Open car shipping is the cheaper, faster-to-schedule choice and is safe for most everyday vehicles, while enclosed shipping costs more but fully shields your car from weather, road debris and dust. In 2026, open transport typically runs $500 to $1,900 and enclosed runs about $800 to $2,900 for the same kinds of routes. Choose open for daily drivers and choose enclosed for classic, luxury, exotic, show or freshly restored cars.
Key takeaways
- Open carriers move the large majority of cars in the U.S. and are the standard for daily drivers.
- Enclosed transport usually costs several hundred dollars more, depending on route and vehicle.
- Enclosed trailers protect against rain, hail, road salt, gravel and prying eyes.
- Open carriers are easier to book quickly because there are many more of them on the road.
- Low, high-value or rare cars benefit most from enclosed transport, often with a liftgate.
Open vs. enclosed: side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Open carrier | Enclosed trailer |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2026 price range | $500–$1,900 | $800–$2,900 |
| Cars per load | Usually 7–10 | Usually 1–7 |
| Protection from weather and debris | Limited (exposed like driving) | Full (walls and roof) |
| Availability | High; easiest to schedule | Lower; may need more lead time |
| Loading method | Ramps | Ramps or hydraulic liftgate |
| Typical insurance limits | Standard cargo coverage | Often higher coverage |
| Best for | Daily drivers, used cars, dealer stock, leases | Classics, exotics, luxury, show cars, low cars |
Prices vary by route, season and vehicle. Use our car shipping cost calculator to compare both options for your exact trip.
What is open car shipping?
Open car shipping uses the two-level carriers you see on the interstate. Cars ride on the upper and lower decks, held in place with wheel straps or chains. Because one truck can move up to 9 or 10 cars, each customer pays a smaller share of the trip's cost. That is why open transport is the most affordable way to ship a car.
Pros of open transport
- Lower price. Usually the cheapest door-to-door option.
- Faster scheduling. Far more open carriers are on the road, so it is easier to find one on your route and dates.
- Proven safety. Dealers and manufacturers ship new cars this way every day.
- Easy to inspect. The driver can see your car through the whole trip.
Cons of open transport
- Your car is exposed to rain, snow, sun, dust and road grime, just like driving it.
- Small stone chips from road debris are possible, though not common.
- Cars on the lower deck can be exposed to drips from vehicles above.
- Low-clearance cars may not fit standard ramps.
For most people, the trade-off is easy: the car arrives needing a wash, and you saved hundreds of dollars. Learn more on our open car shipping page.
What is enclosed car shipping?
Enclosed car shipping moves your vehicle inside a covered trailer with solid or soft walls and a roof. Some are single-car or two-car trailers pulled by a pickup. Others are large multi-car enclosed rigs. Many enclosed carriers use hydraulic liftgates instead of ramps, which lifts the car level so the front bumper and underbody never scrape.
Hard-sided vs. soft-sided trailers
Hard-sided trailers have solid metal or composite walls and give the most protection. Soft-sided trailers use heavy-duty tarps or curtains. They block rain, sun and most debris, and they often cost a bit less. If your car is very valuable or rare, ask for a hard-sided trailer.
Pros of enclosed transport
- Complete protection from weather, hail, road salt, sand and stone chips.
- Privacy. Your car is out of sight, which helps with rare or high-profile vehicles.
- Liftgates and soft straps protect low and delicate cars.
- Drivers often specialize in high-value vehicles and carry higher insurance limits.
- Fewer cars per load, so fewer stops and less handling.
Cons of enclosed transport
- Higher cost, often several hundred dollars to over a thousand more on long routes.
- Fewer trucks, so you may need more lead time, especially in peak seasons.
- Some rural areas see fewer enclosed carriers, which can mean a longer pickup window.
See how it works on our enclosed car shipping page.
How much more does enclosed shipping cost?
The gap depends on distance. On short trips the difference may be a few hundred dollars. On coast-to-coast moves it can be $700 to $1,000 or more. Here are typical ranges for a standard car:
| Trip | Open (typical) | Enclosed (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $500–$800 | $800–$1,200 |
| 500–1,500 miles | $700–$1,400 | $1,000–$2,100 |
| Coast to coast | $1,300–$1,900 | $2,000–$2,900 |
Ask yourself how the price difference compares to the cost of fixing a single paint chip on your car. For a $20,000 commuter, open usually wins. For a $150,000 sports car or a freshly painted classic, enclosed often pays for itself in peace of mind.
Which cars should go enclosed?
Enclosed shipping is worth a close look if any of these apply:
- Exotic and supercars such as Ferrari, Lamborghini or McLaren. See luxury and exotic car shipping.
- Classic and antique cars, especially original paint or fresh restorations. See classic car shipping.
- High-end luxury cars like a Porsche 911, Mercedes-AMG or Bentley.
- Low-clearance or modified cars that need a liftgate.
