Open Auto Transport

Ship your car, truck, or SUV on an open carrier – the most affordable and widely available way to move a vehicle across the country. Open auto transport is how most vehicles ship in the U.S., and AutoHaul Direct arranges open transport from quote through pickup and delivery.

Most common way to ship a car

Lower cost than enclosed transport

Available on nearly every route

Door-to-door pickup and delivery

Instant Quote within 20 Seconds

Get Your Free Shipping Quote

AutoHaul Direct customer reviews

Smooth and easy from start to finish

★★★★★

"Roger explained the process clearly and honestly from start to finish. The driver stayed in contact throughout the…"

Christina Brantley

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My experience with autohaul was great

★★★★★

"My experience with autohaul was great. Gavin was responsive and walked me through the process step by step. He…"

Paige Fackler

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Helpful and responsive service

★★★★

"I had a good experience. Gavin Rhodes was helpful and took care of my questions and concerns throughout the process."

Jayla Smith

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Great follow-up and communication

★★★★★

"Roger’s follow-up was excellent. He responded quickly, kept us updated on the carrier, and made the transport…"

Shauna

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Professional and upfront the whole way

★★★★★

"Matt was professional and upfront about the carrier and pricing. He kept me updated before pickup, during…"

Jonathan Annan

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Matt worked hard to help

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"Matt worked hard to find the best price and went out of his way to help. I appreciated the effort he put into the…"

Kyle Rice

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Affordable and easy to work with

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"AutoHaul Direct was affordable, transparent, and easy to work with. Gavin was flexible and clear about delivery…"

A T · Google

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Above and beyond service

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"This was my first time shipping a car. The representative went above and beyond, even working on her days off, to…"

Menea Sanders

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Smooth affordable and reliable

★★★★★

"The process was smooth and affordable. My vehicle was handled carefully and delivered to my home quickly and…"

Darell Venson

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Exceptional job transporting the truck

★★★★★

"Gavin and his team did an exceptional job transporting my father’s truck safely. The service was excellent from…"

Sean Hayward

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Service Overview

What Is Open Auto Transport?

Open auto transport is the standard method of shipping a vehicle in the United States. Your car is loaded onto a multi-car open trailer, the same kind of car hauler you’ve likely seen on the highway carrying vehicles between dealerships and secured for transport alongside several other vehicles.

Because open carriers can move more vehicles per trip and run on nearly every major route in the country, Open auto transport is usually 30–60% less expensive than enclosed transport, making it the most cost-effective option for most vehicle shipments. It’s the go-to option for daily drivers, dealer transfers, online vehicle purchases, and long-distance moves.

Your vehicle is inspected and documented at pickup, secured to the trailer for the drive, and inspected again at delivery so you have a clear record of its condition at both ends of the trip.

Open Transport at a Glance

Ships vehicles on an uncovered, multi-car trailer. It’s the most common, most affordable, and most widely available way to ship a car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle in the U.S.

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Best For

A Practical Option for Standard Vehicle Shipping

Daily Drivers

Sedans, hatchbacks, and everyday vehicles ship well on open carriers with no extra protection needed for the trip.

Sedans and SUVs

Open transport works for most standard makes and models, from compact cars to full-size SUVs and family vehicles.

Pickup Trucks

A practical option for standard and mid-size pickups, with sizing and rate depending on route and carrier availability.

Online Vehicle Purchases

Bought a car from a dealer, private seller, or auction in another state? Open transport is the most common way to get it to your driveway.

College and Relocation Moves

A cost-effective way for students and movers to ship a vehicle to a new city or state without driving it themselves.

HOW IT WORKS

How open car transport works

Step 1

Request Your Quote

Share your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle details, and first available pickup date.

Step 2

Confirm the Best Option

Select open or enclosed transport based on your vehicle and shipping needs.

Step 3

Carrier Assigned and Dispatched

We verify the carrier’s FMCSA authority and insurance certificate, then confirm your pickup window.

Step 4

Pickup and Bill of Lading

At pickup, the carrier inspects your vehicle and records its condition on the Bill of Lading before loading.

Step 5

Delivery Inspection

At delivery, inspect your vehicle again and compare its condition with the Bill of Lading before signing.

Why Choose Open Transport

Why Open Transport Is the Industry Standard

Roughly 90% of vehicles shipped in the U.S. move on open carriers. It’s not the exception, it’s the default, for good reason:

More affordable than enclosed transport: lower cost per mile since carriers move more vehicles per trip

Available on nearly every route: open carriers run daily on most major U.S. laness

Faster to schedule: more trucks on the road means shorter pickup windows in most areas

Works for most vehicle types: sedans, SUVs, pickups, and motorcycles all ship safely on open carriers

Backed by carrier insurance: every carrier in our network carries cargo insurance for the trip

Open transport is the right choice for a daily driver. Choose enclosed transport for classic, exotic, or low-clearance vehicles.

WHY TRUST AUTOHAUL DIRECT

What to Expect With Open Auto Transport

Open auto transport follows a straightforward process from quote to delivery: route pricing, carrier assignment, pickup inspection, transport, and delivery inspection. AutoHaul Direct arranges the shipment based on your route, vehicle, pickup window, and transport needs.

Quote & Pickup Details
Your quote, pickup window, delivery expectations, and transport type are reviewed before the vehicle is dispatched.
Carrier Assignment
Pickup & Delivery Inspection
Open and Enclosed Options

Shipping Cost

What Affects Open Auto Transport Pricing?

Open auto transport pricing depends on a handful of factors, here’s what typically moves the number:

Distance and Route

Longer routes generally cost more overall, but busier lanes (like LA – Phoenix or NY–Florida) often have better carrier availability and more competitive pricing.