With two decades of experience in the industry, AmeriFreight (USDOT # 2238770) brokers car shipping to and within all 50 states and offers online quotes that are less costly than those of many competitors. Although the company does not offer vehicle shipping to territories outside the mainland U.S. or internationally, it made our list of best car shipping companies for its price-matching guarantee and variety of discounts, both for members of the military and those who need to ship multiple cars.
Bonus: AmeriFreight even offers free cancellation before a carrier is dispatched to ship the vehicle. It’s worth noting that, according to AmeriFreight, the company dispatches orders to carriers right after you accept the offer, so you don’t have much time to cancel.
Pros
- Quotes are less expensive than many competitors’
- Variety of discounts offered
- Extra insurance options provided
Cons
- No international shipping
- No GPS tracking
- Minimal military discount
Table of Contents
- All About AmeriFreight
- AmeriFreight Costs
- AmeriFreight Services
- AmeriFreight Availability
- AmeriFreight Consumer Sentiment and Customer Results
- How AmeriFreight Works
- AmeriFreight vs. Competitors
- What Sets AmeriFreight Apart?
- AmeriFreight Drawbacks
- Where Is AmeriFreight Available?
- Who Is AmeriFreight Best For?
- Methodology – How We Rated Car Shipping Companies
All About AmeriFreight
AmeriFreight is a 20-year-old auto shipping company run out of Peachtree, Georgia. The company is a broker (which means that the company partners with third parties that do the actual move) and not a carrier (which is a company that operates car shipping in-house). The company states that it verifies the experience, qualifications, insurance and registrations of its contractors before dispatching them to ship a car. Another peace-of-mind aspect for potential customers is $2,000 in extra gap insurance that AmeriFreight offers beyond basic insurance to cover any damage.
Beyond typical open and closed transport options for cars, motorcycles and trucks, customers can also consider shipping items like boats, RVs and more. If you’re choosing closed transport, like many other companies, AmeriFreight will charge more than open transport. If you need it, expedited shipping can be arranged for an extra fee of at least $100.
If you’re looking for discounts, AmeriFreight has several opportunities to save money on your car shipping experience. Members of the military, first responders, medical personnel, students, senior citizens and more can all potentially benefit from one of the company’s year-round discounts, so it’s worth asking in your initial call with a representative if any could apply to you.
Customers can receive “instant quotes” online, though it must be mentioned that you’ll have to enter several lines of contact information to reach the quote page, and you’ll likely need to call to get a more accurate estimate.
Featured Partners
1
Nexus Auto Transport
BBB Score
Excellent
States Serviced
50
International Shipping
Yes
2
Navi Auto Transport
BBB Score
Not Accredited
States Serviced
50
International Shipping
No
3
Montway Auto Transport
BBB Score
A+
States Serviced
50
International Shipping
No
AmeriFreight Costs
This extensive table below shows prices broken down by total cost and cost per mile for a variety of vehicle options, origin and destination locations and shipping options so you can get a better sense of what to expect from AmeriFreight. These are just that—estimates—so chat with an AmeriFreight representative to get a customized quote for your specific needs.
