Enclosed car shipping: a sports car on the liftgate of an enclosed auto transport carrier

Enclosed Car Shipping

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Watch an Enclosed Delivery, Start to Finish

A real enclosed shipment, filmed end to end by Brink of Speed — the enthusiast channel we sponsored to document the pickup, the ride, and the delivery. Their cameras, their verdict.

  • Liftgate loading and soft-strap tie-down
  • The enclosed interior, mid-route
  • Filmed and published by Brink of Speed
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Enclosed Auto Transport Reviews

"I had my 2025 BMW M340i shipped from Tennessee to Arizona in enclosed trailer and RoadRunner did a fantastic job and my vehicle arrived with no damages."

"Fast pickup. Faster delivery. Schedule for Wednesday pickup on Monday, car delivered enclosed following Monday from CA to NY. Great communication throughout. Car in perfect shape."

"Used Roadrunner Auto Transport to move my Porsche from SC to TX in an enclosed carrier. Driver (George) kept in close contact before, during and delivery of my car. No issues and no problems and no damage. Highly recommend them."

"Had a Corvette C8 brought from a dealership in mid Kentucky all the way up to NW Ohio with no issues. Took 2 days from when I contacted them until I was in the drivers seat. Enclosed trailer at just above half of what I was quoted by dealership. Totally worth it."

Open vs. Enclosed

Difference Between Open and Enclosed Transport

Enclosed car transport and open transport both get your car from door to door with a vetted, insured carrier — the difference is what stands between your paint and the road. Here is the honest version of the choice.

Enclosed is the right call when

  • You are shipping a classic, exotic, collector, or high-value vehicle
  • Ground clearance is low — roughly four inches or less needs liftgate loading, and liftgates ride on enclosed rigs
  • Custom paint, wraps, or fresh restoration work would be costly to redo
  • The route runs long through winter weather or coastal salt
  • The car is headed to or from an auction, show, or museum

Open is the smarter buy when

  • You are shipping a daily driver — a standard sedan, SUV, or truck
  • Budget matters more than showroom arrival condition
  • You need the fastest possible pickup — open carriers far outnumber enclosed
  • A layer of road dust at delivery is a car wash, not a problem
Open transport is the industry standard and the right choice for most vehicles — it is how dealerships move new cars every day. Enclosed earns its premium when the vehicle itself does. Either way, open car shipping and enclosed run the same corridors with the same door-to-door service.

Also called covered car transport, covered auto transport, closed car transport or an enclosed carrier — one service, several names. The hard-sided enclosed transport trailer is the same, and so are the enclosed auto transport services behind it.

When it comes to transporting vehicles, there are two main options – open and enclosed transport. While both methods are designed to get your car from point A to point B, there are significant differences between the two.

Enclosed Transport

A hard-sided enclosed auto transport trailer with its liftgate lowered and a covered car inside
Enclosed transport: two to six cars inside a hard-sided trailer

Enclosed transport is the preferred method of transporting luxury or high-end vehicles, but it's also a popular choice with people who want greater peace of mind when it comes to their vehicle's safety during transport.

As the name suggests, vehicles are transported in an enclosed trailer, which provides complete protection from the elements. Enclosed transport trailers can also transport fewer vehicles at a time, thereby reducing the risk of vehicles being damaged by one another.

The key advantage of enclosed transport is greater security. With closed trailers, it's much harder for anyone to access or damage the transported vehicles. And, as the vehicles are always in pristine condition, the method is popular with people who own high-end cars that require extra care and security during transportation.

However, enclosed transport is typically more expensive than open transport, given that fewer cars can be transported at the same time. If you’re only transporting one vehicle or have a low budget, enclosed transport may not be your best option.

The choice between open and enclosed transport comes down to your budget and what's more important to you personally. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, open transport is the way to go. If you have a higher budget and want greater peace of mind, then enclosed transport is the way to go. In any case, both options are viable, and choosing the right method for you comes down to making an informed decision based on your needs and preferences.

Open Transport

An open two-level auto transport carrier loaded with everyday cars on the highway
Open transport: up to ten cars on an open trailer, exposed to the road

Open transport is the most common method of transporting cars and is often used by dealerships to move multiple cars simultaneously. As the name suggests, vehicles are transported on an open trailer, which is an uncovered carrier designed to carry up to 10 cars at once.

