Open Auto Transport: Affordable, Reliable Car Shipping

Open auto transport is the most popular and budget-friendly way to ship a car anywhere in the United States. Your vehicle travels on a multi-car open carrier alongside other cars, fully insured from pickup to delivery. ABC Auto Shipping is a trusted, licensed, and bonded auto transport broker that connects you with vetted open-trailer carriers nationwide for safe, on-time service.

4.9★

Average customer rating

50,000+

vehicles shipped nationwide

50

states covered, door-to-door

100%

licensed, bonded & insured

24/7

Proactive communication

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What Is Open Auto Transport?

Open auto transport is the standard method for shipping a vehicle in the U.S. Your car is loaded onto an open, multi-level car carrier truck (the same kind you see hauling new vehicles on the highway) and driven to its destination. It is the most affordable and widely available option, used for everyday sedans, SUVs, trucks, and online vehicle purchases moving across town or coast to coast.

At ABC Auto Shipping, we coordinate a vetted nationwide network of open-carrier drivers to match your route, pickup window, and budget. You get transparent, all-inclusive pricing, a dedicated coordinator, and full cargo and liability coverage from the moment your car is loaded until it is safely delivered to your door. Request a free quote in under 60 seconds.

Our Open Auto Transport Options

Every shipment is different. That’s why we offer a full range of car shipping options to fit your vehicle, budget, and timeline.

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Standard Open Transport

Your car ships on a 7 to 10-car open trailer alongside other vehicles. The most affordable, widely available option for everyday sedans, SUVs, and trucks moving regionally or cross-country. Pickup is fast on busy lanes.

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Multi-Car Open Shipping

Save more when you ship two or more vehicles on the same open carrier. Multi-vehicle open transport is popular for families relocating, dealers, and households moving with more than one car.

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Expedited Open Transport

Need pickup in 24 to 72 hours? Expedited open transport prioritizes your shipment on the next available open carrier heading your direction. Best when you have already booked a flight or signed a lease.

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Top-Load Open Transport

Request top-load placement on the open carrier so your vehicle rides on the upper deck. Reduces road debris exposure and keeps fluids from any car above off your paint, for a small premium.

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Online Vehicle Purchase Pickup

Bought a car on eBay Motors, Carvana, Bring a Trailer, or from a private seller? We pick up directly from the seller and deliver to your driveway, with full coverage in transit.

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Dealer to Dealer Open Transport

Open transport for dealerships moving inventory between lots, auctions, and customer deliveries. Volume pricing, fast scheduling, clean Bills of Lading, and consolidated invoicing on every multi-vehicle load you book with us.

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Snowbird Seasonal Open Transport

Affordable seasonal open transport between northern and southern homes (Florida, Arizona, Texas, the Carolinas). Book early in spring and fall for the best rates and carrier availability before snowbird season fills up.

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Non-Running Vehicle Open Transport

If your car does not start but rolls, steers, and brakes (and is truck-accessible at both ends), we coordinate a winch-equipped open carrier. Ask your agent for the small added fee before booking.

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Long-Distance Open Transport

Coast-to-coast open transport on every major U.S. corridor. Cross-country shipments typically take 7 to 10 days from pickup, with proactive driver updates and a dedicated coordinator the entire way to your destination.

Why Choose ABC Auto Shipping?

Choosing the right auto transport company protects your vehicle, your wallet, and your peace of mind. Here’s what sets ABC Auto Shipping apart from other car shipping companies.

Fully Licensed, Bonded and Insured

ABC Auto Shipping is USDOT-registered and MC-authorized. Every open carrier in our network carries cargo and liability insurance, protecting your vehicle from pickup to delivery.

Transparent, All-Inclusive Pricing

No hidden fees, no surprise fuel surcharges. The open transport quote you accept is the price you pay. Most cars ship between $500 and $1,800 depending on distance and season.

Vetted Open Carrier Network

We work only with pre-screened open-trailer carriers that meet our safety, insurance, and on-time performance standards. You get a professional driver, not the cheapest one available.

Proactive Updates and Dedicated Dispatch

Your dedicated coordinator schedules your open transport, narrows your pickup window, and stays reachable by phone or email for the entire trip. Your driver also calls ahead at delivery.

On-Time Delivery, Every Time

Our advanced dispatching system optimizes routes and pickup windows so your open transport shipment stays on schedule, even on the busiest cross-country lanes during peak snowbird and PCS season.

5-Star Customer Service

Real people answering real calls, 7 days a week. Our 4.9-star rating is built on more than 50,000 vehicles shipped and a team that picks up the phone when you need answers.

The Easiest Way To Ship Your Car

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Step 01

Get Your Free Instant Quote

Enter your pickup and delivery zip codes, vehicle details, and preferred ship date. You will receive a detailed email quote with transparent, all-inclusive open transport pricing. No obligation, no spam.

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Step 02

Book Your Open Transport

Secure your booking with a $100 refundable deposit per vehicle. Once you confirm using the link in your email quote, a dedicated coordinator begins scheduling your pickup the very next business day.