- Show and auction cars that must arrive spotless.
- Convertibles with soft tops going through harsh weather.
- Cars heading through snow and salt in winter, if you want to avoid corrosion.
CTS offers enclosed transport for supercars and exotics, with coverage up to $2 million available.
Which cars are fine on an open carrier?
Open transport is the right choice for most vehicles, including:
- Everyday sedans, SUVs, minivans and crossovers
- Most pickup trucks (see truck shipping)
- Most electric vehicles, including popular Tesla models
- Leased cars and new or used dealer purchases
- College and military moves, where budget matters
The middle ground: top-load on an open carrier
If you want more protection without paying for enclosed, ask for a top-load spot. Cars on the upper deck do not get drips from vehicles above and see less spray from the road. It usually costs a small extra fee, often around $50 to $150, and depends on availability.
Open or enclosed? Common situations
The right choice often depends less on the car and more on why you are shipping it. Here is how the decision usually plays out in real life.
Moving to a new state
If you are relocating with a family SUV or commuter car, open transport is the usual pick. You are already juggling movers, deposits and travel costs, and an open carrier gets the car there safely for less. Our state-to-state car shipping guide covers the full move.
Snowbirds heading south for winter
Most snowbirds ship on open carriers. If you are sending a convertible or a weekend sports car you want to keep pristine, enclosed is worth pricing, since north-to-south routes in late fall can pass through early snow and salted roads. Book early either way; these routes get busy. See snowbird car shipping.
Buying a car online or at auction
For a typical used car from a dealer or online seller, open transport is standard and affordable. If you just bought a collector car at auction, enclosed protects both its condition and its value on the way home.
Seasonal weather
Season can tip the scales. A spring trip across the South may mean pollen and rain, which a car wash fixes. A January trip through the Rockies or the Great Lakes means snow, slush and road salt. If your car's paint or underbody really matters to you, winter is when enclosed earns its price.
Questions to ask before you book
Whichever option you choose, a few simple questions help you avoid surprises:
- Is the price all-in, and can it change after I book?
- For enclosed: is the trailer hard-sided or soft-sided?
- Does the carrier use a liftgate or ramps?
- How much cargo insurance does the carrier carry, and can I see proof?
- What is the expected pickup window and transit time?
- Is a top-load spot available on open transport, and what does it cost?
Safety and insurance: is one really safer?
Both methods are safe. Damage on open carriers is uncommon, and most cars arrive needing nothing more than a wash. Enclosed transport removes the risk from weather and road debris, but it does not remove every risk; loading and unloading still matter.
All licensed carriers must carry cargo insurance. Enclosed carriers often carry higher limits because they haul more valuable cars. Whichever you choose, ask for the coverage amount in writing and inspect your car carefully on the Bill of Lading at pickup and delivery. Our guide to how car shipping works explains the inspection process.
One more point: the way you document your car matters more than the type of trailer. Wash it before pickup, take dated photos of every side, and make sure every existing mark is on the Bill of Lading. That record protects you no matter which option you choose.
How to decide in 60 seconds
Answer these four questions:
- Is the car worth more than about $75,000, or is it rare or hard to replace?
- Does it have original paint, a fresh paint job or a soft top you want to protect?
- Is it very low to the ground?
- Will it travel through winter weather or road salt?
If you answered yes to any of these, enclosed is likely worth it. If you answered no to all four, open transport is the smart, budget-friendly choice. Either way, our Best Price Guarantee means you will not overpay.
Tips to get the most from either option
- Book 2 to 3 weeks ahead, and even earlier for enclosed in summer or snowbird season.
- Wash the car before pickup so the inspection is accurate.
- Take dated photos of every side, the roof and the interior.
- Tell your shipper about any modifications, low spoilers or extra-wide tires.
- For enclosed, ask whether the trailer is hard-sided and whether it has a liftgate.
Frequently asked questions
Is open car shipping safe?
Yes. Open carriers are the industry standard and move most of the cars shipped in the U.S., including new cars from factories to dealers. Your car will be exposed to weather and road grime, but serious damage is uncommon.
Is enclosed car shipping worth the extra cost?
For high-value, classic, exotic or low-clearance cars, usually yes. For a typical daily driver, the extra cost rarely makes sense because open transport is already safe and reliable.
Does enclosed shipping take longer?
Transit times are similar once the car is loaded. Scheduling can take a bit longer because there are fewer enclosed carriers, so book early when you can.
Can I ship a car enclosed to Hawaii?
Cars going to Hawaii cross the ocean by ship, so the ocean part is different from truck transport. You can still use enclosed trucking to and from the port. See Hawaii car shipping for details.
Will my car be dirty after open transport?
Probably a little. Plan on a car wash after delivery, much like you would after a long road trip.
Not sure which option fits your car? Get a free quote for both open and enclosed transport and compare them side by side.
Updated November 4, 2026