Fewer trailers
Enclosed vehicle transport has fewer trucks than open, so the pickup window is often longer.
ENCLOSED CARRIER SERVICE
Enclosed Auto Transport from Florida to Anywhere in the USA
Enclosed auto transport provides added protection for classic, luxury, exotic and specialty vehicles during transit. Azimuth Ship Auto coordinates your shipment with licensed carriers from Florida to destinations nationwide.
Get an enclosed auto transport quote
No payment needed to see a range.
What is enclosed auto transport?
Enclosed auto transport loads the vehicle inside a hard-sided trailer. The car is strapped by the wheels and shielded from rain, sun, and most road debris. A full enclosed trailer usually carries 1 to 6 vehicles, not 8 to 10.
Enclosed transport is the usual choice for vintage and collector cars, and for a luxury or exotic car when the finish cannot take weather. Soft-top, freshly painted, low-clearance, classic and specialty vehicles may be better suited to enclosed transport when additional protection is important.
Azimuth Ship Auto is the broker, not the truck. Enclosed car shipping services mean we assign a licensed carrier, confirm covered car transport, and send the carrier name before pickup. People comparing enclosed carriers should ask who the carrier will be, not only who answered the phone. Door-to-door still depends on the street. See door-to-door car shipping.
A standard daily driver can stay on open auto transport. A collector car should start on classic car shipping.
Vehicles that usually need enclosed shipping are classic cars, exotic sports cars, luxury vehicles, race cars, and vintage or custom builds. A hard-sided trailer is the default. A soft-sided canvas trailer is still covered, but it is not the same barrier against dust and weather. Tell us if you need a hard-sided trailer specifically. We confirm the trailer type before dispatch.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
What to know before booking enclosed car transport.
Higher protection
Enclosed transport typically costs more than open transport because the vehicle travels inside a covered trailer with fewer vehicles per load.
Weather cover
Covered car transport blocks rain and most road debris. Ask for hard-sided if dust is the concern.
Fit still matters
Very low, wide, or inoperable cars need a ramp and clearance check before we confirm enclosed service.
How is the car protected in enclosed car transport?
The hard side is the weather barrier. The paperwork is the damage record. Before dispatch, Azimuth Ship Auto checks the motor carrier’s active authority and asks for proof of cargo insurance. You get the carrier name and USDOT number before pickup. At both ends, you or a representative 18 or older completes the Bill of Lading (BOL). New damage is written on that BOL before anyone signs.
Are vehicles protected from other cars during enclosed transport?
Yes. The vehicle rides inside a covered trailer, not on an open upper deck. Cars are not stacked the way they are on an open carrier, so fluid drips and road debris from a car above are not the same risk. The carrier still straps each vehicle in place before the doors close.
How is the car secured inside?
Inside the trailer, the car is secured with wheel straps. Frame tie-downs are used only when the carrier and the car require them, because a strap on the wrong point can mark a finish. You can watch the securement at pickup.
Will the car arrive clean?
Enclosed transport does not guarantee a dust-free car. A hard-sided trailer blocks rain and most debris. A soft-sided trailer can still let fine dust in. Neither type is a climate-controlled vault unless the carrier says so.
Low-clearance and non-running cars
Low-ground-clearance cars are loaded with a hydraulic lift gate or a race ramp, not driven up a steep open deck. The carrier sets the ramp angle before the car moves. If the splitter or exhaust is at risk, say so on the quote.
A non-running car can go in an enclosed carrier if the trailer has a winch. That is a specialty handling fee, confirmed before dispatch. We do not add the winch charge at pickup.
THE PROCESS
From quote to delivery.
The path is quote, carrier check, Bill of Lading at pickup, transit under FMCSA driver-rest rules, then delivery inspection.
On an enclosed shipment you hear from Azimuth Ship Auto at booking, when the carrier is assigned, and if the pickup window changes. The driver calls for the curb appointment. We do not leave status only with the driver.
01
Request a quote
Send the route, vehicle, clearance notes, and pickup window.
02
Review the plan
Confirm enclosed service, timing, price, and carrier details.
