RoadRunner Auto Transport Review
The best car shipping companies offer affordable pricing, timely customer service, and a variety of delivery options. RoadRunner Auto Transport has all of these qualities, including a portal to track your shipment 24/7. Roadrunner can ship almost any vehicle anywhere in the United States and to select Caribbean countries. Choose top-load, open, or enclosed transportation for door-to-door delivery, but keep in mind that the company does not offer terminal-to-terminal shipping options.
Pros:
- Real-time tracking and access to live chat agents
- Basic liability and comprehensive insurance coverage available
- Ships motorcycles and oversized vehicles
- Network of 25,000+ certified carriers
Cons:
- No terminal-to-terminal shipping
- International shipping limited to the Caribbean
RoadRunner Services
RoadRunner Auto Transport offers auto and motorcycle shipping services to all 50 states and select Caribbean locations. If you need to ship a high-value or vintage vehicle, RoadRunner recommends its enclosed carrier service because it provides more protection for the vehicle.
- Open vehicle transport: This is the most common and affordable car shipping method, though your vehicle is exposed to the elements during transport.
- Enclosed transport: More expensive than open vehicle transport, but it protects your car from inclement weather and road debris to avoid damage during transit.
- Door-to-door shipping: Car is picked up and delivered as close to your home as possible.
- Motorcycle shipping: Fully-enclosed door-to-door transport anywhere in the U.S.
- Hawaii auto shipping: To or from any of the main Hawaiian ports, including pickup and delivery to the mainland.
- Alaska auto shipping: To and from any Alaska ports once a week, with delivery available to your home in the lower 48 states.
- Caribbean auto shipping: To and from ports in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, St. Maarten and more.
- Oversized transport: For RVs, boats, buses, campers, and tractors of any size.
RoadRunner offers real-time tracking, so you can see how far your vehicle is from being delivered. You’ll receive a unique tracking number at booking that will allow you to chat live with a shipping agent at any time.
How to Ship a Car With RoadRunner
RoadRunner Auto Transport is an auto shipping company who will connect you with a carrier once they have your necessary information. To get a quote, you’ll need:
- Starting location and destination (city and zipcode will suffice)
- Vehicle year, make, and model
- Shipment date
Plug this information into the online quote generator or call RoadRunner for an instant car shipping quote using these details. You’ll discuss pickup and drop-off dates with a RoadRunner representative, and they’ll confirm carrier availability before creating a tracking number you can use to monitor the progress. Someone over the age of 18 must be present at pick up and delivery to sign the inspection reports.
RoadRunner recommends scheduling your transport at least two to three weeks in advance, but expedited shipping options are available.
RoadRunner Auto Transport Costs
The initial quote you receive from RoadRunner is an estimate. To get an idea of shipping costs to various cities across the country, we collected sample pricing to ship a 2019 Toyota Camry three weeks in advance. Open shipping is less expensive than enclosed transport, which is about a $400 to $650 upgrade, depending on distance. Top-load shipments are $99 more.
| Shipment Destinations | Cost* | Transit Time |
| Seattle, WA to Sacramento, CA | $665 open $1,031 enclosed | 2 – 4 days |
| Washington, D.C. to Fort Lauderdale, FL | $735 open $1,139 enclosed | 3 – 5 days |
| Atlanta, GA to Denver, CO | $945 open $1,465 enclosed | 4 – 6 days |
| Portland, OR to Tampa, FL | $1,335 open $2,069 enclosed | 8 – 10 days |
*Prices accurate at time of publishing. For the most accurate results, we chose the same car make, model and delivery date for each transport.
RoadRunner Auto Transport’s website states that an upfront deposit is required and that customers only pay once their shipment is scheduled for pickup. In addition to the shipping fee, you will incur additional fees for upgrades such as top-load positioning, enclosed transport, and expedited shipping. Military members receive a discount.
Car Shipping Cost Factors
The cost to ship a car depends on the type of transport. Door-to-door transport—the only type of shipment RoadRunner offers—is always more expensive than terminal-to-terminal transport. There are a few additional factors that influence car shipping costs with RoadRunner Auto Transport, including:
- Distance to destination
- Type of transport (open or closed)
- Time of year
- Carrier company pricing
- Fuel costs
- Vehicle operability
- Vehicle size
RoadRunner Auto Transport Complaints
Online reviews for RoadRunner Auto Transport are a mixed bag. It has a 4.8-star rating on ConsumerAffairs based on 62 reviews. Customers mention that their representative and shipping carrier stayed in constant contact with them during long-distance transports. Others rave about the company’s stress-free process and on-time deliveries.
However, there are also several complaints about the company on the Better Business Bureau, including a 1-star rating and more than 150 complaints. RoadRunner is not accredited by the Bureau and its profile has a “Pattern of Complaint” alert citing concerns with customer service, payments, and delivery practices. In instances where customers were charged incorrectly or prior to shipping, the company has processed the claims and refunded money.
Our Experience with RoadRunner Auto Transport
What we liked most about RoadRunner was how easy it was to source pricing estimates from RoadRunner online. The quote included the base price for open car transport and pricing for various upgrades. The website mentions “the most extensive and personalized shipment coverage options” in the industry, but our quote lacked insurance details. Moving forward, we’d like RoadRunner to offer more information about insurance policies that pair with each transport. We think this information would help put customers at ease before moving vehicles long distances.
RoadRunner is affordable, and it partners with experienced carriers to transport a variety of vehicles—these are two important factors when choosing a car shipping service. However, based on what we’ve read online regarding customer experiences with RoadRunner, we urge customers to ask their representative detailed questions about payment processes, insurance, and tracking.
RoadRunner FAQs
What’s the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier?
Shipping brokers do not own the equipment used to transport vehicles. Instead, they pull from a network of partner carriers to book shipments on behalf of the customer. Because RoadRunner is a car shipping broker, they can source competitive carriers for your unique needs and timeline.
Does RoadRunner Auto Transport Require insurance?
Like most car shipping companies, RoadRunner insures all shipments under basic liability coverage during transit. You can also choose a comprehensive insurance option for added protection during booking. Customers should ask RoadRunner representatives for details about insuring their vehicles during transport.
Where will RoadRunner ship?
RoadRunner will pick up and deliver vehicles to all 50 states, plus the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, and St. Maarten.
Will RoadRunner Auto Transport ship a car that doesn’t run?
Yes, RoadRunner will ship inoperable cars. Because these shipments require a special auto carrier to move the vehicle, the company will charge an added fee to ship a non-running car.
Conclusion
RoadRunner is an affordable option for customers who want to ship vehicles door-to-door instead of via terminals. Several factors affect pricing and shipment processes, so customers should ask representatives detailed questions and insure their cargo before scheduling a shipment with the company.