Enclosed Car Transport FAQs

Your car ships inside a covered trailer instead of on an open carrier. It is protected from weather, road debris and view for the whole trip.

It is worth it for luxury, classic, exotic, custom or freshly painted cars, where a stone chip or weather damage would be expensive. For an everyday car, open transport is usually the better value.

Hard-sided trailers have solid walls and a roof. Soft-sided trailers use heavy curtains that block weather and debris for less money, with less protection from impacts.

Published studies put enclosed transport 30–60% above open. For a typical 1,250-mile move that is about $1,140–$3,780 for a standard car.

Enclosed trailers carry fewer cars, there are fewer of them on the road, and they often use liftgates and carry higher insurance limits. Each car pays a bigger share of the trip.

Be flexible with dates, book early, choose a soft-sided trailer if your car doesn't need hard walls, and meet the truck near a main highway if your street is hard to reach.

Transit time is similar to open transport, about 1–2 days for short trips and 6–12 days coast to coast. Waiting for pickup can take longer because there are fewer trucks.

Two to three weeks ahead is a good rule, and earlier in spring and summer or before a big auction or car show.

Carriers must carry liability insurance and most carry cargo coverage. Ask for the certificate and check that the cargo limit covers your car's value.

Note the damage on the Bill of Lading before signing, photograph it with the driver present and contact the company right away to open a claim.

Exotic, luxury, classic, antique and custom cars, cars heading to auctions or shows, and any car with fresh paint or very low ground clearance.

Yes. Ask for a carrier with a hydraulic liftgate or low-angle ramps, and tell the company the exact ground clearance when you book.

Wash it so marks are visible, record a video walk-around, remove loose parts and personal items, keep about a quarter tank and share any starting or alarm quirks with the driver.