US Star Trucking LLC Review: Is This Knoxville Open Carrier Worth Your Long-Haul Move?

More than 72% of the nation's freight by weight moves by truck, according to the American Trucking Associations. When your car ships across the country, an open carrier is almost always the one doing the work. Often, it's a small direct fleet you've never heard of. 

This US Star Trucking LLC review looks at one of those fleets. Knoxville, Tennessee based. USDOT 3910639. MC 1443432. A direct carrier that runs long-haul open transport out of the Southeast. You'll see what the FMCSA data actually says, what real customers report on Trustpilot and BBB, what a long-haul open move should cost, and three broker alternatives if the lane doesn't match your route.

Before you sign the dispatch email, get a free Transportvibe quote and see what fair pricing looks like for your route.

Who US Star Trucking LLC Is: A Tennessee Open Carrier Built for Long-Haul Auto Transport

US Star Trucking LLC is registered with the FMCSA out of 9111 Cross Park Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee. USDOT number 3910639. MC number 1443432. Business phone (865) 312-6670. BBB opened their file on June 29, 2021, and the business itself has been operating since January 1, 2018. That puts the company at eight years old under its current name.

The website markets US Star Trucking as a company with "over 10 years in operation." BBB records show eight. A small gap. Read the marketing with that in mind.

Here's what the paperwork actually confirms. US Star Trucking holds active operating authority. They own their trucks. They employ or contract their drivers. When you book with US Star Trucking LLC auto transport directly, no broker sits between you and the driver on your dispatch call.

Most Tennessee car shipping companies you find on Google are brokers, not carriers. They take your booking, then dispatch the load to a carrier like US Star Trucking. The carrier is the one that shows up with the trailer.

A quick fact sheet:

• Legal name: US Star Trucking LLC

• Headquarters: 9111 Cross Park Dr # 1013, Knoxville, TN 37923

• USDOT number: 3910639

• MC number: 1443432

• Business type: Direct carrier (LLC, incorporated July 28, 2021)

• Service focus: Long-haul open car transport, motorcycles, and heavy equipment across all 50 states

• Website: usstartruckingllc.com

If you're new to the difference between a carrier and a broker, our full auto transport guide walks through it. To spot broker behavior on the first phone call, this rundown of the 5 signs you're dealing with a car transport broker is a fast read.

The distinction matters because it changes how you communicate, how you pay, and how you file a damage claim later.

FMCSA Snapshot: What US Star Trucking's DOT and MC Numbers Actually Show

Before you trust any carrier with a $25,000 vehicle, verify the paperwork yourself. FMCSA runs a free public database called SAFER. Type in the USDOT number and you'll see the carrier's operating status, insurance filing, and inspection history in about ten seconds. It's the best trust signal available for any auto transport company.

Open safer.fmcsa.dot.gov, enter USDOT 3910639, and read four fields:

• Operating status: should read "Active" or "Authorized for Property." Anything else is a red flag.

• Power units and drivers: shows fleet size. Small direct carriers usually run between 1 and 10 power units.

• Out-of-service percentages: the roadside inspection failure rate. National averages sit near 20% for vehicles and 5% for drivers. Below the average is a good sign.

• Crash and inspection counts: look at the last 24 months for a real read on how the fleet is running today.

This is how to check a car carrier safety rating in under sixty seconds. The same steps work for any USDOT number, not just US Star Trucking's.

The MC number is the interstate operating authority. It confirms the carrier can legally haul cars across state lines for hire. On the FMCSA license and insurance tab, you can see the current insurance filing (usually a BMC-91 form for cargo liability). Auto transport carriers must carry at least $100,000 in cargo coverage on top of $750,000 in public liability. Confirm both are on file and active before pickup. That's the piece most shippers skip.

One note on the US Star Trucking site. Their FAQ page lists "ICC-MC #206532," which doesn't match the MC 1443432 shown on the FMCSA record. When numbers don't match, trust FMCSA. That's the database that governs what a carrier can legally do.

Time-sensitive shippers who need priority auto shipping still need to run the same DOT and MC check before dispatch. The service tier changes. The verification standard doesn't.

What Customers Actually Say: BBB, Transportvibe, and Third-Party Reviews Breakdown

The picture across platforms isn't uniform. That's the honest starting point.

