Open car transport is the most common and affordable way to ship a vehicle. If you’re moving to a new location or bought a car online, open transport car shipping is likely a great option for bringing your vehicle to its new address.
We’ll tell you the difference between open and enclosed transport, what shipping your vehicle with an open trailer means, how much you can expect to pay for car shipping service, and why Sherpa Auto Transport is the ideal partner for navigating the process.
Key Takeaways
- Open car transport is the most popular and cost-effective method for shipping your car across the country. Open transport car shipping means your vehicle will be transported on an open-air trailer exposed to the elements.
- Enclosed auto transport is an alternative form of car shipping that provides additional protection. It typically costs about 50% more than open auto transport, so enclosed shipping is typically best for transporting a classic car or high-end vehicle.
In This Review
- What is Open Car Transport?
- Open and Enclosed Transport
- Costs of Open Auto Transport
- What You Should Look for in a Car Shipping Company
- Why Choose Sherpa Auto Transport for Open Car Shipping
- Open Car Transport FAQs
What is Open Car Transport?
Open car transport ships your vehicle (and usually several others) on a car shipping trailer that is open to the elements. These are the double decker trailera that you see on the highway. Open transport car shipping trailers are used to bring new vehicles to dealerships.
Open car transport is the most cost-effective way to ship your car, but it does leave your vehicle vulnerable to bad weather and road debris. Over 90% of Sherpa Auto Transport customers opt for open car shipping due to its affordability and availability.
After making arrangements with a car shipping company, your transport truck driver will set up a time to pick your vehicle up. Before loading your car onto the trailer, the driver will help you inspect the vehicle to take note of any existing dings or scratches before your car begins its journey. When your vehicle has reached its destination, you’ll inspect it once again and sign a Bill of Lading.
You have two options when it comes to pickup and drop-off of your vehicle:
- Door-to-door shipping: This shipping method involves the carrier picking your car up and dropping it off as close to your home as possible. For people who are moving long distances or relocating for the winter, it’s the most convenient auto transport option.
- Terminal-to-terminal shipping: For those with more flexibility, this type of vehicle shipping is a viable option. You’ll drop your vehicle off at a secure location and pick it up from a terminal close to your destination. If you have a way to get to and from each terminal, this could save you money.
When you choose Sherpa Auto Transport, you’ll be using door-to-door shipping, which is the most convenient option for our customers.
Open and Enclosed Transport
When shipping a vehicle, the choice between open and enclosed transport is crucial and depends largely on your vehicle type, budget, and level of protection required. Open car transport is the standard choice in the auto transport industry and the most cost-effective option, where vehicles are loaded onto an open trailer.
This method is efficient and suitable for most vehicles, making it the most popular choice for car shipping. However, vehicles are susceptible to road debris, weather elements, and other environmental factors because they are exposed to the elements.
Tip: Over 90% of Sherpa customers selected open auto transport
Enclosed car transport offers an elevated level of protection, making it ideal for high-value vehicles such as luxury, classic, or antique cars, as well as race cars and exotic models.
With enclosed transport, vehicles are fully shielded within a covered trailer, providing protection from external elements like road hazards, rain, snow, and harsh sunlight. This enhanced security and care come at a higher price, but it ensures greater peace of mind for owners who want to safeguard their valuable vehicles.
Below is a deeper look into enclosed transport and the benefits it provides to ensure your vehicle arrives in pristine condition.
Enclosed Transport
Enclosed auto transport is specifically designed to offer the highest level of protection during shipment, making it a popular choice for vehicles with special needs, including vintage cars, custom models, or any car with a high sentimental or monetary value.
Here’s why enclosed transport is the go-to choice for many luxury and classic car owners:
- Complete Protection from the Elements
Enclosed transport fully shields your vehicle from the outside environment, which is particularly advantageous in areas prone to harsh weather. Covered trailers guard against rain, snow, dust, and harmful UV rays, keeping the car in pristine condition from pickup to delivery. For cars with sensitive finishes or custom paint jobs, enclosed transport provides the peace of mind that open transport cannot offer. - Reduced Risk of Road Damage
Enclosed carriers protect against the risk of rock chips, scratches, and dents from road debris. This type of transport is ideal for vehicles that would be significantly impacted by even minor exterior damage. - Added Security for High-Value Vehicles
Shipping a luxury or rare vehicle with enclosed transport offers an additional layer of security. Most enclosed carriers are equipped with specialized equipment to secure vehicles more effectively, minimizing the risk of movement during transit. Additionally, enclosed transport typically involves handling by highly trained professionals, who have experience with specialty vehicles. - Personalized Service and Limited Vehicle Count
Enclosed carriers often transport fewer vehicles at a time, resulting in more personalized service and fewer stops. With a smaller vehicle count, there’s less loading and unloading, reducing the handling risk associated with traditional car transport. - Insurance Coverage
Many enclosed car shipping carriers come with enhanced insurance policies, which may offer higher limits due to the higher value of the cars transported. This added coverage provides further protection, ensuring that any unforeseen incidents are covered to the maximum amount.
