Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping: Which Should You Choose?
Fact Checked by: Here’s the quick answer: Open car shipping is the most common transport option, but it does expose your vehicle to the elements, dirt and debris, and roadway hazards. Enclosed car shipping shields vehicles from potential damage while en route but that extra protection comes at an added cost — often close to 50% more than the cost to use an open carrier.
Open car shipping is generally safe and more affordable, so it is the best choice for transporting standard passenger vehicles. If you have a specialty vehicle like a motorcycle or a classic or high-value car, enclosed shipping may worth the higher price tag.
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Whether you’re having your vehicle transported across the country or to a neighboring state, most car haulers provide safe, convenient, and reliable open and enclosed service. Still, nefarious players and shady brokers abound, too.
We recommend getting instant quotes from vetted companies with tons of experience and verified customer reviews, like the ones on our list of the best car shipping companies.
Open vs. enclosed car shipping
Cost is the major difference between open and enclosed auto transport, but you may want to consider some other features and potential downsides of each option when deciding what’s best for your specific vehicle and circumstances.
Open car shipping
Open car transport means the company is shipping your vehicle on an open-air trailer that doesn’t have a solid roof or walls. Open carriers expose your car, truck, van, or SUV to everything from rain and sleet to sandstorms and bird droppings.
If you’ve ever seen open car carriers barreling down the highway, you’ve likely marveled at how many vehicles were on board – sometimes 10 or more, depending on size. Though it looks precarious and dangerous, it’s relatively safe. It’s how dealers transport most new cars and other vehicles from factories and ports to buyers and other dealerships across the country.
Enclosed car shipping
With enclosed transport, your vehicle is shipped inside a trailer surrounded by a weatherproof roof, walls, and doors. Though many customers assume their vehicle will be the only one inside the trailer, that’s rarely the case. You can opt for “exclusive use,” but it’s prohibitively expensive and is generally reserved for priceless classics, imported supercars, and irreplaceable race cars.
That said, enclosed trailers can’t haul as many vehicles as open trailers, so in addition to being protected from the elements and road debris like rocks, sand, and salt, your car will have more open space around it.
Open vs. enclosed car shipping: Pros & cons
Open transport
- Less expensive than enclosed shipping
- Easier to book your exact shipping date
- Can have shorter delivery times
- Typically a safe shipping method (most cars arrive damage-free)
- Vehicles are more susceptible to minor dents, dings, and scratches
- Less personalized service
Enclosed transport
- Vehicles are better protected from the weather and flying road debris
- Enclosed transport drivers are often more experienced with handling specialty vehicles
- White-glove service
- More expensive option
- Potentially limited availability, especially during the peak season between June and August
Which should you choose?
Choose open car shipping if:
- You’re shipping your vehicle on a budget
- You are shipping a standard passenger car, SUV, or truck
- An extra ding or a temporary layer of dirt or ice won’t make a difference
Choose enclosed car shipping if:
- Money isn’t an issue
- You demand the highest-quality service
- You’re shipping vintage, classic, custom, exotic, or high-end luxury cars
- Your want to sign your vehicle up for an auto show, race, or museum
Our picks for top car shippers
The best car shipping companies provide both open and enclosed carrier options, but some are better-suited for one or the other of those options, depending on your unique circumstances.
Take a look at our recommendations for the best open transport companies and enclosed car shippers to help you narrow down your search. Our car shipping calculator can also help you quickly get cost comparisons from multiple providers.
Best open car shipping companies
Montway Auto Transport
- No upfront payment
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Competitive pricing
- Door-to-door shipping
Like all our picks for top car shippers, Montway Auto Transport can handle open and enclosed transport requests. But Montway stands out for its efficient handling of long-distance shipments. While cross-country moves can be pricey — even with open transport — Montway offers a variety of service options to fit most budgets. They also handle inoperable vehicles, so if you have a clunker you don’t want to break the bank on, Montway might be right for you.
