Enclosed Vs. Open Car Shipping: Which Option Is Best?
Get to know the process, benefits, drawbacks, and cost of enclosed vs. open car shipping to choose the best transport method for your vehicle and budget.
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Key Points:
- Open car shipping is the most affordable and common way to ship a vehicle long distances.
- Enclosed car shipping offers more protection for luxury, classic, and new vehicles but costs more per mile.
- Avoid shipping your vehicle in January or summer to save money on enclosed or open car shipping.
If you’re exploring the option of shipping your vehicle for a move, you may wonder about the differences between enclosed vs. open shipping. In this article, we’ll cover the details and costs associated with each to help you choose the best shipping method for your vehicle and budget.
To give you a strong foundation for your car shipping quote search, we’ve reviewed the country’s best car shipping companies based on cost, service, and customer experience. We recommend getting a free, instant quote from a few providers below.
Difference Between Open and Enclosed Car Shipping
Open car shipping, or open auto transport, is a commonly used method for vehicle transport that is either “out in the open” or in a multi-car trailer without an exterior covering. This shipping style can accommodate up to 10 vehicles at once, though this often depends on:
- Car size
- Car weight
- Demand
Open car shipping is far less expensive than enclosed car shipping, as more cars can be transported at once.
Enclosed car shipping, or enclosed auto transport, is a method used for vehicles that need protection inside a fully enclosed trailer. Enclosed trailers are smaller and accommodate fewer cars than an open trailer. On average, only two to three cars can be transported at once. Enclosed auto transport carriers tend to cost double that of open carriers, so this shipping method is less popular among consumers unless they own luxury cars that need more security.
There are more options for open car carriers than enclosed carriers among auto transport brokers, so those considering how to ship a car with enclosed vs. open car shipping gravitate toward the latter. The open car transport method is also quicker, as open car trailers are more common than enclosed car carriers and require fewer stops during transport.
Enclosed vs. Open Car Shipping Comparison
Many aspects of each method can either positively or negatively impact your experience, so it’s essential to research everything upfront before making a decision.
For example, enclosed car transport may be the best option for valuable cars, but it can be quite expensive and usually takes longer to transport than open shipping does. This is because car shipping carriers must use specialized vehicles, carry fewer vehicles at once, and carry more extensive insurance. Also, because enclosed transport is less common, carriers schedule routes less frequently and deliver to fewer terminals.
See the pros and cons of each car shipping method below.
Enclosed Car Shipping Pros And Cons
Open car shipping is the most affordable and commonly used method, but you may worry about your vehicle being exposed to weather elements. Your car may also be very dirty upon arrival, as an open carrier doesn’t protect the car’s exterior from dirt or debris.
Open Car Shipping Pros And Cons
How Much Is Enclosed Vs. Open Car Shipping?
The average quote for a 1,640-mile enclosed auto transport service is $1,836, while open transport for the same distance costs $1,192. When browsing car shipping options and costs, expect to pay anywhere from 50 to 100 percent more per mile for enclosed vs. open car shipping.
Regardless of which transport type you choose, there are a variety of factors that can affect car shipping costs. These include:
- Distance: Long-distance transport generally costs less per mile but is more expensive overall.
- Car shipping carrier: As with any industry, rates will vary between car shipping carriers. You’ll most likely work with a broker who will connect you with several shippers, so don’t commit to the first offer you receive.
- Current car shipping rates: Industry-wide shipping rates fluctuate based on numerous factors, such as the price of gas.
- Season: January and the summer months tend to be the busiest in the car shipping industry, resulting in higher shipping costs.
- Destination: Shipping a car to a rural destination may cost more than shipping it to a city or metropolitan area.
- Type of vehicle, make, and model: Heavier, larger vehicles like trucks and vans cost more to ship than lighter vehicles such as sedans.
- Delivery method: Terminal-to-terminal delivery is cheaper than shipping your car door-to-door.
- Condition of vehicle: Operable vehicles are easier and more affordable to move.
Choosing open vs. enclosed car shipping is one way to save money while moving your vehicle. However, you can save money on car shipping by taking a few additional steps:
- Avoid shipping your car in the summer or winter.
- Plan your shipping window well in advance to allow as many car haulers as possible to bid on your job. The more bids you receive, the more likely you will get the best price.
- Choose terminal-to-terminal shipping, if available.
Should I Ship My Car Open Or Enclosed?
Deciding which car shipping method to use depends on your car, budget, and several other factors. We recommend weighing your vehicle’s value against each shipping method’s cost and benefits.
Open-air trailers require less fuel and can transport more vehicles at once, making it the most cost-effective transport option. However, your vehicle will be exposed to weather conditions and won’t be protected from road debris. This is likely a deal-breaker for owners of luxury vehicles, classic cars, and sports cars.
If you’re shipping a luxury, classic, or new car or just want extra protection for your vehicle’s exterior, we recommend choosing enclosed auto shipping. However, open car transport services provide an affordable and safe solution for most drivers.
Enclosed Vs. Open Car Shipping: Conclusion
In this review, we talked about all the differences between open and enclosed car shipping. If you’ve made your decision on which is better for you, take a look at some of the best car shipping providers:
Best Companies For Enclosed And Open Car Shipping
We reviewed some of the most reputable auto transport companies for enclosed vs. open car shipping and ranked them based on overall cost, quality, and customer experience.
Each company has thousands of positive reviews from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot, and all provide top-rated services for both enclosed and open car shipping. We have also written reviews based on customer feedback and experiences, which are listed below.
#1 Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall
#2 AmeriFreight: Great Industry Reputation
#3 Easy Auto Ship: Excellent Service Selection
The chart shows our ratings for each company based on cost, service standards, and customer satisfaction.
| Car Shipping Company | Overall Star
Rating | Reliability | Pricing | Services | Customer
Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montway Auto Transport | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 4.7 |
| AmeriFreight | 4.6 | 5.0 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 4.6 |
| Easy Auto Ship | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.2 |
To learn even more, you can get free, customized car shipping quotes online from these recommended providers below.
Enclosed Vs. Open Car Shipping: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about open and enclosed car shipping:
How much does it cost to ship a car in an enclosed trailer?
The average cost of enclosed car shipping is around $1.12 per mile, with the overall price ranging from $1,300 to over $3,000. Enclosed transport generally costs between $500 and $2,000 more than open car shipping, as haulers have to use specialty transport trailers and follow more security measures.
Is open car shipping safe?
Yes, open car shipping is generally a safe way to transport your vehicle and is the most common type of car shipping service. Open-air carriers use trucks and trailers to transport your car as securely and safely as possible, and many reliable auto transport companies have insurance coverage for the cost of any potential damages during the process.
How many cars can be on an open car trailer vs. an enclosed car trailer?
Enclosed car trailers hold fewer vehicles than open car trailers. On average, eight to ten cars will be loaded onto an open car trailer, while only two to three cars can fit into an enclosed trailer. This is one of many reasons why enclosed trailers are the best option for rare or expensive vehicles.
How We Rate Auto Shipping Companies
Our review team extensively researches car shipping providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: Providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and have a long history in the auto transport industry score well in this category.
- Services: We take a look at what types of transport services are available through each company, including open and enclosed transport, door-to-door shipping, and more. Those with wider service selections are more likely to meet consumers’ needs.
- Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis to get quotes for a variety of shipping routes and services. We compare each company’s costs to industry average prices to see how it stands up to the competition.
- Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot to better understand the consumer experience. Car shipping companies with convenient quote processes also perform well in this category.
