Enclosed Car Shipping: Premium Protection for Your Vehicle

What Is Enclosed Car Shipping?

Enclosed car transport uses fully covered trailers with solid walls, roof, and floor—essentially a moving truck for your vehicle. Instead of being exposed to open air like standard transport, your vehicle rides inside a completely enclosed environment.

Most enclosed carriers haul 1-3 vehicles at a time, significantly fewer than what most open carriers transport. This limited capacity, combined with specialized equipment and experienced drivers, makes enclosed shipping a premium service.

Who Uses Enclosed Car Shipping?

New Luxury Vehicle Purchases
Did you just buy a brand new car or SUV from a dealer in another state and want it shipped safely to you? This is one of the most common uses of enclosed car shipping.

When you purchase a vehicle from an out-of-state dealer—especially if it’s in the $60,000 to $150,000 range—enclosed transport ensures your new car arrives in showroom condition. No weather exposure, no road dust, no debris chips.

Valuable Vehicles
Enclosed shipping is ideal for vehicles where the extra protection justifies the added cost:

• New luxury vehicles (Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Lexus, etc.)
• High-value cars and SUVs ($60,000-$150,000)
• Vehicles with custom paint or aftermarket modifications
• Limited production or special edition models

Classic and Collector Vehicles
While classic car shipping represents a smaller portion of our enclosed transport business, we do ship collector vehicles that require extra care. Restored classics, vintage cars, and collector vehicles benefit from the total weather and debris protection enclosed trailers provide.

What to Know About Enclosed Transport

The Reality of the Market
Enclosed car shipping accounts for only about 10-15% of total auto transport shipments. This means:

• Fewer carriers available: There are significantly fewer enclosed carriers than open carriers
• Longer pickup times: You may have to wait longer than our usual 2-9 day pick up forecast
• More limited scheduling: Pickup and delivery windows may be less flexible
• Higher costs: Expect to pay approximately 50% more than open transport

What Enclosed Doesn’t Mean
Enclosed shipping is often associated with ultra-luxury and exotic vehicles—think Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porches, and vehicles over $150,000+. While some enclosed carriers do specialize in these ultra-high-end vehicles, this isn’t J&S Transportation’s primary focus.

We’re honest about what we do best: we arrange enclosed transport for valuable vehicles in the $60,000-$150,000 range where maximum protection makes sense. For ultra-exotic vehicles over $175,000, you may want to work with carriers who specialize exclusively in that niche market.

How Much Does Enclosed Car Shipping Cost?

Enclosed auto transport costs approximately 50% more than open transport. If open shipping costs $1,000 for your route, expect enclosed to cost around $1,500.

Why the premium pricing?

• Fewer vehicles per load: Enclosed carriers typically transport 1-3 vehicles instead of 3-9 with open carriers
• Specialized equipment: Enclosed trailers cost significantly more to purchase and maintain
• Higher insurance costs: Carriers insure higher-value vehicles
• Experienced drivers: Drivers have to take extra care of the very high-end vehicles they are shipping
• Limited supply: Fewer enclosed carriers exist, so demand often exceeds supply

To get an instant quote for enclosed shipping costs, use our car shipping calculator.

Benefits of Enclosed Car Shipping

Complete Weather Protection
Your vehicle is fully protected from rain, snow, hail, sun exposure, and extreme temperatures. This matters especially for long cross-country shipments where weather conditions can vary dramatically.
Zero Road Debris Exposure
Enclosed trailers eliminate exposure to road debris, gravel, dust, bugs, and anything else the open road throws at vehicles.
Enhanced Security
Enclosed carriers provide an extra layer of security. Your vehicle isn’t visible from the outside, offering protection from both weather and unwanted attention.
Peace of Mind
When you’re shipping an $80,000 vehicle or a freshly restored classic, the extra cost of enclosed shipping is worth the peace of mind. You know your vehicle is receiving the highest level of care.

Enclosed vs. Open Car Shipping

Still deciding which option is right for you? Here’s a direct comparison:

Choose Enclosed Shipping If: – You’re shipping a new luxury vehicle from a dealer – Your vehicle is valued at $60,000-$150,000+ – You want absolute maximum weather and debris protection – Your vehicle has custom paint, wraps, or expensive modifications – You’re shipping a restored classic or collector car – Peace of mind is worth the additional cost.

Choose Open Shipping If: – You’re shipping a daily driver or standard vehicle – Cost is a primary consideration – You need faster scheduling and more availability – Your vehicle is a standard production model under $60,000 – You’re comfortable with the proven safety record of open transport

Learn more: Open vs Enclosed Car Shipping: Which Option is Best?

Why Choose J&S Transportation for Enclosed Shipping

20+ Years of Experience
We’ve been arranging vehicle transport since the early 2000s. While most of our shipments are open transport, we have strong relationships with reliable enclosed carriers nationwide.
Licensed Carrier and Broker
As a federally licensed carrier and broker, we have access to a vetted network of enclosed transport providers. We work with carriers who specialize in higher-value vehicles and maintain excellent safety records.
Honest Expectations
We’ll tell you straight: enclosed transport takes longer to schedule and costs more than open transport. We set realistic expectations about timing and pricing so there are no surprises.
Full Communication
From booking through delivery, our dispatch team keeps you informed about your shipment’s status. You’ll always know where your vehicle is and when to expect delivery.
Proven Track Record
Check our reviews on MoveAdvisor.com, Google, and the BBB to see why thousands of customers trust us with their vehicles.

Enclosed Car Shipping FAQs

How long does enclosed transport take? Expect enclosed shipments to take longer than open transport due to fewer carriers and less frequent departures. Our pickup forecast for enclosed transports can sometimes take longer than our usual 2-9 day forecast.

Should I ship my $50,000 car enclosed? For most vehicles in the $40,000-$60,000 range, open transport is perfectly safe and cost-effective. Enclosed shipping makes more sense starting around $60,000+, though it’s ultimately your decision based on the vehicle’s value and your peace of mind.

Can enclosed carriers access my residential street? Because most enclosed carriers consist of a large truck and a “smaller” 1-3 car trailer, they can usually access most residential streets but not always. If the carrier can’t access your street we’ll work with you to determine a nearby meeting location, often a big-box store or similar location where a large parking lot is available.

Do I need to prepare my vehicle differently for enclosed shipping? Preparation is similar to open transport: clean your vehicle and remove personal items. The carrier will conduct a detailed inspection at pickup.

Is enclosed shipping worth the extra cost? If you’re shipping a new luxury vehicle, custom-painted car, or restored classic, most customers find the added protection worth the approximately 50% premium. For everyday vehicles, open transport is usually sufficient.

Ready to Ship Your Vehicle Enclosed?

Contact J&S Transportation today for an exact enclosed car shipping quote. Call us at (800) 656-7638 ) or get an instant quote online.

We’ll discuss your specific vehicle, route, and timing needs to provide accurate pricing and scheduling expectations for your enclosed transport.

Related Services: – Cross Country Car Shipping – Door to Door Car Shipping – Open Car Shipping – Job Relocations Car Shipping – College Car Shipping – Snowbird Car Shipping