Open Car Transport
Our most popular and cost-effective service.
About this service
Open auto transport ships your vehicle on a multi-car carrier — the same trucks dealerships and manufacturers use. It's safe, fast, and 30–40% less expensive than enclosed transport. Roughly 95% of personal vehicles ship this way.
- 9-car or 10-car carriers, fully insured
- Door-to-door pickup and delivery
- Best value for daily drivers, SUVs, and trucks
- Real-time GPS dispatch tracking
Who it's for
- 01Daily drivers and commuter cars
- 02Lease returns and dealer purchases
- 03Cross-country moves and relocations
- 04Snowbird southbound and northbound runs
- 05Auction or wholesale buys under $50k
How open car transport works
- 01QuoteOnline or by phone in 60 seconds — live carrier-board pricing, no upsell.
- 02BookingApprove the quote; no deposit until a specific carrier is dispatched to your load.
- 03Carrier match1–7 day match window depending on lane density. We text you the driver's direct line.
- 04Pickup & BOLDriver walks the vehicle, you both sign the Bill of Lading, keys go in.
- 05Transit & deliveryDaily updates from dispatch. Inspect at delivery, sign clean, pay the driver.
Pricing by distance
| Tier | Per-mile / rate |
|---|---|
| Short haul (≤500 mi) | $0.50–$0.70/mi |
| Mid haul (500–1,500 mi) | $0.40–$0.55/mi |
| Long haul (1,500+ mi) | $0.30–$0.45/mi |
Final pricing reflects live carrier-board demand at quote time.
Vehicle prep checklist
- Wash the vehicle so existing damage is visible for the Bill of Lading
- Quarter-tank of fuel — enough to drive on and off the trailer, no more
- Disable toll tags and aftermarket alarms
- Remove loose personal items (carrier limit ~100 lbs in trunk only)
- Photograph all four corners + dashboard before the driver arrives
Frequently asked
Open Car Transport: Will my car be damaged on an open carrier?+
Very rare. Less than 1 in 200 open-transport shipments has a damage claim, and almost all claims are cosmetic — chips from road debris. Carriers strap professionally and inspect at every stop.
Open Car Transport: Can I leave personal items in the car?+
Up to roughly 100 lbs in the trunk, below the window line. Items are not covered by cargo insurance — keep valuables out.
Open Car Transport: How is open different from what dealerships use?+
It's the exact same trailer style. Watching a new-car carrier on the highway is watching open auto transport.
Quote your open car transport shipment
No deposit until a carrier is assigned. Talk to a real dispatcher in Austin — not a call center overseas.