Based on our extensive research, we think Easy Auto Ship and Montway Auto Transport are two of the top car shippers in the industry based on pricing, services, availability, and reputation. We’ve handpicked a list of the best car shipping companies in Alaska, so you can find a reliable transport company to get your vehicle to its new home.
Car shipping in Alaska can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 or more, depending on the type of vehicle, shipping services, pickup and delivery locations, and delivery timeline.
7 Top Car Shipping Companies in Alaska
Here are our picks for best Alaska car shipping companies:
Why You Can Trust FreightWaves
Our mission at FreightWaves is to provide readers with data-driven, unbiased car shipping information and company reviews.
Using our own unique rating system, we evaluated 2,400 car shipping companies nationwide based on key factors like pricing, services, availability, and customer satisfaction. We also dig deep into online consumer reviews to pinpoint what real people have to say about each company and identify recurring pain points and areas of praise.
Our in-house team of experts fully fact-checks all content to ensure our content is up-to-date, accurate, and relevant to what you want and need to know.
Car Shipping Costs in Alaska
Car shipping costs in Alaska typically range from $1,500 to $4,000, but there is no one-size-fits-all price for auto transport. Vehicle shipping costs vary tremendously, and distance is among the most impactful factors when requesting a quote for car shipping services.
In general, it’s more cost-effective to ship a vehicle if you’re relocating to the West Coast. Shipping costs are higher to the Midwest and East Coast.
Here’s a quick look at some sample costs for transport from Alaska to a few of the lower U.S. cities.
| Origin/Delivery Location | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| New York City | $3,645 |
| Miami | $3,595 |
| Boston | $3,555 |
| Houston | $3,335 |
| Baltimore | $3,605 |
| Kansas City | $3,415 |
| Chicago | $3,235 |
| Tacoma | $2,261 |
| Seattle | $2,100 |
We recommend requesting a free quote from several auto transport companies at least eight weeks before your move. This step will ensure you set an appropriate budget for your desired vehicle transport services.
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Costs
Several factors affect auto transport costs in Alaska. Here’s a quick breakdown, so you can better understand what goes into the cost of your auto transport services:
Origin/delivery location
Demand and ease of accessibility in your origin and delivery locations can have a big impact on the cost of car transport services.
Door-to-door vs. port-to-port delivery
If you’re willing to drop off and pick up your vehicle at a nearby port or terminal, you may be able to save money compared to shipping your vehicle door-to-door.
Open vs. enclosed car shipping
Open carriers are more cost-effective than enclosed trailers. We typically only recommend enclosed shipping for individuals with high-value or antique vehicles.
Car shipping timeline
A more flexible shipping timeline will often save you money, whereas expedited shipping will often add to your expenses.
Vehicle size
Alaska auto transport companies set their prices based on the space requirements and weight of your vehicle. Larger vehicles take up more space, which often means fewer vehicles can be shipped at a time, thus driving prices up.
Operability
Some car shipping companies will refuse inoperable vehicles, but many will accept them if you pay an extra fee. The extra fee varies, but the average added cost is around $150.
Number of vehicles
Shipping more than one vehicle will inevitably cost more, but many car shipping companies offer multi-vehicle discounts.
Time of year
Vehicle shipping from mid-April to mid-September tends to be more expensive, as this time of year is considered the peak moving season.
Insurance coverage
Your selected insurance will directly impact your costs. Many companies offer basic cargo insurance, but you may need additional coverage if your car’s value exceeds these limits. Don’t skimp on this as it can provide valuable peace of mind while your vehicle is in transit.
Don’t hesitate to ask car carriers for an instant quote or visit our car shipping calculator to learn more about shipping costs for your situation.
Our Reviews of the Top Alaska Car Shipping Companies
We’ve prepared a quick explainer for each of our top car shipping companies in Alaska.
Montway Auto Transport
In addition to its competitive pricing, Montway Auto Transport provides customers with a wealth of free online car shipping tips and tricks. Its website walks you step-by-step through the process of getting a quote and scheduling pickup or drop-off of your car.
Montway has the facilities necessary to ship all types of vehicles, including classic cars, SUVs, ATVs, and even inoperable vehicles.
The company’s customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive compared to other auto shipping providers. It also provides real-time tracking while your vehicle is in transit. It will even guarantee your delivery date for an additional fee, which makes it ideal for those relocating on a tight timeline.
