Enclosed Vehicle Shipping
Enclosed car shipping is the premium option when you want your vehicle protected from weather, road debris, and unwanted exposure. It’s a popular choice for luxury vehicles, classics, collectibles, exotics, and any car you simply prefer to keep covered from pickup to delivery.
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Extra protection on the road.Covered trailer helps shield your vehicle from rain, dust, salt, and flying gravel.
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Ideal for high-value vehicles.Great for show cars, classics, supercars, and freshly painted vehicles.
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Door-to-door coordination.We work with you on pickup and delivery timing to keep the process smooth.
What “Enclosed” Means (and Why People Choose It)
With enclosed vehicle shipping, your car travels inside a covered trailer rather than an open carrier. The main benefit is protection—your vehicle is far less exposed to the elements and normal road conditions. For many owners, that peace of mind is worth the upgrade.
While open transport is a solid solution for everyday vehicles, enclosed car shipping is often selected for vehicles where appearance, value, or rarity makes extra protection a priority. It’s also a smart pick for long-distance moves in harsh weather seasons or when you’d rather avoid any chance of road grime during transit.
Protection from exposure
Covered transport reduces exposure to dust, rain, sun, salt, and debris kicked up on highways.
Better fit for special vehicles
Great for classics, exotics, luxury vehicles, show cars, and vehicles with fresh paint or custom work.
Comfortable handling
Enclosed shipments are commonly booked with added care and tighter coordination for pickup and delivery.
Who Should Consider Enclosed Auto Transport?
If you’re deciding between open and enclosed, here are common scenarios where enclosed vehicle shipping is a strong fit:
Classic & collectible cars
Vehicles with rare parts, original paint, or sentimental value often ship enclosed to minimize exposure.
Luxury, exotic, or high-value vehicles
Owners often choose enclosed car shipping for higher-value vehicles simply for added peace of mind.
Fresh paint or custom builds
If your vehicle has new paint, wraps, or custom work, enclosed transport can help keep it cleaner in transit.
Looking specifically for enclosed vehicle shipping details? You’re in the right place: Enclosed Vehicle Shipping.
How Enclosed Vehicle Shipping Works
The process is straightforward, and we guide you through it. While every route is a little different, most enclosed shipments follow these steps:
1) Request enclosed car shipping quotes
Share your pickup and delivery locations, vehicle year/make/model, and preferred shipping window. If you’re comparing options, it helps to check both enclosed and standard pricing so you can pick the service that fits your goals.
2) Choose the right transport style
Enclosed shipping can be a perfect fit for many vehicles, but the “right” choice depends on the vehicle, season, distance, and your preferences. If you’re still deciding, our team can help you weigh the tradeoffs between open and enclosed.
3) Pickup coordination
We coordinate pickup timing and location details. For enclosed shipments, customers often prefer pickup points with easy access, but we’ll work with you to keep it as convenient as possible.
4) Transit & delivery
During transit, your vehicle stays protected inside the trailer. At delivery, you’ll confirm the vehicle’s condition and receive it at the drop-off location.
Helpful prep checklist
- Wash the car beforehand so existing marks are easier to see.
- Remove personal items and loose accessories from the interior and trunk.
- Disable alarms and provide any special startup instructions if needed.
- Leave about a quarter tank of fuel (enough for loading/unloading).
- Take quick photos of the exterior from a few angles for your records.
What Affects Enclosed Auto Transport Pricing?
Enclosed vehicle shipping typically costs more than open transport because capacity is more limited and the service prioritizes protection. Here are the main factors that influence enclosed car shipping quotes:
Distance & route demand
Popular corridors may have better availability. Remote areas can require additional coordination.
Vehicle size & ground clearance
Larger vehicles take more space. Low-clearance cars may need special loading considerations.
Time of year & timing
Seasonal demand and your requested pickup window can impact availability and pricing.
Enclosed vs. standard shipping
If your vehicle is a daily driver and you’re mainly focused on affordability, standard shipping can be a great fit. If your priority is protection and peace of mind—especially for high-value or special vehicles—enclosed shipping is often worth it. You can compare options on our Standard Vehicle Shipping page.
Trust, Transparency, and Support
When you’re booking enclosed vehicle shipping, communication and clarity matter just as much as protection. Our goal is to keep the process simple: clear options, realistic expectations, and a team you can reach when you need help.
Customer-first guidance
Not sure whether enclosed is necessary for your vehicle? We’ll help you think it through based on value, season, distance, and your preferences. You’ll get straight answers—no pressure, just practical guidance.
See what customers say
You can read our customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau here: Smart Auto Move BBB customer reviews .
Common reasons people upgrade to enclosed
- They want maximum protection from weather and debris.
- The vehicle is rare, sentimental, or expensive to repair/replace.
- The car is headed to an event, show, or auction.
- They recently completed paint, restoration, or customization.
- They want a cleaner arrival after a long-distance move.
Enclosed Vehicle Shipping FAQs
Quick answers to the most common questions about enclosed car shipping and what to expect.
Is enclosed car shipping worth it?
What’s the difference between enclosed and open transport?
Can I ship a low-clearance vehicle enclosed?
How do I prepare my vehicle for enclosed shipping?
Do you offer enclosed car shipping quotes for any route?
Where can I learn more about how vehicle transport works in general?
Explore Related Shipping Options
If you’re still weighing your choices, these pages can help you compare services and understand what to expect.
What is Auto Transport
Learn the basics of vehicle shipping, pickup windows, delivery expectations, and how the process works.
Standard Vehicle Shipping
A practical option for everyday vehicles with a focus on affordability and wide availability.
Enclosed Vehicle Shipping
More on protected transport, common use cases, and how to request enclosed car shipping quotes.
Prefer a protected ride? Enclosed car shipping is designed to help keep your vehicle shielded and supported from pickup to delivery.