A-1 Auto Transport Review
Fact Checked by: Here’s the bottom line: A-1 Auto Transport, Inc. is an auto broker that offers competitive rates thanks to their network of more than 30 partner carriers. They offer specialty shipping for freight vehicles, heavy machinery, motorcycles, luxury cars, and even yachts.
A-1 Transport vets all auto shipping companies they recommend, but we also recommend double-checking each carrier’s ratings. The company offers full insurance coverage on all moves and guaranteed pickup and delivery dates for an add-on fee.
Curious to see how A-1 Transport stacks up? Check out this guide to see what it’s like to hire this auto transport broker.
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Pros & cons of shipping your car with A-1 Auto Transport
- Ships internationally to 190+ countries
- Free quotes online
- Ships just about anything, including heavy machinery, yachts, and motorcycles
- Add-ons like door-to-door shipping, guaranteed moving dates, and moving services are available
- Available in all 50 U.S. states
- Competitive pricing thanks to an in-depth quote process
- More than 30 years of experience
- Discounts available, including for military, seniors, students, and first-time customers
- A-1 is a broker vs. carrier, so they have less control over the car transport process
- Some customers have reported the quote process can be inaccurate
Key takeaways
- A-1 Auto Transport (USDOT#1891726) is an auto broker that connects customers to vetted, reliable auto shippers nationwide and internationally. The quality of service depends heavily on which carrier you ultimately go with.
- They offer specialty shipping for heavy machinery, luxury vehicles, freight, motorcycles, and yachts.
- A-1’s domestic shipping averages $1,200 and international shipping averages around $3,000 depending on the location—which is on the lower end for car shipping pricing.
Jump to the A-1 Auto Transport info you’re looking for:
- A-1 Auto Transport pricing: How much it costs for car shipping
- A-1 Auto Transport offers a wide variety of services
- How A-1 Auto Transport stacks up against the competition
- How shipping with A-1 Auto Transport works
- Should you use A-1 Auto Transport to ship your car?
- FAQ
A-1 Auto Transport pricing: How much it costs for car shipping
A-1 Auto Transport offers free, instant online quotes. You’ll just need to plug in your:
- Current ZIP code
- Destination ZIP code
- Vehicle year, make, and model
You also need to submit your name, email, and phone number to receive the quote. If you’re in the market for a moving service, you can also mention that during the quote process to receive quotes from both moving companies and car transport services.
A-1 Auto Transport is a broker, which means they connect you with dozens of pre-screened auto transport companies in their network to bid on your project. From there, you have your pick of the litter, making it a cinch to find the highest-quality, most affordable option for transporting your car.
Every car and move is different. A-1 custom tailors quotes for each move based on factors like:
- Type of vehicle
- Distance and location
- Auto transport company shipping rates
- Vehicle transport typer (open versus enclosed container)
- Season
Fortunately, they also offer a range of discounts to bring down your total, including discounts for:
- Military
- Students
- Seniors
- Snowbirds
- Off-season bookings
- First-time customers
- Multi-car discounts
- Online booking
Discounts change over time, so it’s best to see what offers are available when you book online or call the reps at 1-888-230-9116.
On average, A-1 says it costs between $0.50 and $1 per mile to ship a car. Here’s how much you can expect to pay on average for a standard car shipped in an open carrier.
| Distance | A-1 Average Pricing |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles to Miami | $1,235 |
| Boston to Las Vegas | $1,463 |
| Philadelphia to Portland, OR | $1,477 |
| Seattle to New York | $1,250 |
| Charlotte to Phoenix | $1,097 |
| Richmond, VA, to San Francisco | $1,364 |
| Hartford, CT, to Albuquerque | $1,131 |
For international shipping, rates depend greatly on where you’re shipping to and from, mostly because of other countries’ shipping laws and fees. For example, shipping a standard car between the USA and Europe will run you anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000.
If you need help with car shipping as part of a larger move, check out our moving cost calculator for ballpark pricing on moving services — including auto transport — from a full-service moving company.
A-1 Auto Transport offers a wide variety of services
Established in 1988 by Tony Taylor, A-1 is a vehicle shipping broker headquartered in California. They have a network of more than 40 terminals and 30 car carriers across the globe. With 30+ years of experience under their belt, the company has facilitated more than two million vehicle deliveries across nearly 200 countries.
They might be a broker, but customers like that A-1 Auto Transport connects them with shippers that can handle specialty vehicles and services.
A-1 offers various services, including:
- Domestic and international shipping
- Shipping for cars, heavy equipment motorcycles, RVs, boats, yachts, and freight
- VIP shipping service for luxury cars, electric cars, and classic cars
- Open carrier transport
- Enclosed transport
- Military car shipping
- Door-to-door pickup and delivery
- Express service (as an add-on)
- Discounts for seniors, military, students, first-time customers, and more
How A-1 Auto Transport stacks up against the competition
A-1 Auto Transport’s happy customers like the company’s lower pricing, variety of options, and specialized services. But let’s see how they stack up against some of the best car shipping companies in the market.
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A-1 Auto Transport vs. SGT Auto Transport
SGT Auto Transport is an auto transport broker that offers door-to-door long-distance shipping services in the United States. Unlike A-1, SGT can’t ship to Alaska, and has pretty limited international shipping options. A-1 Auto Transport definitely has SGT beat in terms of availability.
