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Published: Sep 2, 2025, 2:47pm
Reviewed By
| Staff EditorIn order to find the best car shipping companies in Massachusetts, we looked into and scored 44 car shipping providers. During this process, we evaluated important factors such as the range of services each company offers and the quality of their customer support. We also paid special attention to the cost of the car shipping services by obtaining dozens of real price quotes from each company. Additionally, we surveyed 1,600 individual car shipping customers to get real-world insight into the performance of each company.
Our team is committed to bringing you independent, unbiased ratings and information. We use proprietary data and expert advice to inform all of our content, including the pros and cons of the top car-shipping companies and tips for choosing the best company for you. You can read more about our editorial guidelines for the ratings below.
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
When comparing the best car shipping companies in Massachusetts, it’s wise to start by weighing factors such as pricing, which locations each company serves and if a deposit is required, as well as extra fine print like cancellation policies and perks.
| COMPANY | FORBES HOME RATING | BEST FOR | ESTIMATE* | PRICE MATCHING | LEARN MORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 4.7    | Best Reliability | $800 - $1,100 | Yes | From Participating Partners | |
| 4.5 | Best Customer Communication | $840 - $1,225 | Yes | From Participating Partners | |
| 4.5 | Best Discounts | $677 - $1,151 | Yes | On AmeriFreight's Website | |
| 4.5 | Best for Customization | $839 - $1,259 | No | On Montway Auto Transport's Website | |
| 4.4 | Best Pricing | $579 - $829 | Yes | From Participating Partners |
Best Reliability
Best Reliability
Direct Connect Auto Transport
Direct Connect Auto Transport scored the top spot in this round of picks in Massachusetts, thanks in part to its focus on getting cars delivered on time. In our latest customer poll, 91% of customers said their car arrived on schedule, one of the top scores we saw across all providers.
Beyond punctuality, the company earns extra credit for its damage-free delivery promise. That peace of mind clearly matters: 85% of customers said their vehicle showed up in good shape.
Its site also focuses on transparency, offering realistic pricing quotes. And while a deposit is required, it’s only due at the time of carrier assignment.
We gathered multiple quotes to compare rates for Direct Connect Auto Transport. For a 2021 Hyundai Sonata traveling from Brooklyn, New York (11202) to Charlotte, North Carolina (28105), the phone estimate came in at $800 for an open shipment and $1,100 for enclosed shipping. Interestingly, online quotes came in above phone rates, with open transport priced at $870 when we used the instant quote tool.
Services:
In our poll of car shipping customers, Direct Connect users were fairly happy with their experience. An excellent 91% of Direct Connect customers reported they received their vehicle on time.
Customers were also pretty minimal in their constructive criticism—17% said they had no recommendations for improvement. The main way people thought Direct Connect could improve was with pricing, with 34% saying they wished this was better.
Best Customer Communication
Best Customer Communication
NX Automotive Transport
If you’re looking for a company that focuses on communication, NX is an impressive car shipping choice. The results of Forbes Home’s vehicle shipping survey revealed that 89% of those who worked with NX before would ship their car again. NX’s percentage of happy customers is higher than average.
We also appreciate that NX offers binding quotes for cost-conscious customers who don’t want to be surprised at the end of the car shipping journey. With a network of more than 20,000 carriers, NX’s availability for your vehicle is probable.
We collected pricing details from NX Auto Transport for a 2021 Hyundai Sonata headed from Brooklyn, New York (11202) to Charlotte, North Carolina (28105). Interestingly, the online rate came in lower than what we were given by phone, $840 for open shipping if booked online versus $895 over the phone. For enclosed transport, the phone quote landed at around $1,225 for this trip.
Services:
Our team noticed a variety of reactions from NX Auto Transport customers during our survey of 1,600 participants. To start, 89% of respondents said they would use the company to ship their vehicle again, slightly above the industry average. Additionally, the pricing data we collected was approximately average.
