Open vs Enclosed Car Transport: Which Option Is Right for Your Vehicle?

(Open vs Enclosed Car Transport: Your Complete Shipping Guide)

Open car transport refers to a car shipping method where your vehicle travels on an open trailer along with several other cars. It’s the most affordable and widely available option, which makes pickups faster. Enclosed car transport, on the other hand, involves transporting your vehicle inside a fully enclosed trailer, providing maximum weather and road-debris protection—ideal for valuable or delicate cars.

In this post, we break down the differences between these two methods and help you decide which one is best for your needs.

Open vs. Enclosed Car Transport: Quick Comparison

Comparison Factor	Open Transport	Enclosed Transport
Average Cost (Cross-Country Routes)	$700–$1,200	$1,200–$2,000
General Protection	Moderate	Maximum
Availability	Very High	Limited
Pickup Speed	Faster (more carrier availability)	Slower (fewer carriers)
Weather Protection	Minimal	Full Protection
Best For	Standard sedans, SUVs, used cars, daily drivers	Luxury, vintage, exotic, restored or high-value vehicles
Typical Delivery Time	5–10 days	5–12 days

What is Open Car Transport?

Open car transport uses multi-level open trailers, often carrying 6–10 vehicles. Because multiple customers share the same trailer space, the cost per vehicle is lower.

Pros:

• Most affordable option
• Fastest pickups due to high availability
• Perfect for standard or daily-use vehicles

Cons:

• Exposed to weather, road debris, and dust
• Not suitable for high-value or highly delicate vehicles
• Limited ability to load inoperable cars

Open transport is safe enough for 85–90% of all shipped vehicles in the U.S., which is why it remains the industry standard.

What is Enclosed Car Transport?

Enclosed car transport ships your vehicle in a fully protected, sealed trailer. These carriers typically transport 1–4 cars at a time, which increases the cost but dramatically improves protection.

Pros:

• Maximum protection from weather, dust, snow, hail, and debris
• Ideal for luxury and high-value cars
• Better loading equipment for low-clearance cars (e.g., Lamborghinis, lowered cars)

Cons:

• Costs about 30–50% more than open transport
• Fewer carriers → slower pickups
• Limited availability in remote locations

Most luxury car owners, collectors, dealers, and restoration shops exclusively use enclosed transport.

Open vs. Enclosed Car Transport: Detailed Comparison

1. Cost of Shipping

Open transport is the cheaper option because:

• Trailers carry more vehicles (up to 10), reducing the cost per car
• There are more open carriers nationwide
• Competition keeps prices low

Enclosed transport costs more due to:

• Fewer vehicles per trailer (1–4)
• Specialty equipment and trained drivers
• Higher insurance coverage limits

Expect enclosed shipping to cost 30–50% more, depending on season, demand, and distance.

2. General Protection

Open Transport:

• Vehicles are safely secured but exposed to the environment
• Minor issues like dust or small rock chips are possible but uncommon
• Vehicles are loaded/unloaded more often, depending on the route and stops

Enclosed Transport:

• Complete protection against weather, dust, and debris
• Fewer stops and fewer load/unload cycles
• Best choice for maintaining a car’s resale value or condition

3. Weather Protection

This is the biggest difference.

Open Trailers:
Your vehicle is exposed to:

• Rain
• Heat
• Snow
• Road debris
• Dust

For a daily-driver car, this exposure is usually acceptable.

Enclosed Trailers:

• Fully shielded from all elements
• Crucial for paint-sensitive, high-value, or collector cars
• Prevents moisture issues during cross-country (especially winter or coastal) routes
  

4. Delivery Time

Delivery times are generally similar, but small differences exist:

Open Transport

Pros:

• Faster pickups due to high availability
  

Cons:

• More cars = more drop-offs = minor extra stops
  

Delivery time: 5–10 days

Enclosed Transport

Pros:

• Fewer stops due to fewer cars
• Often smoother route planning
  

Cons:

• Slower pickups due to low availability
  

Delivery time: 5–12 days

Overall, timelines overlap, but open shipping tends to pick up faster while enclosed transport is more predictable route-wise.

5. Use Cases

Choose Open Shipping If:

• You’re shipping a normal daily driver
• You want the most economical option
• You need quick pickup
• Weather conditions on your route are normal
  

Choose Enclosed Shipping If:

• You own a luxury, exotic, vintage, or collectible car
• Your vehicle has custom paint, modifications, or low ground clearance
• You’re shipping during winter storms or extreme weather
• You want the lowest risk of cosmetic damage
  

Let Haulin.ai Help You Decide Between Open and Enclosed Transport

If you’re still unsure which option is right for your car, simply ask Tessa, Haulin.ai’s 24/7 AI shipping assistant.
Tell her your car’s make, model, and route, and she’ll tell you the best-fit transport method based on:

• Weather conditions
• Vehicle value
• Pickup urgency
• Seasonal pricing
• Carrier availability
  

You can also get connected with a human expert anytime for personalized guidance.

Open vs. Enclosed Transport: FAQs