Here's what shows up when you pull the numbers:

Read that side by side. On four operational review platforms, the average sits between 4.04 and 4.8 across a combined 8,000+ reviews. On BBB, the picture tightens. Grade B. Eighty-eight complaints on record over BBB's rolling reporting window. One published alert on the profile. Not accredited.

Both reads are true at the same time. Here's how to reconcile them.

Positive US Star Trucking reviews on Google, TransportReviews.com, and BirdEye consistently mention three things: quotes that matched the final price, drivers who showed up on schedule, and communication that stayed steady through transit. Kevin T on the BBB profile itself writes: "I have used this company twice moving a car from Florida to California. Both times the quote given before transporting was the final price paid." Carl N wrote: "Smooth transaction. Very satisfied." Izreon Rivera's Google review describes shipping three cars from California to Illinois and calling it "a phenomenal experience."

The critical side is also visible. Derrick W's BBB review opens with a line worth reading twice: "I understand there have been many complaints about US Star Trucking over the years, and some of those concerns may very well have been valid. However, I also believe that every company deserves a second chance." A customer acknowledging the complaint pattern in their own review is a signal. US Star Trucking complaints on BBB tend to cluster around pickup window slippage and slower-than-expected damage claim resolutions.

This US Star Trucking LLC Trustpilot review reads both sides at face value. Booking with them isn't a coin flip, but the BBB record is worth knowing before you sign. For a longer look at how BBB, Google, and other review sites weigh differently, this comparison of review platforms helps you read all five scores in context.

If you're moving out of state, our home relocation services page covers what to check when the car is one piece of a bigger move.

What US Star Trucking LLC Actually Hauls: Routes and Load Sizes

Direct carriers don't cover every route. They run specific lanes based on where they can find return loads and drivers with available hours. Knowing US Star Trucking's active lanes matters more than knowing the company name. Their site claims service to all 50 states plus international, but the FMCSA power unit count and the review pattern point to a smaller regularly-run map.

How Many Cars Fit on Their Open Carrier

The driver rolls up in Knoxville with a two-level, ten-car open trailer. That's the standard long-haul rig. Some routes use 7-car, 8-car, or 9-car configurations depending on the driver's assigned equipment. US Star Trucking's fleet falls in this range.

Ten cars is the standard maximum for a long-haul open carrier. Your specific slot depends on more than trailer size:

• Vehicle length and weight

• Top-load vs bottom-load position (matters if you own a low-clearance classic or exotic)

• Pickup and drop-off sequence on the driver's route

• Ground clearance for lowered vehicles

For a deeper look at how these rigs are loaded and secured, this guide to how a car carrier truck handles multi-vehicle transport shows the mechanics behind what you see at pickup.

Long-Haul Routes US Star Trucking Actively Runs

Kevin T's BBB review names the lane he ran twice: Florida to California. Izreon Rivera's Google review names another: California to Illinois. Multiple published customer stories point to the same pattern. Nashville auto transport carriers usually run east-west and Knoxville-based fleets follow suit. Their strongest lanes are Tennessee to California, Tennessee to Texas, Tennessee to Florida, and Tennessee to the Northeast.

Tennessee to California car shipping is one of the highest-demand westbound lanes in the country, especially October through December when snowbirds head west. Book early on that lane. Rates climb fast when demand tightens.

If open transport is what you need, open car shipping is the service page to bookmark.

What Long-Haul Open Transport With US Star Trucking Costs

US Star Trucking doesn't publish a public rate card. No direct carrier does. Rates come from two places: the load-board offer a broker accepts on your behalf, and the direct quote you get if you call (865) 312-6670.

Kevin T's review is the most useful data point on pricing accuracy: "Both times the quote given before transporting was the final price paid." That's not universal (BBB complaints show some pricing disputes exist), but multiple published reviews echo it. Quote-holding-to-final-price is one of the strongest positive patterns in US Star Trucking's review record.

Here's the honest pricing shape based on verified industry data for open carrier long-haul shipments:

Rule of thumb: open carrier car shipping cost runs roughly $0.50 to $0.75 per mile on routes over 1,500 miles. Shorter routes cost more per mile because the driver still carries fixed costs, fuel, hours, and deadhead miles spread over fewer paid miles.

