Open Car Transport Across the U.S.
Open carrier transport is the most common way to move cars, trucks and SUVs nationwide. Dobie coordinates pickup and delivery while keeping you informed throughout the shipment.
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What Is Open Car Transport?
Open car transport moves vehicles on an open multi-car trailer — the same carriers that deliver new inventory to dealerships. It is the most common and most economical way to ship a vehicle nationwide, with the vehicle exposed to weather but inspected, secured and insured throughout.
When Open Transport Is the Right Call
- Daily drivers, work trucks and family SUVs
- Dealer and auction purchases on a budget
- Relocations where cost matters more than showroom finish
- Any structurally sound vehicle that runs
How It Works
Tell Us About the Vehicle
Year, make, model, whether it runs, and where it is going. That is everything we need to start.
We Match the Carrier
We select a vetted carrier with the right equipment for your vehicle and route, and confirm insurance before dispatch.
Pickup & Transport
The driver inspects and documents the vehicle at pickup. You stay informed while it is on the road.
Delivery & Final Inspection
The vehicle is inspected again at delivery. You confirm everything matches the pickup condition before signing off.
Open vs Enclosed: the Honest Trade-Off
Open transport costs meaningfully less and books faster because most carriers on the road are open trailers. The trade-off is exposure to weather and road dust — cosmetic, not mechanical. For high-value, classic or exotic vehicles, enclosed transport is worth the premium; for nearly everything else, open is the smart default.
Cost Factors
Vehicle transport pricing is not a flat rate — it reflects the route, the vehicle and the equipment needed. These are the factors that move the number:
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Distance & route | Line-haul cost and how often carriers run the lane |
| Vehicle size & weight | How much carrier capacity it uses |
| Running or non-running | Winch-equipped carrier requirement |
| Open vs enclosed | Enclosed protection typically costs more |
| Timing flexibility | Expedited pickup narrows the carrier pool |
How Long Does It Take?
Most vehicle shipments are matched with a carrier within a few days of booking — often faster on busy lanes. Transit time depends on distance, route and equipment: regional moves often deliver in 1–3 days, while coast-to-coast shipments average 7–10 days. Your logistics specialist confirms a realistic pickup window when you book and keeps you updated through delivery.
Insurance & Safety
Every carrier in the Dobie network is vetted for active operating authority and insurance before a load is assigned. Your vehicle is covered by the carrier's cargo insurance from pickup to delivery, and our dispatch team verifies the certificate of insurance before every dispatch — not once a year.
Where We Coordinate It
Dobie coordinates vehicle transport across all 50 states, with deep operating experience in Texas, the South Texas border region and cross-border routes into Mexico. Wherever the pickup and the delivery are, one team manages the entire move.
Shipments Like Yours
Frequently Asked Questions
Is open car transport safe?
Yes — it is how the vast majority of vehicles, including brand-new dealership inventory, move across the country. Vehicles are strapped at the wheels, inspected at pickup and delivery, and covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance.
Will my car get dirty?
Possibly — open trailers expose vehicles to weather and road dust, like a long highway drive without the miles. If that matters for your vehicle, consider enclosed transport.
How many vehicles ride on one carrier?
Typical open carriers haul 7–10 vehicles. Your car is assigned a position, secured at the wheels and stays on that trailer for the line-haul.
Is open transport cheaper than enclosed?
Yes, typically by a wide margin — open capacity is far more plentiful, which also usually means faster pickup.
Last reviewed: August 2026 · Reviewed by the Dobie Transport logistics team
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