Montway Auto Transport Reviews

Montway Auto Transport scored 9.5 out of 10 stars, the highest in our industry-wide car shipping study. The company excels at most aspects of auto transport, but performs especially well when it comes to customer support.

*Ratings are determined by our editorial review team. Learn more about our scoring methodology below.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Montway Auto Transport:

Is Montway Auto Transport Legit?

Founded: 2006
Headquarters: Schaumburg, Ill.
Service area: U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska, and international locations
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating: A+
BBB customer rating: 4.6/5

Montway has both an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB. Since 2007, Montway Auto Transport has grown to become one of the largest auto shipping companies in the country. The Chicago-area company earned a spot on the 2021 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for its growth over the past three years.

As an auto transport broker, Montway helps customers ship their cars through a network of over 30,000 motor carriers. The company moved 250,000 vehicles in 2023, according to Montway.com.

Is Montway Auto Transport Good?

In 2021, the MarketWatch Guides team conducted a survey of 1,000 people who had used a car shipping service. Among those who participated in the survey, Montway Auto Transport was by far the most popular provider, accounting for 24% of all respondents.

Here’s what we learned about the Montway customer experience:

• Of the respondents who used Montway Auto Transport, 84% said that they were satisfied with their service.
• Among those who used Montway to ship a vehicle, 78% said they would recommend the company to another person.
• Montway was an especially popular choice for shipping vehicles to Alaska.

 Montway Auto Transport Customer Reviews

As you research auto shipping companies, consider customer reviews to get a feel for the shipping experience. Montway has a 4.6-star rating from over 2,300 customers on the BBB. Looking at Google reviews, the company has a 4.7-star rating out of 5 from over 15,000 reviews. On the whole, Montway Auto Transport’s reviews from customers are positive.

Positive Montway Auto Transport Reviews

Many positive Montway Auto Transport reviews on the BBB website say Montway’s staff is easy to reach during transport. The company doesn’t offer GPS tracking, but you can call, text, chat or email a live agent during extended business hours every day. Reviewers also say the individual carriers are easy to get in touch with.

Other positive reviews say Montway finds rates at or near the original free quote. Many customers also say carriers pick vehicles up within the expected time frame. Below is a sampling of customer reviews left for the company on BBB, Trustpilot and Google.

“The scheduling was very easy and our driver was outstanding! It was my first time using a firm to ship a car and I had heard some concerns about haggling with drivers upon delivery. I would feel very comfortable using Montway again or recommending them.”

– Jeff S., via BBB

“I found Montway on the BBB website and was able to get a quote. The process was easy and went smoothly. Our driver was friendly and on time.  Had great communication. AND they were honest – the price did not change after the quote (had this happen with another company). Very happy and highly recommend.”

– Rhonda A., via Google

“Montway had the lowest quote, had no hidden or changing fees, was quick and easy to schedule, accurate pick-up day estimate, and easy-to-contact customer service. I realize the driver is technically a separate company, but he also was friendly and easy to communicate with, and the car arrived on time without a scratch.”

– Michelle S., via Trustpilot

Negative Montway Auto Transport Reviews

While Montway has many positive reviews, not everyone has the best experience. 

“Not a great experience at all. Driver was switched once and that delayed the shipment by 3 days. Then arrival was delayed by 3 days and driver was completely unresponsive to texts and phone calls.”

– Vlad B., via BBB

“Everything went perfect except my car arrived a week later than the initial dates I was given. My car was safe and there was no damage or adverse effects from the travel. I would use this company again.”

– Katie M., via Google

“I shipped two vehicles with this company and they hired a third party company by the name of SURKHON TRUCKING LLC. Never use Montway or Surkhon. The trucking company would not drive up my street and instead told me to come get the vehicle where they were parked down the road.”

– Brandon E., via Trustpilot

Other customers express disappointment about auto shipments taking longer than expected. In one case, the carrier took a week longer than expected to deliver due to unforeseen medical issues. In the world of auto shipping, customers have to wait when the driver calls in sick. 

Remember that Montway is a car shipping broker, so they are responsible for hiring carriers to transport cars. Also, door-to-door shipping is approximate — sometimes, customers need to meet the carrier at a safe location as close to the owner’s home as possible.

The bottom line is your car shipping cost can increase before you book your shipment, and shipping times may be unpredictable. It’s good to be aware of these things so you know what to expect.

Our team reached out to Montway for a comment on these negative reviews but did not receive a response. However, Montway almost always responds to any negative reviews left on the BBB’s website.

Montway offers several car shipping methods, including open and enclosed carriers, door-to-door shipping, terminal-to-terminal shipping, and cross-country shipping. For an additional fee, customers can add on expedited shipping and guaranteed pickup dates. Below are all of the car shipping services Montway provides.

