Cheapest Car Shipping In Canada In 2023

Car shipping services come in many different varieties: some affordable, others pricey, and others offer both cheap and high-end rates. We researched dozens of vehicle transport companies and identified a few that offer the best features at affordable prices.

This post will explain what makes car shipping so expensive in Canada. We'll also show you how you can save money when shipping your car across the country and the cheapest ways and options to ship your car across Canada. Of course, finding the cheapest car shipping Canada has to offer isn't the only goal. We'll also give you the most reputable, reliable, and safe car shipping companies to ensure your car will be in good hands.

So if you're looking for a car transport carrier that's affordable, reliable, safe, and trustworthy, you'll find it here.

Why Is Car Shipping Expensive In Canada?

Car shipping costs can be a primary concern, especially if you're moving your car across a far distance. Several factors may influence the costs of shipping your car from one part of Canada to another, and they include:

#1 Delivery Distance

Generally, the farther the shipping company has to move your car from the pickup point to the delivery destination, the more you'll pay for shipping costs. For instance, you'll pay a higher amount for moving your car from Toronto to Vancouver than you will for moving the same car from Toronto to Edmonton.

#2 Delivery Timeline

If you want your car delivered urgently, you'll pay more for shipping costs than you would if your car is delivered later or within a more flexible timeline.

#3 Mode Of Shipping

The method by which your car is shipped to its destination also determines the shipping costs.

Your car can be transported either by:

• Train
• Open truck
• Enclosed truck
• Expedited truck, or even
• Plane

The cheapest mode of shipping your car is by train. Shipping using an open truck is the second cheapest, enclosed truck shipping is the third cheapest, and shipping your car via an expedited truck is the fourth cheapest. Shipping your car by plane is the most expensive and not recommended except for special concept or collectible cars that neet to get somewhere in record time.

#4 Type And Size Of The Car

Another factor that may increase the shipping cost you may have to pay is the type of vehicle you want to ship. If you want to ship a high-end car with low ground clearance, such as a sports car or an antique car, you'll have to choose a shipping method, such as an enclosed truck, to ensure your vehicle is protected from damage. This could increase the shipping costs for the car.

Also, the larger and heavier your car is, the more you'll have to pay for shipping costs. So, shipping an SUV will obviously cost more than a small sedan.

#5 Time Of Year Or Season

Shipping costs for your car are also determined by the time of the year you choose to ship your vehicle. Shipping your car during the summer months costs less than shipping your car during winter for several reasons, including lower fuel economy and harsher road conditions during the winter.

#6 Fuel Costs

Another factor that may influence the cost of shipping your car across Canada is fuel costs at the time of shipping. Shipping costs for your vehicle may increase with an increase in gas prices and vice versa.

#7 The Vehicle’s Conditions

The state of the vehicle you want to ship may also cause an increase in the amount you'll have to pay for shipping. You'll pay more for shipping if your car is non-operational or cannot be driven onto the cargo truck. This is because it'll require a lot of work on the carrier's part, depending on the type of car it is, to lift the vehicle carefully onto the carrier for shipping.

What Is The Cheapest Way To Ship A Car Across Canada?

The cheapest way to ship a car across Canada is by train. With rail transport, your car and others’ cars are loaded on a rail deck on a train and are transported to their destinations. Shipping your car via rail is perfect if you don't need the car to be delivered urgently, as the rail option has the longest delivery time and the lowest price.

However, this method has its limitations, as rail companies do not deliver cars to every city in Canada.

If that’s your case, your next option is truck delivery. If you want to save as much as possible on shipping, choose the terminal-to-terminal shipping service option provided by some carriers. This means that you'll drop off your car at one terminal, the carrier will pick it up and deliver it to the terminal closest to your delivery destination, and you then pick it up there. This method costs less than choosing a door-to-door delivery option.

While using the terminal-to-terminal option, you can further reduce the amount you'll spend on shipping costs by choosing the open truck shipping method instead of the enclosed truck.

What Carrier Can I Use To Ship My Car Across Canada?

