Open car transport is the most affordable way to ship a vehicle, and the most common — roughly 90% of all cars move this way. In real dollars, a typical open move runs about $550 to $1,200, with short trips dipping toward $400 and long cross-country hauls climbing past $1,500 for larger vehicles. It costs 30% to 60% less than enclosed transport. This guide gives you the real numbers, what drives them, and how to pay less.
Open vs. enclosed is one of the seven factors in our main cost guide. Here we go deep on what open transport specifically costs — and the enclosed cost guide covers the other side.
Open car transport cost by distance
Distance is the single biggest factor, and the per-mile rate falls as the trip gets longer. These are representative 2026 ranges for a standard vehicle on open transport.
| Distance | Open Cost | Per Mile |
|---|---|---|
| Short (under 500 mi) | $400 – $700 | ~$0.80/mi |
| Medium (500–1,500 mi) | $700 – $1,200 | ~$0.70/mi |
| Cross-country (2,000+ mi) | $1,000 – $1,500 | ~$0.40–$0.60/mi |
A 2,000-mile open move averages around $1,000 to $1,500, while a sub-1,000-mile shipment often lands near $600. The longer the haul, the lower the rate per mile — the fixed costs of loading and the driver's time spread across more distance. Our cost per mile guide explains that curve in detail.
Why open transport is the cheapest method
The price advantage comes down to one number: cars per load. An open trailer carries eight to ten vehicles at once, so the cost of fuel, the driver, and the trip divides across all of them. Enclosed trailers carry only two to six, so each car shoulders a bigger share. That single difference is most of the 30% to 60% gap.
- More cars per trailer. Eight to ten vehicles share each open run, versus two to six enclosed.
- Lighter, simpler equipment. Open trailers cost less to buy, fuel, and maintain than heavy enclosed rigs.
- Far more trucks on the road. Open carriers are the bulk of the fleet, so competition and availability keep rates down.
- Standard handling. No lift gates or specialized tie-downs needed for an everyday car.
None of that means lower quality. Open transport is how new cars reach dealerships. "Cheaper" here means more efficient, not worse — which is exactly why it is the default choice.