Open Car Transport
Affordable Car Shipping on Open Carriers — How 90% of Vehicles Are Moved
Open Auto Transport Snapshot
The Service
The most-used vehicle shipping method in the US
9 of 10 cars ship open — including dealer deliveries nationwide
Open auto transport is how almost every vehicle moves long-distance in the United States. Your car rides on an open multi-level trailer alongside 7 to 10 others. The trailer is exposed to weather — sun, rain, road debris — the same conditions your car faces driving down any highway.
Open is the right choice for about 90% of vehicles. It's faster to book (more carriers run open trailers), it's significantly cheaper than enclosed (40–60% less for the same route), and damage during transit is rare and almost always cosmetic. Most of our customers — and most dealers receiving new inventory — use it.
This page walks through what it actually costs, how we vet the carriers who handle your vehicle, and when you should choose enclosed instead.
Typical open trailer · 7–10 vehicle capacity
Quick Decision
Open or enclosed — the 30-second answer
Most people don't need to overthink this
Head to Head
Open vs enclosed transport
Side-by-side on the things that actually matter
The Process
How open auto transport works
From quote to delivery in 4 steps — no surprises
Transparent Pricing
What open auto transport actually costs
Per-mile rates step down as distance increases — the math of carrier economics
Open transport is priced per mile, but the rate steps down as distance increases. Carriers have fixed costs per trip — fuel, driver pay, equipment wear — and those costs get spread across more miles on long-haul loads. Short hauls carry a higher per-mile rate because the fixed costs are concentrated.
Real route examples
Recent shipments from our books — actual prices customers paid:
What changes the price
- Vehicle size and weight. SUVs add about $150 to a sedan rate. Trucks add about $250. Larger vehicles take more deck space, which means fewer cars per load.
- Pickup and delivery location. Within 30 miles of a major interstate, your pickup is priced the same as standard door-to-door. Beyond 30 miles, expect a $50–100 surcharge for the carrier's deadhead miles.
- Season. Snowbird routes (Northeast/Midwest ↔ Florida) see demand spikes October–November and March–May. Peak weeks can run 10–20% higher. Book 2 weeks ahead if possible.
- Vehicle condition. Operable vehicles drive on and off. Inoperable vehicles require winch loading, which costs more and limits which carriers can take the load.
- Booking lead time. Booking 5–7 days ahead usually gets a better rate than next-day requests. Last-minute loads force carriers to deviate from planned routes.
Carrier Vetting
How we vet every carrier before they touch your vehicle
6 checks. No exceptions. Even the cheapest carrier doesn't get the load if they fail.
After 10+ years in this industry, here's what we've learned: the difference between a good carrier and a bad one isn't price — it's vetting. The cheapest carrier on a lane is sometimes also the one that arrives late, damages a vehicle, or skips out on insurance claims.
A carrier that fails any one of these doesn't get your load. Doesn't matter if their rate is the lowest on the board. This is how we keep damage incidents rare — and why most of our business is repeat customers and referrals.
Honest Take
When you should NOT choose open transport
About 10% of vehicles shouldn't ship open — here are the cases
Open is the right choice for about 90% of vehicles. For the other 10%, we'll recommend enclosed — and we'll say so before you book. The savings on open don't outweigh the risk in these cases:
If any of these describe your shipment, enclosed auto transport is the better call — even though it costs more.
Coverage
Popular open auto transport routes
High-volume lanes with strong carrier availability
Customer Reviews
What customers say about open auto transport with Navi
Recent reviews from customers who shipped open transport
Ready to ship your car open?
Avg Pickup: 1–3 Days · From $199 · No upfront payment · All 50 states
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the most common open transport questions
How much does open auto transport cost?
Open auto transport costs $0.35–$0.75 per mile depending on route length, with the rate stepping down for longer distances. Prices start at $199 for short routes. Real examples: New York to Miami runs about $649 for a sedan. Miami to Los Angeles runs about $900 for a sedan, $1,050 for an SUV, and $1,150 for a truck.
Is open car shipping safe?
Yes. Open transport is the method used by 9 of 10 vehicle shipments in the US — including new vehicles delivered to dealerships nationwide. Vehicles are secured with soft straps, inspected at pickup and delivery, and covered by carrier cargo insurance. Damage during open transport is rare and almost always cosmetic.
How long does open auto transport take?
Most cross-country open transport routes take 4–6 days. Shorter routes under 1,000 miles typically deliver in 2–4 days. Pickup happens within 1–3 days of booking. During peak snowbird season (October–November and March–May), add 1 day to the pickup window.
What's the cheapest way to ship a car?
Open auto transport is the cheapest way to ship a car across the US. Costs are split across 7–10 vehicles on each trailer, which lowers your per-car price. Open is typically 40–60% cheaper than enclosed transport for the same route.
Open vs enclosed — which is right for me?
Open is right for daily drivers, sedans, SUVs, trucks, and motorcycles valued under $70,000. Choose enclosed for vehicles worth more than $70,000, classics, exotics, or anything with custom paint or modifications. About 90% of US shipments use open transport.
What vehicles can be shipped on open transport?
Cars, SUVs, trucks, and motorcycles can all ship on open transport. Sedans are the most common and the baseline price. SUVs add about $150. Trucks add about $250. Motorcycles ship on specialized open carriers. Inoperable vehicles can ship open but cost more due to winch loading.
Can I track my open transport shipment?
Yes. Every Navi shipment includes real-time GPS tracking through Navi Track 360™. You'll get pickup and delivery ETAs, location updates during transit, and direct access to support — all tied to your order.
What does insurance cover during open transport?
Carrier cargo insurance covers damage caused by the carrier during transport. Coverage limits vary but typically range from $100,000 to $250,000 per vehicle. Navi verifies active insurance on every assigned carrier before they're cleared to haul your load.
Do you pick up in rural areas?
Yes. Within 30 miles of a major interstate, your pickup is the same as standard door-to-door. Beyond 30 miles from a major route, expect a $50–100 surcharge to cover the carrier's deadhead miles.
Do I need to be there for pickup and delivery?
You or someone you authorize (18 or older) needs to be present for both pickup and delivery to do the inspection walkaround, sign the Bill of Lading, and confirm vehicle condition. If you can't be there, we can arrange a designated representative.