Shipping a car for the first time can feel unfamiliar, especially when you are coordinating pickup dates, insurance documents, and delivery windows at the same time. Most people only arrange vehicle transport during a major life event, such as a cross-country move, military relocation, seasonal move, or online vehicle purchase.
Since the process is not part of everyday life, it helps to understand how the industry actually works before booking a shipment. Interstate auto transport operates under federal oversight through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates carriers, brokers, safety standards, and insurance requirements across state lines.
According to the 2024 FMCSA Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics, more than 787,000 interstate motor carriers were active in the United States as of late 2023. Once you understand the basics, the process becomes much easier to evaluate and manage.
Open Transport Remains the Most Common Option
Open auto transport handles the vast majority of vehicle shipments in the United States. These trailers usually carry seven to ten vehicles at once and travel regular interstate routes throughout the country. Since carriers can move multiple vehicles simultaneously, open transport remains the most affordable option for most customers.
This method works well for:
Sedans
SUVs
Pickup trucks
Daily drivers
Standard leased vehicles
Although vehicles remain exposed to weather and road debris during transit, serious transport-related damage is relatively uncommon. Most cars shipped through open transport arrive with little more than normal road dust from highway travel.
For first-time shippers focused on value and reliability, open transport is usually the practical choice.
Enclosed Transport Adds Another Layer of Protection
Enclosed transport places vehicles inside covered trailers designed to shield them from weather exposure, road debris, and outside visibility during transit.
This option is commonly used for:
Luxury vehicles
Exotic cars
Collector vehicles
Rare classics
Vehicles with custom paint finishes
In many cases, enclosed trailers also use hydraulic liftgates that help reduce loading risks for low-clearance vehicles. Cargo insurance limits are often higher as well since enclosed carriers typically transport higher-value automobiles.
That added protection comes with a higher price. Enclosed transport generally costs 30% to 60% more than open shipping due to lower trailer capacity and specialized equipment requirements.
For a standard commuter vehicle, the additional expense may not provide much practical benefit. However, owners of collector or luxury vehicles often consider enclosed shipping worthwhile for peace of mind alone.
Brokers and Carriers Handle Different Parts of the Process
Many first-time customers assume the company they book with also owns the truck transporting the vehicle. In reality, brokers and carriers perform separate functions within the shipping process.
A carrier owns the transport equipment and physically moves the vehicle from pickup to delivery. The carrier employs the driver, loads the vehicle, secures it to the trailer, and completes the transport itself.
A broker coordinates the shipment by connecting customers with licensed carriers that operate along the requested route. Brokers also manage scheduling, monitor dispatch progress, verify insurance coverage, and provide communication support throughout the shipment.
The FMCSA explains the legal distinctions between brokers, carriers, and freight forwarders in its official transportation authority definitions. Most customers work with brokers rather than contacting individual carriers directly. The industry is highly fragmented, and many carriers operate only regional routes or small fleets.
Under FMCSA regulations, interstate brokers must maintain a $75,000 surety bond or trust fund, according to the agency’s insurance filing requirements.
FMCSA Registration Helps Verify Legitimate Companies
Every interstate auto transport company should maintain active FMCSA registration.
That includes:
A valid USDOT number
An active MC number
Current insurance filings
The USDOT number allows the FMCSA to monitor safety records, inspections, crash history, and compliance performance. Meanwhile, the MC number establishes interstate operating authority for for-hire transportation companies.
Consumers can verify this information through the FMCSA SAFER database and the agency’s Open Data Program.
Checking registration status before booking helps identify inactive operators, unlicensed brokers, and potentially fraudulent companies. If a transporter refuses to provide DOT or MC information, that should immediately raise concerns.
Several Factors Influence Car Shipping Costs
Distance remains one of the biggest pricing factors in auto transport, although it is far from the only variable affecting cost.
Vehicle Size and Weight
Larger vehicles require more trailer space and add weight to the load. As a result, trucks, vans, and full-size SUVs typically cost more to ship than compact cars or midsize sedans.
Route Demand
Popular interstate routes often produce lower pricing since carriers regularly travel those lanes. Rural pickup or delivery locations may increase costs if drivers must travel far outside major shipping corridors.
Seasonal Demand
Vehicle shipping demand tends to rise during summer moving season and during snowbird migration periods between northern states and Florida. Higher demand can reduce carrier availability and increase pricing pressure across certain routes.
