Gift Icon
Get a 20% discount from our partners! Discount code will get added automatically when you submit the form.
yellow A1 Auto Transport carrier on highway
4.7 Star Rating4.7 (67,926 reviews)
96.3% positive
No Surprises, Just Savings: Verified Carriers, Instant Quotes, and Best Price Guarantee!
You save 20% compared to other companies
Get quotes from trusted carriers, thoroughly vetted and fully insured. Enjoy trackable deliveries, fair pricing, and hassle-free transport from start to finish. Transport any type of vehicle and drive away worry-free.
Customer Images
7790 people shipped using A-1 Auto Transport last week
Scratch-Free Guarantee
Vetted Carriers
Transparent Costs
Customer Ratings By Feature
Value for Money ★★★★★ 4.9
Vehicle Care ★★★★★ 4.9
Fast Delivery ★★★★★ 4.9
Friendly Staff ★★★★★ 4.9
Globe
190+
Countries
Served
Car
2M+
Delivered
Services
Car
97%
Customer
Recommended
Dave loved the fast deliveryDave C.
★★★★★
Dave loved the fast delivery
My relocation to Chicago was fast, smooth and without any delay thanks to A1 Auto.
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidanceCourtney J.
★★★★★
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidance
Just what you need when trusting someone with your wheels! Kudos to this company!
Jeff enjoyed the fair priceJeff D.
★★★★★
Jeff enjoyed the fair price
Moved my ride hassle-free with these folks.Fair pricing, no surprises. Definitely recommend them!
Maria enjoyed the special care and safetyMaria L.
★★★★★
Maria enjoyed the special care and safety
Huge thanks to the movers – they were meticulous with my car. Love these guys.
Recently featured on USA Today

“A1 Auto Transport became synonymous with top-notch service delivery, unfailing punctuality and constantly preoccupied with customer satisfaction.

See Article— USA Today

General Guide to the World of Auto Transport

Published by Joe Webster.

General Guide to the World of Auto Transport

If you have a sudden need for or are deciding whether or not to ship your vehicle through an auto transport company, it may seem quite intimidating, as the sheer amount of options and different services can drive you into a frenzy. Don't worry though. At A-1 Auto Transport, we make it as easy and affordable as possible, as well as guide you through every single step. Nonetheless, it's important to know how everything works, especially with the litany of auto transport websites on the internet.

Know the Different Types Of Auto Transport Companies

Many people are surprised to find out that you may be dealing with a few different companies, in which one acts as a sort of middleman when you chose to have your vehicle shipped. This isn't a bad thing, however, as various rules and regulations make it easy to tell which company is legitimate and which one isn't. Here are the three types of companies:

  • Brokers

The brokers are the aforementioned middlemen and comprise the vast majority of the auto transport companies that you'll most likely deal with. What's important to know about them is that they do not actually transport the vehicles themselves. Instead, they contact an actual auto carrier to transport the vehicle, in which they accept a deposit and then send your payment directly to the carrier when the delivery is made.

They make their money off of the difference between the price that they charge you and the actual price that the carrier charges them. Brokers usually have a list of carriers that they work with regularly, but in addition, they post the shipping information on transportation boards in some cases. The best brokers will make sure to chose carriers that are reliable and can get your shipment delivered as safely and as fast as possible.

large relocating truck
  • Carriers

The carriers are the ones who actually do the physical transportation of the vehicle. You will most likely not be contacting them directly, but instead, it is the auto transport broker that will deal with them. Most of the carriers are small companies, sometimes even run by a husband and a wife, that work as freelancers. They operate through the use of either open trailers, enclosed trailers, multiple car haulers, or single trailers, amongst others. They're regulated by the DOT and FMCSA, whose websites are located www.dot.gov and www.fmcsa.dot.gov respectfully.

  • Lead Aggregators

These are websites who take down your information and send it to a broker.

A-1 Auto Transport Ships Worldwide.
Get a Free, No Obligation to Buy, Auto Shipping Quote.
Get my free quote now
or call us to do it for you:

The Two Main Types of Shipping Services

There are two predominant types of shipping services offered for auto transport. Which one you decide to go with should depend on your pick-up location and the delivery point. This will have a major impact on the cost of shipping, the estimated shipping time, and other related issues. You will be able to choose from the following two:

  • Terminal-to-Terminal Delivery

With this option, your vehicle will be picked up from an arranged drop off location and will be delivered to an agreed upon pick up location. It's the cheaper of the two options and is perfect for those who live near a major city, as that's where the terminals are often located.

  • Door-to-Door Delivery

Not surprisingly, this is the more expensive option. But the extra cost that you will have to incur means that your vehicle will be picked up from your own location and be delivered to the specified delivery point. If you live in the mountains, a rural area, or an area that is extremely hard to reach, the price will change accordingly, not to mention the shipping time as well.

It's important to consider your schedule, budget, and your location when deciding between the two.

Always chose a trusted company when deciding to transport your vehicle. Of course, A-1 Auto Transport can handle all of your transportation needs with affordable prices and reliable service!

vehicle moving truck
Share this content on social media for a chance to get up to 20% off your next shipment.
Copy link

Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

Email Me


Testimonial
Mylene Rutllant
It’s my number one pick in auto shipping to this day.
★★★★★
...my choice in terms of auto transport has to be A1 Auto Transport. It’s in the name, but also in the quality with which they do their jobs. I’ve never had a problem with this company.
Testimonial
Luis Rodriguez
You have my full support and recommendation!
★★★★★
A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!
Testimonial
Cristine Benoit
I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
★★★★★
There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.
Testimonial
David Osallo
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10!
★★★★★
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

Visit our social, and see what our clients are saying about us:

Ship Your Vehicle With A-1 Auto Today
Customer Images
7790 people shipped using A-1 Auto Transport last week
Scratch-Free Guarantee
Vetted Carriers
Transparent Costs

Our Partners:

Better Business Bureau Accredited
FMCSA Member
INC. 500 Member
VeriSign Secured
AMSA Member

A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
Copyright © 1988-2024, A-1 Auto Transport - All Rights Reserved.