One advantage of open transport is that it’s usually a cheaper option than enclosed transport. Because multiple cars can be transported at the same time, individual transport costs are significantly reduced. Additionally, open trailers are much more common than enclosed trailers, which makes them more readily available at short notice.

Enclosed Pricing

Enclosed Car Shipping Cost

How much does enclosed car shipping cost?

The cost of enclosed car shipping can vary depending on a few factors, such as distance, vehicle size and weight, and the level of service required. On average, the cost of enclosed car shipping can typically range from $1,000 to $3,000. Visit our car shipping cost calculator to get an instant enclosed car shipping quote and find out the price for your specific shipping route.

Enclosed car transport cost per mile, cross-country
$0.51/mi
Short hauls (0-500 miles) run $1.24 per mile; cross-country (3,000-3,500 miles) runs $0.51 — 59% less per mile as distance grows. Every band is in the table below.

Average Enclosed Car Shipping Price Estimations Based On Mileage

This table shows average price estimations for enclosed car transport based on distance. The prices per mile decrease as the distance increases, which is a common pricing structure in the car shipping industry.
Distance
Average Price Per Mile
Sample Distance
Sample Price
0-500 miles
$1.24
250 miles
$310
500-1,000 miles
$1.13
700 miles
$791
1,000-1,500 miles
$1.08
1,000 miles
$1,080
1,500-2,000 miles
$0.75
1,750 miles
$1,312
2,000-2,500 miles
$0.57
2,400 miles
$1,368
2,500-3,000 miles
$0.54
2,700 miles
$1,458
3,000-3,500 miles
$0.51
3,200 miles
$1,632
The following price per mile averages listed above reflect current market conditions as of August 2026
These rates are estimated and are subject to change due to seasonality, cost of fuel, exact locations, etc.
Ready for your exact enclosed price?Those are mileage averages. Yours takes about 30 seconds.Prefer to talk it through? (888) 777-2123Get My Enclosed Quote
Real Lanes, Real Prices
Data updated: Sep 2026

What Enclosed Car Shipping Costs on the Lanes People Actually Ship

These are the enclosed transport lanes our enclosed car transporters run most, with the average enclosed transport price and the average open price on the same route side by side. The gap between the two tags is the enclosed premium — and it is not one number.

+58%the median enclosed premium across these lanes — from +53% to +72% depending on the lane
Open carrier Enclosed carrier

Distance moves the price, not the enclosed transport premium

+48%
Short haul under 500 miles
typically +37% to +53%
+57%
Medium haul 500–1,500 miles
typically +49% to +64%
+57%
Long haul 1,500+ miles
typically +49% to +61%
Average open and enclosed prices on the most-shipped enclosed lanes
LaneDistanceOpen (avg)Enclosed (avg)Premium
California to Texas1,510 mi$1,200$1,860+55%
Texas to California1,540 mi$970$1,520+57%
California to Florida2,620 mi$1,450$2,280+57%
New York to Florida1,230 mi$1,020$1,740+71%
Florida to California2,630 mi$1,330$2,100+58%
Florida to New York1,230 mi$1,080$1,860+72%
New Jersey to Florida1,180 mi$940$1,480+57%
Texas to Florida1,170 mi$850$1,350+59%
Florida to Texas1,180 mi$1,000$1,530+53%
Illinois to Florida1,190 mi$940$1,620+72%
New York to California2,780 mi$1,500$2,340+56%
Illinois to California2,050 mi$1,150$1,830+59%
Recent RoadRunner enclosed transport bookings, 12 lanes, ranked by how often they ship enclosed. Prices are averages across booked shipments on the lane.
Equipment & Handling

How Enclosed Auto Transport Works: Trailers, Liftgates & Loading

Enclosed car shipping — sometimes called covered car transport — is a different machine, not just a roof. The enclosed car carriers in our network run purpose-built trailers, and which one your shipment needs is what sets an enclosed vehicle transport price apart from an open one. Equipment is what separates enclosed auto transport services from open ones.

