What Is Enclosed Auto Transport? (2024)
Key Takeaways
- Through 200 hours of research, we found the best enclosed car shipping transport company is Montway Auto Transport due to its superior service and affordable pricing.
- We found that enclosed auto transport costs can range anywhere from $1,255 to $3,925, or 52% more than open shipping for the additional insurance and protection it provides.
- Enclosed car shipping benefits those with high-value cars, ATVs, motorcycles and other vehicles with large wheels or low to the ground the most.
- When choosing enclosed auto transport, we recommend booking with as much lead time as possible since fewer carriers offer this service and shipments can take longer.
We at the MarketWatch Guides team suggest getting quotes from a few of the best car shipping companies to find one that offers the most safety features for the best price.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
What Is Enclosed Car Shipping?
Enclosed auto transport is a shipping method that transports your vehicle in a fully enclosed container. It is popular for owners of luxury cars and exotic vehicles since it provides extra protection from road hazards and inclement weather, along with higher insurance coverage limits.
Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping
Unlike enclosed auto transport, open vehicle shipping means your car is on a trailer, exposed to the elements. Enclosed car shipping is more expensive than open transport but comes with more safety and higher insurance policy limits.
Pros
Cons
Enclosed Car Shipping Rates
Enclosed vehicle transport sits at an average of $2,040 or $1.28 per mile for a 1,588-mile trip. and can cost 40% to 60% more than open shipping. Because enclosed car trailers can’t carry as many vehicles as open car haulers, transport costs more and takes longer.
Enclosed Car Shipping Quotes
To better illustrate the cost differences between companies for enclosed auto transport, we reached out to a few of the top companies for quotes. Below you can compare the price estimates we received and get a quote from each:
This pricing is based on an operable 2020 Honda Civic traveling from Reno, Nev., to Kansas City, Mo., a distance of 1,588 miles.
Enclosed Car Shipping Calculator
You can use our free car shipping calculator below to estimate the cost of an enclosed auto shipment and get a quote from our top pick, Montway.
Is Enclosed Car Shipping Worth It?
Enclosed car shipping is most worth it for those with high-value vehicles, ATVs and motorcycles who are concerned about protecting their investments. Vehicle owners who want the safest option possible and people without full-coverage auto insurance can also benefit from this option. If you fit these profiles, be aware that there is less flexibility in scheduling due to the limited carrier availability, so book in advance as far as possible
Best Enclosed Auto Transport Companies
Below, we’ve summarized our picks for the best enclosed auto transport services and provided free tools so you can begin comparing quotes.
1. Montway Auto Transport: Best Customer Experience
We recommend Montway Auto Transport as the top shipping company overall. Montway has built an excellent reputation in the auto transport industry, earning an A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Customers also give the company an average rating of nearly 4.6 out of 5 stars on the organization’s website.
Montway offers competitive pricing on transports to all states, including Alaska and Hawaii.
In our full Montway Auto Transport review, we give the company 9.7 out of 10 stars.
2. AmeriFreight: Best for Cross-Country Shipments
AmeriFreight has 20 years of experience shipping cars to all 50 states. The auto transport company offers flexible scheduling and expedited shipping. For an additional fee, AmeriFreight also offers the Allied Fidelity Total Assurance (AFta) plan, which provides three additional levels of insurance coverage on top of its cargo insurance.
Because of its great service and boosted protection, we give the company 9.6 out of 10 in our Amerifreight review. The company holds an A+ rating from the BBB and a 4.7-star average rating from customers on Google.
3. Easy Auto Ship: Wide Shipping Service Selection
Easy Auto Ship strives to make shipping as hassle-free as possible and offers a variety of shipping services. The company offers a discount of up to $150 if you plan to pay the truck driver cash on delivery. Easy Auto Ship will also pay for a rental car if your transport takes more than 14 days.
The auto shipper has excellent customer reviews across several sites, including 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google and the BBB. We rate the company 9 out of 10 stars in our Easy Auto Ship review.
4. Sherpa Auto Transport: Locked-in Pricing
Sherpa Auto Transport has quickly become one of the biggest names in the auto shipping industry. One key to its success is the company’s Price Lock Promise, which guarantees that the price you’re quoted is the price you’ll pay. The company also offers three-day pickup windows and will ship to anywhere in the United States.
The BBB gives Sherpa an A+ rating, and customer reviews on the site give it a near-perfect 4.9-star average rating. Read our Sherpa Auto Transport review for more information.
5. UShip: Easy Online Marketplace
The online shipping marketplace, uShip, gives customers more control over the pricing process. By posting shipping requests to uShip’s jobs board, you can connect with carriers directly to find the best price available. The marketplace also offers GPS tracking so you can know exactly where your car is at every moment during the transport.
In our uShip review, we give the company 9 out of 10 stars. The company holds an A+ rating with the BBB, and Trustpilot customers rate uShip an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Enclosed Car Shipping: The Bottom Line
Overall, enclosed car shipping is the safest way to ship your car, and while it comes with a high price tag, it may be worth it for those with high-value vehicles, ATVs and motorcycles. We recommend you compare plenty of quotes with Montway, Uship, AmeriFreight, Easy Auto Ship and Sherpa.
Enclosed Car Transport: FAQ
Below are some commonly asked questions about enclosed car shipping.
You may want to consider enclosed auto transport if you own a classic, luxury or antique car and want extra protection. Keep in mind that it will be more expensive than open auto transport.
Some car transport companies will allow you to pack 50 to 100 pounds of personal items in the trunk of your vehicle. It’s not recommended, however, since heavier cars are more expensive to ship. Additionally, car shipping companies cannot be held responsible for any missing items.
Most enclosed car trailers can fit between two and eight cars. Below is a list of the different types of enclosed car haulers your vehicle may be on for reference:
- Two- or three-car enclosed carriers: These are single-tier enclosed trailers that only hold two or three cars at a time. They are sometimes referred to as hotshot carriers.
- Five- or six-car enclosed carriers: These large trucks have two tiers of vehicle storage encased by hard walls.
- Soft-sided covered trailers: These enclosed carriers can transport seven or eight vehicles at once and have soft canopy- or tarp-style walls.
- Oversize enclosed trailers: These are larger covered transport trailers that are often used to ship alternative vehicles with unique measurements.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. We collected data on dozens of auto transport providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost (30% of total score): Auto shipping companies with affordable rates, locked-in pricing and discount opportunities scored highest in this category.
- Services (25% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for car transport, strong insurance coverage and added benefits are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Customer Experience (25% of total score): This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and availability of extras like GPS tracking. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each transporter’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Reputation (20% of total score): Our research team considered availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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