Open Car Shipping: Cost, Safety, and How Open Auto Transport Works
About nine out of ten cars ship this way, on the same open carriers that deliver new cars to dealers. A standard sedan ships open for $450 to $1,800 across the 24 routes we publish. Your price locks when you book.
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Open Car Shipping, in Short
Open car shipping moves your car on a carrier with no walls or roof, usually a two-level truck that holds 8 to 10 cars. It is the cheapest way to ship a car on every route we publish. A standard sedan ships open for $450 to $1,800 on those 24 routes, against $875 to $2,800 enclosed.
Most cars are picked up within a 1 to 5 day window and spend 1 to 10 days on the truck, depending on distance. Your car sees the same weather and road dust as a day of driving, and the carrier's cargo insurance is on it from pickup to delivery.
Who Moves Your Car
We are a licensed broker, not a carrier. MC-796224 and USDOT 2336907. We do not own trucks or employ drivers. We vet, book, and manage the carriers who do, and we stay on the shipment until it is delivered. You can check both numbers in the FMCSA SAFER system.
Before a carrier gets your car, we check its operating authority, its insurance on file, and its safety record. The carriers we book keep $1,000,000 in liability coverage and $100,000 to $1,000,000 in cargo insurance.
In business since 2010, with more than 50,000 vehicles shipped. Family owned, A+ with the BBB, and on the Inc. 5000 list. When you call, a real person picks up.
What Is Open Car Transport?
Open car transport means your car rides on a trailer with no walls or roof. Open carriers deliver most new cars to dealers. Most people ship a car this way too, for a move, a purchase, or a season away.
Types of Open Car Carriers
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Two-Level Car Hauler
The big rig you pass on the interstate. It carries 8 to 10 cars on an upper and a lower deck and runs the long routes between metro areas. Most open shipments ride on one.
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Single-Level Trailer
A smaller open trailer pulled by a heavy-duty pickup. It carries a few cars and often handles short runs, rural pickups, and single-car loads.
How Your Car Rides
The driver drives each car up the ramps onto the trailer and straps it down at the wheels so it stays put. A car that does not run gets winched on.
Cars ride on the upper deck or the lower deck. A car on the lower deck can catch a drip from a leaking car above it. That is why you tell the driver about any leak before loading.
Watch a Car Load onto an Open Carrier
A clip from our YouTube channel shows a Mercedes-Benz loading onto an open car carrier.
How Much Does Open Car Shipping Cost?
Open car shipping costs $450 to $1,800 for a standard sedan across the 24 routes we publish. Trips under 500 miles run $450 to $875. Trips of 2,500 miles and up run $1,450 to $1,750, or about $0.55 to $0.65 a mile.
Every price in the table below comes from our route pages, priced from bookings on each lane. Our car shipping cost guide covers all 24 routes, vehicle size, and season.
Open Car Shipping Rates by Distance
| Distance | Open cost | Per mile | Transit | Example route, open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $450 to $875 | $1.20 to $2.75 | 1 to 3 days | New York to Massachusetts, $450 to $600 |
| 500 to 1,000 miles | $575 to $1,200 | $0.80 to $1.80 | 1 to 4 days | Atlanta to Dallas, $650 to $950 |
| 1,000 to 1,500 miles | $800 to $1,650 | $0.60 to $1.45 | 3 to 5 days | New York to Florida, $800 to $950 base |
| 1,500 to 2,500 miles | $650 to $1,800 | $0.40 to $1.10 | 3 to 10 days | New York to Colorado, $650 to $1,050 |
| 2,500 miles and up | $1,450 to $1,750 | $0.55 to $0.65 | 6 to 10 days | New York to California, $1,500 to $1,750 |
Each band runs from the lowest to the highest open price on the route pages in it, so two routes in one band can sit far apart. Your route page or a quote is the closer number. New York to Florida shows the base rate. From October through December and in April it runs about $925 to $1,275 open.
