Enclosed Car Transport Services
A covered trailer, fewer vehicles per load, and drivers who move high value cars as their regular work. Enclosed transport typically runs 40 to 60 percent above open, and for the right vehicle that is the correct trade.
- FMCSA licensed broker, USDOT 4321158
- $2M cargo insurance on every shipment
- Typically 40 to 60 percent above open
- Door to door in all 48 contiguous states
Enclosed auto transport moves your vehicle inside a covered trailer, out of weather, road spray, and public view. It is the standard choice for classics, exotics, show cars, freshly restored vehicles, and anything with low ground clearance. Car Haul Direct arranges enclosed transport door to door through FMCSA licensed carriers, with $2M cargo insurance on every shipment.
Defined Windows, Documented Coverage
The figures that govern a Car Haul Direct enclosed booking, on every lane.
40-60
Percent Above Open
The typical enclosed premium, driven by fewer vehicles per load and specialised equipment.
$2M
Cargo Insurance Coverage
On every vehicle CHD ships, documented at the pickup and delivery inspections.
1-3
Day Pickup Window
Typical metro pickup after booking; enclosed capacity is thinner, so allow more lead time.
48
Contiguous States Covered
Door to door coverage, plus Hawaii and Alaska coordination through the dedicated ocean service.
What the covered trailer actually buys you
Covered, not exposed
The trailer walls keep weather, road spray, gravel, and public view off the vehicle for the entire trip.
Fewer vehicles per load
An enclosed trailer carries fewer cars than an open one. That is most of the reason the premium exists, and it is also why each vehicle gets more attention.
Built for low clearance
Enclosed carriers are equipped to load vehicles that cannot clear a standard open ramp, which is why lowered, restored, and show cars ship this way.
Drivers who specialise
Enclosed loads are handled by drivers who move high value vehicles as their regular work rather than as an exception.
$2M cargo insurance
Every vehicle Car Haul Direct ships is covered by $2M cargo insurance while it is on the carrier, documented at both inspections.
Discretion in transit
A covered trailer does not advertise what is inside it, which matters for collector and high value vehicles.
Who ships enclosed
Enclosed is the default when the vehicle is hard to replace.
Collectors and enthusiasts
Classics, exotics, and restored cars that are not going to be driven across the country to get where they are going.
High line dealerships
Inventory whose condition on arrival is part of the sale, moved on the same equipment the marques use.
Online buyers of high value cars
Bought at distance and sight unseen, delivered covered so the first look is the one you expected.
Show and event vehicles
Cars headed to a concours, a show, or an auction block, where arrival condition is the whole point.
Restorers and body shops
Fresh paint and new interiors that should not meet a highway before their owner does.
Owners relocating a special car
One vehicle in the household rides enclosed while the daily drivers ship open.
How enclosed car transport works: 5 steps
The same process as open transport, on specialised equipment.
1. Get a quote
Run the route through the instant quote calculator on this page and ask for the enclosed option. A Car Haul Direct quote is held for 7 days.
2. Book with no deposit
Nothing is charged until an enclosed carrier is actually assigned to your vehicle.
3. Pickup and inspection
You and the driver walk the vehicle together and record its condition on the Bill of Lading before it is loaded.
4. In transit with updates
Transit scales with distance, and coast to coast lanes over 2,500 miles typically run 7-10 days. You get status updates along the way.
5. Delivery and final walkaround
Meet the carrier at the delivery address, compare the vehicle against the pickup inspection, and sign the Bill of Lading.
Enclosed transport questions people ask before booking
The three points that decide most enclosed bookings.
How much more does enclosed cost?
Enclosed transport typically runs 40 to 60 percent above open pricing on the same lane. The gap comes from fewer vehicles per load and specialised equipment, not from a different route.
Does enclosed take longer?
Scheduling can take longer, because there are fewer enclosed carriers on any given lane. Once the vehicle is loaded, transit runs on the same distance based windows as open transport.
Which vehicles should ship enclosed?
Classics, exotics, show cars, freshly restored vehicles, very low clearance cars, and anything whose value or irreplaceability makes the premium worth paying.
Enclosed car transport FAQ
Cost, timing, insurance, and vehicle fit, answered in plain terms.
Enclosed car transport moves your vehicle inside a covered trailer rather than on an open deck. The vehicle is shielded from weather, road spray, debris, and public view for the whole trip, and the trailer carries fewer vehicles than an open carrier.
Enclosed typically runs 40 to 60 percent above open pricing on the same lane. Beyond that, price depends on distance, vehicle size and condition, route demand, and timing, so it is quoted per shipment. A Car Haul Direct quote is held for 7 days, and no deposit is charged until a carrier is assigned.
Classics, exotics, show cars, freshly restored vehicles, and cars with very low ground clearance. If a vehicle is hard to replace or its condition on arrival is part of its value, enclosed is the sensible choice.
Every vehicle Car Haul Direct ships carries $2M cargo insurance while it is on the carrier, and CHD arranges transport only through FMCSA compliant carriers. Condition is documented at the pickup inspection and again at delivery on the Bill of Lading.
Metro pickup typically lands within 1-3 days of booking, though enclosed capacity is thinner than open so allow more lead time where you can. Once loaded, transit runs on distance: coast to coast lanes over 2,500 miles typically take 7-10 days.
Yes. Pickup and delivery happen at the addresses you choose. If a street cannot safely take a full size carrier, because of low branches, tight turns, or weight limits, the driver arranges to meet you at a nearby lot.
Yes, as long as it rolls, steers, and brakes. Loading needs a winch, so disclose the condition when you request the quote. An inoperable vehicle typically adds $100 to $200.
You or another adult you designate needs to be present at both ends to hand over the keys, walk the vehicle with the driver, and sign the Bill of Lading.
Usually not. Open transport is the default for everyday vehicles and standard inventory, and it is the same method manufacturers use to deliver new cars. Enclosed earns its premium on vehicles that are hard to replace.
Latest Car Shipping Guides
Straight answers on cost, timing, and prep for every shipment.
Vehicle Inspection at Pickup and Delivery in 2026: How to Document Condition and Avoid Disputes
Learn vehicle inspection at pickup and delivery best practices, bill of lading vehicle inspection steps, and how to document condition to avoid disputes.
Car Shipping Preparation Checklist: 15 Steps to Get Your Vehicle Ready for Transport
Use this car shipping preparation checklist with 15 steps to prepare car for shipping, avoid delays, and complete your vehicle shipping checklist.
Lease Return Vehicle Transport: A Step-by-Step Guide for Dealers, Fleets, and Lessors
Learn lease return vehicle transport step by step, from inspection and pickup to remarketing transport and dealer vehicle transport.
Get Your Enclosed Transport Quote
Run your route through the instant quote calculator and ask for the enclosed option. The quote holds for 7 days, and nothing is charged until a carrier is assigned to your vehicle.