Best Car Shipping Companies In Rhode Island
Montway Auto Transport is Rhode Island’s top car shipping choice, with Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping as dependable options.
From our #1 rated provider, 
If you need to move to Rhode Island for a short time or permanently, it should be easy to have your car transported there. In this article, we’ll provide a look at the five best auto transport companies in Rhode Island that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We will also explain the costs for shipping your car using both open and enclosed transport services. We will also provide guidance on how to make the car shipping process easy.
The Gist:
- Our team found that Montway Auto Transport is the best Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island is $1,038 for open car shipping services and $1,454 for enclosed auto transport.
- Your car shipping cost in Rhode Island depends on factors like a city’s size, nearby traffic patterns, and weather conditions.
5 Best Car Shipping Companies In Rhode Island
We have dedicated more than 300 hours to studying the auto transport industry in order to give an unbiased review of the top car shipping companies. If you’re moving a car to or from Cranston, Pawtucket, Providence, or beyond, check out our list of the best Rhode Island car shipping companies.
1. Montway Auto Transport: Best Reputation
Montway Auto Transport is our top choice among the best car transport companies in 2024 due to its dependable service and rates that meet customers’ expectations. While Montway may not have the lowest prices, its exceptional customer service and diverse range of options give it an edge over its competitors.
Montway Auto Transport is a big and well-liked car transport company in the country. They operate all across the United States and even offer international shipping. Montway can give customers lower prices because they have a wide network of carriers.
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 receives a score of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars for its fixed rates, high customer satisfaction, and wide range of services. Also, Sherpa provides customers with a $20 reimbursement for car washes through their Clean Car Guarantee.
Sherpa Auto Transport makes shipping your vehicle a simple process, and they provide upfront pricing with a Price Lock Promise. This means that the initial quote you receive will be the final price, and 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 received a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars from us. This is because they provide different shipping choices at prices that compete well with others. The company received a high score for their services because they offer options like open, enclosed, and door-to-door car transportation. They also provide fast delivery and make sure to pick up your car on the dates they promise.
You don’t have to pay until the carrier comes to pick up your vehicle with SGT Auto Transport. If you find a cheaper price from another company, SGT Auto Transport will match it. Our team found 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 various auto transport services to ensure that your vehicle reaches its destination. With a strong rating of 5.0 in the services category, they offer convenient door-to-door shipping, both open and enclosed auto transport options, shipping to Hawaii, motorcycle shipping, military vehicle shipping, heavy equipment transport, and many other services.
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 charges the same as other companies, but they have ways for customers to pay less. You can get a lower rate if you’re a repeat customer, if you’re shipping more than one vehicle, if you’re a first responder or medical worker, if you’re a senior, if you’re a student, and more.
AmeriFreight is one of the top five car shipping companies. They offer various discounts, price-match services, and great customer service. They work with over 10,000 car carriers, and make sure to check that each one is licensed and insured.
Read more: AmeriFreight review
Other Rhode Island Car Shipping Companies
We mentioned five well-known car shipping companies that operate nationwide earlier. However, there are also some excellent regional options available in Rhode Island. Take a look below for one more provider that you may want to consider.
East CoastAuto Transport
East CoastAuto Transport is headquartered in Riverside RI. Learn more about this provider on the East CoastAuto Transport website.
Rhode Island Car Shipping Costs
The price of shipping a car in Rhode Island can vary a lot based on different things. Some factors that affect the cost depend on what you want, like the type of transportation you pick. Most people use either an open or enclosed trailer to ship their vehicle. In the sections below, we’ll give you the average costs for shipping using both methods to and from Rhode Island.
