Shipping a high-value or classic vehicle means open transport is simply not on the table. Single car enclosed transport puts your car inside a fully covered trailer, shielded from weather, road debris, and prying eyes. Here are the six best providers right now, ranked by protection quality, coverage, and what each one does best.
1. Dispatch Dudes , Our Top Pick for Enclosed Single Car Shipping
Dispatch Dudes is our top pick for single car enclosed transport, and it’s the service we stand behind for good reason. We are a fully insured, nationwide vehicle transport company headquartered in Boynton Beach, FL, and our dedicated advisors work with each shipment individually because no two moves are exactly alike.
We handle cars, motorcycles, and boats across all 50 states using door-to-door enclosed service. That means a carrier comes to your address, loads your vehicle with soft tie-down straps inside a sealed trailer, and delivers it directly to your destination. No terminal drops. No strangers handling your car between stops.
For a single car move, this matters. Enclosed trailers typically carry two to six vehicles, but we can book single-vehicle slots when your car needs maximum isolation. Think fresh auction wins, show-ready classics, or exotics with low ground clearance that require hydraulic lift gates. Pricing varies by distance, vehicle size, and timing, so we recommend getting an instant quote directly on our site for your specific route.
We’re accredited by the BBB and recognized by Forbes Business Council, and Newsweek named us a Readers Choice pick. Those aren’t just badges. They reflect a track record of treating premium vehicles the way their owners expect.
The one honest caveat: if you need a true single-vehicle enclosed trailer on a very short turnaround, lead time can stretch depending on carrier availability in your area. Book at least two weeks out for the best options. For most enclosed moves, we have carriers available quickly, often within 24 to 48 hours of booking.
2. Montway Auto Transport , Large Carrier Network
Montway is one of the largest auto transport brokers in the US, and its size is its main selling point. With an extensive national carrier network, Montway can source enclosed transport on most routes quickly. For enclosed single car shipping on a common corridor like Florida to New York or California to Texas, that network depth translates to competitive rates and faster pickup windows.
The booking process is online-first. You enter your route and vehicle details, get a quote, and a carrier is assigned from their pool. The experience is efficient, and customer reviews consistently mention reliable communication during transit.
Where Montway differs from a more hands-on service is the broker model itself. Your car goes to whichever carrier in the network wins the load. That carrier does the actual transport. Most are vetted and insured, but you have less visibility into which specific driver and trailer you’re getting until the booking is confirmed. For a standard luxury sedan, that’s usually fine. For a one-of-a-kind restoration or a show car, some owners prefer a service where they can speak directly with a dedicated advisor before booking.
Montway also offers real-time tracking and a customer portal for updates. Pricing is not publicly listed per move; quotes generate based on your specific route and dates. Budget for enclosed transport to run roughly 40 to 60 percent above open transport rates on the same route.
3. Sherpa Auto Transport , Price Lock Guarantee
Sherpa’s headline feature is their Price Lock Guarantee. Once you get a quote and confirm your booking, the price you see is the price you pay. That’s a meaningful promise in an industry where last-minute price bumps from brokers are a common frustration, especially during peak shipping seasons when enclosed carrier availability tightens.
For single car enclosed transport, that predictability has real value. If you’re shipping a collector car to an auction or moving a luxury vehicle across the country on a fixed date, knowing your cost won’t change at the last minute removes a significant headache.
Sherpa also offers a Clean Car Guarantee: if your vehicle arrives dirty from transport, they reimburse up to $100 for a car wash. It’s a small touch, but it signals the kind of attention to the customer experience that owners of higher-value vehicles appreciate.
On the downside, Sherpa operates as a broker, so carrier assignment follows a similar model to Montway. The Price Lock only applies when the booking conditions stay the same. If your pickup date shifts or your vehicle specs change, the guarantee may not hold. Confirm those terms at booking. Routes in less-served areas may also see narrower carrier selection, which can push quotes higher than the national average.
4. uShip , Best for Bidding on Enclosed Transport Rates
uShip runs a transport marketplace where carriers bid on your shipment. You post your move, set a deadline, and watch quotes come in. For enclosed single car transport, this model can work in your favor, especially on flexible timelines where waiting a few extra days lets more carriers compete for your load.
