Ship A Car Direct is a highly rated vehicle transport broker that operates in most U.S. states and offers some limited international shipping services. The company excels because they offer some perks and a little extra peace of mind at no added cost including a guarantee against damages and an app for documenting your car’s condition before and after the shipping process.
Ship A Car Direct only offers door-to-door shipping which is a service that typically comes as an add-on at other auto transport companies. Customers also aren’t required to pay a deposit to schedule pickup and enjoy a single point of contact during the entire process.
Read our review of Ship A Car Direct — one of our picks for best car shipping companies — to learn more about the company’s services and cost.
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How Much Does Ship A Car Direct Cost?
Ship A Car Direct claims its free quotes are on average 15% lower than their competitors. However, you can still expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1100 for an open trailer car shipment or $1200 to $2200 for enclosed transport.
| Distance | Car Size | Transport Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 500 miles | Sedan | Open | $600–$900 |
| Up to 500 miles | SUV | Open | $700–$1000 |
| 1000 miles | Sedan | Enclosed | $1200–$1500 |
| 1000 miles | SUV | Enclosed | $1300–$2200 |
| Cross-country | Sedan | Open | $1000–$1400 |
| Cross-country | SUV | Open | $1100–$1500 |
All car shipping costs vary based on several factors including:
- Distance: Longer distances usually increase the cost to ship a car. While auto shippers will often give you a price cut on the per-mile rate for longer moves from say Los Angeles to Chicago, the mileage still makes this long route more expensive than shipping regionally.
- Type of transport: Open transport is usually more affordable because it allows the auto transport company to move multiple vehicles at once. Plus, it doesn’t require special handling or equipment. Enclosed transport, on the other hand, offers more protection by enclosing your vehicle but the white-glove service comes at a price.
- Vehicle size and weight: Smaller, lighter cars are easier to transport so Ship A Car Direct cuts customers a deal on smaller sedans. However, larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks are more expensive because they’re heavier and take up more space and also require more time and specialized equipment to load and unload.
- Pickup and drop-off location: Most auto shippers charge more for shipping door-to-door, but Ship A Car Direct only offers door-to-door delivery. Their service is more expensive than competitors who offer terminal-to-terminal shipping, but this simplifies the auto transport quote process by removing a common pricing factor.
- Time of year: If possible, avoid shipping your car during peak season in the summer. The increase in demand leads to a surge in prices. You might also pay higher shipping rates if you ship a car to a rural area or during harsh winter weather.
While the pricing table above should give you a rough idea of Ship A Car Direct auto transport pricing, it’s best to get a quote for your situation. Visit the Ship A Car Direct website or call 866-854-1023 for a free quote.
Ship A Car Direct Services
While they don’t offer terminal-to-terminal shipping or guaranteed delivery dates, Ship A Car Direct offers several highly-rated services including:
- Door-to-door delivery: Ship A Car Direct’s biggest differentiator is the fact that they don’t offer terminal-to-terminal delivery. Most car shipping companies offer this as an upgrade but it’s Ship A Car Direct’s default service. With door-to-door shipping, you get the convenience of picking up and delivering your vehicle as close to your location as possible.
- Damage-Free Guarantee: Ship A Car Direct includes this guarantee on all moves at no additional cost. If they damage your vehicle in transit, the Damage-Free Guarantee covers up to $500 of your insurance deductible.
- Damage protection app: The company’s free app allows you to quickly and easily log details about your car’s condition and submit a damage claim if needed.
- Open transport: This is a more cost-effective car shipping option in which your car will travel on an open trailer with other vehicles (think of those big semi-trucks carrying stacks of cars on the highway). Open transport exposes your car to the elements and road conditions, but the cost savings make this option ideal for standard vehicles.
- Enclosed transport: This type of transport provides added protection for your vehicle, making it perfect for classic cars or motorcycles that require extra care and security. The downside is that it costs much more than open transport.
- Cross-country shipping: Ship A Car Direct operates in 47 states nationwide (not in Alaska, North Dakota, or South Dakota). They specialize in long-distance transport, making it a cinch to plan moves from California to Florida or Texas to Washington.
- Expedited shipping: Ship A Car Direct can’t offer guaranteed delivery dates, but they do give you the option to skip to the front of the line. With expedited delivery, last-minute movers can rest assured that their vehicle will arrive safely and quickly.
Ship A Car Direct vs. the Competition
Ship A Car Direct is a popular hassle-free auto transport company, but they aren’t the best fit for all customers.
| Company | BBB Score | State Availability | International Shipping? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ship A Car Direct | A+ | 47 (not in AK, ND, or SD) | Yes but limited |
| Montway Auto Transport | A+ | 50 | Yes |
| uShip | A+ | 50 | Yes |
Montway Auto Transport
Montway Auto Transport is the better choice for international shipping help with more than 15,000 international car shipping partners, while Ship A Car Direct offers very limited international shipping options.
uShip
uShip operates not as a broker but as a marketplace for sourcing bids for your move. Many customers save hundreds of dollars by negotiating with the car carrier directly. However, the quality of the car transport depends heavily on the quality of the carrier. Although uShip only works with verified carriers, they don’t have complete control over the process.
Is Ship A Car Direct Right for You?
Ship A Car Direct is a highly rated car shipping broker that strives to give customers greater peace of mind. While their international shipping options aren’t as robust as Montway Auto Transport and pricing is more expensive than uShip, the balance of value and white-glove service make Ship A Car Direct a great option for savvy customers who want lots of perks without the price tags.
When Ship A Car Direct is a good fit:
- You have flexible move dates
- You want door-to-door shipping
- You have a last-minute move and can pay for expedited service
- You want to book a car shipment without a deposit
- You want the reassurance of rental car assistance if your move takes longer than 14 days
- You want to collect free shipping quotes without sharing your personal information
However, they aren’t right for everyone. Ship A Car Direct doesn’t operate in Alaska, North Dakota, or South Dakota so you’ll need to go with a different provider if you’re moving to any of these states. They also can’t offer guaranteed delivery dates so Ship A Car Direct isn’t a good fit for people on a tight timeline.
Ship A Car Direct has their perks, but it’s always best for customers to evaluate their options. Request at least three quotes from different car shipping companies. This will give you the best idea of fair pricing for your move before you commit to a car shipping service.
FAQ
How does Ship A Car Direct work?
To work with Ship A Car Direct:
- Request a quote via the online form or give them a call
- Book and schedule your move with the carrier
- Pay the broker’s fee to Ship A Car Direct
- The carrier arrives at your home on your specified pickup date to get the car
- You wait three to seven days for local transport or as long as 10 days for cross-country transportation
- The carrier delivers the vehicle to your new home and you pay them the remaining cost of the shipment
- You inspect the vehicle for damage. If it didn’t arrive in perfect condition, note any damages on the bill of lading and in the damage protection app. If there’s damage, submit a claim request and receive up to $500 via the Ship A Car Direct Damage-Free Guarantee
How much does a car carrier cost?
Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $600 to more than $2000 to ship your car. However, pricing depends on factors like distance, shipping options, car types, and time of year.
Is car shipping door-to-door?
Most car shippers offer terminal-to-terminal shipping where you drop off and pick up your car at a specified loading terminal. Shipping companies typically charge extra for door-to-door transport service where they show up at your home to move your vehicle. However, Ship A Car Direct only offers door-to-door service, saving you the hassle of deciding between terminal-to-terminal or door-to-door.