| VEHICLE TYPE | TO/FROM | APPROXIMATE DISTANCE | SHIPPING OPTION | TOTAL COST | COST PER MILE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Toyota Camry | St. Louis / Oklahoma City | 500 | Open | $643 | $1.29 |
| 2023 Toyota Camry | St. Louis / Phoenix | 1,500 | Open | $875 | $0.58 |
| 2023 Toyota Camry | Pittsburgh / Los Angeles | 2,500 | Open | $1,068 | $0.43 |
| 2023 Toyota Camry | St. Louis / Oklahoma City | 500 | Enclosed | $1,093 | $2.19 |
| 2023 Toyota Camry | St. Louis / Phoenix | 1,500 | Enclosed | $1,488 | $0.99 |
| 2023 Toyota Camry | Pittsburgh / Los Angeles | 2,500 | Enclosed | $1,816 | $0.73 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | St. Louis / Oklahoma City | 500 | Open | $643 | $1.29 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | St. Louis / Phoenix | 1,500 | Open | $875 | $0.58 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Pittsburgh / Los Angeles | 2,500 | Open | $1,068 | $0.43 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | St. Louis / Oklahoma City | 500 | Enclosed | $1,093 | $2.19 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | St. Louis / Phoenix | 1,500 | Enclosed | $1,488 | $0.99 |
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Pittsburgh / Los Angeles | 2,500 | Enclosed | $1,816 | $0.73 |
| 2023 Ford F-150 | St. Louis / Oklahoma City | 500 | Open | $768 | $1.54 |
| 2023 Ford F-150 | St. Louis / Phoenix | 1,500 | Open | $1,000 | $0.67 |
| 2023 Ford F-150 | Pittsburgh / Los Angeles | 2,500 | Open | $1,193 | $0.48 |
| 2023 Ford F-150 | St. Louis / Oklahoma City | 500 | Enclosed | $1,306 | $2.61 |
| 2023 Ford F-150 | St. Louis / Phoenix | 1,500 | Enclosed | $1,700 | $1.13 |
| 2023 Ford F-150 | Pittsburgh / Los Angeles | 2,500 | Enclosed | $2,029 | $0.81 |
Cost Factors
It’s important to consider the following aspects that will shape your final car shipping cost before you sign on for a service with any company:
- Open or enclosed transport: As mentioned above, open and closed transport options are both available through AmeriFreight, and enclosed transport is going to cost more. In the case of the estimates above, a quote we received for open transport for a 2023 Ford F-150 was $768, versus $1,306 for enclosed transport for the same mileage.
- Origin and destination locations: Of course, the distance you’re shipping your car will dictate your final cost. As shown above, shipping the same car 500 miles is $768 versus $1,193 for a 2,500-mile distance. Also, if either location is in a more rural or congested area, pricing may change to reflect availability and accessibility in the area.
- Seasonality: Time of year can make a big difference in cost when shipping your car, especially if you’re shipping it in an area that gets inclement weather. Shipping a car from Florida during hurricane season, or to Montana during the winter, may mean higher pricing.
- The size and condition of your vehicle: Heavier vehicles may be more expensive to ship. Similarly, a car that cannot run on its own may require special equipment from the company during the car shipping process.
- Insurance and gap coverage: AmeriFreight customers may be able to save some money (even unexpectedly if damage should occur) through the company’s up-to-$2,000 extra gap coverage.
- Timeline: The more flexibility with your schedule, the better, says Rami Sneineh, the vice president at Insurance Navy, which deals in auto claims. He adds to Forbes Home, “Attempting to reserve a service at the last minute may not only result in high prices, but also may compel you to make a compromise by choosing less reputable or slower services.”
- Add-ons: If you need specialized add-ons for your particular situation, they will all likely be at an extra cost. Make sure to discuss these costs thoroughly with an AmeriFreight representative before signing any agreement.
AmeriFreight Services
AmeriFreight offers both enclosed and open car shipping options for a large range of vehicles, from cars and SUVs to trucks and RVs. The company even brokers shipping for extra items like campers, boats and golf carts. With over 10,000 carriers within AmeriFreight’s network, you’re likely to be matched with a carrier that can move all of your specialized items.
The company can ship your car and any of the above mentioned items locally as well as across state lines and across the country. What AmeriFreight cannot do is ship internationally, but it can ship to the non-contiguous states, Hawaii and Alaska, which not every national car shipping company offers.
An interesting service many companies don’t offer, AmeriFreight can ship using a top-loading trailer. This ensures that your vehicle has less opportunity for exposure to road elements like rocks and salt but also less possibility of being damaged by other vehicles’ drips and grease. You can also opt for expedited shipping if you need to speed up the timeline, which on average is three to five days for shorter distances and around seven days or longer for long-distance moves.
AmeriFreight also ships classic, antique and luxury vehicles, which is great for any avid car collectors.
AmeriFreight Availability
AmeriFreight provides service to all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. However, the company isn’t available to help with shipments to or from Puerto Rico, other U.S. territories or international locations.
Car Shipping Companies By State
AmeriFreight Consumer Sentiment and Customer Results
After running and analyzing over 18,911 insights, our editorial team found that the majority of AmeriFreight consumers rated the company highly. With a score of 9.2 out of 10, AmeriFreight shines in the areas of tracking and communication and insurance coverage.
Many reviews mentioned reliable, friendly and professional staff that offered excellent and consistent communication throughout the car shipping process. Others mentioned on-time vehicle deliveries and lack of stress while shipping their cars with AmeriFreight. More negative sentiments included lower-than-expected initial quotes compared with end prices.
