Auto Transport Companies – How to Choose the Right One
The Auto Transport Industry in 2026
The U.S. auto transport industry moves approximately 15 million vehicles per year through a network of over 100+ licensed brokers and 50,000+ active carriers. Choosing the right auto transport company is the single most important decision you will make – it determines whether your vehicle arrives safely, on time, and at the price you were quoted.
This page is an honest comparison of the main types of auto transport companies, what to look for, and how Autos Mover (a BBB A+ broker based in Fresno, CA) compares. We are biased – we are a broker – but we try to give you the information you need to make the best decision, even if it’s not us.
Major Categories of Auto Transport Companies
1. National Brokers (Most Common)
Brokers do not own trucks. They coordinate with a network of carriers to find the right truck for each shipment. Examples: Montway, AmeriFreight, Sherpa Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship, and Autos Mover.
Pros: Better pricing through carrier competition, flexible scheduling, every U.S. route covered, lower overhead means lower customer prices.
Cons: Quality varies wildly – some brokers are excellent, others are scams. Vetting matters.
2. Direct Carriers
Carriers own the trucks. Examples: Reliable Carriers (luxury/exotic specialist), Intercity Lines (enclosed specialist), Passport Auto Transport.
Pros: Single point of contact, no middleman, often higher quality on the routes they specialize in.
Cons: Limited routes (carriers run fixed lanes), 30-50% higher prices than brokered shipments, harder to book.
3. Marketplace Platforms
Platforms where carriers bid on shipments. Example: uShip.
Pros: Competitive bidding can yield low prices.
Cons: You vet the carriers yourself, no consumer protection if things go wrong, customer service is minimal.
4. Discount/Bait Brokers
Companies that quote low prices to win bookings, then revise upward after you have committed. These are not legitimate businesses – they are predatory.
Red flags: Quotes 30%+ below market, requests for upfront deposits via Zelle/wire, no FMCSA registration, generic stock-photo websites.
What to Look For in an Auto Transport Company
Eight non-negotiable verification steps before booking with any auto transport company:
- FMCSA Registration. Search the company name on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. They must have an active USDOT and MC number with operating authority.
- BBB Accreditation. Not just a profile – actual paid accreditation. Read the complaints (not just star rating).
- Insurance Certificate. A real broker can provide the carrier’s cargo insurance certificate before pickup. Typical coverage: $100K-$100K per truck.
- Years in Business. Domain age matters. Use whois.com to verify the website has been operating under the same domain for at least 12 months. Newer = more risk.
- Real Reviews on Multiple Platforms. Check Google, Yelp, Trustpilot, and Transport Reviews. Look for patterns in complaints.
- No Upfront Deposits. Reputable brokers do not require deposits before assigning a carrier. Companies that demand $200-$500 before service are major red flags.
- Transparent Pricing. The quoted price should be all-in: broker fee + carrier fee, with the cash-on-delivery amount clearly broken out. No hidden surprises.
- Written Contract. Get everything in writing: pickup window, transit time, total price, COD amount, carrier name + MC number once assigned.
How Autos Mover Compares
| Verification Item | Autos Mover |
|---|---|
| FMCSA Registration | USDOT #4232458, MC #1637675 – Active |
| BBB Accreditation | A+ accredited since 2024 (verify) |
| Insurance | $100K cargo coverage on every shipment, certificate provided on request |
| Years in Business | Domain registered 2023, operating since 2024 |
| Reviews | 4.9 stars across 30+ reviews on Google, Yelp, Trustpilot, Transport Reviews |
| Upfront Deposit | $0 required (ZeroDown Guarantee) |
| Pricing | Published rate card matches every quote |
| Contract | Written confirmation with carrier MC number on every booking |
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Auto Transport Brokers
Based on public information available in 2026:
| Company | BBB Rating | Reviews | Founded | Distinctive Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autos Mover | A+ | 30+, 4.9 | 2024 | ZeroDown Guarantee, Sacramento-based |
| Montway | A+ | 100K+, 4.7 | 2006 | Largest broker, app tracking, TruePrice Guarantee |
| AmeriFreight | A+ | 9,500+, 4.8 | 2004 | USNews “Best Overall” 2025-26, AFTA gap insurance |
| Sherpa Auto Transport | A+ | 4,000+ | 2017 | Price Lock Promise, free wash on delivery |
| Easy Auto Ship | A+ | 5,000+ | 2014 | Forbes Home recommended, free rental if late |
This comparison is informational only. Pricing, service quality, and policies change. Verify current details directly on each company’s website or BBB profile before booking.
What Makes Autos Mover Different
We are smaller than Montway or AmeriFreight – we have shipped 100+ vehicles, not 1 million. But for many customers, that is an advantage:
- You are not a number. When you call our dispatch line, you reach a real person at our Sacramento office who can pull up your file immediately.
- The owner answers complaints. Customer escalations come straight to leadership, not to a call-center supervisor.
- Carriers know us. We have direct relationships with the carriers we use. No third-party load board lottery.
- ZeroDown Guarantee. No upfront payment – we don’t even take a credit card hold until your carrier is assigned.
- Transparent published pricing. Our rate card is the same on every page of our site, and matches our cost calculator. No bait pricing, no surprise revisions.
Auto Transport Companies FAQ
How many auto transport companies are there in the U.S.?
There are approximately 100+ licensed auto transport brokers and 50,000+ active carriers registered with the FMCSA. The vast majority are small operations – the top 10 brokers account for roughly 35% of all consumer auto transport bookings.
What is the largest auto transport company?
Montway Auto Transport is widely considered the largest by volume, shipping 100,000+ vehicles per year. Other major players include AmeriFreight, Sherpa Auto Transport, uShip, and Easy Auto Ship.
Are smaller auto transport companies safer?
Not necessarily. Size doesn’t equal trust. What matters: FMCSA registration, BBB accreditation, real reviews, transparent pricing, and no upfront deposits. A small but reputable broker can be safer than a large company with poor customer service.
What are the cheapest auto transport companies?
Marketplace platforms like uShip often have the lowest sticker prices, but you trade off customer service and protection. Direct brokers like Autos Mover offer middle-of-market pricing with full service. Avoid the absolute cheapest quotes – they are usually bait pricing that gets revised upward after booking.
Should I use a broker or a direct carrier?
Use a broker for most shipments. Brokers cover every U.S. route and offer competitive pricing. Use a direct carrier (like Reliable Carriers or Intercity Lines) only if you need premium enclosed transport for a luxury/exotic vehicle on one of their established routes.
How do I avoid auto transport scams?
Verify FMCSA registration, never pay upfront deposits via wire/Zelle/Venmo, get everything in writing, and avoid quotes that are dramatically cheaper than competitors. We wrote a detailed guide: why our ZeroDown Guarantee exists.
Get a Free Quote from Autos Mover
- Online: Free instant quote in 2 minutes
- Cost calculator: Estimate your shipping price
- Phone: (279) 300-3808
- Email: sales@autosmover.com
Autos Mover is a DBA of Skyline Transportation. USDOT #4232458, MC #1637675. BBB-accredited A+ business since 2024. Licensed, bonded, and insured in all 50 states.