Open auto transport

The Most Popular
Way to Ship a Car

Open auto carrier shipping is the easiest and most affordable method to ship any car, truck, or van across the United States. Open car hauling is both secure and fully insured against all accidental damages.

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4.2 2,191 reviews
A+ Rating

Quote From Senior Auto Transport Experts

Route
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Shipping
Midsize Car
Midsize SUV
Small Car
Small SUV
Sports Car
Large Pickup
Large Car
Large SUV
Medium Pickup
Mini-van
Fullsize Van
Motorcycle
Golf Cart
Hypercar
Dually Pickup
Boat
As soon as possible
Within 7 days
On a particular date
I don't know yet
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Shipment

Order Details

Any other questions?

Call 224-955-1155

Live Agent Hours

Weekdays: 6am to 10pm CST

Weekends: 7am to 7pm CST

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Any other questions?

Call 224-955-1155

Live Agent Hours

Weekdays: 6am to 10pm CST

Weekends: 7am to 7pm CST

What is open transport?

Multiple vehicles are secured on an open trailer, allowing an average open car carrier capacity of 8–10 cars. Your car is exposed to the elements during open car shipping, yet it’s rare to sustain even minor cosmetic damage on open car carriers. Open auto transport is the most popular car shipping method in the United States. You may even have seen some of our auto transport carriers on the highway.

Open car carrier loaded with five vehicles
Affordable &
Widely Used
Vetted &
Insured Carriers
Open car carrier hauling vehicles down a highway

Open auto transport is the easiest car carrier transport service to schedule in the US. With our instant car shipping calculator, you can plan open car shipping services within seconds. The car transport efficiency of open transport vehicle shipping makes it the cheapest form of auto transportation in the US. When you’re on a budget, open auto transport carriers are the right option for you.

  • Efficient and affordable Instant quotes for efficient, affordable car shipping.
  • Reliable open car shipping We only work with reliable, experienced car carriers with full insurance.
  • Dedicated customer service Nexus promises complete shipping coordination for your open auto transport order.

High-Mount vs Stinger Trailers

You’ll come across both high-mount and stinger trailers for multiple vehicle transportation. The difference is in the placement of the trailer connection with your car. We will arrange the best-suited trailer that helps with maneuverability and proper load capacity on the road, based on your vehicle’s unique needs.

High-mount car hauler loaded with vehicles

High-Mount Trailers

  • Setup High-mount trailers are a traditional trailer style that uses a 5th wheel that connects to the trailer low to the ground.
  • Efficiency However, high-mount trucks have more versatility than stingers, allowing them to transport a variety of trailer types.
Stinger car hauler loaded with vehicles

Stinger Trailers

  • Setup A stinger trailer uses combined trailer and tractor head racks, allowing trailers to transport more cars per load.
  • Efficiency The advantage of car haulers that use stingers is a better utilization of space on a double-decker car hauling trailer.

*Trailer photos are for promotional use only and may differ from the actual trailers. For further information, please contact us.

Shipping Capacity That Scales to Your Needs

Whether you’re transporting one or multiple cars, our extensive carrier network provides the flexibility to handle shipments of any size. We assign a suitable trailer for multi-car families, expedited shipping when transferring bases, vacation stays down south, and so much more.

  • One car x1 Single Vehicle Perfect for personal vehicle transport, online purchases, and relocations.
  • Two cars x2 Small Multi-Car Shipments Transport two vehicles together for families, collectors, or small dealerships.
  • Three cars x3+ Dealer & Commercial Loads Efficient transport for dealerships, auctions, and business customers.
  • Six cars x6+ Fleet Transport Scalable solutions for fleets, rental companies, and high-volume vehicle moves.

Open vs Enclosed Car Transport

Choosing between open and enclosed auto transport can impact your car shipping timeframe and budget. Open trailers tend to be slightly more cost-effective and easier to schedule, as there are more carriers available. Enclosed will provide more protection for your vehicle while on the road.

Open car carrier loaded with vehicles

Open Car Trailers

Popular Choice
  • Capacity Open car hauler trailers transport cars without exterior covering, accommodating up to 10 vehicles at once depending on size and weight.
  • Security & Protection The considerations of open trailers include no protection from debris or bad weather and less security against theft.
  • Efficiency & Cost Open car trailers are more fuel efficient, faster, more affordable, and offer more time flexibility.
Enclosed Nexus car hauler

Enclosed Car Trailers

  • Capacity Enclosed car hauler trailers are small hauler trailers that can only transport up to 2 or 3 cars at once.
  • Security & Protection Enclosed car hauler trailers offer full protection from the elements, reduce the risk of damage to the exterior from road debris, and security against theft.
  • Efficiency & Cost However, enclosed car hauler trailers can take longer to transport, are less fuel efficient, and are more expensive.