Vehicle Condition
An operable vehicle costs less to transport than a non-running vehicle. If a car cannot start, steer, or brake under its own power, carriers classify it as inoperable and may require additional loading equipment.
Transport Type
Open transport remains the lower-cost option, while enclosed shipping commands premium pricing tied to specialized trailers and reduced vehicle capacity.
The Bill of Lading Carries Significant Legal Importance
The Bill of Lading, commonly called the BOL, serves as the central document in the shipping process.
It functions as:
The transport contract
The vehicle condition report
The delivery receipt
At pickup, the carrier and customer inspect the vehicle together. Existing dents, scratches, paint chips, and cosmetic issues are documented directly on the Bill of Lading before transport begins.
The inspection process repeats at delivery. Customers should carefully review the vehicle before signing the final paperwork.
If new damage appears during transit, it must be documented on the Bill of Lading immediately. Waiting too long to report issues can complicate the claims process and weaken supporting documentation.
The FMCSA outlines required Bill of Lading standards through its CSA Safety Planner documentation. Taking timestamped photos before pickup and again at delivery adds another layer of protection for both parties.
Preparing Your Vehicle Before Pickup
Proper preparation helps reduce delays, inspection disputes, and avoidable transport complications.
Wash the Vehicle Before Inspection
A clean vehicle makes it much easier to identify existing cosmetic damage before transport begins.
Remove Personal Belongings
Federal transportation regulations generally prohibit carriers from transporting household goods inside vehicles. In addition, loose items can shift during transit and potentially damage the interior. The FMCSA discusses shipping preparation recommendations through its Protect Your Move resources.
Lower the Fuel Level
Most carriers recommend keeping the fuel tank around one-quarter full. Extra fuel increases vehicle weight and adds unnecessary risk during transport.
Check Basic Mechanical Functions
Before pickup, confirm that the vehicle:
Starts properly
Maintains battery charge
Holds tire pressure
Steers correctly
Does not leak fluids
Disable Alarm Systems
Vehicle alarms that activate repeatedly during transport can create unnecessary delays for drivers.
Delivery Windows Require Flexibility
Vehicle shipping depends on weather conditions, interstate traffic, road construction, mechanical issues, and carrier scheduling. For that reason, most shipments operate within estimated delivery windows rather than exact guaranteed dates.
Cross-country shipments commonly take between five and twelve days depending on the route and scheduling conditions.
Customers should plan with some flexibility instead of expecting rigid appointment-style delivery timing.
Insurance Coverage Protects the Shipment, Within Limits
Federal law requires interstate carriers to maintain liability insurance coverage.
For many commercial interstate carriers transporting non-hazardous freight, FMCSA minimum liability requirements begin at $750,000.
Cargo insurance specifically applies to the transported vehicle itself.
Professional auto transport carriers commonly maintain:
$100,000 to $250,000 in cargo coverage for open transport
$250,000 to $1 million or more for enclosed transport
Customers should still review their own personal auto insurance policies before shipping. In some situations, comprehensive coverage may provide secondary protection for weather-related incidents or other exclusions.
AmeriFreight Auto Transport also offers optional gap protection plans that may provide additional shipment protection options.
Scam Prevention Starts With Basic Verification
The FMCSA and Better Business Bureau both continue to warn consumers about transportation-related scams.
Some of the most common warning signs include:
Extremely low quotes
Sudden price increases after booking
Large upfront cash requests
Unlicensed operators
Poor communication after payment
In many bait-and-switch situations, a company advertises pricing that is too low to realistically secure a carrier. After booking, the customer is pressured to pay significantly more to avoid shipment delays.
Consumers can review official scam alerts through the FMCSA Consumer Advisory About Automobile Transporters, the BBB scam warning page, and the National Consumer Complaint Database.
A few verification steps can dramatically reduce risk:
Confirm FMCSA registration
Read independent customer reviews
Request written agreements
Verify insurance information
Avoid wire transfers or gift card payments
The FMCSA consumer resource center remains one of the most useful tools for first-time shippers.
AmeriFreight Auto Transport Helps Coordinate the Process
AmeriFreight Auto Transport helps customers arrange interstate vehicle shipping through a vetted network of licensed carriers.
That vetting process includes reviewing:
Carrier operating authority
Insurance filings
Safety records
Compliance history
Customer feedback
Customer service agents help coordinate scheduling, transport options, paperwork requirements, and shipment communication from dispatch through delivery.
Both open and enclosed transport options are available depending on the customer’s vehicle type, route, and shipping priorities.
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