Open Auto Transport
The affordable standard for shipping a car. Door-to-door service on a multi-car open carrier, fully insured, with no deposit and a free quote in under 60 seconds.
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Fast, secure pricing in 30 seconds.
- Fully insuredYour vehicle is covered from pickup to delivery.
- No upfront depositPay when your vehicle is delivered.
- Real people, 24/7Call (205) 578-6129, day or night.
The Way Most Vehicles in America Are Shipped
Open auto transport is exactly what it sounds like. Your vehicle travels on an open trailer, usually a two-level carrier that holds between seven and ten cars. You have seen these trucks on the interstate hundreds of times. They are how manufacturers deliver new cars to dealerships, how rental companies move their fleets, and how most private owners ship a vehicle from one state to another.
There are two reasons open transport is the standard. The first is cost. A carrier that hauls nine vehicles at once spreads its fuel, labor, and tolls across all of them, so each owner pays less. The second is availability. Open carriers far outnumber every other type of car hauler on the road, which means it is easier to find one headed your way on the dates you need.
The trade-off is exposure. On an open trailer your vehicle meets the same sun, rain, and road dust it would meet if you drove it, minus the miles on the odometer and the wear on the tires. For a daily driver, that is no concern at all. The car arrives needing a wash and nothing more.
Heartland Auto Transport arranges open transport from every part of Alabama to all 50 states, and back again. We are an FMCSA licensed broker. We select a vetted carrier for your route, confirm its cargo insurance, and manage the shipment until your vehicle is delivered to your door. You pay nothing to book, and the price we quote is the price you pay.
What You Get With Open Transport
Everything most customers need, at the lowest price we offer.
The lowest price
Sharing a trailer with other vehicles keeps your cost down. Enclosed transport on the same route costs 60 to 80 percent more.
Faster scheduling
More open carriers on the road means more choices of pickup date, especially on busy interstate routes.
Insurance included
Every carrier we assign holds active cargo insurance that covers your vehicle while it is on the truck.
Door-to-door service
The driver picks up and delivers at your address, or at a nearby spot if your street cannot fit the truck.
Room for most vehicles
Sedans, crossovers, SUVs, minivans, and pickups all ride on open carriers. Larger vehicles simply take more space.
Top-rack option
Ask about a position on the upper deck, which keeps your vehicle away from road spray. It may cost a little extra.
What Open Auto Transport Costs
Price follows distance. The table shows typical ranges for a standard sedan that runs and drives. A larger vehicle costs more because it uses more of the trailer's space and weight allowance, and a vehicle that does not run adds $100 to $200 for winch loading.
Season and flexibility matter too. Summer is the busiest and most expensive time of year. A pickup window of a few days almost always costs less than a single fixed date, because the dispatcher can place your car on a truck that is already passing through.
| Route | Distance | Typical price | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short regional | Under 500 mi | $350 – $700 | 1–3 days |
| Mid-distance | 500–1,500 mi | $700 – $1,300 | 3–5 days |
| Cross-country | 1,500+ mi | $1,100 – $1,800 | 7–10 days |
Typical open-carrier prices for a standard, running sedan. Your exact price comes from the quote tool.
How Open Transport Works
Four steps from quote to delivery.
Get your price
Enter both ZIP codes and your vehicle in the quote tool, with Open selected. Your all-in price appears in about a minute.
Reserve a carrier
Choose a pickup window. We assign a vetted open carrier that is already running your route. No deposit is due.
Load at your address
The driver calls ahead, inspects the vehicle with you, and straps it onto the trailer alongside the other cars in the load.
Receive and inspect
At the destination, the car is unloaded, you check it against the pickup report, sign, and pay.
Who Chooses Open Transport
If your vehicle already lives outdoors, open transport is almost certainly the right choice.
Daily drivers
Commuter cars, family SUVs, and work trucks that see the weather every day lose nothing by riding in the open air.
Families relocating
When you are moving a household, open transport keeps the vehicle budget under control without adding risk.
Online and dealer purchases
Bought a car from a dealer in another state? It will arrive the same way it reached that dealer in the first place.
Students and seasonal travelers
For a trip to campus or a winter in Florida, open transport is the economical way to have your own car waiting.
Open vs. Enclosed Transport
The two ways to ship a vehicle, side by side.
| Open transport | Enclosed transport | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | The lowest available | About 60 to 80 percent more |
| Protection | Exposed to weather and road dust, as when driving | Fully covered on all sides |
| Scheduling | Easiest, with the most carriers | Fewer carriers, so allow more lead time |
| Vehicles per trailer | Usually seven to ten | Usually one to seven |
| Best for | Everyday cars, SUVs, and pickups | Classic, luxury, exotic, and show vehicles |
What to Expect From an Open Carrier Shipment
If you have never shipped a car, a few details about how open carriers work will make the day go smoothly.
The driver decides where each vehicle sits. Loading is a puzzle of weight, height, and delivery order. Heavier vehicles usually go low and toward the front, and cars coming off first go on last. You can request a top-rack position, and we will ask the carrier for it, but the final arrangement has to keep the load legal and balanced.
Your vehicle is secured at the wheels. Modern carriers use straps over the tires or through the wheels, which hold the car firmly without touching the body or the suspension. The driver checks the straps at stops along the route.
It will arrive dusty. A few hundred miles in the open leaves a film of road grime, and after rain you may see water spots. This is normal and washes off. Do the delivery inspection carefully anyway, and if the car is very dirty, wipe down any area you want to look at closely.
Low cars need a mention. If your vehicle has less than about four inches of ground clearance, a front splitter, or lowered suspension, tell us when you book. Standard ramps can be too steep, and we may suggest a carrier with extended ramps or an enclosed trailer with a lift gate.
Convertibles should travel with the top up and latched, and loose items such as removable antennas, bike racks, and magnetic signs should come off before pickup.
Open Auto Transport Questions
Is open auto transport safe?
Yes. Open carriers move the great majority of vehicles shipped in the United States, including nearly every new car on its way to a dealership. Vehicles are strapped down at the wheels, and the carrier's cargo insurance covers them in transit.
Will my car get dirty or damaged by weather?
It will likely arrive dusty, much as it would after a long highway drive. Ordinary rain and sun do not harm a vehicle in good condition. Damage from road debris is uncommon, and anything that does occur is noted at delivery and handled through the carrier's insurance.
How much cheaper is open than enclosed?
Enclosed transport usually costs 60 to 80 percent more than open on the same route. On a shipment that costs $800 open, expect roughly $1,300 to $1,450 enclosed.
Can I ask for the top rack?
Yes. Tell us when you book and we will request an upper-deck position. Availability depends on the truck and the other vehicles in the load, and some carriers charge a small premium for it.
Can open carriers take large SUVs and pickups?
Yes. Full-size SUVs, crew-cab pickups, and duallys ship on open carriers every day. Give us the exact model and any lift kit or oversize tires, since larger vehicles take more room and cost somewhat more.
How far ahead should I book open transport?
Seven to fourteen days ahead is ideal. Because open carriers are so common, shorter notice is often possible, particularly from cities on major interstates.
Will my car share the trailer with other vehicles?
Yes. That is what keeps the price low. A typical open carrier holds seven to ten vehicles, each secured in its own position. The driver makes several pickups and deliveries along the route, which is why delivery is given as a window.
Do I pay a deposit?
No. You pay nothing to reserve your shipment. Payment is due when your vehicle is delivered, and the amount matches your quote.
Ready to Ship on an Open Carrier?
See your price in under 60 seconds, or call and let a dispatcher confirm that open transport is right for your vehicle.