*Trailer photos are for promotional use only and may differ from the actual trailers. For further information, please contact us.

Open Auto Transport Specifics

Door-to-Door

The driver will come as close as possible to your desired pickup and delivery spots. If the trucker cannot enter the exact location, the person releasing or accepting the vehicle might need to meet at a nearby location for safe loading and unloading.

Communication

Our trucking partners usually call 24 hours in advance to schedule the pickup and delivery of your vehicle. Upon arrival, the driver will notify the customer to complete inspections, acquire signatures, and accept payment.

Vehicle Inspection

Nexus open auto carriers perform detailed inspections of all vehicles before pickup and delivery. All previous dings, dents, and damages will be noted for insurance purposes, and we keep the driver’s information on file in case of an incident. Our open carrier partners provide a minimum insurance coverage of $100,000.

Cost-Effective

An open auto carrier is the most cost-effective shipping service available. When you’re looking to ship a car in the United States, look to open car carrier services for efficiency and budgetary purposes.

*Our policies and service details may be updated to better serve our customers. With 500,000+ vehicles shipped, we understand the importance of transparency. Please contact us for the latest information before entering into any agreement.

Car shipping process

Three Steps from Quote to Delivery

01

Get an instant quote and place your order.

02

Sit back and let us manage things.

03

Accept the delivery and complete payment.

You ask, Nexie answers

Your Shipping Guide

Is open auto transport safe?

Nexus Auto Transport is the leading open transport car shipping provider in the United States. We pride ourselves on our reputation for safe, secure, open transport services. Every open car transport carrier we work with adheres to all state and federal safety regulations for commercial transport. We vet all open auto carriers for driving history, equipment quality, customer service, and active insurance policies.

The risks of an open car hauler are minimal. Open carrier car shipping does expose your car to external factors. However, we only work with the safest auto transport carriers in the nation with the experience necessary to navigate all transport challenges.

Our open car haulers offer comprehensive cargo insurance with every open transport car shipping order. We are an A+-rated, BBB-accredited provider of open auto carrier transport, and we earn that reputation from client to client and vehicle to vehicle.

Why choose Nexus open auto carrier services?

Nexus Auto Transport partners with a modern fleet of open car carriers. All carriers are operated by experienced drivers who transport vehicles with the utmost responsibility and professionalism. We are the nation’s leader in complete open car carrier transport management. Our open transport car shipping quotes are competitive and fair, based on current supply and demand. Every open auto shipping quote you receive from our car shipping cost calculator is boosted for accuracy by advanced data intelligence.

Nexus Auto Transport ensures that every risk involved with open auto carriers is completely covered. Our quotes include full insurance coverage from experienced, trusted vehicle shipping partners. For vehicles transported long distances or just across state lines, we maintain our stress-free approach to car shipping management to make your life easier.

Nexus distinguishes itself with professionalism, reliability, and comprehensive customer service at affordable, open auto transport prices. Our open auto transport services are trusted by thousands of customers every year. At Nexus Auto Transport, our commitment to safe open car carrier shipping shows in everything we do.

Testimonials

What Nexus Customers Have to Say

Nexus Auto Transport has arranged open carrier vehicle shipping for individuals, dealerships, collectors, families, students and military members since 2015. Read what our customers say about their open auto transport experience.

Leighan H. — Nexus Auto Transport customer
Leighan H. Review source logo

After a bad experience with shipping a car in the past I was very leery of having to do so again. However, after contacting Nexus and having Beck transport the car. I will never look elsewhere again if the need arises to ship a car in the future. William sent a quote without needing my email address; he remained in contact with me without any pressure until I committed to shipping the car. I needed to alter the shipment due to weather delays…also no problem! Beck was assigned to be the driver. He was so kind and competent with getting the car onto the truck. He kept in touch while in transport. At the receiving end…again nothing but kind and courteous! I will forever be a customer after this seamless experience! Thank you all so much!!

Scott J. Review source logo

I highly recommend using Nexus auto transport. They were very professional kept me up-to-date on the entire process right through to delivery. Every person that I spoke with during this process was extremely professional and courteous. My daughter‘s car broke down while on her way home from vacation in Virginia and Nexus scheduled the pick up of her vehicle within 24 hours to transport to Buffalo New York.

Jacob F. — Nexus Auto Transport customer
Jacob F. Review source logo

I was nervous to ship my car for the first time, especially coming from across the country over 3000 miles away. My car is also low to the ground and I didn't know if they could accommodate it. They made everything smooth and I was able to get a quote for a good price and picked out dates for the delivery. They stayed in touch the whole time which was reassuring. When the car arrived it has no damages and it was taken care of from the drivers. I would recommend nexus to anyone shipping a car especially for military members.

