If you have never transported a car before, you will quickly discover there are two primary shipping methods: open and enclosed auto transport.
What is the difference between open and enclosed car shipping? Which option is best for your vehicle?
The short answer: Open transport is the standard, budget-friendly choice for everyday drivers, carrying up to 9 vehicles on an open two-tier trailer for substantially less with quick pickup windows. Enclosed transport completely shields specialized, exotic, or classic vehicles inside solid walls from weather and road debris, but comes with an 80% to 90% price premium and longer pickup lead times.
Quick Comparison: Open vs. Enclosed Auto Transport
| Feature | Open Auto Transport | Enclosed Auto Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Trailer Type | Two-tier open trailer (no roof or walls) | Hard-sided, fully enclosed trailer |
| Capacity | Up to 9 vehicles (around 6-7 for trucks, SUVs, minivans) | Typically 1 to 3 vehicles (specialized haulers) |
| Cost | Most affordable (standard rate) | Approximately 80% to 90% more than open |
| Pickup Lead Time | Typically 2 to 9 days | Up to 21 days (due to carrier scarcity) |
| Protection | Exposed to highway weather and road dust | 100% shielded from weather and road debris |
| Availability | High volume, fast scheduling | Limited carrier pool today, requires advance planning |
| Best For | Daily sedans, SUVs, trucks, leased cars | Classic cars, exotics, antiques, high-value vehicles |
What is Open Car Shipping?
Open car shipping (open auto transport) is when your vehicle is transported on a trailer without walls, a ceiling, or a solid floor. The vehicle travels “in the open,” exposed to the elements just like normal highway driving.
These two-tiered open trailers can carry up to 9 vehicles at a time when hauling small to standard-sized cars. When moving larger pickup trucks and full-size SUVs, that capacity drops to around 6 vehicles due to length and federal highway weight limits.
It is the most common shipping method for two simple reasons:
- Lower costs for consumers: Because haulers maximize efficiency across multiple vehicles, open transport is by far the most economical choice.
- High carrier availability: The vast majority of auto haulers operate open trailers, which means prompt scheduling. We typically forecast a pickup window of 2 to 9 days for open shipments.
Here’s what an open trailer commonly looks like:
J&S Transportation open trailer.
What is Enclosed Auto Transport?
Enclosed auto transport means your vehicle is shipped inside a completely protected trailer with solid walls, a roof, and solid flooring.
There are far fewer enclosed car carriers operating today than even just a few years ago. Most enclosed trailers only accommodate 1 to 3 vehicles at a time. These trailers provide complete isolation from highway gravel, weather, and grime, but require significantly more patience and scheduling coordination.
Here’s what an enclosed trailer looks like:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car Enclosed?
Enclosed transportation is very expensive right now. Because enclosed trailers carry so few cars per trip, drivers must charge a significant premium to cover operating expenses. When combined with commercial diesel prices exceeding $6 per gallon and fewer enclosed rigs on the road, rates reflect that tight capacity.
You can expect enclosed shipping to cost roughly 80% to 90% more than open transport.
Tip: Use our car shipping calculator to get an instant quote for an enclosed rate.
Should I Ship My Car Open or Enclosed?
For standard daily drivers, open transport is almost always the right choice. It gets your vehicle moved safely, promptly, and for the least amount of money. Passenger vehicles are engineered for highway conditions, and any surface dust accumulated during interstate travel washes off easily upon delivery.
When enclosed transport is worth the investment:
- Restored classic cars, vintage antiques, and delicate paint finishes.
- Exotic high-performance supercars (Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, McLaren).
- Custom low-clearance vehicles that require horizontal hydraulic liftgates to prevent undercarriage scraping.
Factor in pickup timing: If you are on a tight schedule, open transport is usually ready to be picked up in 2 to 9 days. Because enclosed carriers are far more scarce, it can take up to 21 days before an enclosed carrier is available to pick up your vehicle.
J&S Transportation: Direct Carrier & Licensed Broker
J&S Transportation is a car carrier with its own fleet of trucks with open trailers and a licensed auto transport broker. Between our own fleet and our partner carriers, we have delivered over 1 million vehicles nationwide over 25+ years in business (since 2000).
We always strive to ship your car on our own trucks, but if we can get your vehicle shipped quicker using one of our trusted partner car carriers, we will. And as a licensed broker with a vast network of open and enclosed car carriers, we can provide enclosed auto transportation if needed.
Whether you need open or enclosed auto transport, we manag your shipment door-to-door with honest, transparent pricing. We pride ourselves in our great customer service, constant communications, and prompt (and safe) delivery of your vehicle! And don’t take our word for it either. Read our testimonials and online reviews at Google and the BBB to see what our past customers say about us!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a carrier to pick up my car?
For open auto transport, pickup typically occurs within 2 to 9 days of booking. For enclosed auto transport, carrier scarcity means it can take up to 21 days before a qualified carrier is on route to pick up your vehicle.
Is enclosed car shipping worth the extra money?
Only if your vehicle requires absolute protection from highway conditions. Because enclosed transport costs roughly 80% to 90% more and requires longer lead times, standard daily vehicles are best served by open haulers. For irreplaceable classics, high-end exotics, or delicate collector cars, enclosed protection justifies the cost.
Does a car get damaged on an open carrier?
Damage is very rare. Statistically, transit damage occurs on only about 1% to 2% of open auto transport shipments, with most vehicles arriving in the exact same condition they left in (just with some normal highway dust or rain residue that washes right off). J&S Transportation heavily vets every carrier to ensure they maintain a solid safety record and carry adequate commercial cargo insurance to fully cover your vehicle in the rare event an issue occurs.
Does enclosed car shipping guarantee 100% damage-free transport?
No carrier or broker can ever guarantee a 100% damage-free delivery. While enclosed transport eliminates weather and road debris, transit risks can still happen. The most common issues are door dings against the trailer walls when the driver enters or exits the vehicle during loading and unloading, or undercarriage scrapes on low-clearance cars if a carrier lacks the proper ramps. While J&S Transportation thoroughly vets every carrier in our network to minimize these risks, no carrier or broker can promise an absolute zero-risk shipment.
How do I get an exact quote for enclosed shipping?
You can get an instant enclosed transport estimate using our online rate calculator. You can also contact our team directly at (800) 656-7638 or help@jandstransport.com for an exact, all-inclusive quote.