Best Rhode Island Car Shipping Companies (2024 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: After comparing costs, services, and customer satisfaction, our team rated SGT Auto Transport as the best car shipping company in Rhode Island, giving them 4.9 out of 5 stars.
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Key takeaways
- While there are several factors that influence the cost of transporting your vehicle, the average cost of shipping your car out of Rhode Island ranges from $667 to $1,289.
- 79.7% of Rhode Island auto transport companies offer open transport options, which is the most common (and cheapest) method of shipping your vehicle out of state.
- Only 20% of car shipping companies in Rhode Island offer guaranteed delivery. If you need your vehicle delivered on a specific day, we recommend using SGT Auto Transport.
Why trust moveBuddha?
Our mission at moveBuddha is to make every aspect of moving easier, and we use our firsthand knowledge of the industry to simplify and streamline what can often be a stressful process.
Since moveBuddha’s foundation in 2015, our team has talked to thousands of consumers and analyzed 4,400 moving companies and 2,400 car shippers across the U.S. We’ve collected detailed car shipping experiences through our Better Moves project, and we routinely dig deep into online consumer reviews to identify the most common complaints and compliments companies receive.
We created our own system for analyzing and rating car shipping companies on important factors like pricing, variety of services, customer feedback, and availability. Our experienced editorial team fully fact-checks all content to ensure it is accurate, informative, and up-to-date.
Best car shipping companies in Rhode Island
Our data team has spent more than 400 hours collecting and analyzing information unique to vehicle transport, including pricing quotes. We routinely evaluate that data to give you relevant, accurate, and unbiased recommendations for the best car shipping companies in your area.
If you need to ship a car out of Providence, or another location, here are our top picks for car shippers in Rhode Island:
- SGT Auto Transport
- Easy Auto Ship
- Sherpa Auto Transport
- AmeriFreight
- Ship A Car Direct
- Beacon Shipping Logistics Inc
- East Coast Auto Transport
- United Road Services: Davisville
- Virginia Transportation Corp
- Natales Transport
Average cost of transporting a vehicle to or from Rhode Island
The average cost to ship a car out of Rhode Island is about $1,020 but the exact amount you pay could be more or less, depending on factors like how far you are shipping your vehicle and whether you choose open or enclosed transport. For example:
- Short-distance shipments (under 500 miles): $380 to $834
- Medium-distance shipments (500-1,500 miles): $683 to $999
- Long-distance shipments (over 1,500 miles): $811 to $1,299
Here are some sample prices when shipping your car out of the Ocean State:
Route | Open | Enclosed |
---|---|---|
Rhode Island to Texas | $1,558 | $2,390 |
Rhode Island to New York | $500 | $675 |
Rhode Island to Michigan | $1,035 | $1,560 |
Rhode Island to Florida | $1,284 | $1,901 |
Rhode Island to Illinois | $998 | $1,581 |
Arizona to Rhode Island | $1,732 | $2,675 |
California to Rhode Island | $1,994 | $2,964 |
North Carolina to Rhode Island | $956 | $1,313 |
Ohio to Rhode Island | $1,029 | $1,369 |
Georgia to Rhode Island | $988 | $1,712 |
When shipping your car out of Rhode Island, these factors can affect the price:
- Your move distance: Distance matters. Shipping a car within Rhode Island or to nearby states is usually cheaper than cross-country transport.
- Location: Shipping costs depend on the location. Sending items from Providence to a small town in Rhode Island or out of state may vary. Urban areas might have lower rates, but remote places in Rhode Island could be more expensive.
- Your car’s make, model, and year: The size and type of your vehicle are important. Compact cars usually cost less to ship, but classic cars from Rhode Island may need extra care and result in a higher quote.
- Shipping options in the Ocean State: Choices range from open-air transport to enclosed shipping. While open-air is wallet-friendly, enclosed transport offers more protection for Rhode Island’s unpredictable weather, albeit at a higher cost.
- Gas prices: With changing fuel prices, your expenses can go up or down. Gas prices in Rhode Island could impact your shipping costs, especially for long distances.