Jacob W. — Nexus Auto Transport customer
Jacob W. Review source logo

Nexus Auto Transport earned every bit of 5 stars. I needed my mustang shipped across the country on short notice, and they paired me with an excellent driver within hours who picked it up the very next day. Communication was fantastic—the driver provided pickup / drop off locations and texted updates. My car arrived on time and in perfect condition. Pricing was fair and transparent with no hidden fees, and the Nexus team followed up to ensure everything went smoothly. Fast, professional, and truly stress-free—highly recommend Nexus and will use them in the future.

Ryan T. — Nexus Auto Transport customer
Ryan T. Review source logo

Nexus was great to work with! They were regular communicators and kept me updated every step of the way. The driver / drop off went great. They were extra careful with the car to ensure it didn’t bottom out or get damaged at all. I would use them again if I needed to ship another vehicle.

Eric Review source logo

I’m a returning customer with Nexus Auto Transport. First time I shipped my full size 2024 GMC Sierra SLT from a dealership in Alabama to my home in Southern California. The process was simple and straight forward. I called them over the phone and booked the delivery. Last week I purchased a 2024 GMC Canyon from a dealership in Iowa and booked the delivery directly thru the website. I had it delivered to my home in Southern California. Each time I booked, the process was simple and got the best rate possible as I checked other sites to confirm. The vehicles were delivered on time and the drivers were very professional. I definitely recommend Nexus Auto Transport for all your vehicle delivery needs!

Alexander C. — Nexus Auto Transport customer
Alexander C. Review source logo

I had a great experience with Nexus Auto Transport. The process was easy from start to finish, and their communication was excellent throughout. They kept me informed every step of the way. The driver was professional, punctual, and took great care of my vehicle. Pickup and delivery were smooth, and my car arrived exactly as promised. I’m very satisfied with the service and would definitely recommend Nexus Auto Transport to anyone needing reliable auto shipping.

Anonymous Review source logo

Recently, I utilized Nexus Auto Transport to transport my vehicle from Virginia to South Carolina. Nexus Auto Transport demonstrated prompt and efficient handling of my rescheduling request, ensuring a hassle-free experience. My vehicle arrived on time and in pristine condition, at a reasonable price. I am confident in my decision to continue utilizing Nexus Auto Transport for future shipping requirements.

Frank X. P. — Nexus Auto Transport customer
Frank X. P. Review source logo

We had a great experience with Nexus Auto Transport shipping my daughter’s Jeep Renegade from Philadelphia to Tempe. From the very first call, their team was professional, responsive, and easy to work with. Communication throughout the process was clear and consistent, and the pricing was straightforward with no surprises. The vehicle was picked up and delivered on schedule and arrived in excellent condition. This was our first time shipping a car cross-country, and Nexus made the entire process smooth and stress-free. I would definitely use them again and highly recommend them to anyone needing auto transport services.

Ann R. N. Review source logo

We had a great experience with Nexus Auto Transit in transporting our car from Dallas to San Diego. Timing, value, and communication were all excellent! I highly recommend Nexus to anyone that needs to transport a vehicle!

Anonymous Review source logo

Very professional and accommodating. I had to change pickup locations and dates a few times and they were so nice about it. Very flexible. No hidden fees or costs. Stayed true to the original estimate. The guys that picked up my car were literally the nicest humans I’ve ever met and very cute. I highly recommend. My car arrived just as it was. Thank you so much!!

Ian S. Review source logo

I’m actually amazed on how flawless this experience was. I had a 1939 Ford Deluxe shipped from Georgia to Ohio. This vehicle was my grandfathers then my uncles and is very important to me. I was nervous to have anyone handle the car. Nexus and their driver did a fantastic job with handling and care. From quote to delivery was 72 hours! Simply fantastic as was the price.

How much will my open
auto transport cost?

Get affordable prices for open auto transport from our moving experts.

FAQ

Your Open Auto Shipping
Questions, Answered

Yes. Nexus Auto Transport offers door-to-door car shipping nationwide. Your assigned driver picks up and delivers your vehicle as close as possible to your specified addresses. If local restrictions, such as narrow streets or low bridges, prevent direct access, your driver will contact you to coordinate a nearby safe meeting point.

Yes. 95% of customers select open transport for affordability and quick scheduling. For luxury, classic, or vehicles valued at $70,000 or more, enclosed transport provides maximum protection from weather, sight, and road debris.