What Changes Your Open Car Shipping Price
- Distance. Longer trips usually cost more in total and less per mile. Demand on the lane moves the price too.
- Vehicle size. An SUV or pickup takes more deck space and weight than a sedan, so it costs more on the same trip.
- Season. On most lanes, October through December and May through August run 10 to 20 percent above base. Snowbird lanes on I-95 and I-75 can run up to 35 percent. January and February usually cost the least.
- Pickup and delivery spots. A metro near the interstate costs less than a town far off it. A wide lot near the highway can beat a tight street.
- Your dates. A pickup window of a few days lets us match you with a truck already on your route. A fixed date means a truck has to come to you.
- Running condition. A car that does not run needs a carrier with a winch, which usually adds $100 to $250.
Want the open price for your car? A locked quote takes about a minute.
How Long Does Open Car Shipping Take?
Plan on a 1 to 5 day pickup window plus 1 to 10 days on the truck. Most car haulers on the road are open, so an open shipment usually books faster than an enclosed one.
From Booking to Delivery
| Stage | How long | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | 2 to 3 weeks ahead is ideal | Gets the widest choice of pickup dates. Book 3 to 4 weeks out from May through August and October through December. |
| Pickup window | Usually 1 to 5 days | The driver calls to set a time. Remote areas and peak season sit at the long end. |
| On the truck | 1 to 10 days | Set by distance. Most carriers cover about 500 miles a day under federal hours of service rules. |
| Delivery | A call about 24 hours out | The driver confirms the window. You inspect the car and sign the bill of lading. |
These are typical windows, not promised dates. Weather and road closures can add a day or more. For long moves, our guide to shipping a car across the country covers the coast to coast lanes.
Is Open Car Shipping Safe?
Yes. Most cars ship open, and damage is rare. When it happens, it is usually minor, like a rock chip or a drip from the car above. The carrier's cargo insurance is on your car from pickup to delivery.
What Your Car Is Exposed To
On an open trailer your car sees rain, sun, road dust, and the odd bit of gravel. That is about what it sees on a long drive, without adding a single mile.
Hail and winter road salt are the bigger risks. Coverage for hail and other weather varies by policy, so ask us for the carrier's certificate and what it covers. Wash the car soon after a winter delivery, and take delivery in daylight so you can inspect every panel.
What Keeps Your Car Safe
Vetted Carriers
We check each carrier's operating authority, insurance on file, and safety record before it gets your car.
Cargo Insurance
Carriers we book keep $1,000,000 in liability and $100,000 to $1,000,000 in cargo coverage. Open carriers often sit at the low end, so check the limit against your car's value.
Wheel Straps
Carriers strap each car down at the wheels so it stays in place on the deck.
Bill of Lading
You and the driver record the car's condition at pickup, then check it again at delivery.
If Your Car Arrives Damaged
Mark the damage on the bill of lading while the driver is there, and get the driver's signature. Take clear photos. Then call us and the carrier right away.
The carrier's insurer can deny a claim for damage that was not noted at delivery. In most cases the carrier asks for three repair estimates and pays one of them. Our guide on what to do if your car is damaged during transport walks through the claim.
Open vs Enclosed Car Shipping
Around nine out of ten cars ship open. Enclosed costs more and protects more. Both carry the carrier's cargo insurance.
How the Two Compare
| Factor | Open transport | Enclosed transport |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | The base rate on every route | Usually 40 to 60 percent more, and more on short trips |
| New York to Florida, base season | $800 to $950 | $1,275 to $1,450 |
| Trailer | Two-level open rack, 8 to 10 cars | Covered trailer, fewer cars per load |
| Exposure | Weather and road dust, like a day of driving | Sealed from weather and road debris |
| Booking | The most trucks on the road, books fastest | Fewer trucks, so book earlier |
| Low cars | Standard ramps | Lift gate or extended ramps |
| Best for | Daily drivers, SUVs, trucks, and leases | Classics, exotics, low cars, and fresh paint |
Which One Fits Your Car?