Pros:
- Partners with more than 15,000 independent car carriers nationwide and internationally
- GPS tracking on vehicle shipments
- Discounts for military members, seniors, and students
Cons:
- $249 cancellation fee
- Quotes expire after a week
Easy Auto Ship
Easy Auto Ship is available in all 50 states and provides both open and enclosed transport for cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, RVs, boats, and heavy equipment.
We like that they’ll provide a free rental car if your vehicle doesn’t arrive within 14 days and that it doesn’t sneak in hidden fees upon delivery. They can also often accommodate last-minute shipping requests.
Pros:
- Free quotes are all-inclusive (no hidden fees)
- Handles international shipments
- Free car wash is your vehicle arrives dirty
Cons:
- No guaranteed pickup and drop-off dates
- Tracking isn’t always updated in real time
uShip
uShip isn’t a car carrier or a broker but a car shipping marketplace. With this service model, independent car carriers and interested shoppers can join the platform and post the details of their shipping needs. From there, a pre-vetted carrier can reach out with a bid for the desired services.
uShip can be great if you’re moving a car and other personal items, but it hinges on the availability of truck drivers on existing routes to your destination. We recommend it for customers looking to fully customize their shipping package, especially those with the flexibility to wait for a driver who can accommodate them.
Pros:
- Ships personal items, including pianos, single pieces of furniture, and moving boxes
- Can get and compare multiple bids for your desired shipping services
- Fully customize your reservation to meet your shipping needs
Cons:
- No instant quotes
- Availability of drivers isn’t guaranteed
RB Logistics
Alaska-based RB Logistics primarily services commercial shipping needs, but it offers freight shipping services in all 50 U.S. states and Canada. The company has land, air, and sea freight options for various budgets, vehicle types, and shipping timelines.
RB Logistics’ website includes a lot of information about its shipping options, but the company requires customers to book their reservations by phone or email. This could potentially be a deterrent if you’re simply trying to compare shipping quotes.
We like that RB Logistics has the experience and knowledge necessary to safely transport vehicles through the often unpredictable and challenging Alaskan weather conditions.
Pros:
- A+ BBB rating
- Based in Anchorage, Alaska
- Well-designed website with lots of resources and information
Cons:
- Mostly focused commercial shipping needs
- Doesn’t explicitly advertise auto transport services
CEVA Logistics
CEVA Logistics is an international shipping company that facilitates supply chain management solutions for various industries, including aerospace, healthcare, retail, e-commerce, and energy.
Its website is well-organized with user-friendly tabs for GPS tracking, shipping quotes, and customer service resources. Its international reach allows it to accommodate millions of vehicle shipments each year, but it doesn’t currently service individuals, and it solely focuses on commercial shipping needs.
Pros:
- Ground, air, and ocean shipping options
- Paperless document signing and storage for contactless delivery
- Delivers more than 3.7 million vehicles every year
Cons:
- Large number of negative customer reviews compared to other competitors
- Exclusively services B2B and B2C clients
Universal Auto Transport
Universal Auto Transport is a Florida-based car shipping broker that works with individuals, companies, and dealers to transport vehicles from Alaska. We like that its quote form is front and center on its website and collects all the important information to ensure an accurate quote.
The company doesn’t shy away from alternative vehicle types and it has no qualms about working with car collectors, heavy machinery, motorcycles, and RVs. Universal offers door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal shipping options, which can help you better meet your budgetary and scheduling restrictions.
That said, we’d recommend talking to a customer service representative by phone because much of the website hasn’t been updated since before 2011.
Pros:
- Thorough quote form to ensure an accurate estimate
- Promotional specials (including a $50 rebate when your vehicle is delivered)
- Ships boats, trailers, and other heavy equipment
Cons:
- Outdated website with poor user experience
- Several customer reviews claim the car carrier Universal assigned to them was a scam
Lynden
Lynden is an auto shipping company that exclusively handles port-to-port deliveries to and from Alaska, Seattle, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and several international locations. It streamlines auto transport by offering fine-tuned processes, robust resources to prepare your vehicle and secure financing, and various online tools, including online payment, shipment tracking, and a mobile app to keep track of your documents.
We appreciate that its service is regular and reliable and we especially like that you can keep personal items in the vehicle during transport. However, Lynden may be too limiting for customers who need door-to-door delivery.
Pros:
- Regular service between Seattle and central/southeastern Alaska
- Live chat customer service feature
- Allows personal items in the vehicle
Cons:
- Terminal-to-terminal shipping services only (no door-to-door delivery)
- Only services western Alaska seasonally
How We Chose the Best Alaska Car Shipping Companies
We arrived at our picks for this list by evaluating each company using our unbiased rating system.
