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Open Car Transport

The most popular and cost-effective way to ship your vehicle nationwide. Trusted by millions of customers for safe, reliable transport.

Open car carrier transporting vehicles across the USA

What Is Open Car Transport?

Open car transport uses multi-level car carrier trailers — the same trucks you see on highways delivering new vehicles to dealerships. These carriers typically hold 7-10 vehicles at a time, making them the most efficient and cost-effective method of shipping cars across the country. Open transport accounts for over 90% of all vehicle shipments in the United States, making it the industry standard.

Safety is a top priority with open transport. Every carrier in our network is fully insured, DOT certified, and operated by experienced drivers. Your vehicle is secured using heavy-duty wheel straps and tire cradles that prevent any movement during transit. While your car is exposed to the elements — similar to driving it on the highway — the risk of damage is extremely low. The most you'll typically see is a light coating of road dust that washes off easily.

You may hear this service called open carrier car shipping, open-air auto transport, or open vehicle transport — they all describe the same method. Whatever the name, the process is identical: your car rides on an open two-level trailer alongside other vehicles, sharing the cost of the trip. That shared capacity is exactly why open auto transport is consistently 40-60% cheaper than enclosed shipping and why carriers are available on virtually every route, every week of the year.

Open transport is the ideal choice for standard sedans, SUVs, trucks, and daily-driver vehicles. If you're shipping a luxury, classic, or exotic car worth over $50,000, you may want to consider our enclosed transport service for added protection. You can also combine open transport with our door-to-door service for maximum convenience.

Why Choose Open Transport?

Open transport offers the perfect balance of affordability, reliability, and safety.

Most Affordable

Save up to 40% compared to enclosed transport while maintaining full insurance coverage.

Nationwide Coverage

Our extensive carrier network reaches all 50 states with regular routes.

Fully Insured

Every shipment is covered by comprehensive insurance up to $100,000.

Reliable Timing

Typical delivery in 7-10 days with real-time tracking updates.

How Open Transport Works

1

Vehicle Inspection

Your vehicle is thoroughly inspected and documented before loading onto the carrier.

2

Secure Loading

Your car is carefully loaded and secured with heavy-duty straps and wheel chocks.

3

Safe Delivery

Your vehicle arrives safely at the destination where you inspect and sign for delivery.

How Much Does Open Car Transport Cost?

Open car shipping costs $400-$1,400 for most routes. Here's what determines your price.

Factors That Affect Price:

  • Distance: Longer routes cost more, but price per mile decreases
  • Route popularity: Common routes are more affordable
  • Vehicle size: Larger vehicles take up more space
  • Season: Summer months have higher demand

Sample Pricing:

California to New York$1,200 - $1,400
Texas to Florida$600 - $800
Chicago to Atlanta$700 - $900

Average Open Transport Cost Per Mile

DistanceCost Per MileTypical TotalTransit Time
Under 500 miles$1.00 - $1.40$400 - $6001-3 days
500 - 1,000 miles$0.75 - $1.00$550 - $8503-5 days
1,000 - 2,000 miles$0.60 - $0.80$750 - $1,1505-7 days
Over 2,000 miles$0.50 - $0.70$1,100 - $1,4007-10 days

Prices reflect typical 2026 rates for a standard sedan in running condition. Larger vehicles, remote locations, and peak season (June-August, January snowbird routes) can add 10-30%.

Open vs Enclosed Car Transport: Which Should You Choose?

Over 90% of customers choose open transport. Here's how the two options compare.

Open TransportEnclosed Transport
Cost$400 - $1,400 (most affordable)40-60% more expensive
Carrier availabilityExcellent — fastest pickup timesLimited — longer wait for pickup
Weather protectionExposed (like highway driving)Fully protected
InsuranceFully insured up to $100,000Fully insured, higher coverage available
Best forDaily drivers, sedans, SUVs, trucksLuxury, classic, exotic vehicles ($50k+)

For most vehicles, open auto transport is the smart choice — same insurance coverage, faster pickup, and hundreds of dollars in savings. Read our full open vs enclosed comparison guide or explore enclosed transport if you're shipping a high-value vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Popular Open Transport Routes

Affordable open car shipping on the most popular routes nationwide

California to New York

7-10 days

$1,200 - $1,400

Texas to Florida

3-5 days

$600 - $800

Chicago to Atlanta

3-5 days

$700 - $900

New York to Florida

4-6 days

$900 - $1,150

Washington to Arizona

5-7 days

$900 - $1,100

Colorado to California

4-6 days

$800 - $1,000

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