Open Car Transport — The Smart, Affordable Way to Ship Your Vehicle
Ship your car nationwide on an open carrier — the same trusted method dealerships use to move over 90% of vehicles across the country. Fast quotes, transparent reservation fee, and full visibility from pickup to delivery.
The Basics
What Is Open Car Transport?
Open car transport is the most common and cost-effective way to ship a vehicle across the country. Your car is loaded onto a multi-car open-air trailer — the same kind of carrier you've probably seen hauling brand-new vehicles from factories to dealerships. It's fully exposed to the elements during transit, which is exactly why it's the more affordable option compared to enclosed transport.
For the vast majority of shippers — daily drivers, standard sedans, SUVs, trucks, and even most newer vehicles — open transport is the right call. It's reliable, widely available (meaning faster pickup windows since more carriers run open trailers), and backed by real cargo insurance through every carrier in our licensed network.
If you're moving across state lines, buying or selling a car remotely, relocating for work, or sending a vehicle to a family member, open transport is very likely the answer you're looking for.
The Process
How Open Car Transport Works
From your first quote to final delivery — here's exactly what happens at every step.
Get an Instant Quote
Enter your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle details, and preferred dates. You'll get a real, accurate price in under a minute — no fake "call for pricing" games.
Reservation Fee Details
Your assigned responsible agent will directly inform you of the exact reservation fee amount and payment schedule.
Matched With a Licensed Carrier
Your shipment is posted to our nationwide network of vetted, licensed, and insured carriers. You'll be notified as soon as one is assigned.
Vehicle Pickup & Inspection
The assigned carrier arrives at your pickup location and performs a joint vehicle inspection before loading — creating the paper trail that protects you.
Transit Tracking
Stay updated on your shipment's progress from pickup to delivery. Our support team is available 24/7 if you have questions along the way.
Delivery & Final Inspection
The carrier delivers your vehicle, you do a final walk-around inspection together, sign off on the Bill of Lading, and you're done.
Joint vehicle inspection at pickup protects both you and the carrier
Bill of Lading signed at pickup and delivery
Transparent Pricing
What Affects Open Car Transport Pricing?
Every quote is calculated based on several real factors — not a flat rate — which is why prices can vary shipment to shipment. We don't publish a single fixed price because it wouldn't be accurate for most shippers. That's why every quote is calculated live based on your specific shipment details.
Distance
Longer routes generally cost less per mile than short ones, but cost more in total. Interstate hauls are priced per the full origin-to-destination routing.
Vehicle Size & Weight
A compact sedan ships cheaper than a full-size truck or large SUV, since carriers have limited weight and space capacity per trailer.
Route Popularity
High-traffic corridors (major interstate routes between big metro areas) tend to price lower because more carriers actively run those lanes.
Time of Year
Demand shifts seasonally — for example, "snowbird season" in fall and spring sees higher demand along certain southern routes.
Vehicle Operability
Inoperable vehicles (won't start or roll) require special loading equipment and typically cost more to arrange.
Pickup/Delivery Flexibility
A flexible date range usually secures a better rate than a locked, exact-day pickup requirement.
Compare Your Options
Open Transport vs. Enclosed Transport — Which Do You Need?
Honest comparison — we'll tell you which one actually fits your vehicle and budget.
| Factor | ✓ Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Everyday vehicles, daily drivers, standard sedans & SUVs | Classic, luxury, exotic, or high-value vehicles |
| Weather Protection | Exposed to weather & road debris — cosmetic risk only | Fully enclosed & shielded from all elements |
| Carrier Availability | Wider availability — faster pickup windows | Fewer specialized carriers — may take longer to schedule |
| Cost | More affordable — lowest cost option | Higher cost — specialized equipment required |
| Typical Use | 90%+ of all vehicle shipments nationwide | High-value vehicles requiring maximum protection |
Bottom line: If your vehicle is a standard daily driver, open transport gives you the best combination of price and reliability. If you're shipping something irreplaceable or highly valuable, enclosed transport is worth the extra investment. See our Enclosed Transport page →
Delivery Timelines
Typical Delivery Timelines for Open Transport
Carriers typically average 500–700 miles per day of actual driving (accounting for DOT-mandated rest breaks), plus time for multi-stop pickups and drop-offs along the route. These are general industry-typical ranges, not guaranteed delivery dates — actual timing depends on carrier routing and conditions.