Easy Auto Ship
- No upfront deposit
- Expedited shipping
- No hidden fees
- Ships motorcycles & RVs
- Discount for cash payments
Easy Auto Ship is one of our highest-rated car shipping companies for both open and enclosed transport. However, the company’s personalized service, quick turnaround times, and perks make it a great choice for those who want more of a white-glove experience without the added expense of enclosed shipping.
When you book a move with Easy Auto, you get a designated account rep who will be your point of contact throughout the process. The company’s widespread network of partner carriers makes it easy to book a move and schedule a pickup. And their Clean Car Guarantee and car rental reimbursement means you can rest assured that your vehicle will arrive in pristine condition and you won’t be left stranded if your delivery is delayed by more than 14 days.
SGT Auto Transport
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
We like SGT Auto Transport for its balance of quality service and affordability on both open and enclosed shipping. So, if you are looking specifically for a great deal on open transport, SGT could be a good fit. Their price-matching policy ensures you’ll get a good deal with SGT Auto, even if you find a lower price elsewhere. And they provide door-to-door transport, as well guaranteed pickup and delivery (for an extra fee), if you are looking for convenience without excessive costs.
While they don’t ship RVs or other large vehicles, SGT Auto can easily handle the open transport of your standard sedan, SUV, or pickup truck.
Best enclosed car shipping companies
Sherpa Auto Transport
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
Enclosed car shipping costs a lot more than open transport, so if you’re going with the former option, finding a company with accurate pricing is key. Sherpa Auto Transport is that company.
Unlike some car shippers, Sherpa’s costs won’t vary between quote and delivery. With their guaranteed pricing structure, you’ll know exactly what you’ll pay on your delivery date. If for some reason the price does increase, Sherpa will give you $300 to help offset the added cost. Most shippers will just pass the increases on to you, so Sherpa stands out for its commitment to consistent and transparent prices on enclosed transport.
Ship A Car Direct
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Ship A Car Direct aims to make auto transport a risk-free endeavor, so it’s an obvious choice if you have a classic or high-value vehicle and are worried about how it will be handled en route. The company thoroughly screens all carriers they work with across the country and they’re selective about which partners they’ll work with on shipments. They also have a damage-free guarantee that includes $500 in gap insurance to help offset costs in the unlikely event that your specialty vehicle is dented or dinged during shipping.
Ship A Car specializes in classic car transport and has add-on insurance options, which may give nervous car owners some added peace of mind.
How to prepare your car for shipping
There are several things you’ll need to do before your car is picked up for shipment, including:
- Making sure it has a quarter tank of gas or less
- Inflating the tires and topping off the oil, coolant, and transmission fluid
- Removing personal items from the trunk, glove box, and back seat
- Having a spare set of keys ready for the driver
- Providing proof of insurance and vehicle ownership like a title or lease agreement
For more details, check out our car shipping checklist.
FAQs
Why are enclosed car carriers so much more expensive than open auto transport?
Enclosed auto transport carriers are more expensive because their car trailers offer more protection for your vehicle. Also, open carriers can haul more cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs and use less fuel per automobile which translates into lower prices.
Is auto shipping worth it for an old car?
Auto transport carriers will gladly ship your old vehicle, but if transportation costs more than its value, it’s probably wiser to get rid of it unless it has sentimental value.
Is an enclosed container always the best shipping method for sports cars and classic cars?
Yes, for expensive vehicles like race cars, sports cars, and vintage classics, enclosed car shipping services are usually the best option.
What’s the difference between multi-car and single-car transportation?
When you book “exclusive use,” your car will be in the trailer by itself, but it’s much more expensive than shipping your vehicle with others.
Are instant shipping quotes accurate?
They usually are, but sometimes they just estimate, so be sure you know if you’re getting a firm price or just a “ballpark” quote.
What’s a two-level trailer?
Most transport trailers (even enclosed trailers) have two decks to haul a row of vehicles on the bottom and another on top to maximize efficiency and keep costs low.
To learn more about how to transport your car, check out our list of the top-rated auto transport companies and find out which one is best for you.
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