Best Car Shipping Companies in Rhode Island (September 2026)
Nexus Auto Transport is our top pick for car shipping in Rhode Island due to their balance of reliable service, steady pricing, and flexible transport options. Most people pay around $812–$1098 for auto transport in Rhode Island.
Nexus Auto Transport
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Sherpa Auto Transport
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Navi Auto Transport
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The Best Car Shipping Companies in Rhode Island
National car shipping companies usually offer the best mix of pricing, services, and availability. Here’s our breakdown of the top-rated options in Rhode Island.
Nexus Auto Transport
http://www.nexusautotransport.com
Nexus Auto Transport, established in 2015, has rapidly become a trusted name in vehicle shipping across the US. With a network of more than 30,000 carriers, they offer services in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. They offer open and enclosed transport, expedited shipping, and door-to-door delivery, as well as discounts for multi-vehicle shipments, cash payments, students, military members, and seniors, among others. Their Moving Season Package includes special deals and services catered to residential and commercial relocations. Customers appreciate their transparent pricing, real-time tracking, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Nexus boasts high customer satisfaction ratings, with an average of 4.7 stars across various platforms. Their user-friendly online quote system provides instant estimates, and a refundable $25 deposit secures your booking.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Live shipment tracking
- Fast, no-hassle quotes
- Door-to-door pickup
- Competitive discounts
Cons
- No international shipping
- Pay more with debit/credit card
Services Offered
- Door-to-door deliveries
- Open and enclosed trailers
- Hawaii/Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Sherpa Auto Transport
https://www.sherpaautotransport.com
Sherpa Auto Transport started after the founder had a negative experience shipping his own car. Unlike most of the auto transport industry, the company is deeply customer focused and prides itself on providing accurate pricing and excellent communication throughout the shipping process.
Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise, personalized support, and multiple discounts are just a few reasons the company is raising the customer service bar when it comes to auto shipping.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price Lock Promise keeps pricing fixed
- Pay by credit card available
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- $100k in cargo insurance
- Will ship inoperable vehicles as long as they can brake, roll and steer
- Ship cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans
Cons
- Online instant quote not available
- Cars only. Cannot ship boats, motorcycles, RVs, or trailers
- No international shipping
- No shipping to Alaska or Hawaii
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Insured shipping
Navi Auto Transport
https://naviautotransport.com
Navi Auto Transport is an experienced vehicle shipping company offering nationwide service across the US, including door-to-door delivery and both open and enclosed transport options. Known for its reliable scheduling and attentive customer support, Navi has earned strong customer satisfaction ratings, with many reviewers highlighting the company’s transparent pricing and consistent communication. They offer instant online quotes, and their expedited shipping option makes them a solid choice for time-sensitive moves.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price match policy
- Quick turnaround
- Discounts
- White-glove transport
- 24/7 tracking
Cons
- Limited international shipping
- No guaranteed pickup date
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
SGT Auto Transport
http://sgtautotransport.com
SGT Auto Transport is a highly-rated car shipping broker that works with more than 25,000 carriers to transport vehicles. They offer long-distance car shipping to 49 states. With the exception of Hawaii, all services are door-to-door and you can choose from open or enclosed shipping options. Get free quotes online in minutes and book an exact pick-up date for a seamless vehicle move.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open and enclosed auto transport options available
- Car shipping to Hawaii
- Motorcycle shipping available
- Free cancellation
- Full insurance coverage included in the price
- Nothing to pay up front
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Limited international shipping
- Doesn’t ship RVs
- No digital tracking
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Long-distance and international shipping
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Ship A Car Direct
https://shipacardirect.com
Ship A Car Direct works with a widespread network of carriers to provide long-distance auto transport with quick turnaround times for a variety of vehicles, including standard cars, trucks, and SUVs, as well as RVs, motorcycles, and boats. This highly rated company offers free online quotes with an extra $500 in gap insurance to cover any potential dings or dents during transport. Ship A Car Direct is a great choice if you’re in a rush, since they can easily handle last-minute requests.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Home of the industry’s only ‘Damage Free Guarantee’
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- Expedited Shipping Available
- Pay by credit card available
- Ships all vehicle types
- Ship an additional 100lbs in the car for Free
- $500 complimentary damage or loss coverage
- Rental car assistance should transport take more than 14 days
Cons
- Quotes expire sometimes within 1 week
- Do not ship boats or heavy equipment
- No international shipping
- Website lacks information
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Local Auto Transport Options in Rhode Island
We’ve done the homework on these Rhode Island-based transport companies — just note they may not offer the same level of coverage or flexibility as our top recommendations above.
Beacon Shipping Logistics Inc
Beacon Shipping Logistics Inc (DOT: 2268269) offers a wide range of shipping services, including interstate and international transport, open and enclosed carriers, classic car shipping, and inoperable car transport.