Different car shipping companies in Canada help you ship your car to any point within the country. However, just choosing a carrier is not enough. You'll have to choose one that's reliable, trustworthy, and that can safely ship your car.

So, we curated four of the best car transport companies in Canada that can offer you safe and reliable car shipping services.

Shiply

Shiply acts as an intermediary or middle-man between the customers and the car transport carriers. The company operates in many countries worldwide, including Canada, and has a 4.8 rating out of 5.0 stars on Trustpilot.

Founded in 2008, Shiply claims to be environmentally-friendly by ensuring that they make use of the spare spaces in shipping trucks already plying the roads to reduce CO₂ emissions that would otherwise come from using another cargo vehicle to ship your cars or large items.

Shiply connects customers who want their cars or items shipped with reputable and high-quality car shipping companies that will provide shipping services to them at affordable rates.

When you place an order on Shiply, interested car shipping companies on the platform will bid on your order, and you get to select the shipping company or carrier with the best rates from the bidders. Shiply also charges a fee for using the platform.

Shiply works with over 348,289 delivery companies. However, these carriers are not vetted by Shiply, but Shiply provides each carrier's history and customer ratings. So, you'll need to research the carriers before choosing them to ensure that your car is in safe hands. A tracking feature is also available to check your vehicle's status effectively.

Shiply also claims that the shipping rates offered by the car moving companies are 75% lower than the standard shipping rates you'll get from other carriers. This is probably because many carriers will compete to get your order by bidding lower rates so that you can choose the most budget-friendly option.

The delivery companies on Shiply offer shipping services for a wide range of vehicles of different types and sizes.

Because there are many carriers on the platform, Shiply offers its services in every province and territory in Canada. There are also delivery companies on Shiply that can help ship your vehicles outside Canada to the US or Europe.

Pros

• Access to some of the cheapest car shipping in Canada.
• Shiply offers shipping services in every Canadian province and territory.
• Shiply also provides international shipping services.
• Carriers can ship a wide range of different types and sizes of vehicles.
• You can also ship other large items apart from vehicles.
• A tracking feature is provided to enable you to check the status of your shipments.

Cons

• Shiply does not vet the carriers.
• If the delivery companies do not compete for your order, you may get a higher shipping rate than you budgeted.
• You'll be charged a fee for using Shiply.

uShip

Founded in 2004, uShip is another company that operates similarly to Shiply. The company connects you with several moving companies enableing you to ship your vehicles and other large items easily.

uShip offers a marketplace where you can make a listing for your car shipping order, and interested transport carriers on uShip will compete and bid on your listing. You can then choose the carrier with the most affordable rates.

uShip has a 4.2 rating out of 5.0 stars on Trustpilot, meaning that most customers are satisfied with the services offered by the company.

There are many delivery companies on uShip, from large freight shipping companies to small and single carriers. However, the carriers are not vetted by uShip. Still, uShip provides customers with the history and customer reviews of each transport carrier to ensure that they choose a shipping company with the confidence that their vehicles are safe.

uShip also has a mobile tracking feature that is used by some carriers on the platform to allow you to track your vehicles online.

Like Shiply, uShip charges a fee for using the platform and encourages customers to pay an extra amount to ensure that their vehicles are insured.

The delivery companies on uShip offer their services throughout Canada and provide international shipping services.

Pros

• You get multiple bids from different carriers for your listing so that you may find a cheaper shipping rate.
• uShip offers extra insurance and tracking.
• Services are available anywhere in Canada.
• You can also find carriers to help you ship other large items on uShip apart from vehicles.
• uShip also has delivery companies that offer international services.

Cons

• The carriers on the platform are not vetted by uShip.
• Not all the carriers on the platform are insured.
• Some carriers on uShip do not use the mobile tracking feature.
• You'll be charged a fee for using the platform.
• Finding cheap or affordable shipping rates depend on having multiple bids.

MVS Canada

With accreditation from the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and BBB, MVS Canada is a vehicle transport carrier you can trust and depend on to ship your car from one end of Canada to another.

