Open Car Transport
The industry workhorse — open multi-car carriers move over 90% of all vehicles shipped in the United States, including every new car delivered from factory to dealership. It's the most cost-effective, widely available, and thoroughly proven method of vehicle transport. We vet every carrier for active FMCSA authority, verified cargo insurance, and a clean safety record before your vehicle is ever loaded.
Get a Quote →Three steps from quote to delivery.
Provide your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle year, make, model, and running condition. We price based on actual route distance, current carrier availability on your corridor, vehicle dimensions, and seasonal demand — not a flat rate that ignores market reality. Your quote includes all standard charges. No hidden fees surface at pickup or delivery.
We match your shipment to an FMCSA-licensed carrier actively running your route with verified operating authority, minimum $100,000 cargo insurance confirmed directly with the insurer, and a clean inspection history. You receive the carrier name, driver contact, and estimated pickup window before the truck arrives — never a mystery driver showing up unannounced.
At pickup, the driver conducts a joint vehicle inspection with you, documenting every existing mark on the Bill of Lading. At delivery, you inspect again before signing. Any new damage is noted on the BOL on the spot — this document is your legal record and your protection. We stay in contact throughout transit with proactive updates.
What to know before you book.
Open transport runs 35–40% less than enclosed on the same route. Your vehicle is exposed to the same weather and road conditions it faces every day you drive it. For daily drivers, commuter cars, and standard vehicles, the cost savings are substantial and the incremental risk is negligible. Reserve enclosed transport for vehicles where cosmetic perfection or high value justifies the premium.
On properly vetted open carriers, transport damage rates run below 1%. Every carrier in our network carries cargo insurance that covers your vehicle during transit. We verify coverage independently with the insurer — not just a certificate the carrier hands us. If damage does occur, the carrier's cargo policy is the primary coverage, and we advocate on your behalf through the entire claims process.
Open carriers haul 7–10 vehicles per load, which means more trucks running more routes more frequently than any other transport type. On high-volume corridors like the I-95 Eastern Seaboard or the I-10 Southern route, multiple carriers may be available within days. Rural or low-traffic routes take longer — we set realistic pickup windows based on actual carrier patterns, not optimistic guesses.
Rates are distance-based with a tiered per-mile structure — shorter hauls cost more per mile because fixed costs (loading, unloading, inspection, insurance overhead) spread over fewer miles. Short distance (under 500 miles): $450–$800. Mid-range corridors (500–1,500 miles): $700–$1,200. Cross-country moves (1,500+ miles): $1,100–$1,700. SUVs, trucks, and vans add $50–$150 depending on size. Non-running vehicles add approximately 15%. Summer peak season (June–August) can push rates 10–15% above these ranges on competitive corridors.
Common questions.
Yes. Open carriers are the standard transport method for the entire auto industry — new vehicles worth $40,000–$80,000 are delivered this way from factories every day. Damage rates on vetted carriers are below 1%, and every carrier in our network carries verified cargo insurance. The vehicles are secured with professional tie-down systems designed specifically for auto transport.
Some road dust and minor exposure to the elements is possible, particularly on long-distance moves. It washes off. Actual paint damage from road debris is rare — vehicles are loaded at angles and heights that minimize direct exposure. If cosmetic protection is a priority or the vehicle has fresh paint, custom work, or high collector value, enclosed transport eliminates the exposure entirely.
Standard open carriers hold 7–10 vehicles across two levels. Position depends on the driver's load plan — vehicle size, weight distribution, and drop-off order all factor in. Top-rack positions get slightly more road debris exposure; bottom-rack positions get slightly more road spray. Neither position carries meaningfully different risk on a properly operated carrier.
The Bill of Lading signed at pickup and delivery is your legal record. Any new damage noted at delivery triggers a claim against the carrier's cargo insurance. We file the claim on your behalf, provide the documentation, and advocate through the process. This is why the delivery inspection matters — damage documented on the BOL before the driver leaves is straightforward to claim. Damage reported after the driver departs is exponentially harder to prove.