Enclosed transport costs more than open carrier for a reason. Your vehicle travels in a covered trailer, shielded from weather, road debris, and the wear that open-air shipping exposes it to. For a daily driver, that may not matter much. For a luxury vehicle, a classic car, or anything you would not want exposed to highway conditions for several days, enclosed is the right call.
The seven companies on this list all handle enclosed transport. RoadRunner is our top pick; they have been shipping enclosed for 30 years and their vetted carrier network means the driver handling your vehicle has been screened, not just dispatched from an open marketplace.
Quick Picks — 2026
01RoadRunner Auto Transport
02Hawaii Car Transport
03Intercity Lines
04Viceroy Auto Transport
05National Dispatch
06Ship a Car Direct
07Montway Auto Transport
1.RoadRunner Auto Transport
★★★★★4.9 / 5
Best overall enclosed car shipping company
RoadRunner has been handling enclosed transport for 30 years. Their in-house dispatch team actively matches your vehicle with vetted enclosed carriers from their network; they do not simply post your shipment and wait. No deposit is required at booking, pricing is transparent upfront, and their tracking portal gives you visibility throughout the move. For most enclosed shipments, RoadRunner is the straightforward first call.
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Pros
- 30-year track record with enclosed transport
- No deposit required at booking
- In-house team actively manages dispatch
- Real-time tracking portal
- Covers all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Caribbean
Cons
- Pickup windows can extend during peak periods
- Quote requires contact info upfront
2.Hawaii Car Transport
★★★★★4.8 / 5
Specialist in enclosed and container shipping to and from Hawaii
Hawaii Car Transport focuses entirely on vehicle shipping between the mainland and Hawaii. Enclosed and container options are available for all major ports including Honolulu, Hilo, Kahului, Kona, and Nawiliwili. They offer a live sailing schedule, published transit times, and a 24/7 tracking portal. For anyone shipping a vehicle to or from Hawaii, this is the most focused option on this list.
Pros
- Dedicated Hawaii shipping specialist
- All major island ports covered
- Live gate cameras and sailing schedule available
- 24/7 shipment tracking
- Fully licensed, bonded, and insured
Cons
- Hawaii routes only; not for mainland-to-mainland moves
- Container shipping timelines longer than standard enclosed
3.Intercity Lines
★★★★☆4.3 / 5
Enclosed-only carrier; strong credentials for collector and exotic vehicles
Intercity Lines is an enclosed-only direct carrier; they own their own fleet and do not broker. Based in Warren, MA and operating since 1980, they specialize in exotic, classic, and collector vehicles. Their cargo insurance coverage and driver safety record are among the strongest in the enclosed segment. They are the official carrier for Gooding and Company auctions. A credible choice for genuinely high-value vehicles, though their smaller scale means capacity can be limited.
Pros
- Enclosed-only; direct carrier with own fleet
- Strong insurance coverage and driver safety record
- Deep experience with exotic and collector vehicles
- Official carrier for Gooding and Company auctions
Cons
- Small operation; capacity can be limited
- Some routes less frequent; primarily Northeast-based
- Higher cost than most brokers
4.Viceroy Auto Transport
★★★★☆4.0 / 5
Family-owned operation with open and enclosed options
Viceroy is a family-owned carrier and broker based in South Florida. They handle enclosed transport alongside open carrier and flatbed options. Reviews are generally positive on the service side; some customers have noted delays. A reasonable option for Florida and Southeast enclosed moves.
Pros
- Family-owned; personal service approach
- Carrier and broker; direct driver relationships
- Handles all vehicle types including motorcycles
Cons
- Mixed reviews on timing and delays
- Limited GPS tracking on most shipments
- Smaller network than larger brokers
5.National Dispatch
★★★☆☆3.8 / 5
Handles enclosed transport without requiring contact info for a quote
National Dispatch covers enclosed transport alongside their standard open carrier service. Their quote process does not require contact information upfront, which is less common. Serves corporate, military, and snowbird routes. Variable experience depending on assigned carrier.
Pros
- Quote available without contact info required
- Handles enclosed, open, and specialty vehicles
- Corporate and military move experience
Cons
- Limited visibility into carrier partners
- Variable experience by carrier
- Enclosed not their primary focus
6.Ship a Car Direct
★★★☆☆3.6 / 5
Damage-focused carrier vetting applies to enclosed as well
Ship a Car Direct vets carriers specifically for their claims history, which applies to their enclosed network as well as open carrier. Photo documentation at pickup and delivery is standard. Not always the cheapest option, but their damage-focused approach is worth noting for condition-sensitive vehicles.
Pros
- Damage-focused carrier vetting
- Photo documentation at pickup and delivery
- Responsive customer service
Cons
- Not always the cheapest option
- Enclosed availability varies by route
7.Montway Auto Transport
★★★☆☆3.2 / 5
Large broker with enclosed as one of many service options
Montway is one of the larger auto transport brokers in the country and offers enclosed transport as part of their service mix. Their size means broad carrier access, but enclosed is not a specialty for them; it is one option among many. Some customers report communication inconsistencies. A serviceable option if you are already using them for other reasons.
Pros
- Large carrier network; broad availability
- Enclosed option available nationwide
- High volume of customer reviews
Cons
- Enclosed is not a specialty; just another service tier
- Communication inconsistencies noted in reviews
- Less personalized than smaller specialists
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about enclosed car shipping
What is enclosed car shipping?
Enclosed car shipping transports your vehicle in a covered trailer rather than on an open carrier. This protects it from weather, road debris, and visibility. It typically costs 30 to 50 percent more than open carrier.
When should I choose enclosed over open carrier?
Enclosed makes sense for luxury vehicles, classic or collector cars, exotic vehicles, or any car where condition on arrival is especially important. For most standard vehicles, open carrier is sufficient.
How much does enclosed car shipping cost?
Enclosed transport typically runs $200 to $500 more than open carrier for the same route. Cross-country enclosed shipping can range from $1,000 to $2,500 or more depending on vehicle type and timing.
Is enclosed shipping worth it for a regular car?
For most everyday vehicles, open carrier is sufficient and significantly cheaper. Enclosed is worth the premium when shipping something with higher value, sentimental significance, or condition sensitivity.
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