Best Enclosed Car Shipping Companies (Updated Review)

When looking into auto shipping options for a long-distance move, it’s only natural that enclosed shipping would be at the top of your list. Enclosed auto transport offers extra protection against road debris, severe weather, vandalism, and other hazards, providing some much-needed peace of mind during the shipping process.

But who are the best enclosed car shipping companies you should consider for your move? In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the top providers to help with your vehicle transport needs, as well as the factors you should consider when deciding who should ship your car.

Best enclosed car shipping companies

Here’s our list of the best enclosed car shipping companies:

• Best overall value: Montway Auto Transport
• Best for international shipping: International Van Lines
• Best for long-distance moves: AirVan North American Van Lines
• Best marketplace: uShip
• Best for customizable service: SGT Auto Transport
• Frequently asked questions

Best overall value: Montway Auto Transport

Founded in 2006, Montway Auto Transport offers the best overall value when you need an enclosed car transport trailer. The company doesn’t just ship cars, either — they can also ship motorcycles, classic vehicles, RVs, and more.

Montway operates as an auto transport broker, with more than 15,000 nationwide carriers in its network. A broker works with trusted partners across the U.S. to help you find the moving services you need in your area.By carefully vetting these carriers,

Montway offers confidence that you’ll get a great price and high-quality services. You can also get an instant quote on their website so you can quickly compare options.

Montway offers a host of value-added services, including GPS tracking, expedited pickup dates, additional insurance, and guaranteed delivery.

As the company’s name suggests, Montway solely transports vehicles. If car shipping is just part of your overall moving process, you will need to make arrangements with a professional mover for your household items.

Pros/Cons

Read our full Montway Auto Transport review

Best for international shipping: International Van Lines

Need enclosed auto transport services that will get you all the way to another country? International Van Lines (IVL) is the way to go. They don’t just serve all 50 states — their vast network offers international moving services for over 180 countries.

Door-to-door vehicle shipping is available, primarily using roll-on roll-off shipments for ocean transport. Depending on the ship you use, you will be given the option to park your vehicle under the deck for this part of the shipping process for added protection against the elements.

As a full-service mover, International Van Lines can also help move the rest of your household goods alongside your vehicle. An expansive coverage area and breadth of services are two reasons why we also named IVL among the best moving companies.

Pros/Cons

Read our full International Van Lines review

Best for long-distance moves: AirVan North American Van Lines

If you’re planning a long-distance or cross-country move, AirVan North American Van Lines is worth considering. In fact, North American is among our picks for the best interstate moving companies.

In business since 1933, North American Van Lines is an experienced professional moving company that offers a network of over 500 agents who can facilitate auto transportation and full-service moves — even to Hawaii and Alaska.

One thing that sets North American apart is its relatively speedy delivery times for long-distance moves. The typical timeframe for a vehicle delivery is just three to seven days, compared to up to 12 days with other providers, and cross-country moves can often be completed in less than five days. However, availability and quality of services can vary from agent to agent.

Pros/Cons

Read our full North American Van Lines review

Best marketplace: uShip

Looking for a different way to get enclosed auto shipping? With uShip, you have access to a marketplace-style system where you describe your shipping needs, then receive bids from car transport service providers in your area.

When describing your needs, you can set the parameters for what you’re looking for (like enclosed shipping or even a free car wash). The car haulers who submit bids have a verified review history on the platform, allowing you to easily compare your options.

Of course, this means that quality varies by carrier. With no standard contract, you’ll need to do your research to find the right fit for your needs.

Pros/Cons

Read our full uShip review

Best for customizable service: SGT Auto Transport

If you want to customize your enclosed car shipping experience, SGT Auto Transport is the way to go. They offer a wide range of options for a streamlined auto shipping experience, including guaranteed pickup dates, express shipping, and more. Their personalized shipping advisors offer customizable quotes and service so you get exactly what you need.

Beyond this, SGT Auto Transport stands out thanks to 24/7 customer service availability, full-coverage insurance included in all shipments, free cancellation for missed pickups, and no upfront deposit. Their strong commitment to customer service has earned them an A+ rating with the BBB.

Like Montway Auto Transport, SGT Auto operates exclusively as a vehicle shipping company and does not provide any other moving services.