Hard-sided trailersSolid walls and a sealed deck — fully enclosed on every side, the maximum-protection option, and what most people picture as covered car transport. Fully weatherproof, locked in transit, and priced at the top of the enclosed range.
Soft-sided trailersHeavy-duty fabric sides over a rigid frame. The same shielding from weather, road debris, and curious eyes at a somewhat lower price — and often better availability than hard-sided equipment.
Liftgate loadingA hydraulic liftgate raises the car level into the trailer — no ramp angle at all. If your vehicle sits roughly four inches or lower, tell your quote specialist so an enclosed carrier with a liftgate is assigned.
Shared or dedicatedMost enclosed trailers carry two to six vehicles, versus seven to ten on open rigs — fewer spots is most of the premium. A shared enclosed load costs meaningfully less than a dedicated single-car trailer.
Sports car loading up the ramp into a hard-sided enclosed auto transport trailer

Single-Car Enclosed Transport

Single-car enclosed car transport on a dedicated trailer is the top of the line: your vehicle rides alone, on its own schedule, with no other pickups on the route. It is the standard choice for seven-figure cars, unveilings, and hard deadlines — and it is priced accordingly. For most high-value shipments, a spot on a multi-car enclosed trailer delivers the same fully enclosed protection at a substantially lower price; your quote covers both options, so you can see the difference before you decide.

Coverage: verified, not just promised

Every enclosed car carrier in our network is verified to hold an active cargo insurance policy before accepting your shipment — federal law requires cargo coverage filings for auto haulers (49 CFR Part 387), and enclosed specialists routinely carry limits well above those minimums to match the vehicles they haul. Your vehicle is covered by the carrier’s cargo policy during transit, and higher-coverage options are available when the vehicle’s value calls for it. Ask your shipping specialist for the coverage details on your assigned carrier before pickup.

White-glove handling, as standard practice

  • Soft tie-down straps or wheel nets — chains never touch a vehicle shipped enclosed
  • Low-angle ramps or hydraulic liftgates for low-clearance loading
  • Enclosed car carriers are specialty operators: drivers who move classics, exotics, and auction cars for a living
  • Online shipment tracking from pickup to delivery, on every enclosed vehicle transport order
Coverage

Enclosed Car Transport Coverage Map

Select a state below for more information about enclosed car shipping in that area.

Click two states to price a route
AlabamaArkansasArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaIowaIdahoIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiMontanaNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNevadaNew YorkOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaVermontWashingtonWisconsinWest VirginiaWyomingCATXNew YorkLos AngelesChicagoDallasHoustonMiamiPhiladelphiaAtlantaPhoenixBostonSan FranciscoRiversideDetroitSeattleMinneapolisSan Diego

Click two states to set the route, or use the lists — Alaska and Hawaii are served too, and listed under West.

The Enclosed Transport Calendar: Spring Peaks, Steadier Winters

Data updated: Sep 2026

Enclosed transport rides the same spring peak as the rest of the fleet — April and May are its busiest months — but it swings less. When open bookings thin out in the fall and winter, enclosed holds up, and its share of everything we ship is highest from October to February.

Enclosed shipments (index, 100 = busiest month)All shipments
0255075100Jan: enclosed index 71Jan: all shipments index 68JanFeb: enclosed index 76Feb: all shipments index 65FebMar: enclosed index 84Mar: all shipments index 83MarApr: enclosed index 100Apr: all shipments index 95AprMay: enclosed index 100May: all shipments index 100MayJun: enclosed index 79Jun: all shipments index 89JunJul: enclosed index 76Jul: all shipments index 86JulAug: enclosed index 74Aug: all shipments index 82AugSep: enclosed index 72Sep: all shipments index 65SepOct: enclosed index 83Oct: all shipments index 68OctNov: enclosed index 73Nov: all shipments index 65NovDec: enclosed index 70Dec: all shipments index 65Dec
Monthly enclosed shipment index against all shipments
MonthEnclosed indexAll shipments indexOn the calendar
Jan7168Scottsdale & Kissimmee auctions
Feb7665
Mar8483Amelia Island Concours
Apr10095
May100100
Jun7989
Jul7686
Aug7482Monterey Car Week
Sep7265
Oct8368
Nov7365
Dec7065Salt season begins
Classic cars lined up outside auction tents in the desert, an enclosed transport trailer unloading in the foreground
Auction week: the cars arrive on enclosed trailers days before the sale

The enclosed year starts in the desert. In January, Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale and the auctions that share its week fill Arizona with collector cars, while Mecum Kissimmee in Florida runs what it bills as the world’s largest collector-car auction. Thousands of cars change hands in a few days, and nearly all of them arrive and leave on enclosed trailers — a surge of collector cars at the moment the open-carrier fleet is at its quietest, one reason enclosed’s share of what ships runs highest through the winter months.

