The short answer
- Open transport is the standard, the most available and the cheapest. The car is exposed to weather and road spray, much as it would be if you drove it.
- Enclosed transport typically costs 40% to 60% more and keeps the vehicle fully covered.
- Enclosed is worth it for exotics, classics, freshly painted cars, show cars and very low vehicles that need a lift gate.
- Enclosed trailers are scarcer, so they need more notice.
Side by side
| Open carrier | Enclosed carrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | The baseline price | Roughly 40% to 60% more |
| Availability | Most trucks on the road; most lanes daily | Far fewer trucks; book further ahead |
| Weather and road debris | Exposed, as if driven | Fully shielded |
| Loading | Ramps; needs standard ground clearance | Lift gate available for low cars |
| Cars per trailer | Usually eight to ten | Usually two to seven |
| Best for | Daily drivers, leases, dealer and fleet moves | Exotics, classics, show cars, fresh paint |
What open transport really exposes your car to
An open carrier is the two-deck truck that moves new cars to dealerships. Your car travels outdoors, so it meets the same rain, road spray and dust it would if you drove the route. It will usually arrive dirty. Stone chips are possible but uncommon, and hail is the one weather risk worth taking seriously if your route and season make it likely.
In exchange, you get the deepest pool of trucks in the industry, which means shorter waits and quotes that carriers will actually accept.
When enclosed is worth the extra cost
- Exotic and high-performance cars, where a repaint costs a great deal and non-original paint hurts value.
- Classics and antiques, with trim and paint that cannot be replaced and weather seals that were never very good.
- Freshly painted or restored cars, whose finish may still be soft.
- Very low cars, which cannot clear standard ramps and need a hydraulic lift gate.
- Show cars, where arriving clean is the point.
- High-value cars generally, where you also want a carrier whose cargo insurance matches the car's value. See luxury and exotic car transport.
A simple test
Would you happily drive this car across the same route in the same season? If yes, open transport is almost certainly right. If the idea of the paint meeting a thousand miles of highway makes you wince, and repairing it would cost real money, enclosed is worth pricing.
If you are not sure, tell us the vehicle and ask for both. We quote open and enclosed side by side so the difference is a number rather than a guess.
Common questions
Is open transport safe?
Yes. It is how manufacturers deliver new cars to dealerships. The vehicle is secured by its wheels and travels on equipment built for nothing else. The exposure is to weather and road spray, similar to driving the route.
How much more does enclosed cost?
Typically 40% to 60% above the open rate on the same lane. The gap is wider on lanes where enclosed trailers are scarce and around major auction and show dates.
Does enclosed transport take longer?
Transit is similar, but enclosed trailers are far fewer, so it can take longer to find one going your way. Book one to two weeks ahead where you can.