Best Military Car Shipping Companies
Montway Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, Easy Auto Ship, Sherpa Auto Transport, and uShip are the best providers for military car shipping and discounts.
From our #1 rated provider, 
The Gist
- Montway holds our award for Best Reputation and offers a full range of car shipping services as well as competitive prices.
- Sherpa Auto Transport holds our award for Best Locked-In Rates due to offering cheap car shipping quotes that are locked in as your final price.
- Do your research and compare several car shipping companies to find the provider that best fits your situation and needs.
Moving your car from one military base to another can be stressful and time-consuming. In some cases, it makes sense to drive your car yourself to save on moving costs associated with a permanent change of station (PCS). But if you own multiple vehicles or need to report for duty immediately, you may consider vehicle shipping services from one of the best car shipping companies.
Below, our experts explain how military car shipping works and recommend five top companies in the auto transport industry to help you get started. It’s best to get instant quotes online from multiple companies to compare options before deciding.
Shipping Your Car With The Military
Military car shipping generally involves transporting your privately owned vehicle (POV). The United States government may pay none, some, or all of your shipping costs, depending on the circumstances of your military move.
The Cost To Ship Your Car Via The Military
The military will generally cover the cost to ship one car from a military base outside the contiguous U.S. (OCONUS) to a continental base (CONUS) or vice versa. However, if you’re sending more than one car, you’ll have to pay any costs for additional vehicles out of your pocket.
If you’re shipping your vehicle within the continental U.S., you’ll likely have to pay all expenses yourself. The government typically doesn’t cover costs if you’re sending your car within the lower 48 states, even if you must report for active duty on short notice.
However, the military will reimburse you for mileage and some travel costs if you drive your car to your new home at your new duty station.
Military Car Shipping Companies
We reviewed every major auto transport provider in terms of reputation, cost, services, and customer reviews to create a list of the five best military car shipping companies. Based on our research, the leading providers are:
| Top Military Car Shipping Companies | Our Overall Rating | Cost Rating | Customer Experience Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Montway Auto Transport | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| 2. Sherpa Auto Transport | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 |
| 3. AmeriFreight | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.1 |
| 4. uShip | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| 5. Easy Auto Ship | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.4 |
#1 Montway Auto Transport: Best Reputation
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A+
Average cost per mile estimate: $0.58-$1.96
Hawaii shipping: Yes
Door-to-door transport: Available
Montway Auto Transport is a popular auto shipping company that works with over 30,000 carriers nationwide. The company provides several shipping services for your POV, including:
- Open and enclosed transport
- Door-to-door delivery
- Guaranteed pickup dates
- Expedited shipping
- Hawaii car shipping
The broker transports vehicles to all 50 states and can help coordinate shipping abroad. Montway also offers insurance coverage up to $100,000 for any on-land shipment at no additional cost.
Montway Auto Transport holds above-average ratings, with an A+ from the BBB and an average customer review score of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars.
See our Montway Auto Transport review for a more detailed look at this provider.
#2 Sherpa Auto Transport: Best For Locked-In Rates
BBB rating: A+
Average cost per mile estimate: $0.59-$1.00
Hawaii shipping: Yes
Door-to-door transport: Available
Unlike some auto shipping companies, Sherpa Auto Transport offers locked-in prices for all of its services. If you receive a quote from Sherpa, it will be the final price you pay. That’s thanks to its Price Lock Promise, which offers that peace of mind that you never have to worry about hidden fees or charges.
The company also provides a wide range of military car shipping services to 49 states, including open and enclosed transport and door-to-door delivery. Sherpa’s Clean Car Guarantee means customers get reimbursed up to $20 for car washing services after delivery.
Carriers working with Sherpa Auto Transport must carry a minimum of $1 million in liability coverage and $100,000 in cargo insurance coverage.
While Sherpa’s costs tend to be slightly higher than other competitors’ costs, its customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive. The car shipping company holds an A+ rating from the BBB and an average customer rating of 4.9 stars from more than 200 reviews.
Read our complete Sherpa Auto Transport review for more details on pricing and services.
#3 AmeriFreight: Best For Discounts
BBB rating: A+
Average cost per mile estimate: $0.40-$0.72
Hawaii shipping: Yes
Door-to-door transport: Available
AmeriFreight vets all car carriers for full insurance coverage and high satisfaction ratings from customers. The broker also offers add-on coverage called AF Total (AFta), covering any gaps in protection that the carrier’s policies won’t cover.
AmeriFreight holds an A+ rating from the BBB along with an average of 4.9 stars from customer ratings. The company also has a 4.7-star average rating out of 5.0 on Google, backed by over 3,300 reviews. Customers praise the company’s stress-free process and timeliness.
Learn more about the provider in our in-depth AmeriFreight review.
#4 uShip: Best Shipping Marketplace
BBB rating: A+
Average cost per mile estimate: $0.67-$1.43
Hawaii shipping: Yes
Door-to-door transport: Available
uShip is an auto shipping marketplace where carriers bid on customer shipment requests. The company greatly reduces your research time, as you’re presented with multiple quotes at once. Currently, uShip works with over 800,000 carriers that facilitate shipping for vehicles, heavy equipment, recreational vehicles (RVs), and household goods.
The company offers two options on its site: you can have carriers bid on your shipment by posting it to the marketplace, or you can opt for an instant rate. While uShip’s instant rates can be more expensive, listing your shipment on the marketplace could significantly reduce your costs. It’s important to note that uShip doesn’t vet its carriers thoroughly and that any company can make a free profile.
The BBB gives uShip an A+ rating and a 4.6-star average customer rating. Many customers praise the company’s easy-to-use online platform, mobile app tracking service, and ongoing communication. Common customer complaints address the carriers uShip provides rather than uShip itself.
