Enclosed carriers offer superior protection for high-value vehicles against weather and debris. Open carriers are cheaper but expose cars to elements. Understand why costs differ.

auto transport car shipping open vs enclosed vehicle logistics car shipping cost factors

Why do enclosed carriers cost more than open carriers?

You're looking to ship a car. That's why you're here. You've gotten some quotes. Or you're about to. You've probably seen a pretty big price difference between open car carrier transport cost and enclosed auto transport for luxury cars. This isn't rocket science. It’s pretty straightforward. Protecting an asset costs money. The more you protect it, the more it costs.

Open vs. Enclosed: The Basics

Let’s break it down. You’ve got two main ways to ship a car nationally. Open carriers and enclosed carriers. Both get the job done. But they do it differently. And those differences affect the price. Seriously. There’s a reason for every penny.

Open Car Carrier Transport

Think about what you see on the highway. That's an open car carrier. It’s a trailer with no sides or roof. Cars are exposed to the elements. Rain, sun, road grit, you name it. They’re out in the open. It’s the most common way to ship a car. And it’s generally the cheapest option. That's because they can fit more vehicles. More cars mean more revenue per trip for the carrier. Simple economics.

Pros of Open Carriers:

Cost-Effective: Lower price point. Good for everyday vehicles.
Availability: More open carriers on the road. Quicker pickup times.

Cons of Open Carriers:

Exposure: No protection from weather or road debris. Your car could get dirty. Or worse, scratched.
Less Secure: Slightly higher risk of minor damage from outside elements.

Enclosed Auto Transport

Now, enclosed auto transport. This is different. Your car is transported inside a fully enclosed trailer. Like a box on wheels. No exposure to weather. No road debris. Full protection. This is what you use for your luxury vehicle transport. Or if you’re shipping a classic car. Or an exotic car. Any car where you don't want a single speck of dust on it when it arrives.

Pros of Enclosed Carriers:

Maximum Protection: Complete shield from weather, dirt, and road grime. Ideal for valuable vehicles.
Enhanced Security: Less risk of theft or vandalism during transit.
Peace of Mind: For high-value cars, the extra cost is worth the assurance.

Cons of Enclosed Carriers:

Higher Cost: Significantly more expensive than open transport. Sometimes double the price. Or more.
Less Availability: Fewer enclosed carriers on the road. Might mean longer wait times.
Weight Restrictions: They can generally carry fewer vehicles, impacting their per-car revenue.

The Cost Drivers

So, why the price difference? It comes down to a few core things.

Equipment Costs

building an enclosed trailer is more expensive. Maintaining it is more expensive. It's a bigger, heavier piece of equipment. Those costs get passed on. The carrier has to make a living. Just like everyone else.

Fewer Vehicles, Higher Price

An open carrier can typically haul 8-10 cars. An enclosed carrier? Maybe 2-6 cars. Sometimes even a single car. Fewer cars on the truck means each car bears a larger share of the operating costs. Fuel, driver's pay, maintenance. It all adds up.

Specialized Care

Enclosed carriers often come with specialized handling. Hydraulic lift gates. Soft straps. Extra careful drivers. This is because they're handling high-value vehicles. These extras are part of the service. And they’re not free.

Insurance

While all our vetted insured carriers carry cargo insurance, the value of vehicles transported in enclosed trailers is often much higher. This can sometimes lead to slightly higher insurance premiums for the carrier, which again, factors into the overall cost.

When to Choose Which

It’s a simple choice, really. What are you shipping? And what's your budget?

Everyday Vehicles, Budget-Conscious: Go open. It's affordable car shipping without hidden fees. A good choice for shipping an SUV vs sedan cost difference. For example, if you’re relocating to Florida, ship car from Texas. Or need to ship a car from Houston to Los Angeles. Open transport is usually fine.
Luxury, Classic, or Exotic Cars: Go enclosed. If you’ve got a rare collectible, a brand new high-end vehicle, or anything you don’t want getting a single speck of dirt, enclosed is the only way to go. This includes vehicle shipping for dealerships handling high-end inventory.

AMG Transport Co: Making Sense of Auto Transport

We're an auto transport broker, and our parent company, AMG Endeavors, is a carrier. This gives us a unique perspective. We understand both sides of the coin. The roads are dangerous. Carriers have enough problems. They don’t want to deal with people's problems directly. That's where we come in.

We provide a stronger customer experience. We’re a guiding light in an industry that can feel a bit like the Wild West. Fraud is out there. Hidden fees? Not with us. We use Stripe for deposits. We give honest quotes. We provide a 72-hour pickup window. And we do VIN scans. This ensures transparency and prevents scams. We are a Texas based auto transport broker nationwide, an experienced car shipping broker you can trust.

When you ask, how much does it cost to ship a car cross country, we give you the real answers. We handle the frontend sales, the coordinating, the backend systems. All the things carriers don't want to do. They just want to drive. That's why they rely on brokers like us to solve their problems. And yours.

Most people couldn't work with carriers directly even if they wanted to. It’s a good idea to work with an experienced broker. It’s almost required. We vet our carriers. We make sure they’re insured. We make sure they're reliable. That’s why we’re considered the best auto transport company for out-of-state moves.

So, whether you need nationwide vehicle shipping door to door or just want to understand what affects car shipping cost per mile, we're here. We provide vehicle logistics company Texas expertise on every shipment.

The AMG Difference

| Feature | Open Carrier (via AMG) | Enclosed Carrier (via AMG) |

| :------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------- |

| Cost | Lower | Higher |

| Protection | Exposed to elements, minor road debris risk | Full protection from elements, road debris, dust |

| Vehicle Type | Daily drivers, sedans, SUVs, trucks (general) | Luxury cars, classic cars, exotic vehicles, high-value bikes |

| Availability | High, usually quicker pickup | Lower, may require more scheduling flexibility |

| Peace of Mind | Good for standard transport needs | Excellent for maximum security and preservation |

Conclusion: Work With Professionals

Deciding between open and enclosed auto transport comes down to your priorities. Is it budget? Or is it absolute protection for a valuable asset? The answer dictates the cost. It’s that simple.

Whatever your choice, working with a reputable broker like AMG Transport Co. makes all the difference. We’re not just moving cars. We're moving your property. We mitigate the risks. We simplify the process. From door pick-up and delivery car transport service to answering questions like how long does car shipping take cross country. We handle a non-running vehicle what to know too. We've got you covered.

Want to know your exact auto transport quotes? Get a real quote, not just a guess. Visit our website for more information, or to get your personalized quote today.

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Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.