• U.S. and international shipments: You can ship your car anywhere in the country, including Alaska and Hawaii. Montway can also help you secure transport to destinations abroad.
• Buy online and ship: If you purchase a vehicle online in another location, Montway can pick it up from the dealership and ship it to you.
• Door-to-door delivery: Montway transports your car between your addresses (or accessible locations nearby). It doesn’t offer terminal-to-terminal shipping.
• Open and enclosed transport: Open car transport is the standard shipping method, but you can choose an enclosed carrier for more protection — and a higher price.
• Expedited transport and guaranteed pickup dates: Montway can give you a guaranteed pickup date and a faster delivery time for an extra fee. Depending on your needs, you may even be able to get next-day shipping. However, the company doesn’t guarantee specific delivery dates.
• Cargo Insurance: Montway provides coverage of up to $100,000 and includes additional cargo insurance coverage of up to $250,000 if the carrier fails to cover a valid claim.

Types of Vehicles Shipped

You aren’t limited to just passenger cars when it comes to what you can ship with Montway Auto Transport. Here are some of the vehicles Montway will transport:

• ATVs
• Golf carts
• Motorcycles
• Exotic vehicles
• Collector cars
• Classic cars
• Inoperable vehicles

Montway won’t ship just any vehicle, however. The company doesn’t ship RVs, campers, farm vehicles, large commercial trucks and vans, boats or trailers.

Shipping your car with Montway averages $649 for a 500-mile shipment, $1,399 for a 1,500-mile transport, and $1,629 for a 2,500-mile shipment with open vehicle shipping.

Montway Auto Transport Cost Per Mile

According to our research, distances under 500 miles cost about $1.22 per mile, distances between 500 and 1,500 miles cost about $0.93 per mile, and distances over 1,500 miles cost $0.60 per mile on average.

We found enclosed trailer shipments cost an average of $200 to $400 more than open transport with Montway Auto Transport.

Montway Auto Transport Prices

Our team received quotes for a variety of vehicles from several leading car transport companies. Overall, we found Montway Auto Transport prices to be about $160 lower than the industry average.

Montway Auto Transport Prices

Montway Auto Transport Quotes

While price estimates indicate how much you could pay to ship a car with Montway, the best way to find the exact rate you will pay is to get an instant quote directly from the company. You can contact the company directly by phone or on their website. You will provide your name, phone number, email, vehicle information, shipping dates, and pick-up and drop-off locations.

Here are a few sample prices specific to the auto transporter: 

How To Save Money When Shipping a Car With Montway

There are a few things you can do to get cheap car shipping, including:

1. Book early

Book at least two weeks in advance to give Montway time to find the best carrier rate. By booking early, Montway will have the opportunity to allow carriers to bid on your vehicle shipment, which drives down the final cost.

2. Be flexible with pick-up and drop-off dates

By allowing Montway more flexibility to schedule your shipment, the company is able to find a carrier that has multiple open spots available on the carrier.

3. Opt for open rather than enclosed shipping 

We found open transport services cost about $200 to $400 less than enclosed trailer shipments, so if you are trying to save money, open shipping offers the best value.

4. Meet the carrier at a nearby town or interstate

If you live in a rural location, meeting the carrier at a nearby interstate or city is usually cheaper than having your car delivered to your house. This is because car shipping companies have popular routes that afford lower prices due to higher demand, the further the driver has to travel away from standard routes, the more fuel and time it takes the carrier to complete your delivery.

5. Choose terminal-to-terminal shipping

While Montway doesn’t offer this service, choosing this option could result in a lower price if you end up selecting a different auto moving company. Terminal-to-terminal shipping is slightly less convenient than door-to-door transport, but it could save you hundreds of dollars, especially if you live far away from popular shipping routes.

6. Avoid shipping your vehicle during the peak moving season

Shipping costs, like all other businesses, depend on supply and demand. Generally, there is a higher demand for car shipping services during the summer months, when people often move, and during January, when snowbirds head south. If possible, ship your car during the off-season, when more carriers are available and fewer customers are searching for auto transport services.

Montway Auto Transport Discounts

Montway offers several discounts and deals that can substantially lower the cost of shipping your vehicle with the auto transport broker. Below are detailed descriptions of each discount and deal Montway offers customers:

Montway Auto Shipping Cost Factors

Here’s a run-down of the factors that influence the cost of auto transport services:

• Vehicle size and weight: Large or heavy cars such as SUVs can limit the number of other vehicles car shippers can transport at the same time. This can increase your vehicle shipping cost.
• Operability: An inoperable car costs more to ship because the carrier will need to use a winch to get it on the trailer.
• Distance: Car shippers charge by the mile, but the per-mile rate goes down as the distance increases. That means that while you’ll pay more overall for long-distance shipments, like from New York to Los Angeles, your per-mile rate will be lower than for a short shipment.
• Type of transport: Enclosed auto transportation is more expensive than open, and single-car transport is even more expensive than enclosed.
• Season: When demand for auto shipping is higher, so is the average cost. This happens in the summer when families move and in January when many people travel south for the winter. 
• Pickup and delivery location: It costs less to ship your car if the carrier doesn’t need to go out of their way to pick it up or drop it off. If only a couple of car carriers are available for your area or route, you could pay more since there is less competition. This is especially true for rural areas. For example, you’re likely to pay less to ship a car from Houston than from rural Texas.

