The most popular and cost-effective way to ship a vehicle anywhere in the country.
Open car transport is how most vehicles get from point A to point B — and for good reason. It's the most affordable, most available, and most widely used auto shipping method in the country. Here's everything you need to know about shipping your car on an open carrier with Ship Guy.
Open car transport is the most common method of shipping a vehicle in the United States. Your car is loaded onto an open, multi-car trailer — the same kind you see delivering new cars to dealerships — and driven to its destination alongside several other vehicles. Because a single truck can carry up to nine cars at once, the cost per vehicle is lower than any other shipping method, which is why the overwhelming majority of vehicles shipped each year travel on open carriers.
When you ship with Ship Guy on an open carrier, your vehicle is fully secured with wheel straps or chains and transported by a licensed, insured carrier from our vetted network. The word "open" simply refers to the trailer being exposed to the air rather than sealed inside an enclosed box.
The process is simple and follows the same three steps as any Ship Guy shipment. First, you get a free quote by entering your pickup location, delivery location, and vehicle details. Next, we match your shipment with an open carrier and schedule a pickup window around your preferred dates. The driver inspects your vehicle, records its condition on the Bill of Lading, loads it onto the trailer, and heads out. Finally, you track your shipment and meet the driver at delivery for a final inspection before signing off.
Open carriers run frequently on nearly every route in the country, so they are typically assigned and dispatched faster than enclosed trucks. That wide availability is part of what keeps open transport both affordable and convenient.
Open transport is the most budget-friendly way to ship a car. Your exact price depends on distance, the size and weight of your vehicle, whether it runs, your timing flexibility, and current carrier demand on your route. As a rule of thumb, longer moves cost more overall but less per mile, and popular metro-to-metro lanes are cheaper than remote or rural routes.
Because open carriers move more vehicles per trip, the cost is spread across the entire load — savings that get passed along to you. With Ship Guy, your quote is all-in: it includes door-to-door transport and carrier insurance, with no hidden fees and no upfront deposit. You don't pay anything until your vehicle is assigned to a carrier and dispatched.
Yes. Open transport is safe and reliable for everyday vehicles, and it's the same method manufacturers and dealerships use to move brand-new cars across the country. Your vehicle is professionally secured to prevent movement during transit, and every carrier in our network carries active cargo insurance that covers your car while it's on the truck.
The main difference compared with enclosed transport is exposure to the elements. On an open trailer, your vehicle is exposed to weather and road conditions — the same things it would experience being driven normally. For standard cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles, this is rarely a concern. If you're shipping a rare, classic, exotic, or very high-value vehicle that you want shielded from all road spray and debris, enclosed auto transport is the better fit.
Choosing between open and enclosed comes down to your vehicle and your budget. Open transport is the right choice for the large majority of shipments — it's affordable, widely available, and perfectly safe for daily drivers. Enclosed transport costs more but adds a fully covered trailer that protects against weather, dust, and road debris, making it ideal for collector cars, luxury models, and vehicles with low ground clearance.
If you're not sure which option is right for your situation, our specialists can walk you through both when you request your quote and help you weigh protection against cost.
Open carriers handle a wide range of vehicles, including:
Oversized, lifted, or heavily modified vehicles may require specific equipment, so share those details up front and we'll match you with the right carrier and trailer.
A little preparation makes pickup quick and smooth. Wash your vehicle so existing scratches or dents are easy to document, then take dated photos from several angles. Remove personal belongings and any toll transponders — carriers can't transport household goods, and electronic tags can rack up charges on the road. Leave about a quarter tank of fuel: enough to load and unload, but not so much that it adds unnecessary weight. Disable aftermarket alarms, note your tire pressure, and hand the driver one working set of keys. Finally, make sure the carrier has a clear path to your vehicle and that an authorized adult is available at both pickup and delivery.
Ship Guy is a licensed, bonded, FMCSA-registered auto transport broker offering open car transport to and from all 50 states. With transparent pricing, no upfront deposit, a vetted carrier network, real-time tracking, and 24/7 U.S.-based support, we make shipping your vehicle straightforward from quote to delivery.
Ready to see your price? Get your free quote in about 60 seconds, or call (866) 280-3481 to speak with a specialist. You can also compare enclosed auto transport, learn about door-to-door car shipping, or read how the whole process works.
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