Reviews, Services and Car Shipping Costs (2022)
12 min readShopping around is one of the best ways to find a good deal on car shipping services, and uShip lets you compare quotes from dozens of providers at once. In this article, we’ll cover uShip reviews, pricing, shipping services and more to help you decide if you should use the marketplace or shop for quotes on your own.
Shipping your car can feel daunting. While you might not ship your vehicle very often, it’s important to find the right provider. We’ve reviewed the best car shipping companies to help you find the best prices and services.
Best Car Shipping Companies
The Detroit Bureau reviewed the top car shipping companies to find the best.
uShip: Our Rating
| Overall Rating | 8.4 / 10.0 |
|---|---|
| Industry Reputation | 8.5 |
| Shipping Cost | 8.0 |
| Services | 9.5 |
| Customer Experience | 7.5 |
uShip Overview
UShip Logo uship’s review gives it a rating of 8.4/10 for 2022.
Headquarters: Austin, Texas
Founded: 2003
Service Area: All 50 states, plus overseas shipping
Unlike most of its competitors in the car shipping industry, uShip isn’t a carrier, and it isn’t a broker. Instead, uShip is an online marketplace that connects customers with many car shipping carriers. Since the company offers such a wide range of shipping services, you can find a provider to ship your car to a neighboring state or across the world. It also offers shipping outside of the continental U.S. to Hawaii and Alaska.
In terms of its industry reputation, uShip has high ratings from both the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and customers on Trustpilot.
Established in 2004, uShip says it has shipped items for over 6 million customers worldwide. According to uShip, its network includes 41,000 active carriers. However, you’ll also need to research your carrier’s reputation when using uShip’s marketplace. Unlike other top auto transport companies, uShip does not vet carriers.
What We Like About uShip
As an auto shipping marketplace, uShip gives you access to a huge selection of carriers. That means your shipping options are practically unlimited.
Beyond cars, uShip can transport motorcycles, RVs, household items, farm equipment and more. The marketplace also provides less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) freight services for companies.
The marketplace model also allows you to easily compare multiple shipping quotes at once. This is a convenient way to find the lowest rate for you.
Is uShip Worth It?
Yes. It’s easy to compare car shipping quotes from providers and find an affordable option using uShip. We always recommend getting quotes from multiple providers, so while you may want to check with other providers as well, uShip is certainly worth considering.
How Much Does Car Shipping With uShip Cost?
Our research team found that the average cost of shipping with uShip is approximately $1,041, which is lower than the industry average of $1,200. The company offered surprisingly competitive rates for distances between 1,000 and 2,000 miles.
uShip Car Shipping Quotes
Below are a few uShip quotes we received using the instant pricing tool. These quotes were for operable vehicles using door-to-door service.
| Route | Vehicle | Shipping Distance | Transport Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY to Washington, DC | Car | 227 miles | Open | $617 |
| Boston, MA to Portland, ME | Car | 112 miles | Open | $347 |
| San Diego, CA to Portland, OR | Car | 1,082 miles | Open | $1,020 |
| Boston, MA to Boulder, CO | Midsize Sedan | 1,985 miles | Open | $1,281 |
| Boston, MA to Boulder, CO | SUV | 1,985 miles | Open | $1,409 |
| Boston, MA to Boulder, CO | Car | 1,985 miles | Open | $1,305 |
| Boston, MA to Prineville, OR | Midsize Sedan | 2,980 miles | Open | $1,859 |
Since uShip allows carriers to bid on shipments, you can find a range of shipping prices through the service. Car shipping costs also vary depending on the vehicle, time of year, miles traveled and other factors. According to uShip reviews, customers usually find affordable rates on the platform.
uShip Quotes Process
uShip provides two ways to get car shipping quotes. The first option is through an instant quote, but your car must fit certain specifications, such as:
- The vehicle is operable.
- The vehicle is not too large or heavy.
- The vehicle can be exposed to the elements.
However, if you’d prefer to use enclosed transport services, or if the vehicle is too big to fit on a standard truck, you’ll need to make a marketplace listing. After uploading details about your vehicle, pickup and drop-off timeframe and final destination, you’ll start receiving bids from carriers. This can be a much cheaper option than using the instant quote service.
For owners of older vehicles, uShip’s instant quote feature accommodates models from 1981 and later. If you have a vintage car, you’ll have to fill out a marketplace listing.
uShip Car Shipping Cost Factors
The cost of auto transport varies from shipment to shipment, and companies take a variety of factors into account when quoting costs. These factors include:
- Distance: Longer shipping distances cost more overall but have a lower rate per mile.
- Rural vs. metropolitan area: If your pickup or delivery location is in a rural area, you’ll pay more.
- Service type: Open car transport is cheaper than enclosed transport, and terminal-to-terminal shipping is cheaper than door-to-door.
- Time of year: Many people move and ship their cars during the summer months and January, so prices are higher during these times.
- Carrier competition: Car shipping companies, such as brokers and marketplaces, allow carriers to compete for your business, which often drives shipping costs down.