You can read more about the marketplace in our complete uShip review.
#5 Easy Auto Ship: Best Added Benefits
BBB rating: A+
Average cost per mile estimate: $0.40-$1.00
Hawaii shipping: Yes
Door-to-door transport: Available
Easy Auto Ship is an affordable auto transport service provider that offers uncommon benefits some military families might find helpful. If your vehicle arrives dirty, Easy Auto Ship will pay for a wash and detail. And if your shipment takes more than 14 days to arrive due to unforeseen circumstances, the broker will pay for your rental car. Easy Auto Ship also provides open and enclosed shipping for standard and alternative vehicles.
Easy Auto Ship holds an A+ rating from the BBB with a 4.6-star average customer rating. Positive reviews highlight the shipper’s low prices, excellent service, and on-time deliveries.
In contrast, negative reviews report issues connecting with customer service representatives.
Check out our Easy Auto Ship review to find out whether the provider’s services fit your needs.
Military Car Shipping Discounts
Many companies offer car shipping discounts for members of the military. Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, uShip, and Easy Auto Ship provide military discounts. Below is a breakdown of each:
Montway Auto Transport Military Discount
Montway Auto Transport offers discounts for military personnel to help them save on car shipping costs. These discounts are based on your vehicle’s route during transport–no set amount is taken off per order.
Sherpa Auto Transport Military Discount
As a service member, you qualify for a $100 discount on your auto transport through Sherpa Auto Transport.
AmeriFreight Military Discount
AmeriFreight is an auto transporter known for its car shipping discounts, including a $35 deduction for all military members. The company ships to all 50 states, allowing you to transport your vehicle quickly when you receive PCS orders.
uShip Military Discount
U.S. military members can get discounted shipping rates from uShip through its partnership with ID.me. The service verifies your military credentials online and displays a military badge on your uShip profile so you can unlock extra savings from car carriers in its network. uShip also waives all fees for military members for their first shipment.
Easy Auto Ship Military Discount
Easy Auto Ship can arrange international shipping for any military member, whether you’re returning stateside or headed overseas. The broker also has discounts for active military members and veterans. You can save up to 15 percent by booking a shipment over the phone.
How To Ship A Car In The Military
Auto shipping companies help vehicle owners move their cars or motorcycles domestically and internationally. There are two main types of auto transport companies: brokers and carriers.
Brokers connect customers to their networks of auto carriers, who do the actual transporting. Most people looking for auto shipping will want to work with established brokers that can coordinate their shipments and negotiate prices with car carriers on their behalf.
Factors That Affect Military Car Shipping Costs
Car shipping costs can vary greatly, and are most affected by the following factors:
- Distance: Cross-country shipments have lower rates per mile than shorter-distance trips but cost more overall.
- Seasonality: It’s more expensive to ship vehicles during the summer and January due to higher demand.
- Vehicle size: Larger vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks, cost more to ship than typical sedans. Higher costs will also apply to specialty vehicles like RVs and ATVs.
- Type of transport: Enclosed carrier transport is more expensive than open carrier transport.
- Type of delivery: Door-to-door delivery is more costly than terminal-to-terminal shipping since the service is more personalized.
How To Prepare Your Vehicle For Shipping
You can make the vehicle shipping process easier with a bit of preparation:
- Documentation: Having the proper documentation readily available for shipping is important. This includes the proof of entitlement, proof of identity, and proof of ownership of the vehicle.
- Clean the vehicle: Before handing over the vehicle to the shipper, make sure to remove personal items from inside the vehicle. Vacuuming the interior and washing the exterior are also good ideas as well.
- Fuel: Leave only a quarter-tank of gas in the tank–this will minimize weight, but still give the shippers the ability to operate the vehicle in case they have to move or adjust it.
What To Look For In A Military Car Shipping Company
When you search for military car transport companies, look for insured providers or work with vetted and insured car carriers. Reliable shipping companies often have positive customer service ratings, offer free quotes, and provide additional insurance coverage for losses or damage.
It may also help to consider the auto mover’s years in business, industry ratings, and the number of vehicles shipped yearly. This ensures the company is reputable and trustworthy.
We recommend getting online quotes from multiple vehicle shipping companies to ensure you find the best fit for your situation. This will allow you to compare services and costs across the board.
Military Car Shipping: Conclusion
In this review, we discussed some of the best military car shipping companies and how the process works. We think Easy Auto Ship, uShip, AmeriFreight, Sherpa Auto Transport, and Montway are the best options for military car shipping. Despite these being our top military car shipping companies, they may not fit all your needs. By comparing several vehicle transport companies, you can ensure you’ll find the military car shipper that’s right for you.
Military Car Transport: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about military car shipping:
Does the military pay for car shipping?
The military usually won’t pay to ship your POV to a station based in the United States. However, if you’re sending a vehicle overseas due to a PCS move, the government will pay to ship one car. If you have more than one vehicle, you must cover the rest of the shipping costs.
What car shipping companies offer military discounts?
All of the best military car shipping companies–Sherpa Auto Transport, Montway Auto Transport, uShip, AmeriFreight, and Easy Auto Ship–offer some form of military discount.
How long does it take to ship a car through the military?
Although transit times can vary widely, POV shipping for service members generally takes between one and seven calendar days from the day your car is shipped. Car carriers can typically travel around 500 miles per day on average.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car across the country?
The cheapest way to ship a car is usually by train. However, this option is not widely available and could mean a longer wait time than other shipping options. Using open transport and terminal-to-terminal shipping are other good cheap car shipping options.
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.
