American Auto Shipping Reviews

American Auto Shipping Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Tracking options (vary by carrier)	Negative online reviews
Available nationwide	Says online quotes takes info and emails, texts and calls
24/7 customer support	Reports of unresponsive customer service

About American Auto Shipping

American Auto Shipping has been in the auto transport industry for over 25 years. During that time, it has provided 786,000 quotes and shipped 182,000 vehicles. The company offers both open and enclosed transport options for a variety of vehicles including cars, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles and heavy equipment.

Where is American Auto Shipping available?

American Auto Shipping offers its services across the entire U.S., covering all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska. The company provides both local and long-distance auto transport, catering to customers in urban, suburban and rural areas. According to its website, American Auto Shipping can facilitate auto transport by truck or rail and specializes in military auto shipping. 

Is American Auto Shipping legit?

American Auto Shipping is a legitimate vehicle shipping company. With over 20 years of experience in the auto transport industry, the company has provided more than 786,000 quotes and shipped more than 182,000 vehicles. Still, this is less volume than some top competitors like Montway. American Auto Shipping is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau and holds an A+ rating from the BBB.

What Car-Shipping Services Does American Auto Shipping Offer?

American Auto Shipping offers a comprehensive range of vehicle-shipping services tailored to meet the diverse needs of its customers. Whether you’re relocating for the military, purchasing a new car or sending a vehicle to a relative, American Auto Shipping provides nationwide transport solutions — including to Alaska and Hawaii.

These are the main services available through American Auto Shipping:

• Cross-country transport: American Auto Shipping offers nationwide vehicle transport via truck and rail. Shipping from the West Coast to the East Coast typically takes seven to 10 days. 
• Enclosed transport: Enclosed transport is more expensive than open and best for classic, luxury and exotic vehicles because it uses covered and contained transport trailers. These trucks carry between two and six vehicles at the same time — typically on a single tier. 
• Open transport: This type of auto transport is open to the elements, meaning there’s a greater chance of damage to the vehicle. Open carriers usually haul 10 cars at the same time, with the vehicles stacked on multiple tiers. 
• Rail transport: Rail transport involves shipping a car on a train rather than a truck and may be a cheaper option. That said, many railroad lines don’t service customers who need to ship one or two vehicles, so it’s not an option for many. According to American Auto Shipping’s website, however, the company can facilitate this type of transportation. 
• Door-to-door shipping: With door-to-door auto transport, the carrier will pick up your vehicle at a specific location and drop it off at your new location. If the truck can’t access your preferred location, the driver will arrange to pick up and drop off the car at another agreed upon location. 
• Transport from California to Hawaii: Like many of the best car-shipping companies, American Auto Shipping works with carriers that service addresses in Hawaii. Carriers offer three types of shipping from California to Hawaii: roll-on roll-off shipping, container shipping and private shipping containers. The company also facilitates shipping from Hawaii to the mainland. 
• Motorcycle and heavy equipment transport: In addition to shipping cars, American Auto Shipping works with carriers that can transport motorcycles and heavy equipment, including airplanes, bulldozers, forklifts and more. Machinery may be transported in containers, flatbed haulers, trains and other options. 
• Military car shipping: Military car shipping is available for members of the armed services who need to transport their personal vehicles, but it’s also a suitable option for military vehicles, including humvees and surplus tanks. Shipping options include open, enclosed and flatbed transport.
• Auto auction shipping: Buying a car at auction can be a great way to find the specific vehicle you’re looking for by expanding your search nationwide. To assist with auto auction shipping, American Auto Shipping will need your lot number, buyer number and a release form. 

Additional American Auto Shipping Features

American Auto Shipping offers some additional features designed to make shipping your vehicle easier. These features aim to provide greater flexibility, ease of use and peace of mind during the vehicle transport process. These are some of the main features American Auto Shipping offers:

Tracking

GPS tracking may be available, but this depends on the auto transport company assigned to transport your vehicle through American Auto Shipping. Because GPS is expensive, many of these companies do not offer 24/7 tracking, but you can contact your car-shipping representative to determine whether GPS tracking is available. You can also contact the driver to find out where they are. 

Discounts

American Auto Shipping is a vehicle transport broker that works with numerous trucking companies, including small owner-operators. For that reason, available discounts vary. In  general, though, auto-shipping discounts may be available if you pay cash, ship more than one car at a time or are a member of the military. You may also qualify for a reduced price by shipping during the winter months or on a regularly traveled route. 

Insurance

Vehicles being transported on a car transport truck are insured through the carrier’s insurance policy, with your personal policy providing secondary coverage. Federal law requires all auto transport carriers to carry liability and cargo insurance. If your car is damaged during transport, the trucking company’s insurance will cover repair costs.

Damage-free guarantee

American Auto Shipping has a “Damage Free or We Help Pay” guarantee that will help pay your insurance policy deductible if your car is damaged during transport that is not covered by the carrier’s insurance. You must first file a claim with the carrier, have that claim rejected and then file a claim with your personal insurer. Once the claim is accepted by your insurance company, American Auto Shipping will pay up to $500.

Free rental car

With American Auto Shipping’s Concierge Auto Transport Service, you can get a free rental car if your auto transport takes more than 14 days from pickup to delivery. This benefit doesn’t extend to Alaska or Hawaii shipments and rental-car reimbursement is limited to $35 per day for up to 15 days. 

Customer service

American Auto Shipping offers 24/7 support via online chat and phone at one of its two offices in Las Vegas and Portland, Oregon. You can also contact the company via an online form. These contact options are less robust than those available from other top carriers, but the 24/7 availability stands out from some of its competitors. That said, some online reviews indicate American Auto Shipping’s customer service team is not responsive and that it can be difficult to get in touch with someone about the status of your vehicle transportation.

