Open car transport experiences

SGT Auto Transport delivers on-time, reliable, car shipping and excellent customer service

Jason M
Excellent service
May 29th, 2024
Darian A
SGT Auto Transport did a great job facilitating my vehicle transportation, and the team communicated well throughout the process.
May 31st, 2024
Drew R
This shipping company is great. Fast delivery and the cheapest shipping with very competitive pricing. And to top it off I just gave Noah from SGT my details and her took care of everything for me. Awesome company!
June 3rd, 2024
Sandy L
We had SGT Auto Transport deliver a jeep wrangler to us and it was over 450 miles and we are very satisfied with the fast customer service and prompt delivery. We highly recommend SGT Auto Transport. Thank you very
February 11th, 2024
Phillip T
Good company. We used them to ship our son's car from San Diego to Austin, TX. We had no problems and the staff was very good all around. The price was exactly as estimated.
May 31st, 2024
Bill T
Stellar Communication, Professional And Reliable.
May 29th, 2024
Open car transport service

What is open car transport?

Open auto transport is the most common type of car shipping service. It’s easy to arrange, convenient, and excellent value for money. A car shipping company transports your car, together with other vehicles, using open trailer transport.

They pick up and load your vehicle from a location of your choice and deliver it to your chosen location. It exposes your car to the elements, but it’s still the safest and most secure option if you’re on a tight budget.

Open auto transport options

What is the difference between enclosed and open auto transport?

Open vs enclosed car transport are two very different things. Book open carrier auto transport and your vehicle is transported on an open trailer. The cost is lower but your vehicle is exposed to the elements. It's the preferred method for our customers because it's easy, quick and secure. Enclosed auto transport means your vehicle is protected on all sides for extra protection.

When you are making the decision of car transport, open vs enclosed, you’ll want to keep all of these things in mind. We find that for most vehicles and their owners, open air car transport is sufficient for their needs. While there is a slightly higher risk of road damage, it is minimal and the open car transport cost is lower.

Open transport cost and price

When is open car transport recommended?

There’s lots of choice when it comes to choosing car shipping, but we recommend open carrier car transport if your vehicle is standard and you want to keep the cost to a minimum. Car dealerships choose it for this reason, and because it’s a safe, reliable, and fast option.

Open and enclosed car transport are both reasonable options, but they are each needed for specific circumstances, and we find that open car carrier transport will accommodate the vast majority of car transports.

Open car transport is door-to-door

Is open car transport a door-to-door service?

Yes it is door-to-door transport. Shipping your vehicle using open carrier transport means the carrier picks it up from a location of your choosing and delivers it to your door. If it’s not safe or legal to do so, the open car transport company will make alternative arrangements. Rest assured, they will arrange pick-up and delivery locations as close as they can to your door.

Open car transport is safe

Is open car transport a safe option for shipping your vehicle?

Yes it is. It exposes your vehicle to the elements, but that’s no different than if you parked your vehicle on the street. The construction of an open trailer provides a high level of protection from road debris. Your vehicle will also be carefully secured or locked into the trailer.

You get added peace of mind knowing your vehicle has full insurance coverage. Enclosed car carrier transport in an enclosed trailer is mainly preferred for the most expensive and rare, classic cars.

Is open auto transport the cheapest way to ship a car?

Open carrier auto transport is the most common and cheapest way to ship a car. There are more open transport carriers, which means the price to transport a car is more affordable. Carriers are able to transport more cars on one truck, which also helps to keep the price low. To get a car shipping quote, use the link below.

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DistanceType of TransportAvg. Price per MileSample DistanceSample Price
0 - 500 milesOpen$0.80250 miles$200
500 - 1000 milesOpen$0.73700 miles$511
1000 - 1500 milesOpen$0.701000 miles$700
1500 - 2000 milesOpen$0.481750 miles$840
2000 - 2500 milesOpen$0.372400 miles$888
2500 - 3000 milesOpen$0.352700 miles$945
3000+ milesOpen$0.333200 miles$1122

The Avg. price per mile rates shown up above are reflective of current market conditions as of 2025. The rates are subject to change due to seasonal fluctuations, price of gas, pick-up/delivery locations, etc.

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Want to know the cost of shipping a car with us?

FREE Quote Call (864) 546-5038

We go above and beyond with our open car transport

Check out some of our valued customers stories

2016 Ferrari California
2016 Ferrari California

We provided a door-to-door transport service for this beauty. The customer was a little concerned about shipping his car. It was the first time he had done it, so we weren’t surprised. We put his mind at ease and arranged a hard-side enclosed carrier. As you can see, he paid very close attention to...

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2019 Porsche Panamera
2019 Porsche Panamera

This is exactly what door-to-door car transport means. We delivered the vehicle to the customer’s front door. He wasn’t awake when the carrier arrived, so you can imagine his surprise when he woke up, looked out of the window, and discovered his dream car sat outside. He tipped the driver for a job...

