Open Car Transport from Miami, FL

The most common and most affordable way to ship a car. Your vehicle rides strapped down on a multi-car open carrier, from Miami to almost anywhere in the U.S.

Call (305) 506-8675

Compare enclosed

Short answer: Open car transport means your car ships on an open carrier, the two-level trailers you see on I-95 loaded with cars. It is the most common and most affordable way to ship a vehicle. Day to Day Auto Transport arranges open carrier auto transport from Miami to destinations across the U.S. Call (305) 506-8675 for a quote.

Open carrier car transport trailer loaded with cars

If you have driven on I-95 or Florida’s Turnpike, you have seen them: long car carriers with two decks of sedans and SUVs. That is open transport. Most cars that move across the country travel this way, from brand-new cars headed to dealers to family cars headed to a new home.

What is open carrier auto transport?

An open carrier is a truck with a trailer that holds several vehicles on two levels. Each car is driven or winched onto the trailer and strapped down at the wheels. The trailer has no walls or roof, so the car is open to the weather and road dust during the trip, just as it is when you drive it.

Because one truck carries several cars at once, the cost of the trip is shared. That is why open transport usually costs less than enclosed transport.

Is open car transport right for your vehicle?

For most everyday vehicles, yes. Open transport is a good fit for:

Daily drivers: sedans, coupes and hatchbacks
SUVs, crossovers and minivans
Pickups and most light trucks
Used cars bought online or at an auction
Leased or company cars being moved to a new city

Consider enclosed auto transport instead if your car is a classic, a high-value luxury or exotic car, a brand-new car you want to keep spotless, or a car with very low ground clearance.

Open vs enclosed transport: what is the difference?

	Open carrier	Enclosed carrier
How the car rides	Strapped down on an open two-level trailer	Strapped down inside a covered trailer
Exposure	Weather and road dust, like normal driving	Shielded from weather and debris
Price	Lower	Higher
Truck availability	Many trucks on the road	Fewer trucks, book earlier
Best for	Everyday cars, SUVs, pickups	Classic, luxury, new or low cars

How does open car transport work?

Call (305) 506-8675. Share the year, make and model, whether it runs, the pickup and delivery cities, and your preferred dates.
Confirm the details. We confirm the carrier type, the pickup window and what to expect on pickup day.
Pickup and inspection. The driver checks the car with you, notes any existing marks on the inspection report, and loads it.
On the road. The car travels strapped down on the carrier. Call us if you would like an update.
Delivery. Inspect the car with the driver, compare it with the pickup report, and sign.

Where can we ship your car on an open carrier?

Day to Day Auto Transport is based in Miami and ships to locations across the U.S. Popular trips from South Florida include the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic along I-95, and the Midwest by way of I-75. We also ship cars into Miami from other states.

How do I prepare my car for an open carrier?

Wash the car and take clear photos of every side, including the roof and wheels.
Remove personal items, loose parts, phone mounts and toll transponders such as your SunPass.
Keep about a quarter tank of gas.
Retract or remove antennas you can take off, and fold in the mirrors.
Remove bike racks, roof boxes and anything that could come loose at highway speed.
Tell us about leaks or anything that does not work before pickup.

How much does open car transport cost?

We don’t list prices online, because every trip is different. The biggest factors are the distance, the route, the size of the vehicle, whether it runs, and the season. Open transport is usually the most affordable option for the same trip. Read more about what affects car shipping cost, or call (305) 506-8675 for a quote on your exact trip.

What happens on pickup day?

The driver usually calls ahead when the truck is getting close. You walk around the car together and mark any existing scratches, dents or chips on the inspection report. Keep your copy. At delivery you will use it to compare the car’s condition.

The driver then loads the car onto the carrier. Depending on the space on the trailer, it may ride on the top deck or the bottom deck. It is strapped down at the wheels, so the car’s suspension moves with the road the way it does when you drive.

Can the truck come to my street?

A full open carrier is long and heavy. On wide streets and in many suburbs, the driver can load at your address. On narrow or busy streets, under low trees, or in gated communities with tight turns, the driver may ask to meet at a nearby open lot, like a large store parking lot. We will talk about the best spot when we confirm your pickup.

What can change a pickup date?

Weather, especially summer storms and hurricane season in Florida, and snow up north
Holidays and the busy snowbird weeks in fall and spring
Earlier stops on the truck’s route taking longer than planned
Road closures and heavy traffic on I-95 and other main highways

A flexible pickup window of a few days makes it easier to fit your car on a truck. If anything changes, we will keep you informed.

What should I ask about coverage?

Before you book with any auto transport company, ask how damage during transport is handled and what paperwork you need. It is also a good idea to check your own car insurance policy. Your photos and the signed inspection reports from pickup and delivery are the key records if a question ever comes up.

Frequently asked questions

Is open car transport safe for my car?

Open transport is how most cars are shipped in the U.S. Your car is strapped down at the wheels and inspected at pickup and delivery. It is exposed to weather and road dust, much like normal driving. If you want a covered trailer, choose enclosed transport.

Why is open transport cheaper than enclosed?

An open carrier holds more vehicles than most enclosed trailers, so the cost of the trip is shared by more cars.

Can I put things in the trunk?

Please remove personal items before pickup. They are not part of the shipment and they add weight.

Can you ship a car that does not run on an open carrier?

Tell us when you call. A non-running car needs extra handling to load, which can change the truck we send and the price.

Do I need to be there at pickup and delivery?

You or someone you trust should be there to check the car with the driver and sign the inspection report.

Ship your car on an open carrier

Call Day to Day Auto Transport for an open car transport quote. Tell us the car, the route and your dates, and we will take it from there.