Open Car Shipping Services: Budget-Friendly and Fast Auto Transport

Looking for the most practical way to get your car from point A to point B? You've found it. Open car shipping is what most people choose, and there's a really good reason for that. It's affordable, reliable, and gets the job done without breaking the bank.

We've shipped over 51,000 vehicles across all 50 states, and here's what we've learned: sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. Open transport isn't fancy, but it works - and it works really well.

Ready to see what it costs? Get your free quote right now. 

Table of Contents

• What is Open Car Transport?
• Difference Between Open and Enclosed Car Shipping
• Advantages of Open Auto Transportation 
• Why Choose BAH Logistics for Open Car Shipping
• What Our Open Car Shipping Service Includes
• Common Types of Cars We Ship
• Other Industries We Serve
• FAQ on Open Car Transport Service

What is Open Car Transport?

Open car transportation involves shipping your car on an open trailer or flatbed truck which means your vehicle is exposed to outdoor conditions including weather, road hazards, and other environmental factors. Compared with enclosed car shipping, open car shipping is quite affordable due to the ability to ship multiple cars at once.

How it Works

In order to understand how open car transport is carried out, one needs to understand the shipping process of cars. The shipping process starts with acquiring a quote through our free online form and filling out all the car details along with the pick-up and drop-off points.

Difference Between Open and Enclosed Car Shipping

Open auto transport involves transporting vehicles on an open trailer, commonly seen on highways. This type of transportation offers a cost-effective solution for standard vehicles though your car is wholly exposed to weather conditions.

In contrast, enclosed car shipping uses an enclosed trailer, providing an extra layer of protection. This method provides extra protection, making it ideal for high-value, luxury, classic, or exotic cars that require additional care.

Advantages of Open Auto Transportation: The Most Affordable Option 

The main car shipping methods in the transportation industry are open or enclosed shipping. In both types of shipping, your car is moved by truck or trailer but each method has its benefits. Open car transport service is the most popular option for shipping standard vehicles since it is the most cost-effective method. Here are the main benefits of choosing open-carrier car shipping:

Cost-effectiveness. Open car shipping is a great way to save money and time on transportation. The same provider can ship multiple cars at once which helps to distribute the price among several customers.

Efficiency for standard vehicles.  If you want to ship standard vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, and trucks open transportation is the ideal solution for it. These types of vehicles are more suitable for open-car shipping.

Scheduling flexibility. Since open vehicle transport is the most popular method for many customers, there are more available carriers. It means carriers can provide more scheduling flexibility which is a great benefit.

Sustainable option. As open carriers can transport multiple vehicles in a single trip it decreases the total number of trips. This helps to reduce environmental impact by lessening fuel usage and emissions.

When to Select Open Car Transport Services

The following are some of the situations where it is most suitable:

Standard car transport. If you own a sedan, SUV, truck, or other standard types of vehicles, open car transport is a convenient and safe option. It is not as protected as enclosed trailers, but still secure shipping with very minimal risk for standard models.

Buying a car out of state. If you are buying a car from a seller in another state, open car shipping can make the experience a whole lot simpler. The carrier will pick up the vehicle and deliver it right to your doorstep, saving you time and effort.

Budget-friendly shipping. Open car carriers can transport more than one car at a time, which lowers the cost per car. This makes it the most affordable option for customers who would like to save on shipping costs.

Transporting multiple cars. Open trailers are designed to transport up to 10 cars at once, depending on their sizes. This makes them the ideal choice for dealers, auctions, or customers who wish to transport multiple cars at once.

Relocations. In case you are relocating with your family and you have multiple cars to be shipped, open car transport is the smart choice. It's an economical and guaranteed method of shipping all your cars together, which simplifies your move.

Non-Specialty Vehicles. In case your vehicle does not require any specialized equipment to be handled, the open car transport can be the best to choose.

How Much Does Open Car Transport Cost?

Open car transport is the most cost-effective method for shipping a vehicle. It typically costs 30% to 40% less than enclosed transport, making it a popular choice for standard vehicles. While actual pricing can vary depending on factors like distance, vehicle size, season, and route.

Why Choose BAH Logistics for Open Car Shipping

When transporting your vehicle, nothing matters more than peace of mind. BAH Logistics has established a reputation as one of the best-rated vehicle shipping companies that are safe and dependable. The following are the benefits BAH Logistics provides for open car shipping:

Open car shipping experience. Our specialists not only have experience in the open car shipping business but also can quickly respond to challenges in this field. We offer top-class solutions that make real value that exceeds expectations.

National availability. BAH Logistics transports to all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii at competitive rates with full insurance. We can transport a wide range of vehicles such as cars, oversized trucks, RVs, boats, heavy machinery, freight, and motorbikes.

All-in-one insurance protection. Our open car transport prices include all-in-one insurance protection. Our network of pre-screened carriers provides cargo and liability insurance so that your vehicle is moved with maximum dependability and safety.

24/7 support. We have a team of experts working 24/7 to help you find the optimal solution for open car transport. Our 24/7 support team stands ready to answer any question or concern you may have about open auto transport.

Budget-friendly pricing - Usually runs 40-60% less than enclosed transport

Licensed carrier Network: Every carrier in our network is DOT-licensed and insured. We don't mess around with fly-by-night operators.