- Delivery time frame: You’ll end up paying extra for car shipping if you need a guaranteed delivery date or faster service.
- Discounts: Some Rhode Island auto transport companies offer discounts like military, student, and multiple vehicle discounts. Check out our full guide on car shipping discounts to learn more.
For a more accurate quote, use our car shipping calculator. You can also check out all of the popular Rhode Island car shipping routes.
Company | Quote | Rating | Phone |
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SGT Auto Transport
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(864) 492-1221 |
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Easy Auto Ship
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(888) 259-6046 |
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Sherpa Auto Transport
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(833) 775-1461 |
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AmeriFreight
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(770) 501-9057 |
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Ship A Car Direct
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(866) 563-0804 |
FAQs for shipping cars in Rhode Island
What is the most reliable car shipping company in Rhode Island?
SGT Auto Transport is the most reliable car shipping company in Rhode Island, based on our research. Using our in-house car shipping methodology, we rated SGT Auto Transport a 4.9 for its wide range of services and pricing accuracy, which includes fixed rates and comprehensive insurance. The company also maintains an excellent customer satisfaction score across sites like the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and Google reviews.
What is the cheapest company to ship your car in Rhode Island?
The cheapest copmany to ship your car in Rhode Island will depend on the services and transport type you select. The best way to determine the most affordable rate based on
your specific needs is to use our car shipping
calculator.
Remember that the cheapest isn’t always the best, and paying a little more for reliable service can be worth it. Also,
most highly-rated car shipping companies offer ongoing deals that can help you save on your total costs. Among our top
car shippers in Rhode Island, AmeriFreight has the
most discounts, including those for military personnel, senior citizens, and early-bird bookings.
How long do I have to update my drivers license in Rhode Island?
If you’re relocating to Rhode Island from out of state, you have 60 days to get a Rhode Island driver’s license. You’ll need to show proof of your identity, residency, and legal status in the U.S. Acceptable documents include a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
Does Rhode Island require a vehicle inspection?
All newly registered vehicles, except new ones, must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. Otherwise, the registration might be suspended. New vehicles do not need an inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Various types of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
Does Rhode Island’s weather impact car shipping?
Severe weather can significantly influence the cost to ship your vehicle out of Rhode Island. Rhode Island experiences warm summers and cold winters. The southern coastal areas have hot summers and cool winters, featuring both rain and snow.
What is the estimated delivery time for shipping a car out of Rhode Island?
Delivery times for car shipping in Rhode Island depend on the distance and specific route. For in-state shipments, it typically ranges from one to three days. For longer interstate routes, especially those crossing the country, expect approximately seven to 14 days. Factors like traffic, weather conditions in Rhode Island, and the exact starting and ending locations can influence these time frames. Always check with your shipping provider for a more precise estimate based on your particular needs.
Miles | Timeframe |
250 | 1-4 days |
500 | 1-6 days |
750 | 2-7 days |
1000 | 2-8 days |
1250 | 3-8 days |
1500 | 3-9 days |
1750 | 3-11 days |
2000 | 4-12 days |
2250 | 5-13 days |
2500 | 7-15 days |
What is the minimum car insurance required in Rhode Island?
When moving to Rhode Island, you must get car insurance that meets the state’s minimum requirements. This includes $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Also, Rhode Island requires drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage for complete protection.
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
MoveBuddha’s car shipping company reviews
For more in-depth information on each company, see our full company reviews:
- A-1 Auto Transport Review
- All America Auto Transport Review
- American Auto Shipping Review
- Amerifreight Review
- Diesel Auto Express Review
- Easy Auto Ship Review
- Guardian Auto Transport Review
- Montway Auto Transport Review
- Mr. Car Shipper Review
- Nationwide Auto Transportation Review
- Nationwide United Auto Transport Review
- Nexus Auto Review
- Roadrunner Auto Review
- Sakaem Logistics Review
- SGT Auto Transport Review
- Sherpa Auto Transport Review
- Ship-a-Car Direct Review
- Shiply Review
- United Routes Review
- Victory Worldwide Transportation Review
Other Rhode Island car shipping resources
Looking for a more local company to work with? Check out these resources:
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