Founded in 2009, MVS Canada has over 30 years of combined experience in car shipping and an A⁺ rating on BBB.

MVS Canada offers several car shipping services, from cheap and affordable options to high-end, pricey ones, depending on your budget. They also provide door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal delivery options for all their shipping services.

The standard service is the cheapest, next to their enclosed service option, and finally, their expedited service option which is the fastest but also the most expensive.

MVS Canada also offers FedEx-inspired online tracking of your vehicles so you can know where your car's during shipping. The company also claims to have the best insurance coverage for your vehicles.

MVS Canada has terminals where customers can drop off or pick up their vehicles located in the following cities in Canada:

• Calgary, Alberta
• Edmonton, Alberta
• Vancouver, British Columbia
• Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Ottawa, Ontario
• Toronto, Ontario
• Montreal, Quebec

MVS Canada provides car shipping services to every province and territory in Canada except Nunavut and Labrador.

Pros

• There are different shipping options to choose from.
• Offers door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal delivery options.
• Online tracking is available for vehicles.
• Insurance coverage is also available.
• There are many MVS Canada terminals across Canada.

Cons

• Does not ship to Nunavut and Labrador.
• Does not provide international shipping services.

Performance Auto Carrier

Performance Auto Carrier is another leading automotive transport company in Canada with more than 20 years of experience shipping cars across Canada. The company prides itself on “stress-free deliveries” and specializes in shipping cars of all types, motorcycles, heavy vehicles like trucks, and even mobile motor homes.

Performance Auto Carrier offers different car shipping services, including door-to-door, enclosed, and open truck transport services. The company also has a short-term vehicle storage option for customers in Brampton who may not be able to pick up their vehicles immediately.

Performance Auto Carrier claims that their shipping rates are the best in Canada. However, the amount you'll pay will largely depend on your shipping service, the type of car you want shipped, and the delivery destination.

The company offers its services wherever needed in Canada, in all provinces and territories, and even provides international shipping services.

Pros

• Provides door-to-door delivery.
• Provides shipping services throughout Canada.
• Provides short-term storage options for your vehicle if you cannot pick it up immediately.
• International shipping services are also provided.

Cons

• Short-term storage options are only available for residents of Brampton.

How To Save Money When Shipping Your Car Across Canada

Shipping your car across Canada doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. So, here are a few tips that'll help you save a couple of dollars while shipping your vehicle across the country:

• Choose the terminal-to-terminal shipping option with open-truck transport as it's cheaper than the enclosed truck transport option. You'll also not have to pay for ground transport if you drop off your vehicle at the pickup terminal.
• Always place your shipping order in advance to prevent rush shipping. Ensure that you place your order at least two weeks before the target day.
• If you're not in a rush and do not need an urgent delivery, choose the rail transport option.
• If possible, always ship your car during the off-season instead of during the holidays. Car shipping costs are higher during holiday periods due to increased demand for shipping services.

Final Thoughts

Shipping your car across Canada can be expensive. However, some carriers may offer affordable shipping rates.

One of the cheapest ways to ship your car across the country is by choosing the terminal-to-terminal option and using your carrier's open truck shipping service. If you're not in a hurry, shipping your car via rail transport is another affordable way of shipping your car across the country.

You can also use the above tips to help you save money when shipping your car across Canada.

Cheapest Car Shipping Canada FAQs

Here are three of the most frequently asked questions on the cheapest car shipping in Canada:

What is the cheapest way to ship a car across Canada?

The cheapest way to ship a car across Canada is by rail transport or the terminal-to-terminal delivery option with open truck transport.

How much does it cost to ship a car to Canada?

The cost of shipping your car depends on many factors, such as the delivery distance. However, it can cost anywhere from $450 to $2,500 or even more. The shipping rates will change depending on the distance and the type of car.

Is it cheaper to ship your car or drive it?

Depending on the situation, driving your car might be cheaper than shipping it. However, there are certain benefits to shipping your vehicle over driving it, such as convenience and your car's safety, especially if your destination is quite far.