Car Moving Companies: Everything You Need to Know Before Shipping a Vehicle
Moving across the country? Buying a car online? Relocating for work? A car moving company can transport your vehicle without adding hundreds or thousands of miles to the odometer.
In this guide, we'll explain how car shipping works, when you should ship a vehicle instead of driving it, whether you can use a U-Haul trailer, who is liable if something goes wrong, and which companies we recommend.
Disclosure: We are not paid by Acme Car Shipping, SYCN Auto Logistics, or any company mentioned in this article. Recommendations are based on our independent research and experience in the moving industry.
What Is a Car Moving Company?
A car moving company arranges transportation for cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, classic cars, and specialty vehicles.
Most companies fall into two categories:
Auto Transport Brokers
A broker does not own the truck hauling your vehicle.
Instead, they:
- Find a licensed carrier
- Negotiate pricing
- Schedule pickup and delivery
- Handle customer service
- Track your shipment
Examples include:
Auto Transport Carriers
A carrier owns the trucks and employs the drivers who physically transport vehicles.
Many carriers only operate regionally, while brokers have access to thousands of carrier partners nationwide.
How To Move a Car
Option 1: Drive It Yourself
Best for:
- Short distances
- Flexible schedules
- Lower-value vehicles
Pros:
- Cheapest option
- Immediate access to your vehicle
Cons:
- Fuel costs
- Hotel stays
- Wear and tear
- Risk of breakdowns
Option 2: Tow It Behind a Moving Truck
If you're renting a moving truck, you can often tow your vehicle behind it.
U-Haul Options
U-Haul offers:
- Auto Transport Trailers (all wheels off the ground)
- Tow Dollies (front wheels on trailer)
This can be cost-effective, but it also increases:
- Stopping distance
- Fuel consumption
- Driving difficulty
Many drivers are comfortable towing a small sedan but become uncomfortable towing larger SUVs through mountains or urban traffic.
Option 3: Hire a Car Shipping Company
This is typically the safest and easiest option.
The process usually looks like this:
- Request a quote
- Schedule pickup
- Complete a vehicle inspection
- Sign the Bill of Lading
- Vehicle is transported
- Inspect vehicle at delivery
Most shipments are completed on open carriers.
Luxury, classic, and exotic vehicles are often transported in enclosed trailers.
Open vs. Enclosed Transport
| Type | Best For | Cost |
| Open Transport | Daily drivers | Lower |
| Enclosed Transport | Luxury, exotic, classic cars | Higher |
Open transport is what you see on highways carrying multiple vehicles.
Enclosed transport protects vehicles from weather, road debris, and visibility.
Who Is Liable If a Car Is Damaged?
This is one of the most misunderstood topics in auto transport.
Generally:
Before Pickup
The vehicle owner is responsible.
During Transit
The carrier's cargo insurance is usually responsible if damage occurs during transport.
At Delivery
The customer should inspect the vehicle before signing the delivery paperwork.
Always:
- Take timestamped photos
- Document existing damage
- Review the Bill of Lading carefully
If damage is discovered after signing without notation, claims become much more difficult.
Can Cars Be Stolen During Shipping?
Unfortunately, yes.
While rare, vehicle thefts and fraud schemes do occur.
Examples include:
News Coverage
- Kiplinger: Common Auto Transport Scams Explained
- FMCSA Company Snapshot Database
- AARP Fraud Watch Guidance on Vehicle Shipping Scams
Common scams include:
- Bait-and-switch pricing
- Fake transport companies
- Non-refundable deposits
- Holding vehicles hostage for additional payment demands
Before hiring any company:
- Verify FMCSA authority
- Confirm insurance
- Read recent reviews
- Avoid unusually low quotes
Top Car Moving Companies
1. Acme Car Shipping
Why we like them:
- Strong focus on relocation and moving industry partnerships
- Licensed and bonded
- Long operating history
- Excellent customer service reputation
- Easy quoting process
Acme specializes in helping moving companies and relocation professionals coordinate vehicle transportation alongside household moves. The company has operated since 2011 and focuses heavily on customer communication.
2. SYCN Auto Logistics
Why we like them:
- Advanced tracking technology
- Strong corporate relocation presence
- Fleet and dealer logistics experience
- Real-time shipment visibility
Originally known through ShipYourCarNow, the company launched the SYCN Auto Logistics brand to emphasize its technology-driven transportation platform. The company handles relocation, fleet, dealer, and OEM transportation programs nationwide.
Why We Recommend Acme and SYCN
Most consumers assume the biggest name is automatically the best option.
In reality, the best transport companies tend to be those that:
- Communicate well
- Vet carriers carefully
- Provide realistic pricing
- Have strong claims support
- Understand relocation logistics
Acme stands out for residential relocation and moving-industry partnerships, while SYCN stands out for technology, tracking, and large-scale transportation management.
Car Movers
Shipping a car is often easier, safer, and less stressful than driving it across the country—especially when you're already coordinating a household move.
Whether you choose to tow your vehicle behind a rental truck or hire a professional transport company, always verify licensing, insurance, and carrier authority before booking.
For most consumers, working with an experienced auto transport company such as Acme Car Shipping or SYCN Auto Logistics can simplify the entire relocation process and help avoid many of the scams and surprises that unfortunately still exist in the industry.