Enclosed costs 35–60% more. Here is the honest framework for when that premium is worth every dollar and when it is money you should keep.
About 90% of vehicles move on open carriers — including nearly every new car delivered to a dealership. Open transport is not the budget compromise it sounds like. But there are vehicles that genuinely belong under a roof.
Ship enclosed when
- The vehicle is worth more than about $70,000
- It is a classic, antique, or freshly restored
- Ground clearance is under roughly 5 inches
- The paint is original, custom, or matte
- It is a one-of-a-kind, a show car, or irreplaceable to you
Open is the right call when
- It is a daily driver, lease return, or family vehicle
- You want the fastest possible pickup — there are roughly ten times more open carriers on the road
- Budget matters more than a small risk of road grime
- You are shipping multiple vehicles and cost compounds
The honest test
If a rock chip on the interstate would genuinely ruin your week, ship it enclosed. If you would shrug and wash it, ship it open and put the difference toward the drive home.