Open Car Shipping Costs In Rhode Island
Open car shipping is when multiple vehicles are transported at the same time on a trailer that does not have any walls or roof. It is a cheaper way to ship cars, but there is more risk involved compared to enclosed transport services.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Rhode Island using open car shipping is $1,038, which is 3 percent more expensive than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Rhode Island car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Warwick to New York | $489 |
| Providence to New York | $769 |
| Pawtucket to Miami | $799 |
| Providence to Miami | $849 |
| Providence to Chicago | $869 |
| Warwick to Chicago | $869 |
| Warwick to Miami | $899 |
| Cranston to Dallas | $1,199 |
| Warwick to Los Angeles | $1,229 |
| Providence to Los Angeles | $1,279 |
| Providence to San Francisco | $1,399 |
| Warwick to San Francisco | $1,439 |
| Pawtucket to Los Angeles | $1,449 |
| Cranston to Seattle | $1,449 |
Enclosed Car Shipping Costs In Rhode Island
Enclosed auto transport services utilize an enclosed carrier that provides the ultimate level of protection from road hazards during transport. While it makes Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island using enclosed car shipping is $1,454, which is 40 percent more than the average cost of open car shipping in Rhode Island. The table below has average costs of popular Rhode Island car shipping routes using enclosed transport.
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Warwick to New York | $679 |
| Providence to New York | $1,079 |
| Pawtucket to Miami | $1,119 |
| Providence to Miami | $1,189 |
| Providence to Chicago | $1,219 |
| Warwick to Chicago | $1,219 |
| Warwick to Miami | $1,259 |
| Cranston to Dallas | $1,679 |
| Warwick to Los Angeles | $1,719 |
| Providence to Los Angeles | $1,789 |
| Providence to San Francisco | $1,959 |
| Warwick to San Francisco | $2,019 |
| Pawtucket to Los Angeles | $2,029 |
| Cranston to Seattle | $2,029 |
What Affects Car Shipping Costs In Rhode Island?
Your exact auto transport expenses for Rhode Island will likely depend on various factors. When you ship a car, different things can change how much you have to pay. Some examples include the kind of transportation, where the car is being delivered, how much fuel costs, how far the car is being shipped, what type of vehicle it is, and the condition of the car.
How To Ship A Car To And From Rhode Island
Are you trying to send a car from Rhode Island but don’t know where to begin? It might seem complicated to have your vehicle transported, but we’ve broken down the process below to make it easy and stress-free.
Choose Your Shipping Method
To start, you have to 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 Rhode Island Car Shipping Quotes
After you’ve chosen how you want to transport your vehicle, it’s time to compare the cost estimates for auto transportation in Rhode Island. 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 keep your quoted price for shipping cars in Rhode Island. Some may increase the rate due to market changes. If having a fixed price matters to you, choose a provider that guarantees it.
Select A Transport Provider
Once you’ve looked at different quotes for transporting your car, you’ll probably have fewer options for Rhode Island car shipping. At this point, you’ll need to decide if you prefer a car shipping broker or an online shipping marketplace. Brokers will help you find a carrier, while marketplaces require you to handle carriers on your own.
Make sure you do your homework by checking online reviews and talking to people on discussion boards before making a decision. It’s really important to hear about people’s personal experiences with shipping providers when choosing one for transporting cars to Rhode Island.
Prepare Your Car And Meet The Carrier
After you have reserved 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 Rhode Island take the weight of the vehicle into account 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 have proof of its condition. 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 Rhode Island.
Pick Your Car Up
If the vehicle transport company you choose has GPS tracking, you can watch your car move to or from Rhode Island in real time. If not, the carrier will still send you a message about when they will pick up your vehicle.
When you meet your carrier at the assigned pickup place and time, make sure to carefully check your vehicle for any damages. 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 Rhode Island Car Shipping
When you ship a car to or from Rhode Island, there are certain things that are specific to the state that could affect your car shipping experience. The size and population of the city, traffic patterns, and bad weather might impact how long it takes for your shipment to arrive in Rhode Island. It’s a good idea to be aware of these factors ahead of time so that you’re not surprised during the shipping process.
Population density can also have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. Rhode Island 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 Cranston and Pawtucket.
In addition, many cities in Rhode Island have higher-than-average rainfall and greater chances of extreme weather. Bad weather like storms or floods might cause more delays in shipping Rhode Island cars, so prepare in advance and be willing to adjust the delivery schedule while shipping.
Rhode Island Car Shipping: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions customers have about Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island, you’ll meet the car carrier for pickup.
How We Rate Rhode Island 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.
