- Facilitating car shipments since 2004 and available in all 50 states, AmeriFreight has a strong industry reputation.
- We named AmeriFreight the auto transport company with the Best Discounts due to opportunities to save for students, senior citizens, first responders, and more.
- While AmeriFreight reviews are generally positive, we recommend getting car shipping quotes from a few auto transporters to ensure the best experience and final cost for you.
Our expert review team takes a deep dive into the best car shipping companies in the country every year. We collect hundreds of quotes on popular shipping routes and mystery shop providers to see how they treat their customers. Our team also sifts through hundreds of online reviews along the way. After 300 hours of research, we rated AmeriFreight 4.5 out of 5.0 stars and recognized it as having the Best Discounts in 2023. In this article, we break down shipping costs, services, and AmeriFreight reviews to see how the auto transport broker – which works with more than 10,000 carrier partners – stacks up to the competition.
Our AmeriFreight Review & Methodology
We consider reputation, cost, services, and customer experience when we review car shipping companies. The following sections provide additional context on these categories and how AmeriFreight measured up in each of them.
Reputation
Years in business and state availability are two of the main factors that drive our reputation ratings. AmeriFreight has been facilitating car shipments since 2004 and is available in all 50 states. Combine these facts with AmeriFreight’s A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and we give the company a strong 4.7 out of 5.0-star rating in the reputation category.
Cost
We give AmeriFreight a 4.6-star rating for cost. For this review, our team collected quotes from the company for shipping a 2018 Toyota RAV4 various distances through both open and enclosed transport. Open shipping means your car is shipped on an open-air trailer that is exposed to the elements. Enclosed transport involves shipping your car in an enclosed hauler that offers more protection, but is more expensive.
Even when compared with the industry’s cheapest car shipping companies, AmeriFreight really shines in the area of available discounts. We consider the company the best option for discounts in the car shipping industry, as you can save if you’re a student, senior citizen, first responder, or in the military. AmeriFreight also offers discounts to those who book their appointments early and for returning customers.
Services
AmeriFreight offers all the shipping options you’d expect, including both open and enclosed transport and the ability to have your car picked up from and delivered to your door. You can also have your vehicle picked up from and dropped off at shipping terminals as a way to save some money. We give the company 4.9 out of 5.0 stars for offering a full range of transport options.
Customer Experience
We consider online reviews and our own experiences collecting quotes when we rate a company for customer experience. AmeriFreight has strong customer reviews on Google and the BBB website. The company also features an easy-to-use online quote tool. Our team had no trouble at all getting quotes from AmeriFreight in a minute or less. Overall, we give the company a 4.1 out of 5.0-star rating for customer experience.
AmeriFreight Car Shipping Overview
Founded: 2004
Headquarters: Peachtree City, GA
Service Area: United States, including Alaska and Hawaii
AmeriFreight is an auto shipping broker that offers short- and long-distance shipping anywhere in the U.S. To ensure customers receive the best car shipping experience possible, AmeriFreight thoroughly vets its partner carriers. Any carriers that receive numerous customer complaints or fail to live up to AmeriFreight standards are dropped as partners.
In addition to providing auto transportation services for individuals, AmeriFreight works with several car manufacturers and government agencies. If you are a car retailer, you can outsource your shipping logistics to AmeriFreight.
How Much Does AmeriFreight Cost?
AmeriFreight prices fluctuate from as low as 50 cents per mile for coast-to-coast transports to as high as $3 per mile for in-state deliveries. According to our research, using open car transport with AmeriFreight typically costs anywhere from $800 to $1,600. This is a wide range, but as you can see from the graph below, it falls comfortably within industry averages.
It’s important to note that your car shipping cost will depend on several factors, including:
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- Route
- Size and weight of the vehicle
- Vehicle operability
- Fuel prices
- Pickup and delivery locations
- Time of year, with peak shipping times in January and the summer months being more expensive
- Priority, meaning that the faster you need your vehicle shipped, the more it will cost
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Drivers can pay more to transport their vehicles in an enclosed shipping container rather than risking exposure to the elements during an open shipment.
