Quick answer: Enclosed car carriers ship your car inside a covered trailer, so it is protected from weather, road debris, road salt and theft, and it can be loaded by lift-gate if it sits low. The trade-off is price: enclosed auto transport usually costs 40 to 60 percent more than open transport on the same route. It is worth it for classic, exotic, luxury and freshly painted cars, and usually not for an everyday car.
Most cars in the US ship on open carriers, the two-level trucks you see on the highway. Enclosed carriers are the other option. This guide covers the 8 main advantages of enclosed car carriers, what the extra protection costs, the difference between soft-sided and hard-sided trailers, and when enclosed is not worth paying for.
What Is Enclosed Car Transport?
Enclosed car transport, also called covered car transport, moves your vehicle inside a trailer with walls and a roof instead of on an open deck. A covered trailer carries 3 to 6 vehicles, compared with up to 9 on a standard open carrier. Fewer cars per load is part of why it costs more, and part of why it is gentler on the car.
8 Advantages of Enclosed Car Carriers
1. Protection From Weather
Rain, snow, hail and strong sun all stay outside the trailer. On an open carrier, your car is exposed to whatever weather the truck drives through for the whole trip. That matters most for soft tops, original paint and cars crossing the country in winter or in hail season.
2. No Stone Chips or Road Debris
Gravel, grit and small stones thrown up by traffic can chip paint and mark glass on an open deck. The walls of an enclosed trailer keep road debris off the car.
3. No Road Salt or Grime
Winter routes through the Northeast and Midwest are covered in road salt, which is hard on paint and the underside of a car. Enclosed transport also keeps off dust, pollen and exhaust grime, so a detailed, coated or wrapped car arrives as clean as it left.
4. Security and Privacy
The car is out of sight inside a closed trailer for the whole trip, including overnight stops. That makes it a much harder target for theft or vandalism, and it keeps a rare or valuable car away from attention.
5. Lift-Gate Loading for Low Cars
Many enclosed trailers have a hydraulic lift-gate that raises the car into the trailer at ground level. There is no steep ramp, so lowered cars, supercars and cars with front splitters can be loaded without scraping. Tell the company your ground clearance when you book so the right truck is sent.
6. Soft Tie-Downs and Careful Handling
Enclosed carriers usually secure cars with soft straps and padded tie-downs instead of chains. Many drivers who run enclosed trailers specialize in high-value cars, and some trailers offer climate control for delicate leather, wood trim or original interiors. Climate control is not standard, so ask for it when you book.
7. Fewer Cars on the Trailer
With 3 to 6 cars per load instead of up to 9, there is less loading and unloading around your car on the way. If you want no other cars in the trailer at all, single-car enclosed transport is available at a higher price.
8. Insurance Sized for High-Value Cars
Enclosed carriers move expensive cars every day, so their cargo insurance is usually set for high-value vehicles. Always ask for the carrier’s certificate before pickup and check the per-vehicle limit against your car’s value.
Enclosed vs Open Car Transport
| Enclosed | Open | |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Walls and roof keep out rain, snow, road salt, stone chips and dust | Exposed to weather and road debris |
| Vehicles per trailer | 3 to 6 | Up to 9 |
| Loading | Lift-gate on many trailers | Ramps |
| Price | Usually 40 to 60 percent more | The baseline price |
| Availability | Fewer trucks, so book earlier | Most trucks on the road |
| Best for | Luxury, classic, exotic and low-clearance cars | Daily drivers and most household moves |
Both options keep miles off the odometer, because the car rides on a truck either way. For a fuller comparison that includes top load, see our guide to the types of car carriers.
How Much More Does Enclosed Transport Cost?
Enclosed car shipping usually costs 40 to 60 percent more than open transport on the same route. On a $1,200 cross-country move, that is roughly $500 to $700 more. Typical ranges for a running sedan with flexible pickup dates:
| Distance | Open carrier | Enclosed (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $400 to $700 | $560 to $1,120 |
| 1,000 to 1,500 miles | $700 to $1,100 | $980 to $1,760 |
| 2,000 miles and up | $1,000 to $1,700 | $1,400 to $2,720 |
These are typical ranges, not a quote. What moves the enclosed price:
- Trailer type. Soft-sided trailers cost slightly less than hard-sided.
- Options. Lift-gate loading, climate control and single-car transport add to the price.
- Season. Summer and the October to November snowbird season can add 10 to 20 percent.
- Vehicle size. Large SUVs and trucks take more space in the trailer.
- Route. Busy corridors cost less per mile than remote pickups.
For open transport prices on other distances, see our car shipping cost guide.
