FMCSA Licensed & Fully Insured
Home How It Works How to Ship a Car Car Shipping Costs Cross Country Car Shipping Services Open Car Transport Enclosed Auto Transport Door-to-Door Auto Transport Expedited Auto Transport LocationsPhoenix, AZLos Angeles, CAFontana, CASan Diego, CASan Jose, CASeattle, WAWestminster, COArvada, COAlbuquerque, NMBillings, MTChicago, ILMinneapolis, MNCleveland, OHColumbus, OHFort Wayne, INIndianapolis, INTulsa, OKHouston, TXDallas, TXAustin, TXFort Worth, TXWest Palm Beach, FLLakeland, FLJacksonville, FLRoswell, GACharlotte, NCManhattan, NYBrooklyn, NYThe Bronx, NYQueens, NYHartford, CTReviews FAQ Contact Get Instant Quote
Home Services Enclosed Auto Transport

Enclosed Auto Transport

Maximum protection inside a fully covered trailer — the premium choice for luxury, classic, and high-value vehicles.

Enclosed auto transport moves your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, completely shielded from weather, road debris, and the elements. It's the preferred choice for luxury cars, classics, exotics, and any vehicle where extra care and protection are worth the premium.

Why Choose This Service

Total Protection

Your car is fully enclosed — safe from weather, dust, and road debris.

Premium Handling

Extra care and white-glove service for high-value vehicles.

Peace of Mind

Fully insured transport designed for cars you can't replace.

Best For

What Is Enclosed Auto Transport?

Enclosed auto transport moves your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer rather than on an open deck. The walls and roof completely shield the car from rain, snow, road salt, dust, stones, and the wear of the open road. It is the same method used to move show cars, exotics, and high-dollar collector vehicles, and it is the premium tier of vehicle shipping — chosen when protecting the car matters more than saving money.

Inside, vehicles are secured with soft straps or wheel nets and often separated so nothing touches. Many enclosed carriers carry fewer cars than an open trailer, which means more space and more individual attention for each vehicle.

Open vs. Enclosed: Which Do You Need?

For the large majority of vehicles, open transport is perfectly safe and far more affordable — it is how new cars reach dealerships. Enclosed transport earns its premium when the vehicle is rare, valuable, low to the ground, freshly restored, or simply irreplaceable. As a rule of thumb, if a few weeks of normal highway exposure would worry you, enclosed is the right choice. It typically costs 30 to 60 percent more than open, and you can compare both on our car shipping costs page.

Which Vehicles Benefit Most

Enclosed transport is the standard choice for several kinds of vehicles. Luxury and exotic cars ride protected from the elements and from prying eyes. Classic, antique, and collector cars avoid exposure that could harm original paint and chrome. Low-clearance and modified vehicles benefit from carriers equipped with liftgates and extra ground clearance. And any freshly painted, restored, or show-bound car arrives exactly as it left.

Soft-Side vs. Hard-Side Enclosed Trailers

Enclosed carriers come in two forms. Hard-side trailers have solid aluminum or steel walls for the highest level of protection, ideal for the most valuable cars. Soft-side trailers use a heavy-duty fabric enclosure that still fully covers the vehicle while costing a little less and often allowing more flexible loading. Both fully enclose your car; we match the right type to your vehicle and budget when you book.

Insurance and Protection

Every enclosed shipment travels with FMCSA-licensed, fully insured carriers, and your vehicle is covered by the carrier's cargo insurance for the duration of transit. Because enclosed carriers handle high-value cars, their coverage limits are typically higher than those on open carriers. Before pickup, the driver documents the vehicle's condition on a bill of lading, and you confirm it again on delivery — a simple record that protects everyone.

How to Prepare Your Vehicle

Preparing for enclosed shipping is much like any auto transport, with a little extra attention given the value of the car.

Enclosed Auto Transport FAQs

How much more does enclosed transport cost than open?
Enclosed transport typically costs 30 to 60 percent more than open transport. The premium reflects the added protection, lower vehicle counts per trailer, and higher insurance coverage.
Is enclosed auto transport worth it?
For luxury, classic, exotic, restored, or otherwise high-value and irreplaceable vehicles, yes — the full protection from weather and road debris is worth the premium. For everyday cars, open transport is usually the better value.
Is my car fully covered during enclosed shipping?
Yes. Your vehicle is covered by the carrier's cargo insurance throughout transit, and enclosed carriers generally carry higher coverage limits because they move high-value cars.
Can you ship a non-running or low-clearance car enclosed?
Yes. Many enclosed carriers have liftgates and extra ground clearance for low or inoperable vehicles. Let us know when you book so we assign a properly equipped trailer; a non-running vehicle carries an additional fee.
How long does enclosed transport take?
Transit time depends on distance and route, not the trailer type — enclosed timelines are similar to open. Because enclosed carriers are less common, pickup may take a little longer to schedule, so booking ahead helps.
What is the difference between soft-side and hard-side enclosed trailers?
Hard-side trailers have solid walls for the highest protection; soft-side trailers use a heavy-duty fabric enclosure that fully covers the car at a slightly lower cost. Both keep your vehicle enclosed and protected.

Ready to Ship Your Car?

Get a free, no-obligation quote in under 60 seconds and ship with a team drivers trust nationwide.

Get a Free Instant Quote