AmeriFreight Car Shipping Costs
For a sampling of AmeriFreight shipping rates, see the table below. It reveals some of the prices that AmeriFreight quoted our cost research team. These rates apply to a 2018 Toyota RAV4. Your rates may vary.
| Shipping Route | Transport Type | AmeriFreight Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago to Kansas City, Missouri (503 miles) | Open transport | $996 |
| Los Angeles to Houston (1,556 miles) | Open transport | $1,199 |
| Los Angeles to Houston (1,556 miles) | Enclosed transport | $2,038 |
| New York City to San Francisco (3,036 miles) | Open transport | $1,598 |
For added context, here are the quotes we received for the same shipments in November of 2021:
| Shipping Route | Transport Type | AmeriFreight Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago to Kansas City, Missouri (503 miles) | Open transport | $828 |
| Los Angeles to Houston (1,556 miles) | Open transport | $884 |
| Los Angeles to Houston (1,556 miles) | Enclosed transport | $1,590 |
| New York City to San Francisco (3,036 miles) | Open transport | $1,160 |
It’s hard to beat AmeriFreight’s cheap car shipping rates, but these rates also come with a seven-day pickup window. You’ll pay more if you want faster service.
Keep in mind that rates are subject to change before the final booking. It’s also worth noting that in some AmeriFreight reviews, customers say they had trouble booking carriers when opting for the lowest rates.
In our car shipping consumer survey, the vast majority of respondents – 80 percent – said cost was the most important factor when choosing a car shipping company. The good news is that, according to our research, AmeriFreight does offer affordable rates.
AmeriFreight Discounts
To further reduce costs, AmeriFreight offers the following discounts:
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- Active-duty military: $35 off
- First responders: $35 off
- Medical personnel: $35 off
- Early Bird: $35 off if you sign up within 48 hours of getting a quote
- Students: $25 off
- Senior citizens: $25 off
- Return customers: $50 off
- Multiple vehicles: $50 off every additional vehicle
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Except for the Early Bird discount, which you can combine with any other discount, you can only apply one type of discount per order. Your initial quote won’t reflect these discounts, but you can mention them when speaking with an AmeriFreight agent to book your shipment. Your shipment cost is not finalized until AmeriFreight books your carrier.
Price Matching
One assurance AmeriFreight offers customers is limited price matching. The company says it will match a quote from any auto transporter with an A+ rating from the BBB and above-average customer reviews.
AmeriFreight Auto Shipping Services
Door-to-door shipping: Yes
Terminal-to-terminal shipping: Yes
Open transport: Yes
Enclosed shipping: Yes
Motorcycle/ATV shipping: Yes
Expedited transport: Available for an additional $75 to $150, depending on vehicle size
AmeriFreight offers vehicle shipping for cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, and practically anything else with wheels. You can get open car transport, which is the most economical option, or enclosed vehicle transport for more protection. For personalized information, you can call the company’s phone number and speak to an agent. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM EST and 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday.
Does AmeriFreight Include Insurance?
Car shipping insurance is one thing you want to verify for peace of mind when transporting your vehicle. All AmeriFreight carriers have cargo insurance that covers damages your vehicle might incur during transport, but AmeriFreight offers customers the option to purchase guaranteed asset protection, or gap coverage. The carrier’s insurance may not cover certain types of damage, or the deductible may be high. This is where having gap insurance coverage can be useful.
AFta Gap Coverage
The Allied Fidelity Total Assurance (AFta) plan will pay up to $2,000 to repair any damage your car suffers during parking and storage. With this protection, you can report damages up to 48 hours after your vehicle arrives.
AmeriFreight Auto Shipping Process
Because AmeriFreight is an auto shipping broker, you don’t have to personally deal with the hassle of lining up car transport services. The AmeriFreight shipping process is simple and works as follows:
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- Request a free quote with the rate calculator at AmeriFreight.net.
- Once you get a quoted price for car shipping services, call AmeriFreight to confirm the quote and move forward.
- After you confirm the rate you’ll pay a deposit to book a carrier.
