Enclosed auto transport costs from $499 on short routes and runs 40–60% more than open transport — $0.55–$1.50 per mile depending on distance — with $250K–$1M cargo insurance, hydraulic lift-gate loading, and a 2–5 day pickup window. Built for sports, luxury, classic, exotic, custom, and low-clearance vehicles.
When a $1,200 shipment protects a $200,000 car
Enclosed transport exists because road debris doesn't care what your paint job cost
About 90% of cars in the U.S. ship on open carriers, and they should — it's faster, cheaper, and damage during open transit is rare and almost always cosmetic. But for the other 10% — high-value, custom, classic, or low-clearance vehicles — the math flips. A single rock chip on a Porsche GT3's clearcoat can cost $1,500 to fix properly. A scuffed lower valance on a restored '67 Camaro can be impossible to color-match. At that point, paying 40–60% more for fully enclosed transport stops being a luxury and starts being insurance.
Enclosed carriers handle vehicles differently — soft-loop straps on the frame or wheels (never on suspension), hydraulic lift gates for low-clearance loading (no ramps), 2 to 6 vehicles per trailer instead of 8 to 10. Insurance limits are higher, typically $250,000 to $1,000,000 in cargo coverage per vehicle. Carriers are fewer, schedules are tighter, pickup windows run 2–5 days instead of 1–3. You're paying for specialists, not generalists. Enclosed is one of several different types of car carriers — here's how they all compare.
This page covers what enclosed transport actually costs, when it's the right call versus when open is fine, the four types of enclosed carriers we use, and how we vet every driver before they touch your vehicle. For every other way to move a vehicle — open, expedited, motorcycle, inoperable — see our car shipping services overview.
Enclosed or open transport — the 30-second answer
Our general rule: from $70,000 vehicle value, enclosed is worth considering — at $100,000+ it is automatic.
Choose enclosed if:
- Vehicle value is $70,000+ (automatic at $100,000+)
- It's a classic, vintage, exotic, or custom build
- Ground clearance is low — sports cars, slammed builds, modified suspensions
- Paint is rare, custom, or freshly applied
- You're shipping in winter through salted roads or mountain passes
Open transport is fine if:
- Vehicle is a standard daily driver
- Market value is under $70,000
- You'd pay for repairs out of pocket without much hesitation
- Budget is the priority over maximum protection
Open vs enclosed auto transport
Side-by-side on the things that actually matter for high-value vehicles
| Open transport | Enclosed transport | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $199 | 40–60% more |
| Weather protection | Exposed | Full coverage |
| Vehicles per trailer | 8–10 | 2–6 |
| Loading method | Drive-on ramps | Hydraulic lift gates (no scraping low clearance) |
| Insurance coverage | $100K–$250K cargo | $250K–$1M cargo |
| Visibility | Exposed | Private |
| Carrier availability | High | Lower — pickup window 2–5 days |
| Best for | Daily drivers, standard vehicles | Luxury, classic, exotic, custom, low-clearance |
How enclosed auto transport works
4 steps from quote to delivery — no calls required to get a price
Get Your Instant Quote
Enter pickup ZIP, delivery ZIP, vehicle make and model. Real enclosed price in 60 seconds — no phone call, no upfront payment.
We Match an Enclosed Carrier
Only carriers running proper enclosed equipment — lift gates, soft straps, fewer vehicles per trailer. Pickup window is 2–5 days.
Lift-Gate Loading
Driver does a walkaround with you, signs the Bill of Lading, and uses the hydraulic lift gate — no ramps, no scraping. Soft straps on the frame or wheels, to our Precision Handling standard.
Transit and Delivery
Track with Navi Track 360™. Driver calls before delivery. Inspect against the Bill of Lading, sign off, done.
What enclosed auto transport actually costs
Enclosed runs 40–60% more than open transport — the math behind the premium
Enclosed transport is priced per mile, and the per-mile rate runs significantly higher than open transport. Enclosed carriers carry fewer vehicles per load (2–6 instead of 8–10), use specialized equipment (lift gates, soft straps, climate-controlled trailers), and require more carrier expertise. The premium isn't arbitrary — it's the math of a smaller, more specialized supply chain.
