AmeriFreight: Discounted All-Vehicle Shipping

AmeriFreight at a Glance

AmeriFreight seems committed to providing top-notch services to customers seeking a seamless and secure vehicle shipping experience. They serve as auto transport brokers, connecting individuals and businesses needing to move vehicles across the country with suitable carrier options. They focus on streamlining the process, connecting you with their network of licensed and vetted carrier companies throughout the United States, including both Alaska and Hawaii. They don't require any upfront payment until carrier approval, and offer flexible payment options to make the shipping experience as convenient and cost-effective as possible. Whether you're relocating, purchased a car online, a student heading to college, or a motorcycle enthusiast needing specialized transport, AmeriFreight aims to find the right shipping solution that aligns with your budget and requirements.

AmeriFreight offers various services and shipping options to suit a wide range of needs. They can provide you with both convenient door-to-door service and potentially more affordable terminal-to-terminal transport. You can choose between standard open trailer shipping or opt for enclosed transport for added protection when moving high-value vehicles. AmeriFreight handles a diverse array of vehicles, including Sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, motorcycles, RVs, oversized trucks, travel trailers, boats, classic cars, and even inoperable vehicles— although those might have carrier-specific restrictions. They understand that shipping your car can be nerve-wracking, which is why they offer discounts to specific groups like students, military personnel, and seniors, alongside price guarantees and additional insurance options. Their website also provides valuable educational resources to help guide you through the auto-shipping process.

AmeriFreight has received recognition and positive reviews within the auto shipping industry. They are allowed to operate by the Department of Transportation with USDOT number 1251595 and FMCSA number MC-490644. They are accredited and receive an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

AmeriFreight Services & Options

AmeriFreight offers their services to clients in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Their shipping services are as follows:

• Door-to-door shipping: This option affords you maximum convenience as the carrier would pick up your vehicle as close to your home as possible and then deliver it directly to your destination. This is ideal if you value a streamlined process and want to avoid the hassle of transporting your vehicle to and from terminals
• Terminal-to-terminal shipping: This is a potentially more budget-friendly option where you drop off and pick up your vehicle at designated terminals. This might be a good choice if you are flexible with your schedule and are located near major shipping hubs
• Open auto transport service: This is the most common and cost-effective shipping method, wherein your vehicle is transported on an open-air trailer, exposed to the elements. It is a reliable choice for standard cars, trucks, and SUVs in good condition
• Enclosed auto transport service: This shipping method provides added protection for your vehicle during transport. Your car is shipped inside an enclosed trailer, shielded from weather, road debris, and potential theft. It is recommended for high-value, classic, exotic, or luxury vehicles
• Expedited auto transport service: They have an option that prioritizes fast delivery of your vehicle. This is ideal for time-sensitive moves where you need your car delivered as quickly as possible, and involves an additional cost compared to standard shipping
• Hawaii and Alaska shipping: They transport your vehicles to both of these noncontiguous states. However, while their website goes into detail about their cross-country shipping, they do not mention how they ship to Hawaii; whether it be by ship or plane
• Auto transport assurance: AmeriFreight offers Allied Fidelity Total Assurance (AFta) insurance and protection plan to customers for guaranteed asset protection (GAP) coverage. The AFta plan covers damages up to $2,000 during transit, parking, or storage. You can report damages up to 48 hours after delivery. It also offers protection against unexpected price changes and provides some financial security in case of significant market fluctuations. However, it may have certain limitations or requirements, so inquire about details

AmeriFreight Costs

AmeriFreight strives to provide some of the more competitive costs in the auto transport industry, and as previously noted, they have a no-upfront-payment policy that ensures zero initial financial risk and payment only upon finding a suitable shipping solution. That said, the cost of shipping with AmeriFreight is highly variable. It depends on factors like the distance, vehicle type, vehicle's operability, current market rates, and fuel prices. It also depends on your chosen shipping method (open vs. enclosed) and time of year, as summer is often more expensive. They lay out some of their extra car shipping rates and fees on their website, such as having to pay $150 for a full-size truck, or about 80% more for enclosed over open transport.

They have an online quote calculator that provides an instant personalized estimate. You'll need to input your vehicle's make and model, origin and destination locations, and desired transport method. This would give you a ballpark figure to start with. We requested a quote for a 2020 Nissan Altima being shipped from San Diego to Mobile, AL, and were given a quote of $1,635 for enclosed transport. They provide other quotes on their website for open transport, including $900 to ship from Los Angeles to Miami, and $1,250 from Atlanta to Los Angeles. They state that these prices are inclusive of all fees and deposits, with no other fees or taxes. You can either pay a booking fee and the balance at the destination, or pay in full with a credit card— especially if you might not be at the delivery point.