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2018 McLaren 720
2018 McLaren 720

Getting a car from your father for your graduation is not an everyday occurrence. So we made sure we pulled all the stops out when we provided door-to-door car transport services for one fortunate guy. We carefully selected the carrier for this shipment because we wanted to ensure the pickup from...

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1969 Buick LeSabre
1969 Buick LeSabre

We provided a door-to-door car shipping service for this classic, or would you call it a muscle car? It’s a car that dreams are made of, and we had the pleasure to ship it from the heart of Chicago to a restoration shop in East Bronx. The customer had a specific request that there were no more than...

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1970 Chevy Corvette
1970 Chevy Corvette

For this door-to-door transport service, the customer hired us through uShip. The customer had a very firm timeframe for the pickup and delivery. Their schedule was tight. They wanted to be there at the pick-up time, so a pick-up was arranged within 24 hours. As requested, they were able to witness...

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2017 Porsche Panamera
2017 Porsche Panamera

We’ve been providing door-to-door car transport for this customer since 2017. As a regular snowbird, he’s been using us to ship his car twice a year, from New Jersey to his house in Key West, FL, and back again when he’s had enough of the sunshine.

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Chevy Impala
Chevy Impala

Door-to-door car transport services are essential when you need to ship something special. For example, this beautiful 1966 Chevrolet Impala SS was dispatched for a repeat client from Bobo’s Rods & Customs. We’ve been providing door-to-door car shipping for them since 2016. So if you’re looking for...

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Lamborghini Huracan
Lamborghini Huracan

A customer hired us to pick up this vehicle from their front door and deliver it to the famous Liberty Walk tuning shop. After some aftermarket additions, it was loaded back onto the same truck and returned to the customer in Houston, Texas. A successful door-to-door car shipping service and one...

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Bentley Continental
Bentley Continental

The owner of this gorgeous Bentley Continental had already been let down by one auto shipper, so we made sure our door-to-door transport service exceeded their expectations. When they contacted us, they explained that transportation needed to be arranged over the weekend because of time restrictions...

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Monster truck
Monster truck

We provided a door-to-door car transport service when the owner of this beast was taking part in the Monster Truck Show in North Carolina. Because of the truck’s oversized dimensions, a standard trailer wouldn’t cut the mustard. We arranged for a flatbed carrier to pick it up as close to the...

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Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang

In this case, door-to-door car transport services were needed for not one but two Ford Mustangs. Two of the customer’s collection of three Mustangs needed shipping, so we were happy to oblige. We’re just as much lovers of old muscle cars as he is.

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Chevrolet Corvette
Chevrolet Corvette

The customer who wanted our door-to-door car shipping service had purchased this beauty from a private seller in Arizona. We loaded the car without any issues, and even the carrier felt super privileged to see such a vehicle in pristine condition. To put their mind at rest, we made sure he received...

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Audi R8
Audi R8

We’re always pleased when customers send us photos of the delivery. They couldn’t wait to take a picture of the carrier unloading their new R8. He was obviously delighted with the door-to-door transport service they received because he sent us a bottle of wine to say thanks.

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1957 Triumph
1957 Triumph

We get a lot of our business via uShip, and this is what happened when the new owner of this 1957 Triumph TR3 needed to get it delivered to their home. The door-to-door car transport was challenging because the seller had owned the car for 60 years and was sorry to see it go. Nevertheless, we rose...

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How our open car transport services works

Ship your vehicle in 3 easy steps

1

Get a quote and book your order

Get your free instant quote using our online calculator. It’ll take just a few seconds of your time. Provide us with some basic information, such as: pick-up city and state, delivery city and state, vehicle year, make and model, condition of vehicle, transport type, and first available shipping date (this is the first date your car will be ready to be picked up).

It’s also possible, if you prefer, to call, email, or use Live Chat. Our dedicated open auto transport shipping advisors are always on hand to help.

The open trailer transport price you receive is fully inclusive. It includes insurance coverage, and there are no hidden fees, guaranteed. When you make your booking, we require no payment in advance.

If you’re not satisfied with the price, contact us immediately. We’ll do our best to meet your price expectations, or do what we can to match the price you received from a direct competitor.

Click on the link in your emailed quote when you’re ready to complete your booking. Alternatively, call (864) 546-5038 and book your open transport car shipping service direct. Live Chat and email are two further options, if you prefer.

We’ll then search through our vast network of open car carriers to find one that fits your needs. We vet all the carriers in our network to ensure the service they provide meets our very high standards. We will confirm your booking by phone. We’ll confirm the pick-up date and fill you in on the rest of the process. You’ll also receive an automated email with the carrier’s contact information.

If you’ve opted for a Discounted Cash Price, we’ll then take a small partial payment from your credit or debit card. You pay the remaining balance upon delivery of your vehicle, either in cash, by cashier’s check, or money order. If you opt for the Regular Price, we’ll collect the whole amount to secure your spot on the trailer.