Four factors push US Star Trucking's rate up or down:

• Season. Westbound to California in October costs more than eastbound in April. Snowbird migration drives the swing.

• Vehicle size. SUVs, pickups, and dually trucks add 15 to 30% over sedan rates because they take up more trailer space.

• Pickup flexibility. Rigid dates cost more than a 3 to 5 day window.

• Return-load probability. If the driver can fill the trailer on the way back, the outbound rate drops.

For a deeper cost comparison between open and enclosed transport, this open vs enclosed pricing breakdown is worth a look. Timing matters too. If you can wait for shoulder season, this guide to the best time of year to ship a car in the US has month-by-month advice.

Snowbirds who move a car twice a year can bundle both directions with seasonal car relocation and lock better rates than booking one-way each time.

Insurance and Damage Claims: What Happens If Something Goes Wrong

Every open carrier operating legally must carry cargo insurance. The FMCSA minimum is $100,000 in cargo liability. US Star Trucking's insurance filing is on record with FMCSA and covers damage that happens in transit.

Open transport insurance coverage pays for damage caused by the carrier during pickup, transit, or delivery. It doesn't cover pre-existing damage, personal items left inside the vehicle, or acts of nature outside the driver's control. A hailstorm on I-40 is the classic example. Read the policy summary before pickup.

Picture the delivery moment. The driver pulls into your Nashville driveway, drops the ramp, and rolls your SUV off the top deck. You circle the car. New scuff on the rear bumper. Was that there at pickup? If you signed a clean Bill of Lading at pickup without documenting existing damage, you'll spend the next month trying to prove which side of the trip caused it. The Bill of Lading is the single most important document in this whole process.

Here's the car shipping damage claim process in five clean steps:

1. Document at pickup. Photograph every existing dent, scratch, and wheel scuff. Note each one on the Bill of Lading before the driver leaves your driveway.

2. Inspect at delivery. Before you sign, walk the car in daylight. Any new damage must go on the BOL before your signature. Once you sign clean, the claim gets much harder to prove.

3. Notify the carrier in writing. US Star Trucking's claim window is typically 15 to 30 days from delivery. Use email, not phone, so you have a paper trail.

4. Get repair estimates. Two written estimates from licensed body shops is the standard.

5. Follow up. Keep every email. If the claim stalls, escalate to the insurer named on the BMC-91 filing.

Photograph the BOL front and back. Keep the copy. For a deeper walk-through of what's covered and what isn't, our full car shipping insurance guide covers the details.

The US Star Trucking BBB profile shows past complaint outcomes on that same page as the 88 complaints and B rating. Look at how the carrier responded to damage complaints specifically, not just the total complaint count. Some complaints resolved cleanly. Others didn't. Read a handful before booking.

If your vehicle is high-value or fragile, enclosed vehicle shipping carries higher insurance limits and a lower damage rate. Worth the price gap for classics, exotics, and luxury sedans.

Carrier vs Broker: Why Booking US Star Trucking Direct Feels Different

A carrier moves cars. A broker sells you a booking and dispatches to a carrier. Both are legitimate businesses. They serve different needs.

Here's the split, side by side:

Picture a Miami dealer moving a fresh trade-in to their Nashville rooftop lot. They need it there by Friday. They call US Star Trucking directly, book the load into the driver's next northbound run, and pay the driver cash on delivery. No broker margin. No portal fees. One conversation, one price.

Now picture a first-time shipper in Portland, Oregon trying to move a car to Tampa in three days. Portland to Tampa isn't a Knoxville-based carrier's active lane. Booking directly won't work. A broker with a national network will find a carrier that already has a truck heading east. Broker wins here.

Book a direct car shipping carrier like US Star Trucking when:

• Your route matches their active lanes (Tennessee to CA, TX, FL, or the Northeast)

• You have 3 to 5 day pickup flexibility

• You want one phone number for the whole move

• You'd rather skip the broker margin

Book a broker instead when:

• Your route sits off the carrier's lane map

• You need pickup in 24 to 48 hours

• You want backup options if the first carrier cancels

• You prefer paying by card upfront

For a fuller comparison of the two pricing models, this breakdown of broker vs carrier pricing explains where the margin sits and why it exists.

