Cars are shipped across Canada in two main ways: by rail, in enclosed autorack rail cars between terminals in major cities, or by truck, on open or enclosed car carriers that can pick up and deliver door to door. Rail is usually the better value for long, coast-to-coast moves; trucks are more flexible for short distances, small towns and door-to-door service.
Key takeaways
- Rail: best for long routes such as Toronto–Vancouver or Ontario–Nova Scotia. Enclosed rail cars protect the vehicle from road debris.
- Open truck: the most common and flexible option, door to door.
- Enclosed truck: for luxury, classic or collector cars.
- Always compare insurance coverage, tracking, pick-up windows and the all-in price.
Rail vs truck car shipping
| Rail | Open truck | Enclosed truck | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Long, cross-country routes | Short and medium routes, door to door | High-value and classic cars |
| Pick-up | Terminal, or home pick-up near major terminals | Door to door | Door to door |
| Protection | Enclosed rail car, no highway exposure | Exposed to weather and road debris | Fully enclosed |
| Price | Often competitive on long routes | Usually the most economical | Highest |
| Flexibility | Limited to terminal cities | High | Medium |
Car shipping companies in Canada
The companies below are well known in Canadian auto transport. This is not a paid ranking; get quotes from several providers before you book.
Rail Auto Canada
Rail Auto Canada ships cars by rail only, using enclosed autorack rail cars on Canada's national rail network. It connects eight terminal cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, covering routes such as Toronto–Vancouver, Toronto–Calgary and Ontario–Nova Scotia.
- Terminal-to-terminal service (the most affordable option), plus home pick-up and delivery in major cities near terminals
- Insurance included in all-in pricing
- Online client portal with status updates
- Rail has a much lower carbon footprint than trucking, and vehicles are not driven on the highway
Good for: cross-country moves between major cities where you want your car protected from road wear.
MVS Canada
MVS Canada is a Canada-wide vehicle shipping company based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. It works as a transport broker offering several methods:
- Rail transport for long distances
- Open car-carrier transport
- Enclosed transport for luxury, vintage and collector cars
- Door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal options, with online tracking
Good for: shippers who want to compare rail, open and enclosed options through one company.
Hansen's Forwarding
Hansen's Forwarding has operated since 1980 and runs a large fleet of car carriers across Canada, with rail shipping through a partnership with Canadian Pacific (now CPKC).
- Open truck transport across Canada
- Rail shipping between major centres
- Cross-border shipping to the US
- Oversized vehicles and corporate fleet moves
Good for: door-to-door moves, fleets and cross-border shipments.
How much does car shipping cost in Canada?
Prices depend on:
- Distance and route: busy routes between major cities are cheaper per kilometre.
- Method: rail and open truck are usually cheaper than enclosed truck.
- Vehicle size: trucks, SUVs and modified vehicles cost more.
- Pick-up and delivery: terminal-to-terminal is cheaper than door to door.
- Season: summer and the snowbird season (fall and spring) are busier.
- Running condition: non-running vehicles need winching and cost more.
Get written, all-in quotes that state insurance coverage and any extra fees.
Typical transit times
| Route | Rough transit |
|---|---|
| Toronto ↔ Vancouver | 7–14 days |
| Toronto ↔ Calgary | 5–10 days |
| Toronto ↔ Halifax | 4–8 days |
| Montreal ↔ Toronto | 2–4 days |
Times vary by method, season and weather. Ask the provider for its current estimate.
How to prepare your car
- Clean the car and photograph every side, so you can check for damage at delivery.
- Remove personal items. Most carriers don't insure contents.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel.
- Disable alarms and remove toll transponders.
- Note existing damage on the bill of lading at pick-up.
- Inspect at delivery before signing.
Shipping a car in a container
For international moves, or when a car ships with household goods, it can travel inside a 20ft or 40ft ocean container. The container then moves through ports and rail terminals like any other box, and a drayage carrier delivers it. Find container carriers by city in our drayage directory, and read about shipping from Canada to Europe or to the Philippines.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to ship a car by rail or truck in Canada?
On long, cross-country routes between major cities, rail is often competitive or cheaper. On short routes or to smaller towns, open truck transport is usually cheaper and more flexible.
How long does it take to ship a car from Toronto to Vancouver?
Usually about 7–14 days, depending on the method, season and provider.
Is my car insured during shipping?
Reputable carriers include cargo insurance. Always ask for the coverage amount in writing and check what is excluded.
Can I put personal items in my car when shipping it?
Most carriers ask you to remove personal items, because they are not covered by insurance and add weight.
Which cities can I ship a car to by rail?
Rail car shipping in Canada typically connects Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.