- Price of fuel: Shipment costs can fluctuate depending on the price of gas.
- Vehicle operability: If your car isn’t operable, you’ll pay more for the carrier to push or winch it onto the vehicle transport truck.
- Vehicle size: It costs more to ship trucks and SUVs because they take up more room on or in the carrier.
How to Lower Your uShip Shipping Costs
To save money using uShip’s services, opt for a marketplace listing rather than an instant quote. A marketplace listing can attract shippers looking to fill extra space on trucks or offer customers more scheduling options. This option also increases competition among carriers, which can drive down costs.
It’s cheapest to have your car shipped via open transport, but this won’t work for all vehicles. For example, a Toyota 4Runner with larger aftermarket tires won’t fit on a multi-car truck. Or, if you lowered your Honda Civic by two inches, the carrier won’t be able to move it onto the truck without risking damage. Special cases like these may require flatbed shipping. You should also consider terminal-to-terminal shipping options, which are more affordable than door-to-door services.
It’s best to have a flexible schedule and book shipments at least two weeks in advance. You can save money by avoiding the summertime and January, which are peak moving times. Keep in mind that the quotes you receive from carriers are estimates and may not include the cost of cargo insurance or final service charges.
Also, if you’re looking for cheap car shipping, it never hurts to ask about discounts. uShip offers savings for customers with military credentials, and the company says it will waive fees on the first shipment for qualified customers.
uShip Auto Shipping Services
Since uShip works with multiple carriers, the company offers a wide variety of car shipping services, including:
- Open transport: Ship your vehicle using an open-air carrier to reduce overall transport costs. However, be aware that your vehicle will be exposed to the elements.
- Enclosed transport: Ship your car within a closed truck or container for more protection. This service is best suited for luxury vehicles and classic cars.
- Expedited transport: The carrier picks your car up within a day or two instead of a week or more.
- Terminal-to-terminal: Depending on the carrier, you can book a shipment between auto shipping terminals to save money. Terminals are typically located near major cities.
- Door-to-door: Rather than meet a carrier at a terminal, you can have your vehicle delivered right to your door.
- Domestic shipping: Carriers in uShip’s network can transport vehicles nationwide, including to and from Alaska and Hawaii.
- International shipping: You can use uShip to book an international vehicle shipment via a drive-on vessel or a shipping container.
- Alternative vehicles: Use the marketplace to ship motorcycles, RVs, personal watercraft, heavy equipment and more.
When you pay for a shipment, uShip won’t transfer the carrier’s payment until the shipment is completed. This is called an escrow payment hold. Many positive uShip reviews note this feature, as it protects customers from carrier scams. uShip offers free cancellation, but not all carriers do. Depending on the agreement and time of cancellation, you may have to pay a cancellation fee to the carrier.
With each shipment, uShip offers GPS tracking, which you can access through the company’s mobile app or website. Additionally, if you list a vehicle on eBay, you can connect the listing to uShip’s website to show shoppers estimated shipping costs that are personalized to their locations. If you have further questions, uShip makes contacting customer support easy by email or phone.
How Does uShip Work?
uShip.com is a marketplace that connects licensed car shippers with customers. You can view public profiles, DOT numbers and reviews for each shipper and select a bid that works with your budget. You will pay in full, but the money will be held until you release it after receiving the vehicle.
uShip Reviews from Customers
According to uShip reviews, the majority of uShip customers have positive experiences with the company. uShip’s BBB reviews average a 4.6 out of 5.0-star rating. Additionally, uShip reviews average 4.1 stars out of 5.0 on Trustpilot. That is based on nearly 11,000 customer reviews, 82% of which fall into the “Excellent” category. Overall, 14.5% of reviewers explicitly mention recommending the company to others.
Keep in mind that customers’ experiences with uShip can differ from experiences they have with carriers. uShip offers its own carrier service called uShip Logistics, but customers can choose among many other carriers, too. When you’re choosing a car shipper, it’s a good idea to look up its customer ratings on uShip. Also check out its insurance coverage, United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number and operating authority number.
Positive uShip Reviews
In the positive uShip reviews we found, many customers talked about low prices and the professionalism displayed by carriers. In fact, 10% of reviews positively mention the “price” or “cost” of service. Here is what some customers said about using the uShip marketplace:
“I had a vehicle picked up from a dealership in Austin, Texas, and delivered to my residence in South Carolina. All went as one would hope and expect. I liked my dollars being held by uShip until I received the car.”
– George A. via BBB
“Wayne did an outstanding job. I would hire him again with no hesitation. uShip made it possible to shop for different carriers. What I thought would be very frustrating turned out to be very easy.”
– Bill S. via BBB
Negative uShip Reviews
Most of the negative uShip reviews we read reported issues with a carrier, not uShip. It’s also important to note that uShip does not vet carriers. Instead, this responsibility falls on customers. That’s why many negative reviews focus on confusion when it comes to deciding which insurance company is responsible for a claim. It should be noted that only 16% of reviewers rated this provider 1 out of 5-stars.