Enclosed transport — per-mile rate by distance
| Distance bucket | Enclosed per-mile rate | Open per-mile (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–500 miles | $1.20–$1.50 | $0.75 |
| 500–1,000 miles | $0.95 | $0.65 |
| 1,000–1,500 miles | $0.80 | $0.55 |
| 1,500–2,000 miles | $0.70 | $0.49 |
| 2,000+ miles | $0.55 | $0.35 |
Real enclosed route examples
High-value vehicle shipments from our dispatch books — actual enclosed transport prices for a standard sedan/sports car:
| Route | Distance | Enclosed price | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston → Washington DC | ~440 mi | $749 | 3–5 days |
| Atlanta → Miami | ~660 mi | $899 | 4–6 days |
| New York → Miami | ~1,300 mi | $999 | 5–7 days |
| Texas → California | ~1,500 mi | $1,099 | 5–7 days |
| Chicago → Los Angeles | ~2,000 mi | $1,349 | 6–8 days |
| Los Angeles → Miami | ~2,700 mi | $1,749 | 8–10 days |
| Los Angeles → New York | ~2,800 mi | $1,899 | 8–10 days |
Prices shown are enclosed sedan/sports car rates. Larger luxury SUVs add ~$200. Trucks add ~$300. Single-car carriers (one vehicle per trailer) run 30–50% above multi-car enclosed rates. Peak season (Oct–Nov, Mar–May) can add 10–20%.
What changes the price on an enclosed shipment
- Carrier type. Multi-car enclosed (2–6 vehicles) is standard and most cost-effective. Single-car enclosed runs 30–50% more — used for one-off shows, auction wins, or vehicles requiring climate control.
- Vehicle size. Standard sedans and sports cars price at the baseline rate. Luxury SUVs add ~$200. Trucks add ~$300. Larger vehicles take more deck space — and on a 6-car enclosed trailer, that matters.
- Distance and route. Per-mile rate steps down with distance. Major corridors (I-95, I-10, I-40, I-80) price lower because enclosed carrier supply is steadier on these lanes.
- Pickup and delivery location. Within 30 miles of a major interstate, your pickup is priced standard. Beyond 30 miles, expect a $75–150 surcharge — enclosed carriers deviate less than open carriers.
- Season. Snowbird traffic (Northeast/Midwest ↔ Florida and Arizona) peaks October–November and March–May. Mountain pass routes through the Rockies and Sierras can see weather-driven shifts December–February.
- Booking lead time. Book 7–14 days ahead for the best rate and pickup window. Enclosed carriers run tighter schedules than open carriers — last-minute requests cost more or push the window out.
- Vehicle condition. Operable vehicles roll on with the lift gate. Non-running vehicles require winch loading, which adds to the rate and limits which enclosed carriers can take the load.
How we vet every enclosed carrier before they touch your vehicle
6 checks. No exceptions. On a $200K car, vetting matters more than rate.
After 10+ years in this industry, here's what we know about enclosed transport damage claims: the difference between a clean delivery and an expensive repair is usually the carrier, not the trailer. A premium enclosed trailer doesn't help if the driver doesn't know how to use a lift gate properly, ratchet-straps suspension, or rushes a low-clearance load. Vetting is the work, not the equipment.
1 · Enclosed equipment verification
Hydraulic lift gate, soft straps, hard-sided or soft-sided trailer confirmed before assignment. Carriers without proper enclosed equipment don't get the load.
2 · Central Dispatch rating
Industry-standard performance scoring from the largest dispatch board in the country.
3 · Super Dispatch rating
Second-source verification of carrier performance from a separate independent platform.
4 · FMCSA active authority
Confirms active operating authority, current MC and DOT numbers, and a clean compliance record.
5 · DOT safety record
Inspection history, violations, and out-of-service rates over the last 24 months.
6 · High-coverage insurance
Cargo coverage of $250,000–$1,000,000+ per vehicle, verified on every load. Higher than open transport requires because enclosed carriers haul more value per trailer.
A carrier that fails any one of these doesn't get your load. On enclosed shipments, the first check — proper enclosed equipment — is the one that filters out 80% of generic carriers. We don't assign a car-only hauler to an enclosed load if they're missing the lift gate, the soft straps, or the experience. Every high-value load also runs under our Premium Vehicle Care standard.