The company also handles motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, trailers, boats, electric vehicles, and heavy equipment, and it is fully insured. Beacon Shipping Logistics Inc has a 4.0 rating on Yelp, a 4.2 rating on Google, and an A+ rating with the BBB. One potential downside is that it does not offer shipment tracking, guaranteed delivery, or terminal-to-terminal delivery.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Deposit Required
- Pay by Credit Card
- Pay by Money Order
- Trailer Shipping
- Pay by Cash
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
East Coast Auto Transport
East Coast Auto Transport (DOT: 1625076) provides interstate, fully insured car shipping with enclosed transport options for classic cars, electric vehicles, and multi-car shipments. The company offers student and military discounts, and customers can pay by cash, money order, or credit card without a required deposit. It has a 1.4 rating on Yelp, a 4.9 rating on Google, and an A+ rating from the BBB. One potential downside is that East Coast Auto Transport does not offer open transport, terminal-to-terminal delivery, shipment tracking, or inoperable car transport.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- Military Discount
- Pay by Credit Card
- Pay by Money Order
- Pay by Cash
- Student Discount
- Interstate
- Classic Car Shipping
Virginia Transportation Corp
Virginia Transportation Corp (DOT: 643760) is an active car shipping company offering interstate transport, open carrier shipping, and multi-car transport for customers moving one or more vehicles. The company has a 4.3 Google rating, a 1.0 Yelp rating, and an A+ rating from the BBB. Customers can pay by credit card, which may add convenience during booking. A potential downside is that Virginia Transportation Corp does not offer enclosed transport, expedited delivery, or shipping for cars that don’t run.
Services Offered
- Multi Car Transport
- Open Transport
- Pay by Credit Card
- Interstate
United Road Services: Davisville
United Road Services: Davisville (DOT: 2234402) is an active car shipping company offering fully insured interstate transport, with options for open and enclosed carriers. They also support classic car shipping, motorcycle shipping, electric vehicle transport, multi-car moves, and storage solutions. The company has a 1.8 rating on Yelp, a 4.6 rating on Google, and an A- rating from the BBB. A potential downside for some customers is that they do not offer expedited delivery, guaranteed delivery, or transport for cars that don’t run.
Services Offered
- Fully Insured
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- Open Transport
- Storage Solutions
- Pay by Credit Card
- Interstate
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
Natales Transport
Natales Transport (DOT: 1569601) offers interstate car shipping with fully insured transport options, including open and enclosed transport.
The company can handle classic cars, electric vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, inoperable cars, and multi-car shipments, and it offers shipment tracking along with a military discount.
Natales Transport has a 4.7 Google rating, though it has yet to establish ratings on Yelp and BBB.
One potential downside is that it does not offer terminal-to-terminal delivery, expedited delivery, or guaranteed delivery.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- Military Discount
- Open Transport
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Pay by Money Order
- Pay by Cash
- Interstate
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
Local Car Shippers In Rhode Island
Looking for a local company to work with? Check out these resources:
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Find the Best Car Shipping Option for You
Popular Car Shipping Routes from Rhode Island
- Rhode Island to Alabama
- Rhode Island to Arkansas
- Rhode Island to Arizona
- Rhode Island to California
- Rhode Island to Colorado
- Rhode Island to Connecticut
- Rhode Island to Delaware
- Rhode Island to Florida
- Rhode Island to Georgia
- Rhode Island to Iowa
- Rhode Island to Idaho
- Rhode Island to Illinois
- Rhode Island to Indiana
- Rhode Island to Kansas
- Rhode Island to Kentucky
- Rhode Island to Louisiana
- Rhode Island to Massachusetts
- Rhode Island to Maryland
- Rhode Island to Maine
- Rhode Island to Michigan
- Rhode Island to Minnesota
- Rhode Island to Missouri
- Rhode Island to Mississippi
- Rhode Island to Montana
- Rhode Island to North Carolina
- Rhode Island to North Dakota
- Rhode Island to Nebraska
- Rhode Island to New Hampshire
- Rhode Island to New Jersey
- Rhode Island to New Mexico
- Rhode Island to Nevada
- Rhode Island to New York
- Rhode Island to Ohio
- Rhode Island to Oklahoma
- Rhode Island to Oregon
- Rhode Island to Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island to South Carolina
- Rhode Island to South Dakota
- Rhode Island to Tennessee
- Rhode Island to Texas
- Rhode Island to Utah
- Rhode Island to Virginia
- Rhode Island to Vermont
- Rhode Island to Washington
- Rhode Island to Wisconsin
- Rhode Island to West Virginia
- Rhode Island to Wyoming
Understanding Car Shipping Costs in Rhode Island
Here are some sample prices when shipping a car in or out of Rhode Island:
| Shipping Route | Open Trailer | Enclosed Trailer |
|---|---|---|
| From Rhode Island to Texas | 1807 | 2349 |
| From Rhode Island to New York | 515 | 670 |
| From Rhode Island to North Carolina | 1051 | 1366 |
| From Rhode Island to Michigan | 1174 | 1526 |
| From Rhode Island to Florida | 1420 | 1846 |
| From Arizona to Rhode Island | 2019 | 2625 |
| From Ohio to Rhode Island | 1054 | 1370 |
| From Georgia to Rhode Island | 1241 | 1613 |
| From Illinois to Rhode Island | 1229 | 1598 |
| From California to Rhode Island | 2287 | 2973 |
Nexus Auto Transport
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Sherpa Auto Transport
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Navi Auto Transport
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Factors Affecting Car Shipping Costs
These are factors have the biggest impact on the cost of shipping a car out of Rhode Island:
- Distance and location: Longer Rhode Island auto shipments cost more because carriers burn more fuel, spend more driver hours, and manage tougher schedules. Remote pickup or delivery spots raise rates, while Providence-area routes often cost less because carrier demand runs stronger.