American Auto Shipping Cost

American Auto Shipping costs depend on several factors, including the vehicle and its condition, pickup and drop-off locations, and timing. Enclosed transport is more expensive than open transport. You’ll also pay $200 more for priority shipping and $500 more for expedited shipping with pickup within 24 hours. 

We prepared several quotes to give you an idea of American Auto Shipping costs based on a 2020 Toyota Camry in operable condition with shipment as soon as possible. All regular pricing requires a $299 down payment with the remaining balance due as cash on delivery; cash payments require a down payment of the full amount.

Shipping Route (Miles)	Service	Regular Price	Cash Price
Orlando, Fla. (32806) to Charlotte, N.C. (28202) (~500 miles)	Door-to-door open shipping	$675	$600
Orlando, Fla. (32806) to Charlotte, N.C. (28202) (~500 miles)	Door-to-door enclosed shipping	$935	$850
Los Angeles (90001) to Houston (77001) (~1,500 miles)	Door-to-door open shipping	$1,075	$1,000
Los Angeles (90001) to Houston (77001) (~1,500 miles)	Door-to-door enclosed shipping	$1,525	$1,450
New York (10001) to Las Vegas (89104) (~2,500 miles)	Door-to-door open shipping	$1,425	$1,350
New York (10001) to Las Vegas (89104) (~2,500 miles)	Door-to-door enclosed shipping	$1,875	$1,800

How Does American Auto Shipping Work?

Like many of the best car-shipping companies, American Auto Shipping has an online quote process that makes it easy to plan your car transportation. Follow these steps to ship your car with American Auto Shipping:

• Get a quote. Begin the shipping process by completing a vehicle transport form online or calling the company at 800-930-7417. Enter details about your vehicle, transport preferences and timeline. You’ll be able to view your quote on the webpage and via email. 
• Place your order. Review your quote and, if all of the information is correct and you are happy with the price, click your button to place your order. 
• Schedule pickup. The carrier assigned to your order will contact you to schedule an exact pickup time and location. With standard service, it usually takes one to three weekdays for your vehicle to get picked up. Priority takes one to two weekdays, and pickup for expedited shipping takes 24 hours. 
• Inspect the vehicle. On the day of pickup, inspect your vehicle with the truck driver and mark existing damage. Take photographs of the vehicle to document its condition prior to transport. The driver will then load your vehicle on the truck and begin transport. 
• Await transportation. After your vehicle is picked up and loaded onto the carrier, the transport process begins. You’ll have the driver’s and dispatcher’s direct phone number so you can check on the status of transportation during this time.
• Get your car. Your carrier will contact you the day before delivery to provide a delivery window and make additional arrangements. When the vehicle arrives, inspect it to ensure there’s no damage. If you don’t list damage on the Bill of Lading, you won’t be able to file a claim on the carrier’s insurance. 

American Auto Shipping Customer Satisfaction

American Auto Shipping customer satisfaction appears to be mixed. The company has a 4.58-star rating based on 334 customer reviews on the BBB website. American Auto Shipping’s rating on Trustpilot is just 3.9 stars, but this is only based on 23 reviews. 

Dissatisfied customers report trouble communicating with the company and issues coordinating pickup. Other reviews reference vehicle damage during transport and a lack of clarity around repairs. 

Notably, several online reviews of American Auto Shipping are from carriers who have transported vehicles for the broker. Some reviews from 2024 report receiving communications from American Auto Shipping indicating the company doesn’t have the funds to compensate carriers that have already transported vehicles. However, it’s unclear whether this is accurate. 

American Auto Shipping Alternatives

Choosing the right car-shipping service can make a significant difference in your vehicle transport experience. While American Auto Shipping offers a variety of services and benefits, it’s best to compare your options to ensure you’re getting the best value for your needs. These are some of the top alternatives to American Auto Shipping:

American Auto Shipping vs. Montway Auto Transport

American Auto Shipping has been in business a few years longer than Montway, but has transported fewer vehicles. American Auto’s transport services are similar — as are prices — with some quotes higher than those available through Montway. Both companies offer nationwide shipping and facilitate transport to and from Hawaii. 

American Auto Shipping vs. Sherpa Auto Transport

Like American Auto Shipping, Sherpa Auto Transport is a car shipping agent with national coverage. Quotes include insurance and you can get one online, including a reduced cash price and a Price Lock Promise. Sherpa has been in business since 2017 and has mixed reviews online.

American Auto Shipping vs. AmeriFreight

Established in 2004, AmeriFreight is one of the oldest companies in the industry but still newer than American Auto Shipping. The company vets all of its carriers, offers several discounts and boasts extremely high customer reviews. You can also get an instant quote online, which — like American Auto Shipping — requires providing your phone number.

American Auto Shipping FAQ

Is American Auto Shipping a reputable company?

American Auto Shipping is a reputable company with a 4.58-star rating on the BBB based on 334 reviews. However, customer satisfaction is mixed, with some complaints about communication issues and vehicle damage. There are also some comments suggesting American Auto Shipping doesn’t pay its carriers in a timely fashion, but the circumstances of this are unclear. 

How long has American Auto Shipping been in business?

American Auto Shipping has been in business since 1999, serving the auto transport needs of customers for over two decades. The company’s longevity in the industry underscores its experience and established presence among auto shipping companies. 

How do I know if my car shipping company is legit?

Check for a valid operating authority by verifying their U.S. Department of Transportation number and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration registration. Read online reviews on multiple platforms, examine their BBB rating and confirm each provider offers insurance coverage. Reputable companies should also provide clear communication and transparent pricing without hidden fees.