However, not all feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Only 20% of customers said they were “very satisfied” with the ease of booking and scheduling—a full 12 percentage points below the overall average—suggesting some areas for improvement.
Best Discounts
Best Discounts
AmeriFreight
AmeriFreight distinguishes itself among nationwide car shipping companies thanks to its customer-first benefits and budget-friendly pricing. Adding to its appeal, AmeriFreight makes available discounts for seniors, military personnel, first responders, returning customers and others.
While AmeriFreight’s quotes aren’t fixed, most customers told Forbes Home they ended up paying their expected rate or less—54% of respondents said this, compared with the national average of 46%. The company also offers a short-term free cancellation period before a carrier is confirmed.
Learn More: AmeriFreight Review
In order to seek out a sense of pricing for AmeriFreight, we gave the company a sample car shipment of a 2021 Hyundai Sonata that we were moving from Brooklyn, New York (11202) to Charlotte, North Carolina (28105). For this journey, enclosed transport was quoted to cost $1,151, and open transport was $677. We got the same quotes no matter if we called or got them online.
Services:
Overall, AmeriFreight customers overall had good things to say about the company in our survey. An impressive 93% of customers said they were pleased with the condition of their car upon arrival. When asked if they would ship their car again, 91% of AmeriFreight customers said yes, higher than average. However, the average cost AmeriFreight customers reported ($1,418) was slightly higher than our larger average.
Best for Customization
Best for Customization
Montway Auto Transport
We observed Montway Auto Transport to be a well-rounded car shipping company that provides a wide variety of services to customers so they can truly customize their experience. For example, you can add on luxury car shipping if you need to transport this prized possession, choose between open and enclosed shipping and ship your car to destinations like Hawaii, Guam or Puerto Rico.
Some of Montway’s other most notable features include its discounts for multi-car shipments and cash payments. You also won’t need to pay a deposit until a carrier is assigned to your order. This may be why 33% of car shipping customers in our survey said they found the company to be “very transparent” when it came to fees and pricing, one of the top percentages of any company.
Learn More: Montway Auto Transport review
Our team reached out to Montway to obtain quotes for a sample route which involved transporting a 2021 Hyundai Sonata from Brooklyn, New York (11202) to Charlotte, North Carolina (28105). Over the phone, enclosed shipping was $1,100, which was slightly lower compared to a $1,259 online quote. For open shipping, we were quoted $839 via a phone call.
Services:
Montway had overall positive reviews from customers in our car shipping survey. For example, 89% of customers said they would recommend Montway to a friend or family member.
However, one negative worth noting was that Montway customers reported paying more than average in our survey, $1,427 compared to the average of $1,390 across companies. What you’ll pay will be based on your individual route, vehicle and other factors, so you should remember to shop around.
Best Pricing
Best Pricing
A-1 Auto Transport
A-1 Auto Transport took a spot in our Massachusetts ranking because of its low pricing and value for your money. In fact, in our survey, A-1 customers reported paying $1,359, which was lower than the overall average of $1,390. Similarly, 50% of A-1 customers said they paid their quoted price or lower. The company also doesn’t require a deposit before carrier assignment, which always helps with affordability.
And it’s not just competitive pricing that we like—A-1 also offers a variety of services such as transporting boats and yachts as well as heavy equipment and even international and expedited shipping.
We got example quotes to ship a 2021 Hyundai Sonata between Brooklyn, New York (11202) and Charlotte, North Carolina (28105) with A-1 Auto Transport. For open shipping, we were quoted $579 via phone and $625 online. Both of these are competitive, but it may benefit you to call. For enclosed shipping on this route, we were quoted $829.
Services:
When we asked 1,600 car shipping customers, we saw good feedback for A-1. In addition to the pricing positives we mentioned earlier, 83% of respondents said they were satisfied with the company’s communication following car delivery. Working with the company overall seemed like a breeze, with 37% saying it was “very easy” to obtain a quote, which was much higher than average.