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Ship Open When
- It is a daily driver, SUV, pickup, or lease
- You want the lowest rate and the fastest booking
- You bought it from a dealer or an auction
- It is a project car or a fixer-upper
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Price Enclosed When
- It is a classic, an exotic, or a show car
- It is worth more than about $75,000
- It sits low or has fresh or high-end paint
- Its value tops the carrier's cargo coverage
Our enclosed auto transport page covers soft-sided and hard-sided trailers.
Not sure which trailer fits? Get both prices in one quote.
Vehicles and Moves That Ship Open
These shipments usually go open. Our car shipping services page covers every vehicle type.
College Students
Open is the most budget-friendly choice for students, and every student shipment gets a student discount.
Military PCS Moves
Base to base moves on orders. Active duty, veterans, and their families get $50 off any service.
Auction and Dealer Cars
Pickups from Manheim, Copart, IAA, and ADESA. A car that does not run gets a carrier with a winch.
Snowbird Runs
South in the fall and north in the spring. Book 3 to 4 weeks ahead in the fall.
Motorcycles
Open is the most economical way to ship a bike, on the same two-level trucks that carry cars.
Project Classics
A project car or fixer-upper can ship open for less. Save enclosed for restored paint and show finishes.
How Open Car Shipping Works
Open or enclosed, every shipment runs on the same five steps. Our how car shipping works guide covers each one in detail.
Quote
Tell us the vehicle, both ZIP codes, and your first available date. The price locks when you book.
Match
We book a vetted carrier that already runs your route, then email you the details.
Pickup
The driver calls ahead to set a time. You walk the car together and both sign the bill of lading.
Transit
The car rides to its destination while the driver and our dispatch team keep you updated.
Delivery
The driver calls about 24 hours out. You check the car, sign, pay the balance, and drive off.
How to Prepare Your Car for an Open Carrier
A little prep the day before pickup prevents most problems at delivery. Work down this list.
Wash It
A clean car shows every scratch and chip at inspection.
Photograph It
Every panel, the roof, the wheels, and the odometer, with the date showing.
Close It Up
Roll up every window and close the sunroof before the car goes on the deck.
Remove Loose Parts
Fold the mirrors, lower the antenna, and take off racks and loose trim.
Flag Any Leaks
A leak can drip on the car below, so tell the driver before loading.
Leave a Quarter Tank
More fuel adds weight and buys you nothing.
Pull the Toll Tag
Or it bills you for every toll the truck drives through.
Empty the Cabin
Up to 100 pounds can ride in the trunk or back seat, below the window line, at your own risk.
Car does not run? Tell us when you book, and read our guide to shipping a car that does not run. The car shipping prep checklist covers the rest.
Open Car Shipping Routes and States
We arrange open car shipping across the continental United States. Each route page lists open and enclosed prices, transit times, and the highways the truck runs.
Popular Open Car Shipping Routes
- New York to Florida
- New York to California
- New York to Texas
- California to Texas
- Texas to California
- New York to Arizona
- New York to North Carolina
- Florida to New Jersey
- New York to Colorado
- New York to Illinois
- Atlanta to Dallas
- San Diego to Portland
See all 24 on our popular car shipping routes page.
Open Car Shipping by State
Every state has its own guide. Find yours on our ship by state page.
Open Car Shipping Questions
Quick answers before you book. Our auto transport FAQ page covers the rest.
What is open car shipping?
Shipping your car on a carrier with no walls or roof, usually a two-level truck that holds 8 to 10 cars. New cars reach dealers this way, and about nine out of ten cars ship open. It costs less than enclosed transport and books faster.
How much does open car shipping cost?
Across the 24 routes we publish, a standard sedan ships open for $450 to $1,800. Trips under 500 miles run $450 to $875, and trips of 2,500 miles and up run $1,450 to $1,750. Vehicle size, the season, and your dates move the price.