Key Considerations
When choosing enclosed transport, be prepared for a slightly longer lead time, as enclosed carriers are less common than open carriers. However, the investment in enclosed transport can make a significant difference for owners of specialty vehicles looking for the highest level of protection and care throughout the journey.
Enclosed car transport is a premium service that prioritizes safety, quality, and vehicle preservation, making it the top choice for shipping high-end vehicles.
Costs of Open Auto Transport
The cost of open auto transport varies and is determined by a wide range of factors, including the ones below:
- Route and distance
- Vehicle size, weight, and operability
- Pickup window
- Market conditions
- Time of year
With that in mind, Sherpa offers the following estimates for open auto transport cost:
| Shipment Mileage | Price per Mile |
|---|---|
| 0 to 500 miles | $1.55 to $2.50 |
| 501 to 1,000 miles | $1.00 to $1.45 |
| 1,001 to 1,500 miles | $0.80 to $1.10 |
| 1,501 to 2,000 miles | $0.65 to $0.90 |
| 2,001 to 2,500 miles | $0.55 to $0.75 |
Popular Auto Transport Routes
Sherpa also provides these cost ranges of popular routes for shipping vehicles. Even if you’re not transporting your car on the same route, these ranges are helpful for understanding what you might pay for a similar shipment. The same factors from above will influence prices.
| Route | Est. Price |
|---|---|
| New York City to Miami | $1,100 to $1,400 |
| New York City to Los Angeles | $1,325 to $1,625 |
| Los Angeles to New York City | $1,350 to $1,925 |
| Miami to New York City | $1,000 to $1,525 |
| Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles | $1,225 to $1,475 |
| Los Angeles to Dallas | $1,025 to $1,375 |
| San Francisco to New York City | $1,425 to $1,875 |
| Chicago to Phoenix | $1,050 to $1,225 |
| Atlanta to Los Angeles | $1,100 to $1,475 |
| San Francisco to Washington, D.C. | $1,225 to $1,650 |
What You Should Look for in a Car Shipping Company
Before contacting car shipping companies, it’s important to understand the auto transport industry. Most car shipping companies, like Sherpa, are brokers. This means that we thoroughly vet auto transport carriers and connect our customers with a driver who can meet their shipment needs.
You can give yourself peace of mind if you look for the following attributes before choosing a shipping provider:
- Good reviews: Look into online customer reviews and the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating. If a car shipping company has high marks across the board, you make your vehicle transport decision with confidence.
- Experience: It’s best to look for a car shipping company with experience when you’re considering transport service, even if it’s for a short distance. Knowing your vehicle is in good hands can alleviate a lot of stress.
- High-quality insurance: Sherpa only works with carriers with a minimum of $1 million in liability coverage and $100,000 in cargo insurance. This goes beyond industry requirements and gives our customers additional peace of mind.
Why Choose Sherpa Auto Transport for Open Car Shipping
Sherpa Auto Transport is an excellent choice for a hassle-free car shipping experience, whether you choose open or enclosed auto transport. We pride ourselves on delivering a five-star experience for every customer.
Auto Transport Experts
Our team of auto transport experts are here to guide you through the car shipping process from initial quote through vehicle delivery. We provide car shipping recommendations that meet your auto transport needs as well as your budget.
Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise
Getting a quote from Sherpa is free and each quote is backed by our exclusive Price Lock Promise. In short, the auto transport quote you’re given from Sherpa is the final price for your shipment – no hidden fees or last-minute price hikes.
We believe in providing transparent pricing so that you know exactly how much you will pay for your shipment. When you book with Sherpa, your price is locked in. If we find that additional funds are needed to secure a carrier for your shipment, Sherpa will contribute up to $300 of our funds to ensure your price doesn’t change.
Preferred Carrier Network
Once you lock in your shipment, our team will work to secure a carrier for it. Through our in-depth vetting process, we’ve built a trusted network of carriers. We work with you to find the best car transport company for your needs, prioritizing the safety of your vehicle.
Ready to get started? Request a free quote online or give us a call at (877) 850-1231.
Open Car Transport FAQs
Is open auto transport safe?
Open auto transport is a safe and reliable way to ship most cars. If you own a luxury vehicle, classic car, or other high-value automobile, the added protection of an enclosed car carrier is a good investment.
What does open transport mean?
Open transport is a form of vehicle shipping. An open car carrier is a trailer that mostly exposes your car to the elements. Open auto transport is more affordable and much more common than enclosed car shipping, and it’s generally faster. However, an open carrier does leave your vehicle vulnerable to bad weather, dirt, and road debris.
What's the difference between open and enclosed car shipping?
Open car shipping involves loading vehicles onto an open-air trailer, while enclosed car shipping sends vehicles in a covered trailer. Enclosed auto transport is best for high-end vehicles. Open auto transport is the preferred method for most cars.
Can I fill my car when I ship it?
Your Sherpa Auto Transport shipment includes up to 100 lbs of personal items stored in the trunk and below the window line. However, all valuables should be removed, especially for open auto transport. Learn more about how to prepare your vehicle for car shipping.
How long does it take to ship a car?
Auto transport companies typically take about seven to 10 days to ship a car across the country. The timeline will vary depending on the weather, route, and road conditions.