Soft-Sided vs Hard-Sided Enclosed Trailers
| Soft-sided | Hard-sided | |
|---|---|---|
| Walls | Heavy-duty fabric over a steel frame | Solid metal walls and roof |
| Protection | Keeps out weather, salt and most road debris | The highest protection, including from impact |
| Cost | Slightly lower | Higher |
| Best for | Higher-end daily drivers and newer luxury cars | Exotics, supercars and museum-grade classics |
If you are not sure which you need, a soft-sided trailer covers most luxury cars well. Choose hard-sided for a car where any mark at all would be a problem.
When Enclosed Transport Is Worth It
- Classic and vintage cars, especially with original paint or chrome. See how to ship a classic car.
- Exotic and luxury cars. See how to ship a luxury or exotic car.
- Low-clearance cars that need a lift-gate
- Fresh paint, a ceramic coating or a wrap
- Show cars and freshly restored cars
- A car you just bought at a collector auction
- Any car worth $50,000 or more, or one you would not drive through a hailstorm
A simple test: if one paint or panel repair would cost more than the enclosed premium, enclosed is worth paying for.
When Enclosed Transport Is Not Worth It
Enclosed is not the right choice for every car. It is usually not worth the extra cost when:
- It is an everyday car. Open transport is how most cars ship, and most arrive in the same condition they left.
- The car is older or already has marks. A stone chip on a ten-year-old daily driver costs less to fix than the premium.
- Your dates are tight. There are fewer enclosed trucks, so pickup can take longer to arrange, especially in peak season.
- You want some protection on a budget. Top load car shipping puts your car on the upper deck of an open carrier, away from drips and most road spray, for much less than enclosed.
Who Uses Enclosed Car Carriers?
- Collectors moving classics to a new home, a show or a restoration shop
- Auction buyers collecting a car from an event such as Mecum, Barrett-Jackson or Bring a Trailer. See how to ship a car bought at auction.
- Owners of exotics and supercars, who often choose single-car enclosed for no contact with other vehicles
- Dealers moving high-value stock between showrooms or delivering to customers
- Race teams and restoration shops sending finished or race-prepared cars
- People moving house with one special car alongside an everyday car, who ship the everyday car on an open carrier and the special one enclosed
How Long Does Enclosed Transport Take?
Cross-country enclosed shipments usually take 7 to 10 days from pickup, and regional routes 1 to 4 days. Pickup usually happens within 1 to 5 days of booking, depending on truck availability. Single-car and expedited service can shorten the timeline for an extra charge.
Tips for Booking Enclosed Car Shipping
- Book early. Book 7 to 30 days ahead for the best choice of trucks, and earlier during collector auction seasons in January, March and August.
- Give your ground clearance. Mention a lowered suspension, a front splitter or a rear wing so a lift-gate truck is sent.
- Say which options you want, such as hard-sided, climate control or single-car, so they are priced from the start.
- Ask for the insurance certificate and check the per-vehicle limit against the car’s value.
- Photograph the car before pickup and check the bill of lading inspection carefully. Our guide on how to inspect your car at pickup and delivery has a checklist.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel, disable the alarm and remove toll tags and loose items.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of enclosed car carriers?
Protection from weather, road debris and road salt; better security and privacy; lift-gate loading for low cars; soft tie-downs; fewer cars per load; and insurance sized for high-value vehicles.
What are the benefits of using an enclosed auto transporter over an open one?
An open carrier exposes the car to rain, salt, stone chips and sun for the whole trip. An enclosed transporter keeps all of that off, which matters most for paint, chrome and soft tops.
How much more does enclosed car transport cost?
Usually 40 to 60 percent more than open transport on the same route, or roughly $500 to $700 more on a $1,200 cross-country move.
Are enclosed carriers safer from theft?
Yes. The car is locked inside a trailer and out of sight for the whole trip, including overnight stops, which makes it a much harder target than a car on an open deck.
What is the difference between soft-sided and hard-sided enclosed trailers?
Soft-sided trailers have heavy fabric walls over a steel frame and cost slightly less. Hard-sided trailers have solid metal walls and a roof and give the most protection, which suits exotics and top-level classics.
Is covered car transport worth the extra cost?
It is worth it when a single paint or panel repair would cost more than the premium, which covers most classic, exotic, luxury and freshly painted cars. For an everyday car, open transport is usually enough.
Do enclosed carriers have lift-gates?
Many do. A lift-gate raises the car into the trailer at ground level, which is the safest way to load a low car. Ask for one when you book.
How long does enclosed car shipping take?
Usually 7 to 10 days coast to coast and 1 to 4 days on regional routes, plus 1 to 5 days for pickup.
Ship Your Car Enclosed With ABC Auto Shipping
ABC Auto Shipping is a licensed broker that matches your car with an insured enclosed carrier, soft-sided or hard-sided, with lift-gate loading when you need it. The quote you accept is the price you pay, and there is no deposit to book. Get a free quote today.
