The short answer
Open transport is the right call for roughly 90% of shipments — it's what movie studios and dealers use to move millions of cars a year, and it costs about 35% less than enclosed. Enclosed makes sense for classics, exotics, low-clearance cars, and anything you genuinely cannot risk road grime or a rock chip on. Both trailer types use vetted, monitored carriers and the same $0-due-at-booking terms.
- Enclosed trailers cost roughly 35% more than open transport on the same route.
- Open carriers move the vast majority of new dealer inventory across the US every day.
- Vehicles with less than about 5 inches of ground clearance often need liftgate or enclosed service to load safely.
- Enclosed trailers typically carry 1-7 vehicles versus 9-10 on a standard open rig, so pickup windows can run slightly tighter.
- $99 optional cargo coverage ($200k) is available on either trailer type — it is not exclusive to enclosed.
- Soft-top convertibles and vehicles with fabric roofs face more exposure risk on open transport than hardtops do.
The 30-second decision rule
If your car is a daily driver, a used sedan, an SUV, or a standard truck, book open transport. It is what carries essentially all factory-fresh dealer inventory across the country, so the equipment and the drivers handling it are the industry's default, not a downgrade. The only questions worth asking yourself are: is this vehicle irreplaceable, unusually low to the ground, or does it have a soft top? If none of those apply, the 35% enclosed premium is money you don't need to spend.
When enclosed earns its premium
- Classic, vintage, or numbers-matching collector cars where a rock chip meaningfully hurts resale value.
- Exotic and high-performance vehicles with aggressive front splitters or under 5 inches of clearance.
- Soft-top convertibles, where wind and road debris can stress the fabric roof over long hauls.
- Freshly painted or wrapped vehicles that haven't fully cured.
- Any vehicle you simply do not want exposed to weather, salt, or highway grime, full stop.
What actually happens to a car on an open carrier
Open carriers load vehicles on a two-level steel ramp system, secured with wheel straps at four points. Cars ride exposed to weather and road spray, which is why a light film of dust or a bit of brake dust residue is normal and not damage. What is not normal is a dent, crack, or paint transfer — that's what the pre-pickup photos and the Bill of Lading inspection exist to catch. Reputable carriers position lower-value or already-worn vehicles on the top deck and treat placement carefully, but open transport is inherently an outdoor experience for your car.
The ground clearance test
- Measure from the lowest point of your front bumper or splitter to the ground.
- Under 5 inches: flag it at booking so we can route a carrier with a liftgate or hydraulic ramp.
- 5-7 inches: usually fine on standard open transport with a careful driver.
- Lowered show cars or track builds almost always need enclosed with liftgate loading regardless of clearance.
Cost math on a real route
On a typical 1,000-mile move that prices around $900 open, enclosed would run closer to $1,215 after the 35% multiplier. For a $30,000 daily driver, that premium buys peace of mind you probably don't need. For a $90,000 restored classic, it's cheap insurance against a paint chip that could cost thousands to correct. Run both numbers on your exact route before deciding — the quote tool prices each trailer type instantly and nothing is charged until pickup.
Frequently asked questions
- Does open transport damage cars?
- Rarely, and when it happens it's typically road film or minor debris exposure, not structural damage. Vetted carriers secure vehicles at four points and the pre-pickup Bill of Lading inspection documents existing condition so any new damage is provable and covered.
- Is enclosed shipping worth it for a normal used car?
- Usually not. The 35% premium is hard to justify on a vehicle you'd be comfortable driving on the highway yourself. Save enclosed for classics, exotics, or cars with genuinely low ground clearance.
- How much more does enclosed shipping cost?
- Enclosed transport runs about 35% above the equivalent open transport rate for the same route and vehicle. Get an exact side-by-side number for your route at autotransportai.com/quote.
- Can I switch from open to enclosed after booking?
- Yes, as long as the carrier hasn't been dispatched yet. Call (832) 925-3882 and we'll requote the shipment on an enclosed trailer before your pickup window locks in.