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Because car shipping is such an intense project, it pays off to take your time and research a few important factors about each company to determine if it fits your needs or isn’t quite right for you.
Below are some tips and tricks to picking the right car shipping provider for you in Massachusetts.
Trying to figure out your car shipping options? Most providers break it down into two approaches: open transport and enclosed transport. Each comes with its own advantages and trade-offs, so the right choice depends on your budget and priorities.
With enclosed shipping, your car rides inside a fully covered carrier, shielding it from weather and debris. This level of protection is ideal for classic cars, but it costs more since carriers have limited capacity.
Prefer to keep costs down? That’s where open transport comes in. Your car travels on an open-air trailer, the kind you’ve probably seen on highways. While it’s a more affordable method, it also means greater exposure during the trip from Massachusetts to your next stop.
Customer feedback can be incredibly revealing, as long as you know what to look for. To get the most accurate snapshot of a company’s service, start with recent reviews from customers in Massachusetts or nearby. Car shippers (especially brokers) may deliver very different experiences depending on location and partner carriers.
Don’t just scan five-star praise or one-star rants, the middle-of-the-road comments often offer the most practical insight. Pay attention to how companies handle public feedback. A fast, courteous reply, especially to complaints, can speak volumes about how they treat customers when things don’t go perfectly.
Before signing anything, don’t skip the fine print. It’s where you’ll find details like cancellation rules, which matter because some companies charge after a carrier is assigned.
You’ll also want to look for promises that protect you if something goes wrong, such as damage during transit. For instance, a provider that offers a damage-free pledge might provide a rental car if it fails to deliver on that promise.
Insurance is another key point. Every U.S. car shipper is mandated by law to carry liability insurance, which kicks in if the transporter is found at fault. They also need cargo coverage to protect your vehicle during loading and unloading. Before you book, confirm how much coverage applies, and if you want extra peace of mind, ask about add-on policies.
Thanks to technological advances, many car shipping providers now enable customers to monitor the location of their vehicle with GPS tracking. However, the accuracy of the status can vary: Some companies offer real-time GPS locations while others only provide broad updates. If you have certain expectations, be sure to clarify in advance.
Besides GPS tracking, the best car shipping companies also provide great, proactive communications throughout the process. Because most leading car shipping companies are brokers rather than carriers, you may hear more from the carrier while your vehicle is in transit. At the same time, you should have a clear way to get in contact with the company’s customer support team.
It’s good to have clear expectations about the shipment’s estimated delivery window—but keep in mind that exact delivery dates are uncommon with car shipping.
When you ship a car, you are putting a certain amount of trust and expectations on the carrier. But you also have an important job: Before your vehicle is picked up, thoroughly examine it and note its condition with photo documentation. Then, when it is delivered, do the same before signing the bill of lading.
Don’t rush through this step; if there is damage, noting it at this time is important. If you need to file a claim, reach out to the company in a timely manner.
No matter where you’re shipping a car from, or where it’s headed, your carrier still has to follow nationwide regulations. Because of that, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires every legit shipper to carry both a USDOT number and an MC (Motor Carrier) number.
Before you book, it’s smart to confirm these details so you can verify the company is operating legally. You can also use them to look into the carrier’s performance history through the FMCSA website. It’s a simple step but one that can help you avoid fly-by-night operations and feel more confident about your choice.
Transporting a vehicle in Massachusetts can have its unique challenges, from extreme weather to road conditions and more. The leading car transport companies cover long-distance routes and should ensure every driver can navigate a range of circumstances. Don’t hesitate to ask about a company’s standards and requirements for its drivers.
If you’re deciding between working with a carrier or taking the chance on a broker, just know that your experience can vary quite a bit depending on what you choose. Though 59% of customers reported preferring a shipper in our survey, most respondents actually utilized a vehicle transport brokerage.
That said, there are many reasons why people would choose a broker. Using a broker gives you access to a massive network of carriers, which can lower costs and make finding the right company that fits your specific requirements. Make sure you carefully research all parties involved before booking.