Below are tips for a hassle-free shipping process with Montway:

• Quotes are not guaranteed: Keep in mind that car shipping quotes aren’t set in stone. While Montway’s team wants to get you the best price, the market largely dictates what you pay. Pricing is not guaranteed until a carrier is dispatched, which can happen up to five days before your first available shipping date.
• Cancellation is possible: You can get a full refund if a carrier has not been dispatched. After that, you can get a partial refund minus a $249 fee or your deposit, whichever is less. You can’t cancel a shipment once the car is already in transit.
• Pickup dates are fluid: When you get a quote, you’ll see a place to select the first available shipping date. This is the earliest your car is available for pickup, but the carrier may or may not pick it up on this date. Montway has a standard pickup window of one to five days. You can, however, pay extra to secure a guaranteed date in many cases.

If you aren’t available to meet the carrier for pickup or delivery, you can authorize someone else to meet the carrier and sign the bill of lading.

How to Ship a Car With Montway Auto Transport

Here’s what you need to know about shipping a car with Montway Auto Transport.

1. Get a quote

You can get an instant quote online at www.montway.com by entering your vehicle information, shipping details, phone number and email address. The online quote tool allows for open or enclosed transport. You can also call Montway if you have special requirements.

2. Move forward with booking

If you’re happy with a quote, click the booking link or contact Montway to move forward in the process. You’ll enter pickup and delivery information here.

3. Schedule your shipment

Once Montway finds a carrier to ship your car at a price you approve, schedule your shipment by making a payment. You can either pay a partial deposit and then complete the payment with cash later or pay the entire bill by credit card upfront.

4. Prepare your vehicle

Clean your car and remove all personal items from the vehicle cabin. Leave it with a quarter tank of gas. With Montway, you can leave up to 100 pounds of personal items inside a suitcase or box in your trunk. However, these items are not covered by cargo insurance. 

5. Meet the carrier and sign the bill of lading at pickup

At this point, you’ll have the carrier’s contact information and schedule a meeting time. At the pickup location, you’ll both inspect your car for existing damage and sign a bill of lading. We recommend you also take photos of your vehicle at this time. 

6. Sign the bill of lading at drop-off

When the carrier is near the drop-off location, you’ll get a call to schedule a time to meet. At drop-off, you’ll inspect the vehicle again and sign the bill of lading. Be sure to note any new damage on this document. 

7. Complete cash payment (if applicable)

If you selected the cash price at booking, you’ll pay the rest of the bill directly to the carrier with cash, a money order or a cashier’s check. You can’t use a debit or credit card at this point.

8. File an insurance claim if necessary

If you notice any new damage after you receive your vehicle, note it on the bill of lading and make sure the trucker sees it and signs the document. Take photos of the damage if you can. Get a copy of the bill of lading from the trucker, and then contact Montway to get the trucker’s certificate of insurance. Montway can help you file a claim with the trucker’s insurance.

Considering its many years of experience, range of car shipping options and high customer satisfaction, we rate Montway Auto Transport 9.5 out of 10 and name it our Editor’s Choice award for 2024.

Montway should be an excellent option for most people, whether you’re just relocating to the next state over or making a big cross-country move from California to Florida. For the best results, plan your shipment in advance and be flexible in your timing.

Montway Auto Transport Recommended Competitors

Even though our team highly recommends Montway as a car mover, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from multiple providers before agreeing to a contract. Some providers may offer lower rates for your shipping needs. Be sure to shop around in order to get the best deal. Here are two providers we recommend getting car insurance quotes from:

Easy Auto Ship: 8.8 out of 10

Easy Auto Ship can be a smart choice for auto shipping, and we found it has the best customer service on the market. Easy Auto Ship has been in business since 2013. It has a 4.6-star rating out of 5 from customers on the BBB and an A+ rating from the organization.

Easy Auto Ship provides shipping services to all 50 states, and it can arrange international transport. Like Montway, the transporter has an instant online quote form, which makes it easy to get a ballpark price.

Keep reading: Easy Auto Ship review.

Sherpa Auto Transport: 9.0 out of 10

Founded in 2017, Sherpa Auto Transport is a newer player in the auto transport industry. What sets Sherpa apart is its Price Lock Promise. While your initial quote can be higher with Sherpa than with other companies, Sherpa guarantees that the final price won’t increase beyond that amount. The car shipper also provides reimbursement for a car wash after your delivery.

Sherpa Auto Transport serves the 48 contiguous states and Hawaii. It has an A+ rating from the BBB, along with a 4.9-star rating from customers.

Keep reading: Sherpa Auto Transport review.

Below are a few frequently asked questions about Montway Auto Transport customer reviews.

Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. We collected data on dozens of auto transport providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.

Here are the factors our ratings take into account:

• Cost: Auto shipping companies with affordable rates, locked-in pricing and discount opportunities scored highest in this category.
• Services: Companies that offer a variety of choices for car transport, strong insurance coverage and added benefits are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Customer experience: This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and availability of extras like GPS tracking. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each transporter’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
• Reputation: Our research team considered availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.

Our credentials:

• 150+ hours researched
• 20 companies reviewed
• 2,000+ consumers surveyed

*Data accurate at time of publication.