If you’re unsure which option is best for you, call a Nexus transport specialist at (224) 218-2949. We’re happy to assist.

Yes. Professional car shipping is one of the safest ways to move your vehicle long-distance. Every third-party carrier certified by Nexus Auto Transport has been handpicked for their experience, safety records, and overall quality of service.

Your car will be secured and strapped down in an open or enclosed trailer, remaining stationary during transit. This eliminates road wear and mechanical stress from driving a car yourself, along with maintaining the car’s current value.

Nexus is staffed by dozens of car shipping support specialists and dispatch experts with decades of combined industry experience. Rather than limiting you to car transport companies in your area, a dedicated Nexus associate vets multiple options to ensure you get the perfect driver with the proper licensing, equipment, and reputation.

With 10+ years in the business, Nexus continues to build relationships with the top independent car shipping companies in the United States. This gives us a unique advantage to handpick 5-star drivers for every order. Efficiency and customer care are key. The only drivers Nexus contracts are those that put our clients first.

Most shipments arranged through Nexus are assigned to a third-party carrier within one to three days of your first available pickup date; however, pickup and delivery timeframes are estimates only and are not guaranteed. Actual transit times depend on distance, route conditions, weather, traffic, mechanical issues, and third-party carrier availability.

As a licensed transportation broker, Broker Company coordinates shipment with independent third-party motor carriers. While we remain available to assist with communication and provide status updates as information becomes available, all transportation services are performed by the assigned third-party carrier.

To generate an instant quote from our car shipping cost calculator, you’ll need to provide:

  • Pickup and delivery ZIP codes
  • Vehicle size
  • Desired pickup date
  • A valid email & phone number

That’s all it takes! We’ll offer you two quotes for your shipment, a credit/debit quote and a part-cash quote. You can personalize your quote based on your payment preferences and additional needs such as:

  • Enclosed car shipping
  • Inoperable vehicle transport
  • Expedited transportation

Our Car Shipping Calculator uses this data to deliver a precise, all-inclusive estimate with no hidden fees.

Yes. High vehicle values can sometimes necessitate added cargo insurance coverage or specialized transport such as enclosed shipping. It’s not usually a direct one-to-one pricing impact, but value can matter.

Yes. Nexus Auto Transport is proud to offer service discounts for the following:

  • Military personnel (active or retired)
  • Car dealerships (visit our Nexus Dealer Portal for terms)
  • Multi-vehicle shipments

Call (224) 218-2949 for more discount information.

There are several ways that informed customers can reduce auto shipping costs:

  • Shipping cars during off-peak seasons
  • Picking easy-to-access locations for pickup and delivery
  • Select open carrier for lowest pricing
  • Remain open to scheduling shifts and be flexible

Vehicle transport rates are assessed based on several factors, including:

  • Distance between pickup and delivery locations
  • Vehicle make, model, size, and weight
  • Vehicle condition (running or non-running)
  • Type of carrier: open or enclosed
  • Time of year (seasonal demand)
  • Optional add-ons such as enclosed transport

For a precise, up-to-the-minute quote, use our instant car shipping cost calculator.

An auto transport bill of lading documents your car’s condition at pickup and serves as an official shipping agreement between a client and a shipper.

Inspect your vehicle carefully before shipment and note any pre-existing damage. This damage needs to be included on the BoL for future insurance claims. All insurance claims and coverage are the primary responsibility of the independent owner/operators we assign.

Yes. Once our dispatch team okays a third-party carrier, we will provide you with the third-party carrier’s full contact info. While third-party carrier’s cannot respond while on the road, they will do their best to get back to you as soon as possible.

Here are some small tasks for you to perform prior to your driver’s arrival:

  • Remove all personal items (unless specified)
  • Lower fuel to ¼ tank fuel tank at ¼ full
  • Ensure operating condition (unless non-running option is booked)
  • Note pre-existing damage to write on the bill of lading
  • Clean inside and out for easier inspection

Unless specified, your vehicle will be transported on an open carrier. It is the most common form of domestic car shipping, with most carriers featuring two levels and up to ten vehicles’ worth of capacity. You may select enclosed shipping prior to scheduling for an added fee.

The full protection offered by enclosed transport is essential for high-value, exotic, classic, and muscle cars.

Nexus Auto Transport makes it easy for you to differentiate pre-existing and incurred damage, and contact your third-party carrier accordingly:

  1. Document and note pre-existing and incurred damage on the bill of lading before pickup and delivery.
  2. Contact your third-party carrier immediately.
  3. Provide estimates and documentation for an insurance claim.

All claims are handled by the third-party carriers and owner/operators we assign. Please retain all contact information until your claim has been settled.

How much will my open auto
transport cost?