Guidelines:

• Many if not most of the companies are brokers they will list your car in a database that truckers consult to fill up their truck on a given route.
• You can list a higher price to get your car picked up sooner, but they don't guarantee a pickup or drop off date.
• I called several auto transport carriers directly and they were $100 to $400 more than going thru an agent for NJ to CA
• Do not put your information in a multi-quote website (e.g. "find the best price links".)
  You will receive unfavorable email and phones calls by 20 different companies
• Prepare your vehicle for transport by removing all personal or valuable items. Don't fuel up. Auto carriers prefer you have less than a quarter tank of fue
• Make sure the carrier inspects your vehicle. At pick-up, the driver should inspect the car for any existing damage with a form called "The Bill of Lading"
• Contents: all seats must be upright Max 100# in trunk

Shipping items in the trunk:
Acording to McNutt  Transport
The Department of Transportation prohibits carriers from shipping cars filled with household items.

Shipping Personal Items In My Car | Montway Auto Transport says,

Montway Auto Transport allows all customers to pack a suitcase up to 100 lbs in the trunk free of charge.
More items can be on the backseats as well below window level and the front seats must remain empty. For items up to 250 lbs, the extra charge will be $200. Please also note that the items are not included in the insurance - only the vehicle.
Drivers seat must be clear.
Pack items below the window to minimize theft.

Other cautions:
Items can move around damaging your vehicle.

www.autotransportdirect.com/ 800-600-3750 $1,295
All seats must be upright Max 100# in trunk

How to Ship a Car | Edmunds
How to Choose an Auto Transport Company: 7 Steps (with Pictures)



How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car | Angie's List
   
Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE) Breakdown | gsa.gov

Vendors
Prices for Subaru Crossdtrek from Bridgwater, NJ to Davis, CA

 Transport Specialist... at your Service! MERCURY AUTO TRANSPORT have their own trucks
  Office: 954-239-1780x.23 / Cell-Text: 954-200-4494 Toll Free: 800-553-1828
   Email: jc@mercuryautotransport.com
   limited vehicle selection: no Subaru, no Toyota RAV 4
   
   Montway Auto Transport   $1,299 - $1,499

   Endrick Auto Transport (347) 231-1193



affordableautotransportation.com  954-642-0331 $1250

Enclosed carriers can be up to double the cost of open carriers
   
Reviews score (# of reviews)
Be careful of reviews:
Reliable Carriers was rated as 
5 stars with 131 reviews at Transport Reviews
but
2 stars with 5 reviews at Yelp

Auto Transport Companies – Reviews & Ratings | uShip
Auto Transport Reviews and Ratings | Compare Car shipping Companies - Transport Reviews
  Sample Daytona Beach, FL to Thousand Oaks, CA   $1,015 - $1,509
Knickerbocker Auto Transport 5 (42) not a broker $1,552

Contact Us | Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has complaints listed