A side-by-side look at the two main ways to ship a car — what each costs, how they protect your vehicle, and which one is right for you.
The two ways to ship a car
When you ship a vehicle, your first real decision is open versus enclosed transport. Both are safe and both are widely used, but they suit different vehicles and budgets. Understanding the difference takes only a few minutes and will save you both money and second-guessing.
In short: open transport is the affordable, popular default for everyday vehicles, while enclosed transport is the premium, fully protected choice for high-value cars. Here is how they actually compare.
Open transport: affordable and proven
Open carriers are the familiar multi-car haulers you see on every interstate — the same trucks that deliver new cars to dealerships. Your vehicle rides on an open-air trailer, exposed to the elements much as it would be while driving.
The advantages are clear: it is the cheapest option, the most available (so pickups are faster), and it is perfectly safe for standard vehicles. The only trade-off is exposure to weather and road dust, which is a non-issue for a typical daily driver.
Enclosed transport: maximum protection
Enclosed carriers move your vehicle inside a covered trailer, fully shielded from rain, snow, sun, dust and debris — and out of public view. They often use soft straps and lift-gates for gentle, level loading, and the drivers tend to specialize in high-value cars.
The trade-off is cost (typically 30–50% more) and slightly lower availability, since there are fewer enclosed trailers on the road. For the right vehicle, that premium buys genuine peace of mind.
Which should you choose?
Choose open transport if you are shipping a standard car, truck or SUV and want the best value and quickest pickup. Choose enclosed transport if you are shipping a luxury, exotic, classic, vintage, modified or otherwise high-value vehicle, or anything you would be devastated to see arrive with a chip or scratch.
If you are genuinely unsure, consider the vehicle's value and how you would feel about minor road exposure. When in doubt, a quick conversation with your transport specialist will settle it quickly.
The bottom line
For most people shipping an everyday vehicle, open transport is the smart, economical choice. For collectors and owners of premium vehicles, enclosed transport is well worth the premium. Neptune Auto Transport offers both, and we will help you match your vehicle to the right service without any pressure.