The most affordable, most common way to ship a car. Your vehicle rides on a licensed, insured open carrier, the same way dealerships receive new inventory.
Fast, secure pricing in 30 seconds.
Open transport means your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air, multi-level trailer alongside up to nine other cars. It is the standard method in the industry: roughly 90 percent of all vehicles shipped in the United States go on open carriers, including brand-new cars going from the factory to the dealership. The trailer is open on the sides and top, so the vehicle is exposed to weather and road conditions the same way it would be if you drove it, but it is secured with wheel straps or chains and never driven in transit.
Because an open carrier moves ten cars at once and runs the busiest lanes continuously, it is by far the most economical option. Open transport from New Jersey typically costs 40 to 60 percent less than enclosed transport on the same route.
Drivers inspect and document each car at pickup, secure it with soft straps over the tires (not the frame), and position it to minimize exposure. Lower-deck spots are shaded by the upper deck. Vehicles are never driven except to load and unload. Damage on open carriers is rare, and when it occurs it is almost always minor, cosmetic, and covered by the carrier's cargo policy.
| Open | Enclosed | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lowest | +40–60% |
| Availability | Daily on most lanes | Fewer carriers, longer windows |
| Weather exposure | Yes | No |
| Best for | Daily drivers, most vehicles | Luxury, exotic, classic, low-clearance |
Yes. It is the way nearly every new car reaches a dealership. Vehicles are inspected, strapped by the wheels, and never driven in transit. Carriers must carry cargo insurance that covers your vehicle.
It may pick up road dust or rain spots, the same as a week of driving. Most customers run it through a car wash after delivery.
You can ask; placement is ultimately decided by the driver based on weight distribution and the order of deliveries, so it can't be guaranteed.
Transit from New Jersey is typically 2 to 5 days to the Southeast, 3 to 6 days to Texas and the Midwest, and 7 to 10 days to the West Coast.
Hard-sided trailers for luxury, exotic, classic, and low-clearance vehicles. Full protection from weather and road debris.
Pickup and delivery at your home or business, not a terminal. The driver meets you as close to your door as the truck can safely get.
Vehicle transport from New Jersey to all 50 states, with the busiest lanes to Florida, the Carolinas, Texas, Arizona, and California.
Priority dispatch with a guaranteed pickup window when the calendar is tight.
Seasonal transport between New Jersey and Florida, Arizona, and the Carolinas every fall and spring.
Discounted rates and PCS-friendly scheduling for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.
Pickup from Manheim, Copart, IAA, and dealer lots, with the gate-pass and release paperwork handled.
Get a free, no-obligation quote in about 60 seconds, or call and talk to a shipping specialist.
