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Open Auto Transport. Reliable rates, nationwide.

Standard open carriers are the industry standard for moving daily drivers, SUVs, and trucks. We match you with vetted carriers for safe, cost-effective door-to-door delivery.

Open car carrier loaded with vehicles on both decks — open auto transport

Why choose open transport?

  • Door-to-door pickup and delivery
  • Flexible scheduling with daily availability
  • Active operating authority and cargo insurance verified before every dispatch
  • GPS tracking requested on every load
  • The most common and cost-effective way to ship a vehicle

On an open carrier

Your vehicle is loaded onto a multi-level open carrier alongside other vehicles. It is exposed to weather and road conditions, just like driving it yourself — but without the miles, wear, or hassle.

Cargo insurance verified on your carrier before every dispatch

Who open transport is for

Open transport is how most vehicles get shipped. It is a practical, cost-effective fit for:

  • Daily drivers
  • SUVs and trucks
  • Work vehicles
  • Relocations for a new job or a new home
  • Students heading to or from school
  • Dealer and auction purchases

If your vehicle is something you drive every day and you would be comfortable driving it across the country yourself, open transport is usually the right call. It is also the option most carriers run, which helps with scheduling on most routes. Not sure which fits? Call us at (888) 594-2804 and we will help you decide.

What to expect

Your vehicle rides on a multi-level open carrier alongside other vehicles. It is exposed to weather and road conditions, much like driving it yourself.

  • Door-to-door means the carrier comes to your address when a full-size truck can safely reach it. Where it can't, the driver may ask to meet at a nearby open lot.
  • Standard pickup is typically 2-7 days after booking.
  • Expedited pickup is typically 1-2 days.

How tracking works

We request GPS tracking on every load through Super Dispatch. Location updates come from the driver's phone app, so how often they arrive varies, from roughly hourly to a few times a day. Some drivers opt out.

Call us at (888) 594-2804 any time for the most recent location we have. Learn more about how vehicle tracking works.

Open vs. enclosed

Open transport is the most common and cost-effective choice, and it suits most everyday vehicles. Enclosed transport keeps your vehicle inside a trailer, shielded from weather and road debris, which makes it a better fit for collector, exotic, or low-clearance cars. Compare the details on our enclosed auto transport page.

How we vet your carrier

Before any carrier is dispatched, we confirm active operating authority and current cargo insurance on that specific carrier. One common reason we pass on a carrier is that the truck is not listed, or not enough trucks are listed, on the scheduled autos of its insurance policy. Read what we check before your carrier is dispatched, or see how we handle nationwide auto transport.

Approved Transport Group LLC DBA Approved Auto Transport — USDOT# 9677802 | MC# 45556873 | Licensed Property Broker | Grasonville, Maryland

Open transport FAQ

For most daily drivers, SUVs, trucks, and work vehicles, open transport is the right fit and the most cost-effective choice. If your vehicle is a collector, exotic, high-value, or low-clearance car, or you want it shielded from weather and road debris, enclosed transport is usually the better option.

Standard pickup is typically 2-7 days after booking. Expedited pickup is typically 1-2 days. Timing depends on your route and carrier availability, and we will keep you updated as your pickup window is confirmed.

Yes. Open transport is the most common way vehicles are shipped. Your vehicle is exposed to weather and road conditions, much like driving it yourself, but without the miles or wear. We verify active operating authority and cargo insurance on your carrier before every dispatch.

We request GPS tracking on every load through Super Dispatch. Updates come from the driver's phone app, so how often they arrive varies, and some drivers opt out. You can call us at (888) 594-2804 any time for the most recent location we have.

At pickup, the driver performs a full vehicle inspection with you and documents the existing condition on a Bill of Lading before loading. Do not release your vehicle without completing this inspection. At delivery, inspect the vehicle with the driver, confirm it matches the pickup Bill of Lading, and sign only after you are satisfied with the condition.

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