Spring belongs to the concours and the big regional sales: The Amelia on Amelia Island in March, with the Broad Arrow and Gooding auctions alongside, then Mecum Indianapolis in May. August brings Monterey Car Week, where Pebble Beach, The Quail, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and five auction houses share one peninsula for a week. Concours entries ship out weeks ahead, and their new owners ship them home after the hammer falls.

Between the peaks a steady calendar keeps the trailers full without ever showing as a spike: the major auto shows, whose display cars travel enclosed between Detroit, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles; the SEMA Show in Las Vegas each November, where show builds ship in and out under cover; vintage racing weekends and club track days, where the car arrives on a transporter and the owner arrives by plane; and the online auctions that never close — a Bring a Trailer or Cars & Bids sale ends every day, and the winning bidder usually books enclosed transport that afternoon.

Motorcycles ride the same calendar. Mecum’s Las Vegas motorcycle auction in January is billed as the largest of its kind; Daytona Bike Week in March, Sturgis in August and the Barber Vintage Festival in October each move bikes across the country — and a motorcycle, like a collector car, almost always ships enclosed.

The practical point for anyone planning around these dates: enclosed transport capacity tightens in the weeks before each of these events, so a shipment timed to Scottsdale, Amelia or Monterey books earlier than the same lane in May.

Recent RoadRunner shipments by month, several full years averaged; both indices are relative (100 = the busiest month of each series).
2–6
Cars per enclosed trailer
Plan the calendar, not the clock

The rigs enclosed car transport companies run carry two to six vehicles against seven to ten on an open carrier, and they are a small share of the national fleet, so enclosed enclosed transport pickup windows book out further ahead than open. Once your car is loaded, transit runs the same corridors at the same pace either way. Price enclosed car shipping services for your route now: no upfront deposit, and you can cancel anytime before pickup.

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What Ships Enclosed
Data updated: Sep 2026

The Makes We Ship Enclosed Most

Enclosed car transportation is not only for museum pieces. These are the makes that use our enclosed transport services most often, plus the exotic and grand-touring marques — and, for each, how much of it is collectors’ classics versus new deliveries.

15 in 100enclosed shipments are a Chevrolet — the single most-shipped make
A classic split-window Corvette Sting Ray rolling into an enclosed car hauler
Chevrolet15 of 100
a near-even split — 1960s classics on one side, the last five model years on the other
A classic Ford Mustang fastback strapped down inside an enclosed trailer
Ford10 of 100
half classics — the 1960s lead, with a prewar tail from the 1920s and 30s
A modern Mercedes-AMG coupe entering an enclosed trailer with a vintage SL already inside
Mercedes-Benz9 of 100
mostly modern — more than half from the 2020s, a third from the 2010s
A silver Porsche 911 on the liftgate of an enclosed auto transport trailer at golden hour
Porsche8 of 100
modern sports cars — the 2010s and 2020s in equal measure, a small classic tail
A new BMW M4 loading into an enclosed car hauler outside a dealership
BMW8 of 100
new deliveries — more than half from the 2020s, a quarter from the 2010s
A red Ferrari rolling out of an enclosed transport trailer onto a concours lawn at dawn
Ferrari1 of 100
half from the 2010s, one in ten from before 1990
A lime-green Lamborghini on the lowered liftgate of an enclosed auto transport trailer at dusk
Lamborghini1 of 100
mostly modern — half from the 2020s, four in ten from the 2010s
A dark blue Bentley grand tourer rolling down the ramp of an enclosed auto transport trailer onto a gravel estate driveway
Bentley1 of 100
the 2010s and 2020s in near-equal measure
A British racing green Aston Martin strapped down inside an enclosed auto transport trailer, seen from the open rear door
Aston Martin1 of 100
new grand tourers — half from the 2020s, a third from the 2010s
Recent RoadRunner enclosed shipments. Share of enclosed shipments by make (cars only); classic = model year before 1990.
Why Enclosed

Benefits of Fully Enclosed Auto Shipping

The safest way to transport vehicles is through fully-enclosed transport. Fully-enclosed car transport refers to using enclosed carriers to ship cars instead of open carrier trucks and other means. Let's dive into the benefits of fully-enclosed transport and why it should be considered for transporting cars.

Improved Security

Security is a primary concern when it comes to the transportation of vehicles. Fully-enclosed transport offers better security than open trucks and other means of transport. Enclosed transport provides a storage space that is sealed off from the outside world, making it difficult for unauthorized persons to tamper with the goods. This makes it suitable for transporting high-value vehicles, such as Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and other high end vehicles, where security is a top priority. In addition, fully-enclosed transport provides a safer option for transporting classic cars as they are safely contained and won't be exposed to inclimate weather.