- You’ll get a call 12 to 24 hours before pickup to confirm the location and time.
- Your carrier will meet you at the pickup location, and you’ll sign a bill of lading noting any existing damage on the car.
- You’ll get a call 12 to 24 hours before delivery to coordinate drop-off.
- Your carrier will drop your vehicle off at the destination, and you will inspect it and sign a bill of lading saying the job is complete.
- Pay your carrier the remaining amount in cash, cashier’s check, or money order. Credit cards are not accepted for delivery.
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We recommend booking your shipment at least two weeks before moving day, which will help you avoid expedited shipping costs and save money.
AmeriFreight Customer Reviews
AmeriFreight reviews are overwhelmingly positive. The company has an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB. It also holds a 4.9 out of 5.0-star customer score based on over 1,000 reviews and has received only 13 complaints through the BBB in the past three years.
On Google, over 3,280 AmeriFreight reviews give the company an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 stars. Eleven percent of Google reviews mention the AmeriFreight auto transport driver in a positive light.
In our car shipping survey, about 67 percent of AmeriFreight customers were satisfied or very satisfied with their experience. This matches the average satisfaction rate across providers.
Let’s take a look at a few examples of AmeriFreight reviews next.
Positive AmeriFreight Reviews
The majority of AmeriFreight car shipping reviews are positive. Customers tend to be satisfied with shipping rates and say AmeriFreight imposes no significant upcharges. Most people also report being matched with courteous drivers who provide excellent communication and updates. Overall, the process is usually smooth and easy, with over 90 percent of reviewers giving the company a 5.0-star rating.
“I cannot recommend AmeriFreight enough. The company made what seemed like a daunting task (shipping two cars across the country) an easy process.”
– Ashley via BBB
“I was shipping my Toyota Corolla from Oregon to Georgia. The quote was close to the actual price. I was always able to get in contact with [my AmeriFreight agent] through email, text, or on the phone.”
– Kenya B. via BBB
Negative AmeriFreight Reviews
Of course, not all AmeriFreight reviews are glowing. Some customers have complained about price increases after getting an initial quote. This is common for the vehicle shipping industry but can be frustrating nonetheless. A few customers also mention problems with the carriers. However, only 4.5 percent of reviewers rated the company 1.0 out of 5.0 stars on Google. Here’s what one less-than-satisfied customer said:
“The original quote given by the agent was a joke, in reality. It went from around $1,200 to over $2,000 because the agent was unaware of what he was dealing with. I spoke with other companies after the fact that told me $2,000 was cheap to ship [a] van.”
– Face via BBB
Some customers report issues with drivers and price increases. However, quotes from most auto transport companies can change, especially if you need your car shipped urgently. If you aren’t in a particular rush to move your vehicle, you might find some of the lowest rates with AmeriFreight.
Best Car Shipping Companies
AmeriFreight may be an excellent option, but when shipping a car, it’s best to get car shipping quotes from a few auto transporters before deciding on one. Auto transport companies can offer different discounts and rates to lower your car shipping costs, but you won’t know which shipper has the best rate for you without reaching out. Below are two other car transport companies we recommend.
Sherpa Auto Transport: 4.6 Stars
From our research, we believe Sherpa Auto Transport is the best auto shipping company for Locked-In Prices since the price you are quoted is guaranteed to stick. While this may mean you receive a higher initial cost, you don’t have to worry about paying a higher final price.
Sherpa Auto Transport reviews indicate the company has excellent customer service. Sherpa holds an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB and a near-perfect BBB customer review score of 4.9 stars.
uShip: 4.5 Stars
uShip is an auto shipping marketplace where you can find carriers to bring your car anywhere in the U.S. You can even use uShip to ship vehicles overseas. After you post a request to uShip, carriers will bid on your contract, allowing you to find the best price for your car shipment.
uShip has a solid customer reputation, is accredited by the BBB, and holds an A+ rating from the BBB. On Trustpilot, uShip has a customer review score of 4.3 out of 5.0 based on 11,080 reviews. In our roundup, we named uShip the Best Car Shipping Marketplace.
Read our full uShip review to learn more.