Is open car shipping safe?
Yes. Damage is rare and usually minor, like a rock chip or a drip from the car above. Every carrier we book carries cargo insurance, and you and the driver record the car's condition on the bill of lading at both ends.
What is the difference between open and enclosed car shipping?
Open carriers have no walls or roof and hold 8 to 10 cars. Enclosed trailers carry fewer cars, seal out weather and road debris, and usually cost 40 to 60 percent more. Most daily drivers ship open.
How many cars fit on an open car carrier?
A two-level car hauler carries 8 to 10 cars. A single-level trailer carries a few. More cars per truck is why open costs less, since each car pays a smaller share of the trip.
How long does open car shipping take?
Most cars are picked up within a 1 to 5 day window. Time on the truck runs 1 to 3 days under 500 miles and 6 to 10 days on trips of 2,500 miles or more. Weather and road closures can add a day or more.
Does weather damage cars on an open carrier?
Rain, sun, and road dust do no more harm than a long drive. Hail and road salt are the bigger risks, and coverage for weather varies by policy. Wash the car after a winter trip, and note any new damage on the bill of lading at delivery.
Is my car insured on an open carrier?
Yes. Carriers we book keep $1,000,000 in liability and $100,000 to $1,000,000 in cargo coverage, and we verify it before dispatch. Coverage runs from pickup through delivery. Ask your agent for the certificate and what it covers, since weather coverage varies by policy.
What happens if my car is damaged during open transport?
Mark the damage on the bill of lading before the driver leaves, get the driver's signature, and take photos. Then call us. In most cases the carrier asks for three repair estimates and pays one of them.
Can you ship a car that does not run on an open carrier?
Yes, as long as it rolls, steers, and brakes. It needs a carrier with a winch at both ends, which usually adds $100 to $250. A car that cannot roll needs a forklift or a specialty rig and its own quote, so tell us when you book.
Can I put personal items in my car?
Up to 100 pounds in the trunk or back seat, below the window line, at your own risk. Those items are not covered by the carrier's cargo insurance, so leave valuables, electronics, and documents out.
When should I choose enclosed instead of open?
Price enclosed for a classic, an exotic, a car that sits low, fresh or high-end paint, or a car worth more than about $75,000. If the car's value tops the carrier's cargo coverage, enclosed is the safer call.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car?
Ship open, give the carrier a 3 to 5 day pickup window, and meet the truck at a wide lot near the highway. Ship in January or February if you can. A quote far below the rest is usually a price no carrier will run.
How do I avoid car shipping scams?
Look the company up by MC number in the FMCSA SAFER system and make sure its authority is active. Read reviews on BBB, Google, and Transport Reviews. Ask for the carrier's insurance certificate before dispatch. Our guide to car shipping scams lists the warning signs.
Is Number 1 Auto Transport a broker or a carrier?
We are a licensed broker, not a carrier. MC-796224 and USDOT 2336907. We do not own trucks or employ drivers. We vet, book, and manage the carriers who do, and we stay on the shipment until it is delivered.
How do I pay for open car shipping?
A deposit is charged after pickup. The balance is paid to the driver at delivery by cash, certified check, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or money order. Your dispatcher confirms which ones your carrier takes.
Get Your Open Car Shipping Quote
Enter your pickup and delivery points in the form at the top of this page, or call and talk to a real person. Read what customers say on our auto transport reviews page, then lock your rate.
Number 1 Auto Transport
Phone: 855.422.4141
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm ET, Saturday 9am to 5pm ET
MC-796224 | USDOT 2336907
Number 1 Auto Transport is a licensed and bonded auto transport broker, not a motor carrier. We arrange transportation with vetted, FMCSA-authorized carriers who hold active cargo insurance. Prices and transit times shown are typical ranges, not a binding quote. Your locked rate is confirmed at booking.