the best classic car shipping companies. SGT Auto Transport stands out with its price-match guarantee and $0 required upfront payment. The provider also offers a full cargo insurance policy and 24/7 customer service.
SGT Auto Transport holds a 4.6-star rating on the BBB, with customers commonly praising its professional truck drivers, good communication, and efficient classic car transport services.
Learn more: SGT Auto Transport review
What To Look For In A Classic Car Shipping Company
While it’s important to think about classic car shipping costs, there are many factors to consider when moving a vintage vehicle. Below are the most important ones:
- Classic car expertise: Having a strong track record in the antique car transport industry can make a huge difference in the care given to your model.
- Years of experience: Consider the number of years that a company has been handling classic vehicles for. The longer a provider has worked in the business, the more likely it is to have a reliable system in place to offer on-time deliveries.
- Customer reviews: Look for online reviews from customers who’ve worked directly with the classic auto transport company.
- Cost: Generally speaking, classic car shipping companies will offer higher rates than for more common types of vehicles. While it’s best to avoid getting overcharged, a suspiciously low price could also indicate poor service.
- Insurance offerings: Classic car movers are required to carry basic liability coverage, but it’s worth looking for insurance limits that go past the bare minimum.
We recommend getting car shipping quotes from several different providers to help you find the best classic car shipping company and the most reasonable price tag for your needs.
Car Shipping Customer Survey Results
Our team surveyed 1,000 car shipping customers who’ve used many of the industry’s leading auto transport providers. While 41 percent of customers paid between $1,000 and $1,999, only 20 percent of respondents used an enclosed car transport option rather than an open trailer.
Additionally, we found that 69 percent of customers were very or somewhat satisfied with their car shipping experience. Additionally, 56 percent of respondents would recommend their chosen shipping service to a friend. Below is a breakdown of our customer satisfaction results:
Classic Car Shipping Costs
Whether you’re selling or buying a classic car, headed to a car show, or need work performed by a specialist, classic car shipping could be the best option to transport your vehicle. Below are details about what you could pay to get an exotic car from its origin point to the delivery location.
Enclosed Auto Transport Costs
The most common type of transport for classic cars is enclosed auto shipping, which protects your vehicle from severe weather, road debris, and flying objects like rocks. While open transport is more affordable and accessible than enclosed auto shipping, it’s risky for classic cars and luxury vehicles.
Based on our research, customers can expect to pay an average of $1.41 per mile when they choose enclosed shipping. However, rates from the best classic car shipping companies will vary considerably based on your itinerary, car make and model, and delivery time frame.
What Affects Car Shipping Prices?
There is a wide range of factors that could affect your classic car shipping costs, and we’ll mention a few of the main ones below:
- Distance: Cross-country shipments like from Los Angeles to New York usually cost more overall, but have lower rates per mile than shorter trips.
- Seasonality: Higher demand typically makes it more expensive to ship vehicles during the summer months and in January.
- Vehicle type: Classic cars usually have higher shipping costs due to the extra care needed when handling them. Additionally, larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks cost more on average to ship than sedans.
- Type of vehicle transport: Enclosed carrier shipping is more expensive than open carrier transport, though it offers better protection from road hazards and bad weather.
- Type of delivery: Door-to-door transport is costlier than terminal-to-terminal shipping since it requires extra driving, often down narrow streets.
How To Ship A Classic Car
Services from the best classic car shipping companies often take the form of enclosed shipping. That’s because extra care is required due to the fragile nature and typically high value of these cars.
While searching for the right provider, you’ll choose between car carriers and auto brokers. Car shipping carriers cover the full shipping process, while brokers instead connect customers with reliable carriers. Most of the leading exotic car transport providers fall into the second category, and have relationships with thousands of legitimate auto carriers.
How To Prepare Your Car For Shipping
Once you’ve chosen a provider and booked your shipment, take the following steps to ready your classic car for transport:
- Clean out the car: It’s smart to wash your car before it gets shipped off to make it easy to record preexisting dents or scratches on the bill of lading. You’ll also want to clear out all personal belongings before the vehicle gets picked up by a classic car shipping company.
- Gather documentation: Before the shipping date arrives, gather together forms of identification, your car’s title, and proof of insurance.
- Empty out fuel: A general rule of thumb is to empty all but a quarter tank of gas from your vehicle before shipping to minimize its weight.
Best Classic Car Transport Companies: Conclusion
Through our research, we found that Montway Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping, uShip, and SGT Auto Transport are the best classic car shipping companies. Still, we recommend getting transport quotes from various transport carriers to make sure you find the best rate.
Best Classic Car Shipping Companies: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about the best classic car shipping companies:
What is the best auto transport company to use?
Our top overall auto transport company is Montway Auto Transport, which earned an overall score of 4.7 out of 5.0 stars in our team’s review. The car shipping broker is known for its strict vetting process and superb door-to-door auto transport services across all 50 states.
How do I ship a vintage car?
Shipping vintage cars can be stressful since they’re typically both valuable and fragile. Because of this, it’s wise for classic car owners to opt for enclosed trailers to protect the vehicle from road debris, flying rocks, and poor weather conditions.
How much does it cost to ship a classic car?
Classic car transport costs are higher than for newer vehicles because of enclosed auto transport’s steep rates. Car shippers may also raise prices due to the extra labor and care required when dealing with these models. You could spend anywhere from $1,400 to over $2,000 to ship a classic car 1,500 miles.
How long will it take to ship my classic car?
Customers can expect the best classic car companies to deliver vehicles anywhere from a few days to two weeks after the model was picked up. However, expedited vehicle shipping services could speed up the process considerably if you’re willing to pay extra.
How We Rate 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 drop-off 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.