Dealers who move inventory in volume usually build direct-carrier relationships and skip the broker layer. If that's your business model, dealer vehicle transport solutions is set up for exactly that pattern.

Carrier vs broker auto transport comes down to route and timing.

Best Open Car Transport Companies If US Star Trucking Doesn't Fit Your Route

US Star Trucking is one carrier with defined lanes and an eight-year operating record. When those lanes don't match your route, or when the BBB complaint pattern makes you want a broker with a deeper support layer, a broker with a strong carrier network is the smart play. Three names worth a quote (Montway is intentionally left out here, since it serves as an industry benchmark rather than a fresh recommendation):

Which one fits best depends on what you value most.

Sherpa Auto Transport works well when you want the quoted price to hold from booking to delivery. Their Price Lock model catches surprise increases before they hit your card. Georgia-based, so they know Southeast lanes.

AmeriFreight is the pick if you want the lowest reasonable rate for long-haul open transport and can flex on pickup timing. Their carrier network is deep. Also Georgia-based, which pairs cleanly with Tennessee-origin moves.

Mercury Auto Transport suits you if you want to talk to a real person on a direct phone line rather than a portal. Family-owned since 2007, Florida-based, and known for keeping the same booking agent from quote to delivery.

These three make a fair-comparison set against US Star Trucking on the same lane. Plenty of other strong brokers exist too. For a broader checklist of what to verify on any carrier or broker before you book, this guide to the 7 key factors for choosing the best vehicle shipper is worth ten minutes.

If your vehicle is a classic or exotic, factor in trailer type too. Luxury and exotic car shipping usually means enclosed only, which changes the broker set entirely.

Best open car transport companies aren't a single ranking. They're the ones whose lane map matches your specific move.

Straight Answers to What Shippers Search Most About US Star Trucking

The five queries that fill Google search bars right after "US Star Trucking LLC review" hits enter.

Is US Star Trucking LLC a legit auto transport carrier?

Yes. US Star Trucking LLC holds active FMCSA authority under USDOT 3910639 and MC 1443432. BBB rates them B with 88 complaints on file, so verify their current record yourself before booking.

How do I check US Star Trucking's DOT number and MC number on FMCSA?

Go to the FMCSA SAFER site, enter USDOT 3910639, and review operating status, insurance filing, and out-of-service percentages. The same tool confirms MC 1443432 on the license and insurance tab.

What does open carrier car shipping with US Star Trucking cost from Tennessee to California?

Expect roughly $1,050 to $1,450 for a sedan on Knoxville to Los Angeles, based on industry rates near $0.48 to $0.66 per mile. Snowbird season from October to December pushes rates higher.

How do I file a damage claim if my car arrives damaged with US Star Trucking?

Note new damage on the Bill of Lading before signing at delivery. Email US Star Trucking within their 15 to 30 day claim window with photos, two body shop estimates, and the BOL copy.

Is US Star Trucking a broker or a direct carrier?

Direct carrier. US Star Trucking owns its trucks and holds motor carrier authority under MC 1443432. Brokers can still dispatch loads to them, so you might arrive at their trailer through a broker booking.

So, Should Your Car Ride With US Star Trucking LLC?

Book US Star Trucking LLC directly if:

• Your route matches their active Tennessee-origin lanes (to CA, TX, FL, or the Northeast)

• You have 3 to 5 day pickup flexibility

• You want direct communication with the carrier and no broker in the middle

• You'd rather pay the carrier at delivery than a broker upfront

• You're comfortable reviewing the BBB complaint history yourself and forming your own view

Book Sherpa, AmeriFreight, or Mercury instead if:

• Your route sits off US Star Trucking's active lane map

• You need pickup in under 48 hours

• You want backup carrier options if the first one falls through

• The B grade and 88 complaint count on BBB weighs heavier for you than the 4.7 Google average

Military families relocating on PCS orders have specific rules and timing constraints. Military vehicle relocation is set up to handle those.

Whichever option matches your move, don't skip the FMCSA check at USDOT 3910639. Verify the DOT number, the MC number, and the insurance filing before you hand over the keys. That single step catches most of the risk in this industry.