Ship your vehicle affordably and efficiently with Rivalane's Open Auto Transport service. It's the most popular option for everyday vehicles, offering a safe and cost-effective way to move your car nationwide. Our trusted open carrier network ensures timely pickup, reliable tracking, and professional handling from start to finish.
Open auto transport moves your vehicle on a multi-car trailer with no walls or roof, the same type of carrier you see hauling new inventory to dealerships. It's the standard method used across the auto shipping industry, and it's how the large majority of vehicles move state to state every day. Because open carriers run more frequently and cover more routes than enclosed carriers, they're also the fastest option to book and schedule.
Your car is secured to the trailer with commercial-grade tie-downs and travels alongside other vehicles heading similar routes. Open transport works well for daily drivers, family vehicles, and most standard makes and models, and it pairs easily with door-to-door delivery if you'd rather skip the terminal altogether. If your vehicle needs extra protection from the elements, enclosed transport is worth a look, covered further down this page.
Open car shipping follows a straightforward process, and each step is handled by our team to keep your vehicle moving on schedule.
The process begins with booking and scheduling. Once you request a quote, your shipment is matched with a suitable open carrier based on your route, vehicle type, and timeline.
Before pickup, you'll prepare your vehicle by removing personal items, checking for existing damage, and making sure it's ready for transport. At pickup, the driver secures your vehicle to the open trailer using industry-standard tie-down straps alongside other vehicles on the route.
Upon delivery, your vehicle is carefully unloaded and inspected to confirm it arrives in the same condition as when it was picked up.
Open transport is the right call for most vehicles and most shippers. It's built for everyday cars, SUVs, and trucks that don't need specialized protection from weather or road debris.
It's also the better fit when timing matters. Open carriers run more routes more often, so pickup windows tend to be shorter and more flexible than enclosed scheduling allows.
Budget is the other deciding factor. Because open trailers carry more vehicles per trip, the cost per vehicle comes down, making it the more affordable choice for standard shipments.
If you're moving a daily driver, a family SUV, or a work truck on a normal timeline, open transport covers what you need without paying for protection you don't.
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Everyday Vehicles
Short & Long Distance
Budget Friendly
Flexible Scheduling
The difference between open and enclosed car shipping comes down to exposure and cost. Open transport moves your vehicle on an uncovered trailer alongside other cars, and it's the standard, most cost-effective method for shipping a vehicle nationwide.
Enclosed transport, on the other hand, carries your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, shielded from weather and road debris. It's worth considering for classic cars, exotic models, or vehicles with low ground clearance or high value that need extra protection.
Because enclosed carriers transport fewer vehicles and require more specialized equipment, pricing runs higher than open transport. For most standard vehicles and shorter timelines, open transport is the more efficient and affordable choice.
Rivalane helps you find the most cost-effective way to ship your vehicle.
Several factors shape the cost of open car transport. Distance plays the biggest role, since longer routes mean more fuel, time, and driver hours. For a full breakdown of how pricing works across different distances, see our guide on what it costs to ship a car cross country.
Route demand matters too. Popular lanes tend to have more carrier availability, while less common routes can cost more simply because fewer open carriers run them.
Vehicle size and condition also affect pricing. Larger vehicles take up more trailer space, and non-running vehicles often require special loading equipment.
Timing plays a role as well. Demand for open carriers rises during peak moving seasons, and flexible pickup and delivery windows typically result in a better quote.
BEFORE YOU SHIP
A little preparation keeps your open transport shipment on schedule and free of surprises, from pickup to delivery.
Most of these steps take just a few minutes, but skipping them is one of the most common reasons pickups run behind schedule. Handling them ahead of time means your driver can load your vehicle without delay, and you can hand off your keys knowing everything's ready to go.
Keep Fuel Around a Quarter Tank
This reduces weight during transport while still leaving enough for loading and unloading.
Clear Out Personal Belongings
Items left inside are not covered by carrier insurance, so it's best to remove them before pickup.
Expect a Window, Not an Exact Time
Pickup and delivery dates are typically provided as windows rather than fixed hours, due to route conditions and scheduling.
Document Your Vehicle's Condition
A clean vehicle makes any existing damage easy to spot and document during inspection.
In these articles you will find simple and real explanations of how car shipping works: What to expect, and how to avoid common mistakes. We also cover how to spot scams, understand the quotes and choose a reliable company for a smooth transport. Shipping a car in the U.S. is not just booking a date and waiting.. It depends on the routes, carrier availability and timing, which is why prices and delivery windows can vary.
See moreOpen transport is the fastest, most cost-effective way to ship a standard vehicle, and Rivalane makes sure that speed never comes at the expense of care. We work only with licensed, insured carriers, and every shipment gets a driver matched to your route and timeline. From your first quote to final delivery, we stay in contact and keep the process clear. You always know where your vehicle is and what happens next.
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Licensed and insured carriers on every shipment
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Nationwide network with fast, flexible scheduling
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Direct contact with your carrier from pickup to delivery
Clear Communication
Proper Planning
Fast Nationwide Coverage
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