- Vehicle type and condition: Larger vehicles or those requiring special handling, such as classic cars, may cost more to ship out of Rhode Island. Additionally, non-operational vehicles might increase the price due to the extra equipment needed for loading and unloading.
- Transport type: Open car shipping costs less and moves your vehicle on an open trailer, leaving it exposed to Rhode Island weather and road conditions. Enclosed car shipping costs about 30% more, but your car travels in a covered trailer for added protection. This is often the better option for luxury or classic cars. Since open transport is more affordable, about 90% of customers choose it.
- Seasonality: Rhode Island’s snowy winters, rainy spells, and coastal storms can slow carriers, tighten availability, and raise rates. Summer demand also pushes prices higher, while late winter often brings cheaper quotes.
- Additional services Home pickup and home dropoff usually cost more because the driver spends extra time reaching your address. Expedited shipping also raises the price because your car gets priority scheduling, faster carrier matching, and tighter timing.
Every factor above can impact the cost of shipping your car from Rhode Island. For the best deal, use the form below to request car shipping quotes from several Rhode Island transport providers and compare prices, services, and payment plans that fit your budget.
What To Know Before You Book
To ensure your experience is a relatively seamless one, there are some key things you should understand about car shipping companies in Rhode Island:
- Final costs may be higher than your initial quote. Some car shippers guarantee their rates, so the price you’re quoted is the price you pay at delivery. But not every company does this. Unexpected issues or last-minute route changes can lead to a higher final bill.
- Delivery dates aren't guaranteed. Many car shipping companies let you pay for a guaranteed delivery date, and they will do their best to deliver by that day. If you do not choose this option, the delivery window they provide is only an estimate. Keep in mind that bad weather, heavy traffic, and other unexpected issues can still cause delays, even with “guaranteed” delivery, because some factors are beyond the shipper’s control.
- It's important to review insurance coverage. Before shipping your car, find out exactly what the company’s insurance covers if damage happens during transit—and what it does not cover. Then compare it with your own auto insurance policy, which may already protect your vehicle while it is being transported.
- Don't just sign off on your car delivery. Be sure to review your bill of lading before you sign it at delivery. It may look like a simple receipt, but it is much more than that. This document lists the services you received and confirms the condition of your car when it arrived. Before signing, check that you received everything you paid for and that any damage is clearly noted. If damage is not listed, you may not be able to file a claim later.
Nexus Auto Transport
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Sherpa Auto Transport
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Navi Auto Transport
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How We Chose the Best Rhode Island Auto Transport Companies
Our selection of the top car shipping providers in Rhode Island is based on an in-depth evaluation of five core metrics: regulatory compliance, client satisfaction, service coverage, cost, and digital credibility.
- Licensing means the company follows both Rhode Island and federal rules — so you can ship with confidence.
- We look at real customer reviews to see which companies consistently deliver great service.
- From everyday sedans to rare classics, the best companies offer a range of shipping solutions.
- Fair pricing matters — especially when you’re dealing with the unique challenges of shipping a vehicle through Rhode Island.
- Strong ratings on platforms like BBB and positive chatter online signal a company that treats customers right.
Car Shipping Company Reviews
Learn more about the car shipping companies we have reviewed below:
FAQ
How can I verify that a car shipper in Rhode Island is actually licensed?
Ask for the company’s USDOT or MC number, then run it through the FMCSA SAFER system. You’ll see federal registration, insurance levels, and whether they’ve had safety issues or complaints.
Is real-time tracking available for car shipments in Rhode Island?
Some carriers have GPS-enabled trucks while others offer manual check-ins. Either way, you should receive updates when your car is picked up, while it's in transit, and when it's about to arrive.
How does vehicle pickup usually work in Rhode Island?
Expect a quick inspection, documentation, and a walkthrough of the loading process. Make sure the vehicle rolls, steers, and has about a quarter tank of fuel.
When are car shipping rates lowest in Rhode Island?
Demand drops in the colder months, especially after the holidays. If you can ship outside peak summer or snowbird season, you’ll likely save money.
Is my vehicle insured during shipping in Rhode Island?
Yes—federally regulated carriers include insurance for vehicles in transit. It’s smart to confirm coverage levels and deductibles ahead of time.
Can you pack belongings in your car when shipping it in Rhode Island?
At the moment, no auto transport carriers in Rhode Island permit customers to place personal belongings inside their vehicles during shipment.