The most popular and affordable way to ship a car. Door-to-door service with fully insured carriers. No upfront payment. Price-locked quotes.
Open auto transport is the standard method for shipping a car across the country. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open multi-car trailer — the same type of carrier used to deliver new vehicles from the factory to dealerships. A standard open carrier holds 7 to 10 vehicles and runs on fixed interstate routes, which is exactly why open transport costs less than enclosed and offers faster pickup windows.
The trailer is open to the elements, meaning your vehicle is exposed to weather and road debris during transit. For the vast majority of vehicles, this is a complete non-issue. Road grime and dust are the most common result. Open transport is what we recommend for everyday cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans — essentially anything that isn't a high-value classic, exotic, or luxury vehicle where cosmetic protection justifies the enclosed premium.
Open auto transport is priced by distance, vehicle size, and corridor demand. A standard sedan on a high-volume corridor like Florida to New York typically runs $750 to $1,300. Longer or thinner routes carry higher rates. The table below reflects typical ranges for open transport on a standard sedan — actual pricing depends on your specific pickup and delivery locations.
| Distance | Typical Cost | Per Mile | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $400 – $625 | $0.94 – $1.10 | 1 – 3 days |
| 500 – 1,000 miles | $795 – $1,125 | $0.74 – $0.87 | 2 – 4 days |
| 1,000 – 1,500 miles | $1,100 – $1,550 | $0.65 – $0.77 | 3 – 5 days |
| Over 1,500 miles | $1,325 – $1,665 | $0.55 – $0.66 | 4 – 7 days |
Larger vehicles — SUVs, pickups, vans — occupy more trailer space and typically run 10 to 20 percent higher than sedan pricing. Flexibility on your first available pickup date is the most effective way to keep open transport costs in check. Get a free open transport quote.
Starting from $400
40–60% premium over open
They did exactly what they said they would do. He hauled my SUV all the way from Maine to Florida and you could tell they really do care.
Have used Auto Transport Professionals for the past 4 years shipping cars between Naples and Cape Cod. Our cars arrive quickly and in the same condition.
No problems. Everything as promised. Pickup and delivery time as promised.
Tell us your vehicle details, pickup and delivery locations. We send you a price-locked quote within an hour.
We match your load to a fully insured FMCSA-authorized open carrier already running your route.
Carrier arrives within your pickup window. Joint walk-around inspection, every mark documented on the Bill of Lading.
Second inspection at delivery. Compare against pickup docs and note any new damage before signing.
Open transport is the same method auto manufacturers use to move every new vehicle from factory to dealership. The overwhelming majority of vehicles shipped open arrive without any damage. Road grime and dust during transit are normal and wash off. Actual transport damage — dents, scratches caused by the carrier — is rare, and every carrier in our network is required to maintain cargo insurance as a condition of their FMCSA operating authority.
The Bill of Lading inspection at pickup is your primary protection. Every existing scratch, dent, and mark is documented before the vehicle goes on the trailer. At delivery, you compare the vehicle's condition against that document before signing. If anything new is present, you note it before signing. That signed inspection record is what supports any damage claim — so take your time at both ends.
Review your quote, confirm vehicle details and dates. No payment collected until a carrier is assigned.
We dispatch your order to our carrier network. You receive carrier details, insurance info, and estimated pickup window.
Carrier gives you 24 hours advance notice. Walk-around inspection together, every mark documented on the Bill of Lading, both parties sign.
Track your shipment status through your coordinator. We handle any schedule changes or logistics questions.
24-hour advance notice, then a call when close. Second walk-around inspection — damage during transport is extremely rare, but note any new issues on the Bill of Lading before signing. Once signed without exceptions, claims are extremely difficult to win.
Everyday vehicle owners — The vast majority of cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans ship open. If your vehicle is a daily driver, open transport gives you the best combination of price, availability, and transit speed.
Snowbirds — Seasonal moves between Florida, Arizona, and the Northeast are the backbone of open transport demand. High carrier volume on these corridors keeps rates competitive and pickup windows short. Book two to three weeks ahead during peak northbound and southbound seasons.
Relocations — Open transport is the standard choice for job relocations and interstate moves. It's faster to schedule than enclosed, more affordable, and fully insured throughout transit.
Online vehicle buyers — Purchased from Bring a Trailer, Cars.com, or a private out-of-state seller? We pick up directly from the seller and ship it to your door on an open carrier.
Dealerships — Dealer and wholesale volume runs open by default for most inventory. We coordinate multi-unit loads and can work around auction pickup schedules.
Every carrier in our network is required to carry cargo insurance as a condition of their FMCSA operating authority. Coverage details vary by carrier and are confirmed before your vehicle is dispatched.
At pickup, the driver and you complete a joint vehicle inspection. Every scratch, dent, and existing mark is documented on the Bill of Lading. At delivery, you must carefully compare the vehicle's condition against this record before signing the delivery receipt. If you notice any new damage, note it on the Bill of Lading before you sign. Once you sign the delivery receipt without noting damage, it becomes extremely difficult to file and win a claim. This is the single most important step in protecting yourself during the transport process.
Yes. Open transport is the same method used to deliver every new vehicle from the factory to dealerships. The overwhelming majority of vehicles arrive without damage. Every carrier in our network carries FMCSA-required cargo insurance, and the Bill of Lading inspection at pickup and delivery documents your vehicle's condition at both ends.
Open transport starts around $400 for short regional moves and runs $1,100 to $1,665 for cross-country shipments on a standard sedan. Distance, vehicle size, corridor demand, and your exact pickup and delivery locations all affect the final price. Request a free quote for your specific move.
Transit time depends on distance: 1 to 3 days for under 500 miles, 2 to 4 days for 500 to 1,000 miles, 3 to 5 days for 1,000 to 1,500 miles, and 4 to 7 days for cross-country moves. We work with a 3-day pickup window after your first available date.
Open carriers hold 7 to 10 vehicles on an uncovered trailer — most affordable, best availability. Enclosed carriers hold 2 to 6 vehicles in a fully covered trailer — 40 to 60 percent more expensive, best for high-value or classic vehicles that warrant extra weather and debris protection.
Likely yes — road grime and dust are normal for open transport over long distances. This washes off easily and is not considered damage. For cosmetic-sensitive vehicles, enclosed transport eliminates this entirely.
Someone 18 or older must be present at both ends to sign the Bill of Lading. If you cannot attend personally, designate a trusted representative — a friend, family member, or dealership contact — to handle the inspection and paperwork on your behalf.
Yes. The vehicle needs to roll, steer, and brake for standard loading. Vehicles that cannot roll may require a winch at additional cost. Mention the vehicle's condition when requesting your quote so we can match the right carrier and equipment.
Wash the exterior so existing scratches and dents are visible during inspection. Remove toll transponders, parking passes, and loose interior items. Leave roughly a quarter tank of fuel. Disable aftermarket alarms. Take dated photos of all sides, roof, and odometer before the carrier arrives.