Proven track record - We've moved over 51,000 vehicles safely

A+ BBB rating - Licensed, insured, and trusted by thousands

Get an Online Quote

What Our Open Car Shipping Service Includes 

• Door-to-Door Auto Transport - We pick up your vehicle from your chosen location and deliver it straight to your destination—no terminals.
• Expedited Auto Shipping - Our expedited service prioritizes your shipment and provides quicker pickup and delivery times.
• Multiple Car Shipping - Perfect for dealerships, families, or collectors—we can transport several vehicles simultaneously on the same carrier to save you time and money.
• Inoperable Auto Transport - We've got you covered even if your vehicle isn’t running without inoperable auto shipping service. We use specialized equipment to safely load and ship non-working cars.
• Car Relocation - If you're moving for work, school, or a seasonal stay, our car relocation service makes it easy to get your vehicle where it needs to go.
• Auto Auction Transport - We’ll pick it up right from the auction house and deliver it directly to your home, dealership, or storage facility.
• Guaranteed pickup dates - Need to ship on specific dates? We can make that happen (small additional fee)

Common Types of Cars We Ship

• Luxury Cars
• SUVs
• Sedans
• Pickups
• Minivans
• Classic and Antique Auto Transport
• Military Cars
• Race Cars 
• Caravans
• Carts

Types of Open Car Carriers We Use

Single-vehicle trailers are designed to transport one car at a time and work best for short-distance moves or when handling vehicles that can't be driven, such as damaged cars or specialty vehicles requiring extra care during transport.

Single-level multi-car Trailers can carry between one and six vehicles simultaneously on a single platform. These trailers are particularly useful in areas with height restrictions like underpasses or low-clearance bridges since their low profile design allows them to navigate spaces where taller carriers cannot pass.

Multi-Level Multi-Car Trailers represent the industry standard for vehicle transportation. These carriers feature two or more stacked levels and can haul up to ten vehicles in a single trip, making them the most efficient option for large-scale auto transport operations.

Case Study: Open Car Shipping for Family Relocation

A customer in Phoenix, Arizona needed to relocate to Virginia with his entire family. The total driving distance was 2,211 miles, and he needed to ship five family cars within a short time. He wanted to transport a Toyota Camry (sedan), Honda CR-V (compact SUV), Chevrolet Traverse (mid-size SUV), Ford F-150 (pickup truck), and Kia Sedona (minivan). The main challenge was finding a fast and efficient solution that also ensured the safety of all vehicles.

Mike, a logistics specialist at BAH Logistics, was assigned to manage the transport. After evaluating three possible routes, he selected the fastest and most reliable one. He recommended both open multi-vehicle and enclosed trailer options to the customer. After considering his needs, the customer chose the open trailer as the best solution.

Since he was shipping multiple vehicles, he received a special quote customized for the size of his shipment. This allowed him to cut costs and receive a discount, making the entire process more affordable. The customer also saved time, as the carrier was going to make fewer stops by shipping all the vehicles at once.

Once the transport plan was finalized, the loading process began. Each vehicle was carefully inspected before shipment, loose items were secured, and any delicate components were properly handled. Mike provided the customer with all necessary insurance, licensing, and bonding information. Once everything was in place and the vehicles were safely loaded, the driver set off to Virginia.

All five vehicles were delivered safely and on time to the client's new home in Virginia. The customer was pleased with the smooth coordination, timely updates, and overall efficiency of the entire process.

Other Industries We Serve

BAH Logistics offers car shipping services for quick and secure vehicle transportation. We’re committed to excellence in every type of vehicle shipping including:

• Heavy Equipment Transport - From bulldozers to excavators, we specialize in moving oversized machinery safely and efficiently with the right permits and trailers.
• Freight Shipping - If you’re moving pallets, crates, or large industrial shipments across the country, we are here to back you up with our freight shipping service.
• Boat Transportation - We handle everything from jet skis to large houseboats. They’re loaded, secured, and delivered with the utmost care.
• Motorcycle Shipping - We use enclosed or open transport options to ship bikes, offering high protection and professional transport.

Get an Online Quote

Choose BAH Logistics For Open Car Shipping For Your Urgent Needs

Over 51,000 vehicles shipped, thousands of happy customers, and an A+ BBB rating. We've been doing this for 8+ years, and we've figured out how to make car shipping as straightforward as possible.

Get your free quote in three ways:

Online form: Our team will share a custom quote via

Call us: + 1 818-392-8977 - talk to a real person

Live chat: Click the chat bubble for immediate help

Open car shipping is the best option for those who need their standard vehicles transported quickly at affordable rates. BAH Logistics offers numerous benefits, including cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and peace of mind.    

FAQs on Open Car Transport Service

How Much Open Car Transport Costs?

Generally, open car transport is typically more affordable than enclosed transport. The cost to ship a car depends on many factors such as distance, vehicle size & condition, fuel price, and season.

How Long Does Open Transport Car Shipping Take?

Your car delivery time varies depending on distance, transportation method, and season. Typically, open transport car shipping takes between 1 to 9 days.

Is Open Car Shipping the Safest Way?

Short answer: Yes, very safe.

Long answer: Your car faces the same weather exposure during shipping as it does sitting in your driveway, parking at work, or going to the grocery store. The difference is you've got professional drivers handling it and full insurance coverage the entire time.

Here's what keeps your car safe during open transport:

Background-checked drivers with clean records and years of experience

Professional loading with wheel straps and chains to secure every vehicle

Full cargo insurance covering your car throughout the trip

DOT compliance - all our carriers meet federal safety requirements

99%+ damage-free rate - the numbers speak for themselves

The reality is that damage during shipping is rare, and when it does happen, insurance takes care of it. Most of our customers are pleasantly surprised by how well their cars arrive.

Is it Included in the Door-to-Door Shipping Service? 

Yes, open car transport can be included in door-to-door shipping service. This means that your car, van, SUV, or truck can be picked up from your desired location and transported right to the place you mentioned.