Pros/Cons

Read our full SGT Auto Transport review

Comparing the best enclosed car shipping companies

Still not sure who to use? Here’s a quick breakdown of the auto transport companies that came out on top in our vehicle shipping rankings.

How to select the best enclosed car shipping company

So, how can you decide which auto transport services to use? Even when companies seem similar, there are still a few things you can look at to help you make your decision and verify that you’re working one of the best car shipping companies:

• Customer reviews: Customer satisfaction scores are always an important factor to consider. Look for verified reviews on sites like the BBB, Trustpilot, Google or Yelp to get a better idea of the pros and cons of each company.
• Car shipping quote: Most companies offer a free quote, which can help you find the services you need at the best price. Make sure your quote covers all aspects related to your shipping needs. Get at least three quotes from reputable shippers so you can compare your options. Ideally, try to get a binding quote or guaranteed shipping price so you’re not surprised with extra fees later.
• Availability: It’s good to have some flexibility with your vehicle pick-up and drop-off dates. However, if a shipper’s availability is too far out from what you need, then you should probably look into someone else.
• Years of experience: When possible, look for companies with more years of experience. Make sure your shipper is properly licensed with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and carries sufficient insurance.
• Services: When you need an enclosed carrier, it won’t do much good to get a quote from a company that only offers open transport. Always double-check that a car shipper offers the services you need.
• Process: A legitimate enclosed car shipping company should always provide a bill of lading — a legally binding document that provides evidence of your contract — as well as all details about your vehicle and any special instructions related to its shipping (including pick-up and drop-off dates and instructions).

Factors that affect enclosed car shipping costs

Enclosed auto transport companies usually charge twice as much for their services as you would pay for an open transport. While the average transport cost for open carriers is $500–$1,000, you can expect an average cost of $1,000-$2,000 for enclosed transport. Remember though, that you’re paying more for added peace of mind, since enclosed car shipping will better protect your car from the elements during transit.

That being said, there are several factors that could influence the quote you get for enclosed car shipping services:

• Type of vehicle: There are several vehicle variables that can influence the final price of your shipment. Vehicle size and weight directly affects your quote — the bigger your vehicle, the more expensive it will cost to ship. Vehicles with special handling needs, such as high-value classic cars or inoperable vehicles, will also be more expensive to ship.
• Insurance coverage: While some level of the carrier’s insurance is often included in your base quote, you might want to purchase add-on coverage for greater peace of mind. The insurance policy will also affect your shipping costs.
• Door-to-door service: Depending on the carrier, you may need to pay an extra fee for door-to-door pick-up and drop-off, as opposed to delivering your vehicle to the carrier’s main hub or warehouse.
• Distance: The mileage for your move will also play a direct role in determining your transport cost. The farther you need to ship your car, the more fuel and labor costs the shipper will incur. It’ll cost a lot more to ship from Florida to Oregon than it would to go from Pennsylvania to New York.
• Seasonal demand: Just like other moving companies, auto shippers tend to see more demand during the peak moving seasons of spring and summer. Generally speaking, you can expect lower costs during fall and winter, when there is less demand for movers.

FAQs about choosing enclosed car shipping companies

How is enclosed car shipping different from open car shipping?

Enclosed car shipping is different from open car shipping in the level of protection it provides. The auto transport industry has two main options for transporting cars: open transport and enclosed trailers.

Enclosed car shipping means your car is transported with fewer cars in a completely enclosed trailer that protects it from the elements and other hazards. An open carrier is generally more cost-effective, but there is a greater risk for damage because your car will be completely exposed to the elements.

Most auto shipping companies offer both open trailers and enclosed car trailers. It doesn’t hurt to compare quotes for both options.

How much does it cost for classic car transport?

The average cost to ship for classic car transport is $1.14 per mile for shipments over 1,000 miles, and $3.38 per mile when shipping a car less than 100 miles. Of course, there are several other factors that could influence shippers’ rates, so be sure to get quotes from multiple providers.

Who is the best luxury car shipping company?

When it comes to exotic cars and luxury vehicles, Montway Auto Transport stands out above the rest. As one of the country’s leading car transport services, they offer services specifically tailored to high-end vehicles. Not only are their exotic car carriers carefully vetted and fully insured, but you can even get your truck driver’s contact information so you can call them at any time.