In plain English
Most car shipping happens on open haulers, the double-decker trailers you see on highways, which commonly carry around 7 to 10 cars. Because the cost is shared across many cars, the price per vehicle is lower than any other option.
The car is exposed to rain, sun and road debris, like a car driven on the same route, and carriers keep it strapped to the deck.
Why it matters when you ship
For an everyday car, open transport is the sensible choice. For a classic, exotic or high-value vehicle, enclosed is worth the premium.
Example
A family moves from Atlanta to Denver and ships its sedan on an open hauler, picking it up near the new home about a week later.
Related terms
Learn more
Open car transport: common questions
Is open car transport safe?
Yes for most vehicles. Open transport is the industry standard and the car is strapped to a deck. Choose enclosed for classic or high-value cars that should be protected from weather and debris.
Cite this page
Cite as: Transportli, “Open Car Transport: Meaning and How It Works”, https://transportli.com/glossary/open-car-transport/, updated November 11, 2026.
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