Car shipping service
Pros and Cons of Enclosed Car Transport
The advantages and disadvantages of Enclosed Car Transport, and how to decide whether it fits your vehicle and budget.
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Enclosed Car Transport at a glance
- Cost per mile
- $0.91–$3.02 per mile
- Typical total
- $1,140 – $3,780
- Transit time
- 3–5 days
- Best for
- Luxury, classic and exotic cars
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Advantages of enclosed car transport
- Protection from weather, road salt and debris
- Liftgate loading for low or fragile cars
- Fewer cars and less handling per load
- Carriers often experienced with high-value vehicles
- Privacy while the car is in transit
Disadvantages
- Typically 30–60% more than open transport
- Fewer trucks, so pickups can take longer to schedule
- Book further ahead in spring and summer
- Not every route has regular enclosed service
- Unnecessary cost for most everyday cars
Side-by-side comparison
Enclosed vs. Open Car Shipping
Feature | Enclosed transport | Open transport |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost | Typically 30–60% more | Lower |
| Protection | Fully covered trailer | Exposed to weather and road debris |
| Best for | Luxury, exotic, classic cars | Everyday cars, SUVs, trucks |
| Availability | Limited, fewer trucks | High, most trucks on the road |
| Pickup timing | Book 1–3 weeks ahead | Usually faster to schedule |
| Vehicles per trailer | About 1–7 | About 7–10 |
| Loading | Liftgate or low-angle ramps | Ramps, sometimes a winch |
| Insurance | Carrier coverage, often higher limits | Carrier cargo coverage |
Which option is right for you?
Choose enclosed transport if
- Your car is high-value, classic, exotic or custom
- Your car sits very low to the ground
- You want it covered for the whole trip
Choose open transport if
- You're shipping an everyday car, SUV or truck
- Keeping the cost down matters most
- You need the widest choice of pickup dates
Recommendations by vehicle
Luxury cars
Enclosed transportClassic cars
Enclosed transportAntique cars
Enclosed transportExotic cars
Enclosed transportSports cars
Enclosed transportPorsche
Enclosed transportTesla
Either optionElectric vehicles
Either optionModified cars
Either optionEveryday SUVs and trucks
Open transport
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