Enclosed Auto Transport Across the United States
Enclosed auto transport moves your vehicle inside a covered trailer, away from rain, sun, wind and road debris. It is the option many owners choose for luxury, exotic, classic, antique, restored and collector vehicles, and for cars that sit low to the ground. AutoStar Transport Express is a licensed auto transport broker (FMCSA MC #600908). We arrange your move with vetted carriers that run enclosed equipment, and we stay with you from the quote to delivery.
Where are you shipping your vehicle?
Start with a ZIP code — we'll fill in the city and state.
Tip: a ZIP code (e.g. 33101) gives the most accurate quote — we'll fill in the city and state.
ZIP or city (e.g. 10001 — New York, NY).
What is enclosed auto transport?
In enclosed transport, the vehicle travels inside a trailer with walls and a roof, so it is not exposed to the weather or to the road. Enclosed trailers carry fewer vehicles than open carriers, which means fewer vehicles on every trip and more attention on each one.
Benefits of enclosed transport
Protection from weather
Rain, hail, snow, sun and wind do not reach the vehicle.
Protection from road debris
Stones, dust, grit and road salt stay outside.
Privacy
The vehicle is not visible from the road.
Careful loading
Enclosed transport services can vary significantly, as there are several types of enclosed trailers available, including soft-sided, hard-sided, single-vehicle, and multi-vehicle enclosed carriers. While many enclosed trailers are equipped with lift gates to simplify loading and unloading, not all of them have this feature.
A fit for high-value vehicles
Owners of luxury, exotic and collector cars often choose it for peace of mind.
Vehicles that are a good fit
- Luxury and exotic vehicles
- Classic, antique and collector cars
- Restored vehicles and show cars
- Low-clearance and sports cars
- Any vehicle you simply want covered for the trip
See our dedicated pages for Exotic & Luxury Vehicle Transport and Classic Car Transport.
Enclosed or open transport?
Open transport is the more common and usually the lower-cost option, and it suits most everyday vehicles. Enclosed transport adds protection and is often the choice when the vehicle has high value or special needs. Read our guide to Open vs Enclosed Car Shipping to compare them.
How enclosed transport works with AutoStar
- 1
Request a quote
Tell us the vehicle (year, make, model, and whether it runs), the pickup and delivery locations, and your preferred dates.
- 2
We review the details
We look at the vehicle, the route and the time of year, and send you a quote.
- 3
We match your vehicle with a carrier
We work with vetted carriers that run enclosed trailers, and we select one that fits your vehicle and route.
- 4
Pickup
The carrier inspects the vehicle with you and notes its condition before loading.
- 5
Transport and delivery
The vehicle travels in the enclosed trailer. We stay in touch about the schedule. Pickup and delivery windows are estimates and can change with weather, traffic and carrier schedules.
What affects the price
The price is set with the data in our system: the size of the vehicle, the route and the time of year. Because these factors change from one move to the next, we quote each vehicle individually.
Insurance
AutoStar does not carry an insurance policy for vehicle transports, as we are not the carrier. Coverage for transport-related damages is provided by the assigned carrier, which AutoStar screens and selects. Customers seeking additional coverage for high-value or collector vehicles may purchase it independently through their own insurance provider or a third-party insurance provider. AutoStar does not sell additional coverage or refer customers to specific insurance providers.
Why ship your vehicle with AutoStar
Licensed property broker, FMCSA MC #600908 and USDOT #2239014
19+ years arranging vehicle transport and a network of 25,000+ vetted carriers
Rated 4.6 out of 5 across more than 7,600 customer reviews
One point of contact from the quote to delivery
Enclosed Auto Transport FAQs
It depends on the size of the vehicle, the route and the time of year. Enclosed transport usually costs more than open transport because of the equipment and the smaller load. Send us your vehicle details and locations to get a quote.
It is worth considering when the vehicle is valuable, rare or low to the ground, or when you want it covered for the whole trip. For an everyday vehicle, open transport is often enough.
An open carrier moves vehicles on an uncovered trailer. An enclosed carrier moves them inside a covered trailer. Our guide to open vs enclosed car shipping goes through the differences.
Yes. Luxury, exotic, classic, antique, restored and collector vehicles are the most common enclosed moves we arrange.
Enclosed transport services can vary significantly, as there are several types of enclosed trailers available, including soft-sided, hard-sided, single-vehicle, and multi-vehicle enclosed carriers. While many enclosed trailers are equipped with lift gates to simplify loading and unloading, not all of them have this feature. Tell us the model and any modifications, such as a lowered suspension.
AutoStar is a licensed auto transport broker. We arrange your move with vetted carriers and handle the communication from quote to delivery.
It depends on the distance, the route, the weather and the carrier's schedule. We give you an estimate with your quote. Pickup and delivery dates are estimates, not fixed dates.
FMCSA regulations require vehicles to be free of personal belongings during transport, and any items left inside the vehicle are not covered by the carrier's cargo insurance. While some carriers may allow up to 100 pounds of personal items, they assume no responsibility for those belongings. Any personal items must be disclosed in advance, and acceptance is entirely at the carrier's discretion.