Protection from Weather Elements

Poor weather conditions can be undesirable during transportation on an open carrier. Fully-enclosed car transport offers protection from weather elements and other undesirable objects during shipment. The trucks used in fully-enclosed transport are weatherproof, which means they are designed to withstand the effects of weather elements. This ensures that vehicles are delivered in the same condition they were in when they were loaded onto the carrier.

Reduced Risk of Damage

When vehicles are transported on open trucks, they are exposed to more elements throughout the course of the transport. When vehicles are transported through fully-enclosed carriers, the expose to risk is significantly reduced. The trucks used in fully-enclosed transport are designed to keep vehicles secure and out of reach of many elements, reducing the risk of damage. In addition, fully-enclosed transport eliminates the risk of damage caused by other road users, such as rocks and debris that could hit the goods when they are being transported on open trucks.

Enclosed Car Shipping, Handled Like Everything We Ship

See how RoadRunner ships cars nationwide: instant pricing, door-to-door pickup, and real-time tracking — the same process behind every enclosed shipment.

  • Door-to-door pickup and delivery nationwide
  • 30,000+ vetted carriers, open and enclosed
  • Track your shipment in real time
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The Protocol

A Car's Journey, Enclosed: What Happens and What You Should Do

Six moments decide whether a high-value enclosed transport goes perfectly — and most of them are yours. Here is the whole trip, and what to do at each step.

  1. 1

    Photograph your car

    Walk around it in good light — every panel, the wheels, the interior, the odometer. Date-stamped photos are your baseline if anything is ever in question.

  2. 2

    Pickup inspection & Bill of Lading

    The driver inspects the car with you and records its condition on the Bill of Lading — the legal record of how it left. Read it before you sign; note anything you disagree with.

  3. 3

    Loading

    Liftgate or low-angle ramp for low clearance; soft straps or wheel nets, never chains. Alarms off, fuel at a quarter tank, personal items out (they are not covered).

  4. 4

    In transit

    Your car rides inside the trailer, out of the weather and out of sight. Track the shipment online from pickup to delivery.

  5. 5

    Delivery walk-around

    Inspect the car with the driver against your photos and the pickup Bill of Lading before anything is signed. Note any difference on the delivery copy.

  6. 6

    Sign, and the claim window

    Your signature closes the shipment. If you noted damage, the claim runs against the carrier’s cargo policy — start it promptly; we help you file and follow it through.

What enclosed customers mention most

Four things come up again and again in the verified reviews that describe an enclosed shipment with us — ranked by how often, each in a customer’s own words.

1The driver’s careMost mentioned
“The driver communicated with me prior to pick up and then before drop off.”
2Kept informed the whole way
“Excellent communication on everything and received my vehicle from California to Indiana a day early.”
3Arrived in perfect condition
“The 24/7 online tracking kept me informed the whole way, and the car arrived safely ahead of the estimated window with zero issues or damage.”
4On time or early
“My car was delivered in great shape, and sooner than expected.”
Process: RoadRunner dispatch and claims procedure. Review themes ranked by how often they appear across the verified reviews that describe an enclosed shipment (Google, Shopper Approved, Trustpilot); a review can carry more than one theme.
Verified Reviews
I recently engaged RoadRunner Auto Transport to bring my new car from Denver CO to SoCal. Company had most competitive rates, I easily secured an enclosed 3-car transport, driver Russ Lee was professional, and everyone was communicative from pickup to delivery. Honestly, a great experience. I strongly / loudly recommend RoadRunner Auto Transport & Mr. Lee!
Trustpilot review5 stars
Pesacp
Colorado · March 2025
Verified on Trustpilot
4.7average rating across thousands of verified auto transport reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vehicle transportation process.


Open transport is the most common car shipping method. There are two types of open-air transporters. Most shipments are made with 8-10 car carriers. Smaller carriers which hold 2-3 cars are used for shorter more local moves. There is broader network of carrier availability for open-air carriers since they are used more often. We suggest choosing enclosed shipping methods when shipping classic, luxury or exotic vehicles. Enclosed transporters guarantee maximum protection from exposure to any open-air elements on the road. We suggest booking your enclosed transport in advance since there is limited carrier availability. Read more about the difference between open and enclosed transport.

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