It must be noted that AmeriFreight offers multiple discounts, all of which require proof of identity or certain prior considerations. They include the following:

• Active-duty military: $35 off per request
• First responders: $35 off, after showing a copy of your employment ID
• Students: $25 off, with a copy of your student ID
• Return customers: $50 off, with proof of previous order
• Senior citizens: $25 off, with a copy of your license
• Medical personnel: $35 off, with a copy of medical ID
• Multiple vehicles: $50 off every additional vehicle
• Early bird: $25 off if you sign up within 48 hours of getting a quote

The Advantages of AmeriFreight

• Wide range of vehicles covered: They transport not only standard cars such as sedans and SUVs, but also many other vehicle types like motorcycles, RVs, classic cars, and more; with some carrier-specific restrictions for inoperable vehicles
• Affordable rates and discounts: They place a special focus on competitive pricing, and provide many discounts for different types of clients and circumstances. Their discounts include those for students, military personnel, first responders, seniors, return clients, and more
• Nationwide coverage: They ship to all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii
• Flexible shipping options: With AmeriFreight Car Transport, you can choose between door-to-door, terminal-to-terminal, open, and enclosed transport for tailored service
• Additional insurance coverage: They offer optional GAP coverage from AFta for damage and price fluctuation protection, providing peace of mind

Why You Might Not Choose AmeriFreight

• No international shipping: Their services are limited to within the United States
• No GPS tracking: You can't track your vehicle's location in real-time during the transport process, and it is unclear how you may inquire about that other than by contacting their dispatch team by phone
• Scheduling requires calling: You must call to finalize your quote and book a driver
• Potential for higher final costs: Their initial quote may be an estimate, and market conditions can lead to price increases from the third party carriers
• Limited support on Sundays: Customer service is only available for four hours on Sundays

The AmeriFreight Customer Experience

They enjoy a very positive user experience as gleaned by online customer reviews. Their review score on Trustpilot is a high 4.9 out of 5, with a similar score of 4.7 out of 5 on Google Reviews. However, they receive a lower 3.3 out of 5 score on Yelp. AmeriFreight receives a relatively small number of complaints on the BBB, where they hold a 4.81 out of 5 review score and an A+ rating.

Positive feedback

Customers consistently praised AmeriFreight for their helpful, reliable service, often emphasizing the transparency and accuracy of initial quotes. Many said that actual costs often aligned closely with estimates, and that the company's communication was above and beyond during unexpected situations like weather-related delays. Customers expressed satisfaction with the professionalism, efficiency, and quality of service of assigned carriers, highlighting smooth tracking processes. Numerous customers commended the company's representatives for their professionalism, knowledge, responsiveness, and guidance. Some reported that they received fair pricing, especially for enclosed transport, with several noting on-time or early pickups and deliveries from their car transport carriers. Overall, many customers found the entire car shipping process easy and stress-free.

Critical feedback

While AmeriFreight generally receives positive reviews, occasional negative experiences have been reported, notably significant delays in pickup and a lack of communication from both AmeriFreight and the assigned carrier. Some customers express dissatisfaction with unexpected price increases, feeling misled by initial estimates. There are concerns about communication lapses, including delays in providing pickup windows and unmet promises of pre-pickup notifications. In a severe case, a customer recounts a damaging incident involving a contracted driver, expressing frustration with AmeriFreight's perceived lack of responsibility and unhelpful resolution. Some customers were surprised by extra charges, such as a broker fee, that weren't clearly communicated upfront. Additionally, there are complaints about aggressive behavior from a transport driver, highlighting potential concerns with service etiquette and carrier selection.

The nature of complaints on the BBB about AmeriFreight include misrepresenting quotes, charging hidden fees, and using carriers with poor communication and unprofessional behavior. They reply to all these complaints fairly promptly, and their responses are professional and thorough. They often explain the situation completely, which may involve a breakdown of their fee structure, which they say would have been explained over the phone. They also sometimes issue refunds when warranted.

Customer Support

Their customer service staff may be contacted by phone at (770) 486-1010, by submitting a ticket on their Contact Us page, or by live chat at the lower left corner of their website. You can also send them a message to their email address, [email protected]. Their dispatch team may be called at (770) 574-4436. They are available for support at the following times:

• Weekdays from 8 AM to 10 PM EST 
• Saturdays from 9 AM to 6 PM EST
• Sundays from 12 PM to 4 PM EST

Final Verdict

AmeriFreight Auto Transport seems like a solid option for domestic vehicle shipping within the United States. They offer a variety of shipping methods, cover a wide range of vehicles, and have a strong focus on competitive pricing with numerous discounts. Their positive online reviews emphasize their excellent communication and customer service. They might be worth considering if you prioritize convenience from door-to-door service and peace of mind with insurance options.

However, it's useful to note that employing a broker means your primary interaction during transit will be with the contracted carrier. AmeriFreight vets carriers but doesn't have direct control over their actions. Therefore, vehicle shipment delays and communication problems can occur, which may be outside AmeriFreight's ability to fix quickly. It also may mean that the quoted price is often just an estimate, and market conditions can fluctuate, leading to higher-than-expected final costs. Be sure to discuss the possibility of price changes with your representative. Also, since international shipping isn't offered and there's no real-time GPS tracking, it might not be the best fit for everyone.

If you are still unsure whether AmeriFreight is the right choice for you, you can compare it with other top auto transport companies. You can also use our comparison tool to see the features and characteristics of different companies side by side. Additionally, you can read our blog to learn more about the industry as a whole.

Get Your Free Auto Transportation Quote Now!