The 4 types of enclosed carriers we use
Not all enclosed trailers are equal — here's what each type protects against and what it costs
Multi-car hard-sided enclosed
Metal-walled trailer holding 2–6 vehicles. Standard for most enclosed shipments — best balance of protection and cost. Full weather, debris, and privacy protection.
Multi-car soft-sided enclosed
Steel frame with reinforced canvas sides. Lower-cost enclosed option — protects from weather and road debris but slightly less secure than hard-sided. Common on cross-country lanes.
Single-car enclosed
One vehicle per trailer. 30–50% more than multi-car enclosed but provides maximum individual attention. Used for one-off shows, auction wins, and rare vehicles requiring climate control.
Climate-controlled enclosed
Temperature- and humidity-regulated trailer. Used for show cars, museum pieces, fresh restorations, and vehicles with sensitive interiors. Premium tier — coordinate at booking.
Vehicles we ship enclosed
If your vehicle falls in any of these categories, enclosed is almost always the right call
Sports cars
Porsche 911, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Corvette, GT-R, McLaren. Low clearance and fragile paint — enclosed plus lift-gate loading is the standard.
Luxury sedans & SUVs
Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Maybach, Aston Martin, top-trim Mercedes and BMW. High-value, soft paint finishes, custom interiors.
Classic & vintage
Pre-1980 originals, restored muscle cars, vintage European. Original paint, irreplaceable parts, sentimental value beyond price tag.
Exotic & supercars
Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Pagani, Ford GT, limited-production hypercars. Single-car enclosed often the right call here.
Custom builds
Custom paint, body kits, slammed suspension, modified ride heights. Anything that makes open-trailer loading risky or paint-matching difficult.
High-end EVs
Lucid Air, Rivian R1S/R1T, Tesla Plaid, Porsche Taycan. High value, expensive paint repair, sensitive sensors and cameras — see EV vehicle shipping.
Show & auction cars
Concours-prep vehicles, Barrett-Jackson winners, Pebble Beach entries. Climate-controlled enclosed often required for these.
Low-clearance vehicles
Anything that can't clear standard ramps. The lift gate solves this — soft, level loading without scraping the lower valance or splitter.
Non-running luxury
Inoperable classics, project cars, salvage rebuilds. Winch loaded into enclosed trailers — flag the condition at booking.
When enclosed transport isn't worth it
A few cases where the premium doesn't pay off — and we'll tell you
Standard daily driver under $70K
If repair cost on minor cosmetic damage doesn't worry you, open is fine. The enclosed premium isn't worth it for a Toyota Camry or Honda CR-V.
You need the car in 48 hours
Enclosed carrier pickup is 2–5 days. If you need a fast pickup and the vehicle isn't high-value, open is faster.
Budget is the only priority
If you'd rather risk a $200 paint repair than pay a $400 enclosed premium, open is the rational choice. We'll quote both — you decide.
Short routes under 300 miles
For very short hauls, the enclosed premium is high relative to total distance. Driving the car yourself often makes more sense if the vehicle is operable.
For standard vehicles, our open car transport service is the right call — same vetting standards, lower cost, faster carrier availability.
What customers say about enclosed transport with Navi
Recent reviews from customers who shipped high-value vehicles
Couldn't be happier with these guys. Called them on a Saturday and they arranged for an enclosed carrier to come pick up my car the same day. Lift gate loading was smooth — no scraping on the front splitter — and the bike's already on its way to Vegas. Highly recommended if you're looking for quick and reliable transport for a high-value car.
Nervous about shipping my Porsche cross-country, but Navi made it easy. They walked through the enclosed carrier setup — lift gate, soft straps, hard-sided trailer — before I booked. Quote matched the final price. Vehicle arrived earlier than expected and in showroom condition. The driver even called before delivery to confirm the time.
I've shipped cars before — Navi's enclosed service was the smoothest experience so far. Fast replies from support, polite driver who knew exactly how to handle a low-clearance car, and no surprise charges. The pickup happened in the window they quoted and the car arrived clean.
Enclosed auto transport — common questions
Direct answers to the most common enclosed transport questions