How Much Does Enclosed Car Transport Cost Per Mile?
Got a sweet ride that needs to be hauled but with added security? Enclosed car transport is perfect for that. We’ll explain the cost of enclosed car shipping per mile, the different factors that affect the price per mile, an example cost comparison between enclosed and open carriers, and when it makes sense to pay for enclosed car shipping.
Average Cost of Enclosed Car Transport Per Mile
You’ll typically pay between $1.00 and $1.50 per mile for enclosed car transport across the US. Premium services like priority pickup or single-car enclosed transport hotshot trailers can bump costs up to $2.00+ per mile. Your location matters, too—coastal routes often cost more than Midwest shipments due to higher demand and operating costs in those regions.
| Service Level | Cost Per Mile | Best For |
| Standard Enclosed | $1.00-$1.30 | Classic cars, luxury vehicles |
| Premium Enclosed | $1.30-$1.50 | Exotic cars, faster delivery |
| White Glove Service | $1.75-$2.50+ | High-value supercars, show vehicles |
Impact of Distance on Cost
Distance plays a huge role in your final bill. Long hauls over 1,000 miles get cheaper per-mile rates because fixed costs are spread out. Your 2,000-mile trip might run $1.25/mile, while a short 300-mile jaunt could cost $1.50/mile or more. This happens because drivers need to cover basic expenses regardless of trip length.
Short trips under 500 miles face what pros call the “short-haul premium.” The math works against you here – carriers must cover fuel, labor, and equipment costs even on brief runs. Covered vehicle shipping services often charge more per mile on these routes since they can’t offset fixed costs over longer distances.
- 0-500 miles: $1.40-$2.00+ per mile
- 500-1,000 miles: $1.20-$1.60 per mile
- 1,000-2,000 miles: $1.00-$1.40 per mile
- 2,000+ miles: $0.90-$1.30 per mile
Seasonal Price Fluctuations
Timing your shipment can save you serious cash. Winter brings a 10-20% price jump for secure auto transport due to icy roads and slower travel times. Summer rates climb, too, as families relocate and vacation homes open up. Holiday shipping gets especially pricey—expect to pay 15-30% more around Christmas when protected car shipping services face high demand but limited capacity.
Spring and fall offer sweet spots for vehicle shipping. Carriers have more open slots, and the weather cooperates for smoother transit. If your schedule allows flexibility, booking during these shoulder seasons can trim hundreds off your total car transport bill.
Key Factors Affecting Covered Vehicle Shipping Rates Per Mile
Beyond distance, several other factors can dramatically change your enclosed car transport quote. Knowing these can help you avoid surprise fees.
Vehicle Specifications
Size matters. Since they take up extra trailer space, SUVs and trucks cost 10-25% more. Heavier vehicles burn more fuel and limit carrier capacity.
Modifications need special handling. Lowered cars, wide bodies, or non-running vehicles require equipment like extended ramps or winches. Covered vehicle shipping for these rides typically costs 15-30% more.
| Vehicle Type | Rate Increase | Special Considerations |
| Sedan/Coupe | Base rate | Standard loading |
| SUV/Truck | +15-20% | Reduced capacity |
| Modified Vehicle | +20-30% | Custom handling |
| Non-Running | +25-40% | Winch loading, extra labor |
Route Popularity & Demand
Popular routes cost less. Carriers prefer high-traffic corridors like LA to Vegas, where they easily find return loads.
Rural deliveries add $200-500. Protected car shipping services charge more for remote areas as drivers detour from main routes.
Fuel prices affect quotes directly. When diesel jumps 50 cents per gallon, secure auto transport rates reflect that increase almost immediately.
- Popular routes: NYC-Florida, California-Texas, Chicago-Arizona
- Difficult areas: Montana mountains, rural New England, islands
Additional Services
Premium services boost prices significantly. Climate control, GPS tracking, and expedited car transport might run 30-50% above standard enclosed rates.
Terminal-to-terminal shipping services save 5-15%. Using company hubs instead of door service helps offset the cost of pickup and delivery that carriers charge for navigating through your neighborhood in a large semi.
Enclosed Secure Auto Transport vs. Open Transport
Enclosed car transport costs 30-50% more than open shipping. For protection, you’ll pay about $0.60-$1.00 extra per mile. A 1,000-mile trip runs roughly $1,500 enclosed versus $900 open.
Enclosed trailers carry fewer vehicles (2-6 versus 8-10) and require specialized equipment. This efficiency gap drives up covered vehicle shipping prices.
| Distance | Open | Enclosed | Difference |
| 500 miles | $575 | $875 | +52% |
| 1,000 miles | $900 | $1,500 | +67% |
| 2,000 miles | $1,450 | $2,150 | +48% |
Protection & Risk Factors
Secure auto transport completely shields against weather and road debris. Theft risk drops significantly since vehicles remain hidden from view.
Open carriers expose cars to the elements, and insurance claims run higher with open shipping.
A $500 premium for protected car shipping services seems reasonable against potential $2,000+ repair bills.
Use Cases for Each Option
Classic cars, exotics, and vehicles worth over $100,000 demand enclosed transport. Show cars needing pristine presentation benefit from weatherproof transit.
Some situations demand enclosed shipping despite higher costs.
When to Choose Enclosed Protected Car Shipping Service
High-Value or Classic Vehicles
Collectible cars have a massive demand and a huge market, so they need frequent hauling but with special care. Enclosed car transport prevents value-killing damage to vintage vehicles. Even minor paint chips can slash thousands off resale values.
Spending an extra $300-500 on covered vehicle shipping prevents potential value loss exceeding $5,000.
| Vehicle Type | Protection Benefit |
| Modern Exotic | Maintains factory finish |
| Classic Car | Preserves originality |
| Rare Collectible | Protects irreplaceable components |
Long-Distance or Cross-Country Transport
Cross-country trips expose vehicles to multiple weather zones. Secure auto transport shields from varying conditions across regions.
Car transport companies usually report fewer claims with enclosed shipments over long-distance moves.
Shipping During Harsh Weather
Winter moves need extra protection. Salted roads cause serious undercarriage corrosion. Protected car shipping services prevent these seasonal hazards.
Storm season brings hail damage and water spotting. Enclosed trailers provide complete protection from common weather events.
Vehicle shipping during extreme temperatures affects sensitive electronics and mechanical components that enclosed carriers better protect.