Here is what some customers had to say about vehicle moving companies they found through uShip:
“Be careful of shipping scams through uShip. My shipment was stolen by the carrier, and uShip provided no effective assistance. My shipping provider was a criminal, and uShip takes no responsibility for scams like this operating under their umbrella.”
– Shannon E. via BBB
“I was lied to about shipping destinations by the driver. I had to meet him at a location of his choice when he was supposed to deliver the car to my residence. uShip did nothing to help.”
– Steven W. via BBB
Our Shipping Experience Research
Our shipping experts conducted a survey in 2021 of 1,000 auto transport customers. According to that survey, we found that uShip was one of the more popular transportation service providers for enclosed carriers and single-car shipping compared to open vehicle transport.
For overall customer satisfaction, 59% of uShip customers in our survey responded that they were satisfied with the company’s performance. Only 29% of respondents said they were unhappy with services from the transporter, and 12% reported being neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.
Here are a few other highlights we learned about the shipping process in our survey.
Car Shipping Industry Satisfaction and Issues
Approximately 69% of consumers reported being satisfied with their provider, according to our survey. Of that data slice, 56% said they would recommend their shipping provider to another person.
The auto shipping business is not a hassle-free industry. Some of the most common issues respondents reported include damage to their vehicles upon delivery, the shipping company’s insurer denying claims and prices increasing after booking services.
While some of this can be attributed to administrative issues, it is important to remember that most auto transport companies contract services out to independent truck drivers. This means there’s greater variance in customer experience.
Car Shipping Prices
Of the 1,000 auto shipping customers we polled, 41% percent said they paid between $1,000 to $2,000 for auto shipping. To break that down even further, approximately 22% of respondents said they paid between $1,500 to $2,000 for auto shipping, and another 19% paid between $1,000 and $1,500.
Our Verdict on uShip: 8.4 / 10.0
We name uShip the Best Shipping Marketplace. The majority of uShip customers receive affordable shipping rates and give positive reviews of the service. uShip also provides useful features such as escrow payment holds and GPS tracking through the mobile uShip app. For these reasons, we rate uShip an 8.4 out of a possible 10.0 points.
One of the few drawbacks of choosing uShip is that the onus of vetting the vehicle carrier is placed on the customer. Whether you want to move a vehicle long-distance or just a few hours away, it can be hard to ship with confidence if it feels like a risk.
Book instantly or let shippers compete for your business.
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Top Recommendations for Car Shipping
While uShip offers a wide variety of shipping service providers to choose from, it’s a good idea to get quotes from multiple car shipping companies. uShip charges carriers a service fee at checkout to book shipments through its platform, so you may be able to find cheaper prices by getting quotes directly from an auto transporter. We recommend checking out Montway Auto Transport and AmeriFreight.
Montway Auto Transport: Best Provider
Montway Auto Transport is a car shipping broker with an established network of over 15,000 carriers, which Montway’s team personally vets. Customers can get door-to-door and expedited service with open or enclosed trucks. Montway Auto Transport has an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB, and it’s known for its friendly service. After a thorough Montway Auto Transport review, we give the company a 9.0 out of 10.0-star rating and name it the Best Provider overall.
Our first choice for car shipping with great rates and service.
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AmeriFreight: Best for Discounts
If you’re looking for an affordable car shipping quote, it’s a good idea to reach out to AmeriFreight. Established in 2004, the highly regarded broker holds an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB. AmeriFreight offers the best selection of discounts, including some for military and medical personnel, students and return customers. In our review of the best car shipping companies, we give AmeriFreight 9.0 out of 10.0 stars and name it Best for Discounts.
Read our AmeriFreight review to learn more about the provider.
This broker offers more discount opportunities than competitors.
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FAQ: uShip Reviews
Is uShip legitimate?
Yes, uShip is a legitimate car shipping marketplace. However, it is not a carrier or a broker. It simply connects customers to a variety of carriers, and it’s up to the customer to research each carrier.
What is the uShip fee?
Typically, uShip charges under $100 to use its service to ship a car. However, this service fee can change depending on several factors.
Do I need a USDOT number for uShip?
uShip doesn’t vet carriers, meaning customers should verify insurance coverage and USDOT registration from each carrier they consider. You can purchase add-on cargo insurance from uShip for more protection and peace of mind. If your vehicle is valued at up to $10,000, the policy will have a $500 deductible. If the vehicle is valued above $10,000, the cargo insurance deductible will be $750.
Can you get scammed on uShip?
According to uShip’s website, it advises consumers to avoid carriers that request partial or full payments upfront. It also warns against using providers that ask for a non-bank to bank wire transfer, making payments without completed services or communication from the provider or working with movers that claim to have stored your recently purchased items.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car shipping provider to formulate rankings of the best auto transport companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account pricing, services, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in four categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend car shipping companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best service.