Customer Survey Results
Forbes Home surveyed 1,800 recent car shipping customers across 18 different companies to assess how their experiences compared. AmeriFreight customers had overall favorable feelings toward the company, with 86% saying they would recommend it to a family member or friend. Only 9% of AmeriFreight customers reported that their final shipping cost was “significantly higher” than the initial quote, which was the lowest amount out of any company included in our survey. Better yet, 13% said their final cost was lower than they were initially quoted.
How AmeriFreight Works
Starting the process of shipping a car with AmeriFreight is fairly straightforward, but you will have to make a call to get a locked-in quote. Typically, you can also get an instant quote online, but it’s a broader estimate that can’t be too tailored to a specific plan, which is why you’ll be better off calling. Here is the process in further detail:
- Receive an instant quote via the company website.
- Call and speak with an Amerifreight representative to confirm the quote and start booking.
- Get confirmation of a driver assigned to your shipping and pay a deposit.
- Wait to hear from the driver about pickup location and time if door-to-door isn’t your approach.
- Your vehicle gets picked up by the dispatched driver and you receive the official bill of lading.
- Your vehicle is dropped off at your destination and you pay the rest of the total bill.
AmeriFreight vs. Competitors
Read more about how AmeriFreight stacks up against competitors below.
AmeriFreight vs. SGT Transport
AmeriFreight and SGT Transport are both more value-oriented companies, with multiple opportunities for discounts and lower-than-industry-average pricing. SGT Transport does run slightly more expensive, though, with a 2023 Toyota Camry traveling 500 miles in open transport coming in at $739 according to our data research, versus AmeriFreight’s $643. The major edge SGT Auto Transport has over AmeriFreight is that it offers international shipping.
Learn More: SGT Transport review
AmeriFreight vs. Sherpa Auto Transport
Like AmeriFreight, Sherpa Auto Transport covers all 50 states and also does not offer international car shipping. Sherpa Auto Transport is also a broker versus a carrier. However, Sherpa Auto Transport offers elements like binding quotes, and AmeriFreight offers expedited shipping, while Sherpa does not.
Learn More: Sherpa Review
What Sets AmeriFreight Apart?
AmeriFreight’s brightest feature besides offering a slew of discounts for a variety of groups and having a lower-than-average 500-mile quote, according to our research team, is the gap insurance option it offers customers on top of basic insurance. If you’re one to worry about damage to your items or vehicle, AmeriFreight may win you over with that $2,000 perk alone.
AmeriFreight Drawbacks
Besides being exclusively a broker rather than a carrier for all vehicle shipping needs, we also don’t love that AmeriFreight cannot ship cars internationally or to any U.S. territory. Separately, AmeriFreight lacks some features many other companies have, including offering binding quotes, service guarantees and terminal-to-terminal shipping.
Where Is AmeriFreight Available?
AmeriFreight is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. However, you can’t bank on a car shipping contract outside the U.S. or to any U.S. territory. Transportation to Alaska or Hawaii is available and typically runs through Alaska Auto Transport.
Who Is AmeriFreight Best For?
Customers who don’t mind receiving several follow-up emails and calls after a quick look at an instant quote on AmeriFreight’s website, who also don’t mind that the service is not a direct carrier, may find that AmeriFreight offers fairly affordable prices and customizable options. Also, if you have multiple vehicles you want to ship or want to find a company that offers a variety of discounts, you may want to check out what AmeriFreight has to offer.
Methodology – How We Rated Car Shipping Companies
To determine the best car-shipping company, the Forbes Home editorial team reviewed 51 major companies, taking into account attributes such as in-house consumer sentiment analysis, pricing, services and features, nationwide availability and more.
You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates car shipping companies on our detailed methodology page.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is AmeriFreight a private or public company?
AmeriFreight is a privately owned company. The Valnev family founded the company and Asadullah Sameer Ismailzada is the CEO.
Is AmeriFreight a broker or a carrier?
AmeriFreight exclusively brokers its moves. While that might not be ideal for some homeowners, AmeriFreight guarantees on its website that all third-party carriers go through an extensive vetting process, including verification of all insurance, licenses and experience.
How can I confirm that the auto transport company I’m working with is reputable?
The best way to verify if the car shipping company you want to use is legitimate is to look up its USDOT number. A USDOT number is a unique identifier of car shipping or moving companies issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
