The Benefits of Fully Enclosed Auto Shipping
There are many benefits of using enclosed car transport instead of open trailer transport. Here are the biggest ones:
There are many benefits of using enclosed car transport instead of open trailer transport. Here are the biggest ones:
Protection from Environmental Damage
Ideal for Exotic, Classic, or High-Value Vehicles
No Hidden Costs
How Our Enclosed Car Shipping Works
The process of enclosed car shipping is pretty straightforward. Here’s the general run-down of how it works:
The process of enclosed car shipping is pretty straightforward. Here’s the general run-down of how it works:
Booking your order
Before getting started with shipping your vehicle, you’ll need to request a quote and book the service. You’ll provide details such as the vehicle’s make, model, pickup and drop-off locations, and preferred shipping date. You’ll then receive a quote. We recommend requesting quotes from several different auto transport companies to get the best deal.
After reviewing your quote and selecting your preferred service, you can book the transport and schedule a pickup date.
Vehicle Pickup
On your agreed pickup date, the transport carrier will arrive at the arranged pickup location. Before loading your vehicle, the carrier will perform a detailed inspection and document its current condition in the Bill of Lading (BOL). Once the inspection is complete, the vehicle will be carefully loaded into the enclosed trailer using a hydraulic lift gate to prevent undercarriage damage.
Vehicle Delivery
Once your vehicle reaches its destination, the carrier will carefully unload it and perform a final inspection with you. You’ll compare the vehicle’s condition against the BOL to ensure there are no discrepancies. If everything looks good, the delivery process is complete, and you can take possession of your car.
What are Enclosed Car Transport Prices?
The price of shipping a car via enclosed transport usually ranges between $1,500 to $3,500, with cost per mile between $1.50 and $2.50. But the specific price is determined by various factors:
Vehicle Size and Weight
Larger vehicles take up more space and weigh more, which increases costs. So if you possess a larger than average vehicle, expect to pay a premium for enclosed shipping.
Distance and Route
Perhaps the biggest factor when determining the cost of shipping is the distance and route of the shipment. After all, more distance means higher fuel costs, and more hours of work required by a car shipper.
The route will also affect the cost, because some areas have higher fuel costs than others. Therefore, routes going directly through more expensive areas will result in more expensive shipping prices.
Seasonality
The time of year also affects shipping prices as well. If you’re trying to book an enclosed auto shipment during the peak moving seasons, such as the holiday season or Summertime, expect to pay a premium. Because there is a much higher demand during this time of year, carriers will charge more for their services.
How to prepare your vehicle for enclosed auto shipping
Before shipping your vehicle, you’ll need to get it ready by performing a few tasks. Here’s what you should do to get your car prepared for enclosed auto transport:
Before shipping your vehicle, you’ll need to get it ready by performing a few tasks. Here’s what you should do to get your car prepared for enclosed auto transport:
Clean and inspect your vehicle
Document vehicle condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is enclosed auto transport a suitable option for cross-country transport, or is it primarily for shorter distances?
Enclosed auto transport is great for transporting vehicles both short distances or longer cross-country shipments. If you own a higher value vehicle and want to maximize its protection level during transit, you should opt for that shipment option regardless of the distance of the shipment.
Are there any restrictions on the type of vehicles that can be transported using enclosed auto transport?
While most vehicles can be transported using our enclosed carriers, extremely oversized or heavily modified vehicles may require specialized transport arrangements.
What steps should I take to prepare my vehicle for enclosed auto transport?
Prior to shipping your vehicle, you should first clean it, document its current condition with photographs, remove all of your personal items, check it fluid levels and tire pressure, and secure any loose parts.
Can I transport multiple vehicles in a single enclosed carrier?
Yes, enclosed carriers can transport multiple vehicles, though availability may be limited compared to open carriers. If you need to ship multiple cars, talk with our team prior to booking your order and we may be able to accommodate your request. In many cases, we also offer discounts for shipments of multiple vehicles.