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If you’re looking for a way to ship your car without breaking the bank or draining your sanity, you’ve likely come across the term "open auto transport."
It’s the most popular shipping method in the country by a landslide. But what exactly is it, and more importantly, is it the right choice for your ride? Let’s explain it clearly so you can make the best choice for your move and your wallet.
Think of open auto transport as the carpooling of the logistics world. When you choose this option, your vehicle travels on a large, two-tiered trailer—the exact same kind of carrier you see hauling fresh inventory to local car dealerships along the highway.
Because the trailer doesn't have sides or a roof, your car breathes the open air during the journey. It is securely loaded, strapped down by the tires, and transported alongside anywhere from 7 to 10 other vehicles heading in the same general direction.
There’s a reason open transport is the go-to industry standard. For the vast majority of drivers, it checks every single box. Here is why it consistently wins the popularity contest:
Let’s cut straight to the chase: shipping a car can get pricey, and open transport is hands-down the most budget-friendly way to get the job done. Because carriers can haul multiple cars at the exact same time, they split the operational costs among several customers. You get to leverage that shared space, which translates to massive savings for your moving budget.
When you’re coordinating a move, timing is everything. You don't want your car stuck in limbo for weeks. Since roughly 90% of the trucks on the road are open carriers, finding a spot on a trailer is incredibly easy. This massive network means Revoway can secure your pickup dates quickly, getting your car on the road and to your new driveway without the stressful delays.
A common knee-jerk reaction is to worry that an open trailer means your car is exposed. But the truth is that open transport is incredibly safe. Professional carriers use specialized, heavy-duty wheel straps and advanced locking mechanisms to ensure your vehicle doesn't budge an inch. The drivers are seasoned pros who know exactly how to navigate highways safely. Your car is engineered to handle wind, rain, and highway dust every single day when you drive it—shipping it open is no different.
While it's a fantastic service, it isn't a one-size-fits-all solution.
Open transport is a great choice for:
When should you skip it? If you own a classic vintage car, a high-end luxury vehicle, or a low-clearance exotic sports car, you’ll want to opt for enclosed auto transport instead. Enclosed shipping costs more, but it acts as a protective bubble against weather and road debris for vehicles that require white-glove treatment. But if your car handles the highway just fine on a normal day, open transport is your best bet.
Shipping your car shouldn't feel like a gamble. When you choose open auto transport with Revoway, you’re not just booking a spot on a truck; you’re getting the reassurance you need. We take care of everything, vet the drivers, and keep you informed from pickup to delivery.
Ready to see how affordable it can be to move your car? Get your free, no-surprise quote from Revoway today!
It all comes down to basic math and efficiency. Open trailers can carry up to 10 vehicles at once, whereas enclosed trailers usually top out at 2 to 6. Because open trucks offer greater capacity and are widely available across the logistics network, the cost per vehicle drops dramatically.
Open transport is perfect for standard production vehicles—think sedans, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks. These vehicles are already built to withstand daily exposure to the elements, so a highway trip on a carrier is easy for them.
Because open trailers are the most common type of truck on the road, the scheduling process is incredibly quick. Revoway can typically lock down a carrier and arrange your pickup much more quickly than we could for a specialized enclosed trailer, simply because there are more open trucks available near you at any given time.
Absolutely. Every single carrier in our network is legally required to carry comprehensive cargo insurance. At Revoway, we carefully review our drivers' safety records and insurance policies so you can be confident that your vehicle is fully protected from the moment it leaves your hands until it arrives at your door.
Have you ever seen cars stacked on a highway carrier? That's open auto transport in action. Trusted by military personnel, auction buyers, students, and families relocating across the country or across state lines. This blog focuses on understanding the benefits of open auto transport, why people prefer this popular vehicle shipping method, and most importantly, when it makes sense for you.
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Shipping car options across the country are not few, but your choice will be practical and affordable if it’s open car transport. Whether you are a random customer that needs to move the car to another destination, or a dealer, a buyer, and so on, open car transport services have many advantages that are worth learning. In addition, this method ships more than 90% of all vehicles in the United States, and there are good reasons why it is the best.
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