Open vs Enclosed Auto Transport: Which Should You Choose?

When you get a quote for auto transport, you will be asked: open or enclosed? Most people pick open because it is cheaper and move on. But for some vehicles — and some situations — enclosed transport is not optional, it is necessary. Here is exactly when each makes sense.

What open transport is

Open transport is the standard: your vehicle is loaded onto a multi-car carrier trailer — typically holding 8–10 vehicles — that is open to the elements. This is the same type of trailer you see on the highway full of new cars being delivered to dealerships. It is safe, it is common, and roughly 70–80% of all auto transport in the US uses open carriers.

Your car is exposed to weather, wind, road debris, and anything else in the air during transit. This is generally not a problem for standard vehicles — modern cars are built to handle weather — but it is a consideration for high-value or sensitive vehicles.

Typical price range: $500–$1,500 depending on distance, route, and vehicle.

What enclosed transport is

Enclosed transport uses a covered trailer that protects vehicles from weather, road debris, and visibility. Enclosed trailers typically hold 2–6 vehicles and offer either soft-sided (canvas walls) or hard-sided (solid walls) protection. Hard-sided enclosed is the most protective option available.

Enclosed carriers often provide white-glove service: lift gates instead of drive-on ramps, climate-controlled trailers for ultra-sensitive vehicles, and more careful handling throughout.

Typical price range: 40–60% more than open for the same route. A $1,000 open shipment might cost $1,400–$1,600 enclosed.

When you should use open transport

• Standard, modern vehicles (daily drivers, family cars, recent model years)
• Vehicles with no unusual value or sentimental fragility
• Budget is a significant constraint
• Route is well-traveled (open carriers run these routes constantly, faster pickup)
• You are comfortable with the standard risk level of the industry

When you should use enclosed transport

• Classic and vintage cars: Irreplaceable vehicles where any paint scratch or ding is devastating. Open carriers can expose paint to chips from road debris.
• Exotic and luxury vehicles: Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bentleys, and similar — the cost of enclosed is trivial relative to the vehicle value.
• Modified vehicles: Lowered suspensions, wide-body kits, and other modifications that make loading and unloading on open ramps more complex and risky.
• High-value vehicles: Any vehicle worth more than $50,000–$75,000 where the additional cost of enclosed is a small fraction of the vehicle value.
• Sentimental value: Some vehicles have irreplaceable personal value regardless of market price. If any damage would be devastating, enclosed is worth it.
• Weather-sensitive situations: Shipping to or from regions with extreme weather where road salt, ice, or sandstorms are a real concern.

Soft-sided vs hard-sided enclosed

Soft-sided enclosed trailers use canvas or heavy fabric walls. They protect against weather and debris better than open, but do not provide the same physical protection as solid walls.

Hard-sided enclosed trailers have solid walls and roof — maximum protection. This is what you want for true exotics and irreplaceable vehicles.

Ask specifically which type you are getting when booking enclosed transport — "enclosed" alone does not tell you.

One thing most people do not know about enclosed transport

Enclosed carriers run less frequently than open carriers because there are fewer of them and they carry fewer vehicles. On less popular routes, finding an enclosed carrier can take significantly longer than open — sometimes 1–2 weeks longer for pickup. If your timeline is tight, factor this in.