We focused predominantly on the following factors:
- Compliance: We vetted each company to ensure they had minimum licensing requirements to comply with Alaskan, federal, and international regulations.
- Reputation: We read customer reviews and referenced professional accreditations, including ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- Service variety: We looked at how many car shipping services each company offered and rated those that offered more flexibility higher.
- Transparent pricing: In addition to price range, we considered how easy it was to get a free or instant quote and whether pricing was locked in after customers booked.
- Experience: For this article, we focused on car shipping companies with firsthand experience serving major Alaskan cities, including but not limited to Juneau, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, Kodiak, and Sitka.
What To Consider When Choosing an Alaska Car Shipping Company
Car shipping companies aren’t created equally, so it’s important to research before booking to ensure you’re hiring a reputable service provider:
- Look for a lot of transport experience. You’ll want to choose a company with a proven track record of servicing Alaskan ports and cities. Alaska car transport presents unique challenges, and inexperienced car carriers can leave you vulnerable to delays, additional costs, and damage.
- Read reviews. Read as many reviews as possible to evaluate real-life customers’ experiences with a given company. We recommend sticking to three- to four-star reviews to avoid incentivized or exaggerated reviews. You should also take a look at one-star reviews, as a high volume of extremely negative feedback could be a red flag that a company is a car shipping scam.
- Double-check licensing. Any reputable car carrier will display its USDOT number on its website. You can use this number to verify FMCSA licensing and look up pending disciplinary actions.
- Vet customer service. Don’t hesitate to call a shipper you’re interested in and ask its customer service representatives to clarify its terms and answer questions. Reputable providers will invest in knowledgeable customer service representatives eager to help you through the car shipping process.
- Flexible vehicle shipping services. Look for an auto transport company that offers customizable shipping services and doesn’t lock you into packages that may not fit your shipping needs.
- Consider real-time tracking. Companies that invest in real-time GPS tracking can provide additional peace of mind every step of the way and allow you to better plan for your vehicle’s arrival.
- Seek transparent pricing. Trustworthy auto shippers will provide no-obligation free quotes and explain how they arrived at your estimated costs. We recommend opting for a car transport company that offers binding quotes so you don’t have to worry about hidden fees.
- Ask about insurance coverage. Experienced auto transport companies will offer insurance options for your unique situation.
Our Take
Easy Auto Ship and Montway Auto Transport top our list as the best car shipping companies for Alaska, but we recommend requesting free quotes from all the providers on this list to find the best one for your budget and timeline.
We also encourage you to do a cost-benefit analysis of bringing your car with you from Alaska to the lower United States because it’s not always the most cost-effective option. Sometimes, selling your vehicle and purchasing a new or used one can be more affordable once you arrive in your new location.
FAQ
What is the average cost to ship a car to Alaska?
The average cost to ship a car to Alaska is between $1,500 and $4,000, but your car shipping costs can vary based on:
- Selected shipping services
- The number of vehicles
- The size and type of vehicle
- Your desired delivery location
- Your location of origin
We recommend requesting a shipping quote from various auto transport companies to better estimate costs for your unique situation.
Why is shipping so expensive in Alaska?
Shipping rates in Alaska are higher than in the contiguous U.S. because the state’s size and climate require more transit time, fuel, and planning. Car transport costs vary, but shipping a vehicle to Alaska can cost as much as many international destinations.
What is the best company to ship cars from the USA to Canada?
Easy Auto Ship and Montway Auto Transport are two of the best companies to ship cars from the USA to Canada, but we recommend requesting shipping quotes from all the providers on this list to find the one that best fits your needs.
Who are the top-rated car shipping companies for service in Alaska?
Our top-rated car shipping companies for service in Alaska include:
- Easy Auto Ship
- Montway Auto Transport
- uShip
- RB Logistics
- Ceva Logistics
- Universal Auto Transport
- Lynden
How can I prepare my car for shipping in Alaska?
Here are a few things to prepare your car for shipping to Alaska:
- Drive your car until it has a quarter of a tank of gas or less
- Remove all personal belongings, including car accessories that aren’t factory standard
- Disable the car alarm
- Inspect the vehicle and complete repairs to ensure operability
- Take photos of the vehicle’s condition and note pre-existing damage
- Evaluate insurance coverage options to ensure you have sufficient coverage for your vehicle