03
Prepare for pickup
Photograph the finish, remove loose items, and provide working keys.
04
Accept delivery
Inspect the vehicle and complete the Bill of Lading.
How long does enclosed auto transport take?
Enclosed often waits longer for a trailer than open. The drive itself is similar. Request a written quote for your car. We do not publish a booked rate on this page.
| Distance tier | Typical transit after pickup |
|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | 1–4 days |
| 500–1,000 miles | 2–5 days |
| 1,000–1,500 miles | 4–7 days |
| 1,500–2,500 miles | 6–9 days |
| Coast to coast | 7–12 days |
Florida to New York is usually 3–6 days after pickup. See Florida to New York.
Should I ship my car open or enclosed?
Is enclosed worth the extra cost? Yes when the car is classic, exotic, freshly painted, or too low for an open deck. No when it is a daily driver and road dust is acceptable. That is the comparison most buyers are actually making, and the premium is the cover and the smaller load, not a faster truck.
| Feature | Open auto transport | Enclosed auto transport |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost | Baseline, usually 30–40% cheaper | 40–60% premium over open transport |
| Capacity | 7 to 10 vehicles per multi-car carrier | 1 to 6 vehicles per enclosed trailer |
| Weather exposure | Exposed to rain, sun, and road debris | Protected from weather and most road debris |
| Best suited for | Daily drivers, SUVs, trucks, and fleets | Exotic cars, vintage classics, and low-clearance vehicles |
See open auto transport if the car does not need a cover.
What affects enclosed transport cost?
Enclosed transport cost depends on distance, vehicle size and clearance, whether the car runs, route popularity, and seasonal demand. It typically costs 40% to 60% more than open auto transport because the trailer holds fewer cars. A winch or lift-gate load is quoted before dispatch. Florida pickups for enclosed transport run from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and St. Augustine, then the carrier takes the national lane.
| Route example | Transit after pickup |
|---|---|
| Miami / Fort Lauderdale → New York | 3–6 days |
| Orlando → New York | 3–5 days |
| Tampa → New York | 3–5 days |
| Florida → California | 7–12 days |
Request a written quote for your car. We do not publish a booked rate on this page.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
What our customers say
MМихаил Беляцкий
★★★★★
Smooth and reliable enclosed transport of an F-150 Roush from Texas to Colorado, with on-time delivery.
AAnastasiia S.
★★★★★
I needed enclosed transport for a sports Porsche. The team stayed on the shipment through delivery.
Customer reviews
What our customers say
Ready for an enclosed carrier quote?
Nationwide enclosed auto shipping, coordinated with licensed carriers.
Enclosed auto transport questions
How much more expensive is enclosed shipping than open?
Enclosed transport typically costs 40% to 60% more than open. The trailer holds fewer vehicles and often needs a lift gate or winch. Open is usually 30% to 40% cheaper.
Is my car insured during enclosed auto transport?
The assigned carrier carries cargo insurance; limits commonly start around $100,000. Ask for the certificate, the limit, and the deductible before pickup, and confirm whether coverage is primary. It covers transport damage from an accident or driver negligence, not items left in the car. Azimuth Ship Auto will not call a shipment fully covered.
What happens at the Bill of Lading inspection?
At pickup and delivery, you or a representative 18 or older walks the car with the driver. Existing marks go on the Bill of Lading before loading. New marks go on it before you sign at delivery. Do not sign a blank form.
How long does enclosed shipping take?
It often takes slightly longer to assign than open, because fewer enclosed trailers are available. Under 500 miles is often 1–4 days after pickup. Coast to coast is often 7–12 days, including FMCSA rest hours.
Can personal items or spare parts ride in the car?
Household goods are not part of the shipment. Most carriers allow up to 100 pounds in the trunk, below the window line, at your risk and outside cargo insurance. Loose spare parts in the cabin are refused.
How should I prepare the car?
Wash it so marks show, photograph the paint, leave about a quarter tank, and disable the alarm. Have someone 18 or older at both ends. See how it works.
Do you offer classic car transportation?
Yes. Classic cars are coordinated as enclosed unless you ask for open and accept the exposure. Start on classic car shipping.