Every small business that ships vehicles has the same two goals. Move the vehicle from Point A to Point B without damage… While also not completely destroying their budget. Easy right?
Well not exactly.
Vehicle shipping costs can spiral out of control quickly if you’re not careful. Fuel surcharges, seasonal increases, choosing incorrect service types… There are a lot of ways small businesses end up overspending when it comes to using an enclosed car hauler or open transport carrier.
And when profit margins are what they are… spending too much money on transporting vehicles can be bad for your bottom line.
The good news is that it’s completely possible to be smart about vehicle shipping as a small business.
You just need to know what you’re doing.
Today we’re going to cover vehicle shipping for small businesses and break down how you can use an enclosed car hauler without breaking the bank.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Why Small Businesses Need To Know About Vehicle Shipping
- Open vs Enclosed Car Hauler – The Cost Breakdown
- 5 Ways To Save Money On Vehicle Shipping Costs
- How To Choose The Best Shipping Method For Your Business Need
Why Small Businesses Need To Know About Vehicle Shipping?
The vehicle shipping industry services billions of dollars worth of transactions every year.
The US vehicle shipping services industry alone was worth $10.5 billion in 2026. That’s $10.5 billion worth of vehicles being shipped from one side of the country to the other every year.
And a large percentage of those shipped vehicles belong to small businesses.
Dealer Inventory being transported to/from dealership lots.
Fleet vehicles for rental car companies.
Tools/trucks for tradespeople.
You name it.
Vehicle shipping is something that most businesses will need to take care of at some point.
What’s worse is that most small businesses have zero idea of how vehicle shipping works.
They get a quote online, blindly accept it then move on about their day.
That’s a huge mistake.
By taking the time to understand how vehicle shipping works and what your options are, you could be saving your business thousands of dollars. That extra money could go right back into running your business.
Open vs Enclosed Car Hauler – The Cost Breakdown
This is where most small businesses get confused…
There are two ways to transport a vehicle. Via an open transport carrier or enclosed car hauler.
Open carriers are the giant multilevel trailers that you see driving down the highway with 7 – 10 cars strapped to them. That is open transport.
An enclosed car hauler is a trailer completely enclosed on all sides with no exposed decking.
The covered car transport cost for enclosed trailers is obviously more expensive due to providing full protection from the elements and road debris.
But how much more expensive are we talking?
Based on Freightwaves research vehicles transported using open carriers made up about 90% of all auto transport shipments in recent years. That’s because for “non-high value vehicles” there simply isn’t a need for enclosed auto transport.
Enclosed car haulers are reserved for vehicles that need that extra layer of protection.
Luxury vehicles.
High dollar dealership inventory.
Classics that can’t be reproduced.
If you’re shipping any of these types of vehicles then opting for an enclosed transport carrier is more than reasonable.
But for standard vehicles being transported for trade-in, sales or otherwise… open transport will more than get the job done.
How To Save Money Shipping Vehicles?
Alright so you know the basics behind how to save money using an enclosed car hauler. Now it’s time to dive into 5 ways you can cut costs every time you ship a vehicle.
Be Flexible With Shipping Dates
Sure you might need that pickup done next Tuesday…
But do you really need to pick up that vehicle next Tuesday?
If you’re able to push your shipping date back or even move it forward by a few days you could see drastic savings.
May – September are considered the peak season for vehicle shipping and prices are always higher. January – March are the slow times for vehicle transport. As such if your schedule allows… doing your shipping during these months can save you money.
Get Multiple Quotes
This can’t be stressed enough. Because the vehicle shipping industry is so fragmented there are literally thousands of carrier businesses competing for your business. Use online calculators to get a ballpark figure then reach out to carriers directly. From there obtain quotes from at least 3-5 different carriers. Don’t be afraid to negotiate or speak with multiple agents at the same carrier. Like any sales person… Some are just better than others.
Urban Pickup/Delivery Locations
Vehicles being shipped to and from major metropolitan cities cost less than those being shipped to rural areas.
Think about it…
If a carrier visits Dallas, TX for delivery they can drop off at multiple locations within the metro area without going out of their way. Same goes for pickup.
A slight tweak in location can mean the difference between paying $400 to have a car shipped vs $300.
Bundle Shipments
Shipping multiple vehicles with the same carrier at the same time is always cheaper than doing them individually.
Simple business principal.
If your business finds there are multiple vehicles that need to be shipped at around the same time, bundle those shipments into one. You’ll pay less per vehicle.
Book Your Shipping In Advance
Like anything else in this world… if you book your shipping last minute you’re going to pay more.
Because your shipping request takes priority over what the carrier may already have scheduled they can charge a premium for it.
Booking your vehicle shipments 2-3 weeks in advance not only saves you money but ensures your carrier can plan for the pickup and delivery.
Deciding Between Open Or Closed Vehicle Transport
Deciding whether you should use an open transport carrier vs an enclosed car hauler isn’t hard when you know what you’re looking at.
Ask yourself these questions…
Does my vehicle need full enclosed protection?
If yes then opting for the enclosed car hauler is worth it. No questions asked.
Does my business have the budget for it?
Compared to open transport prices, enclosed shipping will always cost more. If your small business can afford the extra expense then go for it.
How damaged can my vehicle get before it affects the business financially?
Think of using an enclosed auto transport like buying insurance. If something were to happen to your vehicle in transit how much would it set you back?
Could you afford to have your vehicle totaled and replaced with the money you saved from using open transport? If so then open transport might be the right call.
If not… pay the extra dollar and get insurance.
Wrapping It Up
Every business has different needs when it comes to shipping vehicles.
And while there’s never a one-size fits all solution to properly shipping your vehicles as a business…
You now have the knowledge to make informed decisions and save money while doing it.
Utilize these tips and share them with anyone else in your network that could benefit from them.