Under 500 Miles
1–2 Days
e.g., New York → Philadelphia, Dallas → Houston
500–1,500 Miles
2–4 Days
e.g., New York → Florida, Chicago → Texas
1,500+ Miles (Coast-to-Coast)
4–8 Days
e.g., California → New York, Florida → Washington
Need it faster? Ask about our Expedited Delivery add-on for priority carrier matching and faster pickup windows.
What You Get
What's Included With Every Shipment
Every open car transport shipment arranged through Mazzy Express comes with the following — no hidden fees, no last-minute add-ons.
Full insurance coverage through our licensed carrier network
Clear reservation fee details provided by your agent
7-day price lock on your quote
Real-time shipment tracking updates
24/7 customer support from a dedicated route specialist
Joint pickup inspection with Bill of Lading documentation
Joint delivery inspection and final sign-off
Direct communication with assigned carrier driver
Quick Stats
90%+
of U.S. shipments use open transport
Agent
guides you on reservation fee & timing
7-Day
price lock on every quote
24/7
dedicated support, always available
50 States
nationwide coverage guaranteed
FMCSA
licensed & insured carrier network
Is It Right for You?
Open Car Transport Is a Great Fit If…
You're shipping a standard vehicle
Sedan, SUV, minivan, or daily-driver truck — open transport is built for exactly this. If it's your everyday vehicle, this is your option.
You want the most affordable option
Open transport is consistently the lowest-cost method of vehicle shipping, often 30–40% cheaper than enclosed on the same route.
Your timeline has some flexibility
A flexible 2–5 day pickup window almost always secures a better rate and faster carrier match than a hard locked date.
You're moving cross-country or relocating
Whether it's a job relocation, PCS move, or just a long-distance purchase — open transport handles interstate shipments daily.
You're buying or selling a car remotely
Purchase a car online or from a dealership in another state and have it delivered directly to your door, without flying out to pick it up.
You want fast carrier availability
More carriers run open trailers than enclosed, meaning faster matching — especially on popular routes with high carrier traffic.
If your vehicle is a classic, exotic, or you want maximum weather protection, check out Enclosed Auto Transport → instead.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions — Open Car Transport
Straight answers to the questions we hear most from vehicle owners.
Is open car transport safe for my vehicle?
Yes. Open transport is the method used to ship the vast majority of vehicles in the U.S., including new cars from manufacturers to dealerships. Every carrier in our licensed network is FMCSA-vetted and insured, and a joint vehicle inspection is completed at both pickup and delivery to document your vehicle's condition.
Will my car get dirty during open transport?
It's possible your vehicle will have some road dust or dirt on arrival since it's exposed to the elements during transit — this is cosmetic only and does not affect the vehicle. A wash after delivery takes care of it completely.
How is open transport different from enclosed transport?
Open transport uses a multi-car open-air trailer — more affordable and with wider carrier availability. Enclosed transport uses a fully covered trailer that shields your vehicle from weather and road debris, making it ideal for high-value, classic, or exotic vehicles.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking at least a few days before your ideal pickup date for the best carrier availability. That said, depending on your route, we can often accommodate shorter timelines — contact us and we'll let you know what's possible.
How does the reservation fee work?
There is a reservation fee for booking your shipment. Your assigned responsible agent will directly inform you of the exact reservation fee amount and when it needs to be paid.
What if my vehicle doesn't start or run?
Let us know when requesting your quote. Inoperable vehicles can still be shipped, but require carriers equipped with the right loading equipment (winches, etc.), which may affect pricing and carrier availability on your route.
Ready to Ship Your Vehicle?
Get a free, instant quote in under a minute — no obligation, transparent pricing. Our licensed carrier network is ready to move your vehicle coast to coast.