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2

We pick up your vehicle

A few hours before your assigned carrier is scheduled to pick-up your vehicle they will contact you. This is to confirm the arrangements and check that the pick-up location is accessible for large commercial vehicles. If it’s not legal or safe, you can make alternative arrangements at this time. There are a range of different locations you can use for the pick-up, for example, a nearby parking lot, where you work, or in a wider street close by. The carrier also needs to make sure someone is available to release the vehicle. You can nominate a third party, such as a neighbor, friend, relative, or colleague, to act on your behalf.

You and the driver must closely inspect your vehicle for any existing damage, before the carrier can load it. Inspect the car for any dings, dents, or scratches and record these on the Bill of Lading. This is a very important document, so make sure you keep your copy safe.

Once you've completed the paperwork, the carrier can load your baby onto the open transport trailer. Say a fond farewell to your motor, and the carrier can get on their way. For peace of mind, you can check on its progress with the driver throughout its journey. Regular updates are also available over the phone, by Live Chat or email.

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3

You receive your vehicle

It won’t be long before your vehicle is almost home. Before you know it, you’ll be getting a call to let you know delivery will be in a few hours. If you’re unavailable at the scheduled time, you can nominate a representative to accept the delivery on your behalf. It could be a neighbor, relative, friend, or acquaintance. They do, however, have to be 18 years of age or older.

Upon delivery of your vehicle, you have to inspect it to make sure everything is in order. The last step in the process is to sign the Bill of Lading as acceptance of the delivery. For those who opted for the Discounted Cash Price, this is when you pay the balance by either cash, cashier's check, or money order.

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Why car owners prefer our open carrier auto transport service

Learn why we are one of the top car shipping companies

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Zero payment required upfront

Book your open transport service with us and you pay nothing in advance. Get a free instant open car transport quote using our online quote calculator. Alternatively, phone or use our Live Chat. Only when we find a carrier and dispatch your vehicle is payment taken.

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The most trusted car transport company at uShip

In uShip’s list of most trusted car transport providers we come in at number one. Spend a few minutes reading our customer reviews and you’ll understand why they put us in such an excellent position.

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Full insurance coverage for your vehicle

You get peace of mind knowing your vehicle is fully insured and secure because we include full insurance coverage in our open auto car shipping rates.

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Customizable transport and personal service

We can tailor your open auto transport service to meet your needs. No two customers are the same, which is why we decided to make it fully customizable. Get in touch with our shipping advisors by phone or Live Chat. They’ll secure the best car shipping rates and be on hand to guide you through the car shipment process.

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Customer support available 24/7

We’re able to provide a smooth and trouble-free shipping service for all our customers because we keep our eye on the ball at all times. Our committed team of shipping advisors are available around the clock so they can monitor your shipment and be available for questions.

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Want to know the cost of shipping a car with us?

FREE Quote Call (864) 546-5038

The benefits of using our open car shipping service

Learn about the advantages of open car transport

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Fast and efficient service

Open carrier auto transport is one of the fastest ways to ship a car. More than 90% of trucking companies use an open trailer. With so many to choose from, you stand a better chance of finding the right open car shipping service when you need one and the best car shipping rates.

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A guaranteed pick-up can be arranged

If your schedule is tight and you need your vehicle picked up on a specific day, a guaranteed pick-up is the best auto transport service.

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Top load placement is an option for additional protection

With open car transport you can request top load placement. This means that the carrier will not load a vehicle above yours. Choose this option if you'd like a little extra protection for your vehicle. Speak with one of our shipping advisors for an all-inclusive rate.

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Trusted network of open car carriers

We have a trusted network of open car carriers at our disposal. They’re chosen because of their high quality standards. We put each one through a strict vetting process before adding them to our list of approved open auto transport carriers.

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Best open transport prices

Get your free instant quotes using our online calculator, by phone or Live Chat, and you’ll see how good our prices are. Our goal is to secure the fairest and most competitive open trailer transport rates for you.

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Your vehicle is completely safe

Your car is exposed to the elements during an open car transport service, but that’s no different than parking your car on the street. Open transport car shipping is one of the safest and most secure transport services. It also saves unnecessary mileage and wear and tear, saving you even more money.

When we recommend open car transport

If you’re looking for an auto transport option that fits your budget, open transport car shipping is what we recommend. If your vehicle is a standard model, and you want to keep the cost of shipping your car to a minimum, open auto transport is the best option. Open car shipping is one of the safest, most secure, and budget-friendly ways to ship a car.

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When open car transport is not recommended

Open car transport suits many people but there are occasions when it’s not the recommended auto transport service. If you’re the proud owner of a custom, classic, vintage, antique, luxury, or high-end vehicle, for example, we’d recommend you opt for enclosed auto transport. Similarly, if you have modified your vehicle or it has low ground clearance, enclosed auto transport should be the service of choice.

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4.7
/ 1,161 reviews /
4.7
/ 10,000 reviews /
4.5
/ 300 reviews /
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Want to know the cost of shipping a car with us?

FREE Quote Call (864) 546-5038

Open car transport hints & tips

Open car transport advices from experienced car shippers