The most popular and economical way to ship a vehicle anywhere in the United States.
Compass TransitWorks provides open auto transport in every U.S. state. Our carrier network is vetted, federally compliant, and dispatched by U.S.-based coordinators who own your shipment from quote to delivery.
The most popular and economical way to ship a vehicle anywhere in the United States. We handle individual owners, snowbirds, collectors, dealers, and corporate fleets with the same level of transparency: one quote, one dispatcher, and one accountable carrier.
Call or submit our form. A dispatcher quotes your route in minutes.
We dispatch a vetted carrier and confirm pickup window in writing.
Live updates from pickup to drop-off with a final condition report.
Real reviews from real customers shipping vehicles across the country with Compass TransitWorks.
"Compass TransitWorks moved my truck from Arizona to North Carolina in 6 days. Dispatcher was sharp, driver was on time, zero damage. Would absolutely use again."
"I was nervous about shipping my classic Camaro. They put it in an enclosed trailer with soft straps and sent photos at pickup and delivery. Total pros."
"Best quote of the four companies I called, and the only one that actually picked up the phone after I booked. Smooth coast-to-coast delivery."
Direct answer: Open auto transport is the shipment of vehicles on an exposed multi-car trailer — the same equipment that delivers new vehicles from factories to dealerships. It is the most economical and most widely used form of vehicle shipping in the United States.
Over 95% of U.S. vehicle shipments move on open carriers because the equipment is plentiful, dispatch is fast, and per-mile rates are the lowest in the industry. Open transport is fully insured under FMCSA-mandated cargo coverage and is the right choice for daily drivers, lease returns, snowbird seasonal shipments, dealer trade swaps, and fleet relocation.
Open transport pricing is driven by distance, vehicle size, season, and route density. Most U.S. open shipments fall between $600 and $1,800.
Open transport dispatches faster than any other service because carrier availability is highest.
| Factor | Open | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Trailer | Exposed multi-car | Fully sealed |
| Weather protection | None | Full |
| Insurance limit | $100k–$150k | $250k–$1M+ |
| Premium | Base | +40% to +60% |
| Best for | Daily drivers, snowbirds, fleet | Classics, exotics, luxury, low-clearance |
Short answer: Most open shipments run $600–$1,800 nationally.
Price is set by distance, vehicle size, transport type, and season. Cross-country routes average $0.40–$0.55 per mile; short hauls run $1.00–$1.75 per mile because fixed carrier costs spread over fewer miles.
Short answer: Yes — open transport is the same equipment auto manufacturers use to deliver new vehicles to dealerships.
Carriers use professional tie-down systems, and damage rates are extremely low. For vehicles valued under $50,000, open is the standard and recommended choice.
Short answer: 1–3 days regional, 7–10 days cross-country.
Open transport dispatches faster than any other service because carrier availability is highest. Most lanes confirm a carrier within 1–3 business days.
Short answer: Yes — every FMCSA-licensed carrier carries cargo insurance covering carrier-caused damage.
Open carrier per-vehicle limits typically run $100k–$150k. For higher-value vehicles, book enclosed for $250k–$1M+ limits.
Short answer: Industry standard allows up to 100 lbs in the trunk only, at your own risk.
Personal items are never covered by cargo insurance. We recommend removing everything before pickup.
Related services: Enclosed Auto Transport · Cross Country Car Shipping · Door-to-Door Vehicle Shipping · Expedited Auto Transport
Helpful guides: Open vs enclosed · How much does it cost to ship a car? · How to prepare your vehicle · Auto transport insurance explained
Open transport pricing is set by a transparent national spot market. Carriers post available trailer space on load boards; brokers post available shipments. The market clears when a carrier accepts a shipment at a posted rate. Compass TransitWorks prices your shipment at the rate that will actually clear — not a teaser rate designed to win the booking and then "renegotiate" upward.
On a multi-deck open trailer, top-deck positions sit above the cab line and slightly reduce road-grime exposure and rock-chip risk. Carriers may charge a small premium ($75–$150) for guaranteed top-deck loading on sensitive vehicles. For everyday daily drivers, either position is fine.
Compass TransitWorks dispatches open transport daily in all 50 states, with hubs in Glendale, Arizona and Knoxville, Tennessee. Whether you're shipping within Arizona, within Tennessee, or coast-to-coast on I-10, I-40, I-70, I-80, or I-95, our carrier network reaches every metro area and most rural ZIPs.
Open transport is not the right call when (1) the vehicle is valued above $75,000, (2) the vehicle has under 5" of ground clearance, (3) the vehicle is a numbers-matching classic, (4) the route crosses extreme weather where enclosed protection matters, or (5) the customer's insurance carrier requires enclosed transit for coverage. In any of these cases, see enclosed auto transport.
Answers to the questions we get most often about nationwide vehicle shipping.
Open Auto Transport pricing depends on distance, vehicle size, vehicle condition, and time of year. Most nationwide shipments fall between $600 and $1,800. Request a free quote from Compass TransitWorks for an exact, locked-in price.
Regional shipments inside 1,000 miles typically deliver in 2–4 days. Cross-country routes generally complete in 7–10 days. Expedited dispatch is available when timelines are tight.
Yes. Every carrier in the Compass TransitWorks network carries federally required cargo insurance. Higher-limit policies are standard on enclosed and high-value shipments.
Yes. Compass TransitWorks dispatches carriers across every U.S. state, with launch hubs in Arizona and Tennessee.
Call (833) 742-9186 or use our contact form for a free, no-obligation quote. A dispatcher confirms pricing and pickup within minutes.
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