How to compare car shipping quotes side by side
Car shipping quotes can look alike but mean very different things. A simple way to line them up and pick the one most likely to deliver on time and on price.
Three quotes for the same trip can look similar and still lead to very different experiences. Here's how to compare them properly.
Make sure they're quoting the same thing
Check each quote for:
- Open or enclosed transport.
- Door to door, or terminal to terminal.
- The pickup window and whether any date is guaranteed.
- Whether the vehicle is listed as running and with the right size.
If one quote is cheaper because it's quoting something different, it isn't really cheaper.
Compare the total cost, not the headline
Add up the deposit, the balance and any fees for things like inoperable vehicles, oversized vehicles or expedited pickup. Ask whether the total can change.
Be suspicious of the outlier
If one price is far below the others, ask how they'll find a carrier for it. Often they can't, and the price rises later. See why quotes change.
Compare the companies, not just the numbers
For each quote, check:
- Reviews: especially recent and critical ones. See how to read reviews.
- FMCSA authority: is it active? See how to check.
- Type: broker, carrier, or both, shown on every company page on our site.
Use our quote board
On Transport Auto Reviews you can post your trip once and sponsoring companies send their prices to one page. Each price links straight to that company's reviews, and your contact details are never shared. The page also shows what reviewers paid on the same route, so you can tell whether a price is realistic.