Both companies offer exact pickup and delivery dates for an additional fee and open or enclosed vehicle transport options. SGT offers up to $250,000 in additional coverage for full protection, making it one of the best car transportation companies in the biz. Although their services are usually cheaper than SGT’s, A-1’s insurance coverage isn’t as comprehensive, and they don’t have as many positive reviews as SGT.
A-1 Auto Transport vs. Easy Auto Ship
Like A-1 Auto Transport, Easy Auto Ship is also a car shipping broker that services all 50 states. They offer limited international shipping on a case-by-case basis, so if you’re looking for an experienced international broker, A-1 might be the better choice.
However, Easy Auto Ship is a highly-rated car shipping broker that offers unique perks like a free rental car if your vehicle doesn’t arrive within 14 days of the delivery estimate.
Both A-1 and Easy Auto Ship will transport vehicles like RVs, heavy equipment, and motorcycles. However, Easy Auto Ship doesn’t give you the option to upgrade to guaranteed pickup and delivery dates.
Both companies’ reviews also mention the business occasionally falling short of customer expectations, although Easy Auto Ship has an A+ rating from the BBB while A-1 has a B+ score.
| Company | BBB score | State availability | Guaranteed pickup & delivery? |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 Auto Transport | B+ | All 50 states and 190+ countries | Yes |
| SGT Auto Transport | A+ | 49 states | Yes |
| Easy Auto Ship | A+ | All 50 states | No |
How shipping with A-1 Auto Transport works
Need to ship your car from point A to point B? Whether you’re relocating across the state or the globe, A-1 Auto Transport can get you there. Their network of carriers serves all 50 states and more than 190 countries.
Request a quote
To work with A-1, visit their website and fill out the free instant online calculator or call a customer service rep at 1-888-230-9116. Filling out a form is easier, but calling a rep allows you to share more details and potentially score special discounts, so picking up the phone can’t hurt!
During the quote process, you’ll tell A-1 your moving locations, shipping dates, and how you want to transport your car. If you call, the reps can walk you through choosing between terminal-to-terminal and door-to-door and enclosed versus open carrier shipping. If you’re looking for the cheapest option, it will usually be terminal-to-terminal on an open carrier.
Choose a provider
Once you provide your information, A-1 Auto Transport gives your move details and contact information to its network of carriers. As a broker, they connect you with a vetted list of partners that bid for your business. That means A-1 has less control over the transportation process, so the quality of service depends on the carrier you choose.
Some customer testimonials mention these carriers send a lot of phone calls, texts, and emails (often during off hours). Others mention negative experiences with the sales reps. A-1 doesn’t control what their carriers do, but let them know if you have a negative experience with a carrier. They use your feedback to determine which carriers they work with!
Make a payment
Once you select a provider, you’ll pay through A-1’s online portal. Depending on the shipper’s policies, you may have to pay a deposit to hold your shipping date.
A-1 Auto Transport ensures all its carriers are certified and insured, protecting your car from minor dings and scrapes. However, this isn’t full replacement coverage, so you may want to buy up on insurance if you have a fancy or expensive car.
Wait for your car
Turnaround times differ by move, but A-1 says you can expect your car within these timeframes.
| Distance | Days |
|---|---|
| ≤200 miles | 1 |
| 200–500 miles | 2 |
| 500–1,000 miles | 2-3 |
| 1,000–1,750 miles | 4-6 |
| 1,750–2,500 miles | 6-8 |
| >2,500 miles | 7-11 |
They do offer guaranteed delivery for an additional fee. This can be expensive, though, so unless you’re in a big hurry, we recommend exercising some patience while they move your car.
Should you use A-1 Auto Transport to ship your car?
A-1 Auto Transport doesn’t move cars themselves. Instead, like most car shipping companies, they connect you with a network of more than 30 worldwide carriers to pull off your move.
Working with a broker isn’t a bad thing — in many cases, A-1 Auto Transport customers say they got a better deal sourcing competitive quotes from dozens of providers at once.
Use A-1 Auto Transport if:
- You need to transport specialty vehicles like freight, motorcycles, heavy machinery, or RVs.
- You want to compare a lot of affordable quotes at once.
- You want long-distance moving and vehicle shipping help.
- You’re open to different carriers and don’t have a specific preference.
Don’t use A-1 Auto Transport if:
- You prefer direct communication with your shipper.
- You’re on a tight schedule.
- You have specific carrier preferences.
FAQ
How much does A-1 Auto Transport cost?
A-1 Transport’s cost depends on factors like your vehicle type, transport type, distance, time of year, and add-ons. On average, A-1 auto transport charges around $1,200 for domestic moves and over $3,000 for international moves.
What do customer reviews say about A-1 Auto Transport?
Customer reviews are mixed because A-1 Auto Transport’s network of 30+ carriers transports the vehicles for A-1. While A-1 does their best to vet these companies, customer experiences differ based on the carrier. When in doubt, vet each carrier’s reviews before signing a contract.
Does A-1 Auto Transport offer discounts?
Yes, A-1 Auto Transport offers discounts for:
- Military
- Seniors
- Students
- First-time movers
- Snowbirds
Their discounts change throughout the year, though, so we recommend calling a sales rep to see what deals or specials they offer before booking.
How long does A-1 Auto Transport take to ship cars?
How long it takes A-1 Auto Transport to ship cars depends on the time of year and distance. On average, A-1 takes a day to ship a car under 200 miles. If you’re shipping a car more than 2,500 miles, you can expect it to take as long as 11 days.
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