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Step 03

Pickup and Inspection

We require a 4 to 5 day pickup window (minimum 3 to 4 days), narrowed to 1 to 2 days once a carrier is secured. Your driver inspects the vehicle, completes a Bill of Lading, and loads it onto the open carrier.

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Step 04

Door to Door Delivery

Your driver calls with a 4-hour delivery window. Your vehicle arrives at your destination, is re-inspected against the Bill of Lading, and you sign off. Simple, stress-free open auto transport.

Who We Serve

Individuals and Families Relocating

Skip the long drive when you are moving for a new job, school, or lifestyle change. Open transport is the affordable choice for relocating one or more household vehicles.

Online Car Buyers

Bought a car on eBay Motors, Carvana, Bring a Trailer, or from a private seller in another state? We pick up directly and deliver, with insurance from the moment it is loaded.

Snowbirds

Seasonal open transport between northern and southern homes. Florida, Arizona, Texas, and the Carolinas are our most popular snowbird lanes every fall and spring, with predictable rates and carrier availability.

Auto Dealers

Volume open transport pricing for dealerships moving inventory between auctions, lots, and customer deliveries. Fast scheduling, clean paperwork, same-day quotes, and consolidated multi-vehicle invoicing for trade partners.

Military Families

PCS and base-to-base relocations. Active duty and retired military qualify for an 8% discount on open auto transport. Disabled veterans qualify for 10%, with discreet verification handled before you book.

College Students and Parents

Affordable open transport between home and campus, including a 7% college student discount. Drop-off coordination available at most universities, with academic-calendar scheduling around move-in and move-out weeks.

Popular Auto Transport Routes

We move vehicles on every major U.S. corridor. Some of our most popular routes for this service include:

California to Florida

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Florida to California

New York to Los Angeles

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Los Angeles to New York

Texas to California

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California to Texas

Washington

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Arizona

Illinois

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Florida (snowbird routes)

Michigan

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Texas

Georgia

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New Jersey

Colorado

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North Carolina

+ all 50-state combinations

Reviews

What Our Clients Say

See how our services have made a difference through honest reviews from those who trust us. Your feedback drives us to keep improving.

FAQs

How much does open auto transport cost?

Open auto transport typically costs between $500 and $1,800. The exact price depends on distance, vehicle size and weight, season, and route popularity. Open transport is usually 30 to 40 percent cheaper than enclosed. For an exact rate on your route, request a free instant quote from ABC Auto Shipping.

Yes. Open carriers are the same trucks used to deliver brand-new vehicles to dealerships every day. Your car is securely strapped down with soft tie-downs, and every carrier in our network carries cargo and liability insurance from pickup to delivery. Damage on properly loaded open transport is rare.

Most cross-country open transport shipments take 7 to 10 days from pickup. Shorter regional moves can be completed in 1 to 4 days. Pickup typically occurs within 1 to 5 days of booking, depending on carrier availability. Your coordinator will narrow your pickup window to 1 to 2 days once dispatched.

Open transport exposes your vehicle to the same weather you would face driving it: rain, dust, and the occasional rock. For everyday vehicles this is not a concern. If you are shipping a luxury, classic, or exotic car, we recommend enclosed auto transport for premium protection.

Choose open transport for everyday sedans, SUVs, trucks, and most online vehicle purchases. Choose enclosed for luxury, exotic, classic, low-clearance, or high-value vehicles where weather, road debris, and privacy matter. Enclosed costs more but adds a fully covered trailer and white-glove handling.

We do not recommend it. Carriers are licensed to move vehicles, not household goods, so personal items are not covered by cargo insurance. If you must include light items, keep them under 100 pounds, in the trunk, and out of sight. Ask your coordinator before loading.

Yes, if the vehicle rolls, steers, and brakes, and is truck-accessible at both pickup and delivery. Non-running open transport requires a winch-equipped carrier and a small added fee. Tell your agent the condition of the vehicle when you request a quote so we can dispatch the right truck.

You or an authorized adult (18+) must be present at both pickup and delivery to sign the Bill of Lading and inspect the vehicle. If you cannot be there, you can authorize a friend, family member, neighbor, or dealer to release and receive the vehicle on your behalf. Just notify your coordinator in advance.

Wash the car so any pre-existing scratches are visible. Document the condition with photos. Leave a quarter tank of gas, disable alarms and toll tags, remove personal items and aftermarket accessories, and check for fluid leaks. Your coordinator will send a full prep checklist after booking.

We are licensed, bonded, and insured, with a 4.9-star rating and more than 50,000 vehicles shipped nationwide. You get transparent flat-rate pricing, a vetted open carrier network, a dedicated coordinator, and proactive updates from quote to delivery. Call 877-686-5611 or request a free quote online today.

Ready to ship your car the easy way?

Get your free, no-obligation open auto transport quote today, or speak with a shipping advisor at 877-686-5611 right now. We pick up nationwide, deliver door to door in all 50 states, and back every shipment with full insurance and a dedicated coordinator from start to finish.

Phone: 877-686-5611 | Email: info@abcautoshipping.com | Address: 102 Turnstone, Irvine, CA 92618

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