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| TRANSPORT TYPE | AVERAGE COST RANGE | AVERAGE COST PER MILE |
|---|---|---|
| Open Transport | $550 - $1,600 | $0.60 - $1.10 |
| Enclosed Transport | $1,000 - $2,450 | $0.90 - $1.70 |
Overall, we found that car shipping costs around $1,150 on average. This estimate is similar to what we noticed in our survey of car shipping customers, who reported an average cost of $1,390. However, your costs may be much different based on many different factors, as we saw a wide range between $550 to $2,450 in our research. Enclosed shipping, for example, will tend to make your quote higher (an average of $1,000 to $2,450) than closed shipping (averaging around $550 to $1,600).
As always, we strongly suggest getting your own quote for your unique car shipping journey. However, the estimates below can get you started.
| MASSACHUSETTS TO: | ESTIMATED MILEAGE | OPEN TRANSPORT | ENCLOSED TRANSPORT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville, Florida | 1,151 miles | $690 - $1,265 | $1,035 - $1,955 |
| Houston, Texas | 1,847 miles | $1,110 - $2,030 | $2,685 - $5,070 |
| Los Angeles, California | 2,982 miles | $1,790 - $3,280 | $2,685 - $5,070 |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | 846 miles | $510 - $930 | $760 - $1,440 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 308 miles | $185 - $340 | $275 - $525 |
Car shipping quotes from Massachusetts can vary quite a bit, and not just from company to company. A handful of cost variables can shift your price depending on your location, vehicle, timing and more. Here’s what to look for.
Our team surveyed 1,600 recent car shipping customers to gain insight into their experiences and uncover emerging trends. Nearly nine out of ten respondents said they would use a vehicle transport company again, even though individual experiences varied widely.
The average distance shipped in the Northeast was 999, closely aligning with the national average of 969 miles.
The primary factor driving customers in Massachusetts to select a particular car shipping company was cost. Among respondents from the Northeast, the most frequent issue was pricing transparency, with about one-third wishing the pricing and process had been explained more clearly. The next most common suggestion for improvement was explaining the vehicle shipping process in more detail at 35%.
Additionally, though the typical peak shipping season runs from spring through early fall, the busiest period for shipments in the Northeast was surprisingly between November and January—this timeframe was chosen by 37% of customers.
To determine the best car-shipping company, the Forbes Home editorial team reviewed 44 major companies, taking into account attributes such as in-house consumer sentiment analysis, a survey of 1,600 car shipping customers, 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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To perform interstate shipments, credible auto transport companies must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This is the organization that issues USDOT numbers and Motor Carrier numbers. The public can use these numbers to search performance.
Customer comments can also address a company’s reputation. If in doubt, you can ask for personal recommendations from people who have shipped a vehicle.
Tracking options aren’t the same everywhere. Some auto shippers offer real-time location updates, while others stick to regular phone updates. Before you book, ask exactly how tracking works so you know what to expect during the move.
Figuring out how long it takes to ship a car from Massachusetts will depend on many factors like where you’re transporting your car. A short journey may take a few days, while a nationwide journey may take over a week. Other aspects like inclement weather, driver breakdowns and traffic issues can affect this timeline, but the transporter you choose can give you a better idea.
You do not need liability insurance to ship your vehicle with a company, but you will need it if you’re driving immediately before or after. During transit, your vehicle is likely covered by the carrier’s damage protection insurance. If you need premium coverage, you may be able to get this through the company or your own insurance provider.
Kristin is a lead editor at Forbes Home and has nearly a decade of professional experience as a writer and editor. She's previously worked at sites like Talking Points Memo, Insider, Delish, Angi and HomeAdvisor. She has a passion for lifestyle topics and has extensive experience researching and reporting on topics that will help make your house a home.
Sami Allen is the managing editor at Forbes Home, with over seven years of experience in the home space and 10 years of editing experience.
