Open car transport

Open car transport is how most cars in the U.S. get from one place to another: on an open carrier, alongside other vehicles, at a price that is lower than any other option. If your car is an everyday driver, this is almost certainly the service you want.

What open car transport is

An open carrier is the long truck with two decks of cars you pass on I-90 or I-95. The cars ride on ramps that are open at the sides and, on the top deck, open above. Each one is driven or winched on board, strapped down at the wheels and checked by the driver before the truck moves.

Because a typical open carrier hauls several vehicles at once, the cost of the truck, the fuel and the driver is shared between them. That is the whole reason open transport costs less. It is not a lesser service: the carrier is vetted, insured, FMCSA-compliant and DOT-licensed, the same standard we hold every carrier to, and the pickup and delivery are still at your addresses.

Why open transport is the cheapest way to ship a car

Two things keep the price down. Shared trucks, as above. And numbers: open carriers make up most of the car-hauling trucks on the road, so on a busy route there is usually one heading your way. More trucks means more choice for your dispatcher and, in practice, more flexible pickup dates.

How much open car transport costs

The price of an open shipment is built from your route and your vehicle. Distance matters most, and longer trips cost less mile for mile because the fixed work of loading, inspecting and unloading is spread over more road. The other factors:

• Distance

  The driving distance between your two addresses is the biggest single factor. Longer trips cost more in total, but not in a straight line.

• Vehicle size

  A larger or heavier vehicle takes more room and weight on the trailer, so an SUV or a luxury car is priced above a standard sedan.

• Condition

  A car that doesn’t start, steer or brake needs a carrier with a winch and extra handling, which adds to the price.

• Timing

  A flexible pickup window is the easiest to schedule. A fixed date or a rush pickup takes priority dispatch.

• Route demand

  Busy interstate corridors between large metro areas fill carriers quickly. Remote pickups and seasonal peaks, like the snowbird runs, can change the picture.

More on what goes into the price on our car shipping cost calculator page.

What open transport is right for

• Daily drivers

  Sedans, hatchbacks, minivans and commuter cars. The vast majority of cars we move.

• SUVs and pickups

  Stock-height SUVs, crossovers and trucks. Tell us about lifts, racks or oversize tires so the right deck is planned.

• Relocations and college moves

  A family move or a student heading to school, where getting the car there for the right price matters most.

• Car purchases and sales

  A car bought from a private seller or an online auction in another state, or one you have sold to a buyer far away.

Open or enclosed: when to choose something else

Open transport is safe, but it is open. Your car sees the same rain, dust and grit it would see if you drove it yourself. That only matters for some cars, and some situations:

For a deadline rather than a delicate finish, expedited car shipping gives you priority dispatch. The full side-by-side is in our guide to open vs enclosed car transport.

How an open shipment works

1. 1

   Request your quote

   Enter your pickup and delivery places, choose open transport and pick your vehicle type. Your estimate appears straight away. No obligation.

2. 2

   We match you with a carrier

   A dispatcher confirms the addresses, dates and price, then books a vetted open carrier that is already running your route.

3. 3

   Pickup and transport

   The driver meets you at your door, does a thorough on-site inspection with you and loads it. We stay in touch with you while it is on the road.

4. 4

   Delivery and completion

   The car is unloaded at the delivery address. You do another thorough on-site inspection with the driver, checked against the pickup report, and the shipment is complete.

Getting your car ready for an open carrier

• Wash the car a day or two before pickup and take dated photos of every panel, so its condition is easy to see and record.
• Remove or secure anything that can catch the wind: loose trim, bike racks, car covers, aftermarket antennas.
• Keep personal belongings few, below the window line and out of sight. More than 50 lb in total adds a heavy-load fee.
• Leave around a quarter tank of fuel and make sure the battery is charged so the car can be driven on and off.

For the complete checklist, read how to prepare your car for shipping.