The carrier profiles on uShip include verified reviews, equipment details, and insurance information. That transparency is genuinely useful when you’re choosing who handles a high-value vehicle. You can filter specifically for enclosed carriers and compare bids side by side.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), all licensed carriers must carry minimum cargo insurance, but those federal minimums can fall well below the value of an exotic or collector car. On uShip, you can read each carrier’s listed coverage before accepting a bid, which puts more control in your hands than a traditional broker model.
The trade-off is time and involvement. Getting the best rate on uShip takes more engagement than a standard quote. You’ll read through bids, check profiles, and possibly negotiate. For someone who wants to pick a service and hand off the details, uShip is more work. It’s best suited for flexible shippers who want price visibility and don’t mind a more active process.
5. SGT Auto Transport , Reliable Enclosed Nationwide Coverage
SGT Auto Transport positions itself as a straightforward, full-service enclosed transport option with broad nationwide coverage. They operate as a broker with a large carrier network and consistently get solid marks for communication and on-time delivery across long-haul routes.
For single car enclosed moves, SGT handles the standard range well: luxury sedans, sports cars, and crossovers heading across the country. Their quote process is fast, and customer reviews point to agents who follow up proactively during pickup and delivery windows rather than waiting for customers to chase updates.
SGT doesn’t publicize specific carrier equipment details at the quote stage, which is a minor drawback if you’re shipping something that requires a hydraulic lift gate or very soft tie-down systems. It’s worth asking directly before you confirm your booking. Most reputable enclosed carriers have that equipment, but confirming it for low-clearance vehicles is always a smart move.
Pricing follows the industry pattern: distance, vehicle size, and timing drive the number. SGT’s rates for enclosed single car transport are competitive on popular corridors. If you’re on a less common route, get at least two quotes before deciding. Their customer support line is responsive, which makes them a dependable fallback when you need updates quickly.
6. AmeriFreight , Best Budget Enclosed Shipping Option
AmeriFreight works as a broker and is one of the few options in the enclosed transport space that actively caters to budget-focused shippers without cutting corners on coverage. They offer an AFta discount plan that can reduce your quote, and they’re transparent about how their pricing works across different service levels.
Their enclosed transport service covers the full lower 48, and their quote tool is one of the faster ones to use online. For single car enclosed transport on a mid-range budget, AmeriFreight makes sense when you want enclosed protection but don’t want to pay a premium rate. That’s a reasonable position if you’re shipping a higher-end daily driver rather than a show car or irreplaceable restoration.
One thing worth knowing: AmeriFreight uses a deposit model where you pay a portion upfront and the rest on delivery. The total cost they quote can vary from final invoices depending on carrier selection and timing. Read the terms clearly before booking, particularly around price adjustments if carrier assignment takes longer than expected.
AmeriFreight also offers extra coverage add-ons above the carrier’s base cargo insurance. For vehicles worth $50,000 or more, that supplemental coverage is worth considering. Their customer reviews are generally positive on value, though response times during busy seasons can be slower than the premium-tier services above. If cost is a primary driver and your vehicle doesn’t require white-glove handling, it earns its spot on this list.
How to Choose the Right Single Car Enclosed Transport Provider
A few factors separate a good experience from a frustrating one. Before you book any enclosed transport, check these points.
Insurance is the one factor that most people underestimate. The FMCSA sets minimum cargo insurance requirements for all licensed carriers, but those minimums were not written with $150,000 collector cars in mind. Always confirm that the carrier’s policy matches your vehicle’s appraised or declared value before you hand over the keys.
If you want to understand the full cost breakdown for enclosed vs. open transport before you request a quote, our enclosed car transport cost guide breaks down what drives the price on different routes and vehicle types.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is single car enclosed transport and when do I need it?
Single car enclosed transport ships your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, road debris, and UV exposure. You need it when the car has significant monetary or sentimental value, such as a luxury vehicle, classic, exotic, or fresh restoration. Open transport works fine for everyday cars, but if a scratch or hail dent during transit would be genuinely costly, enclosed is the right call.
How much does enclosed single car shipping cost?
Enclosed transport typically runs 40 to 60 percent more than open transport on the same route. For a typical cross-country move, expect somewhere in the $1,200 to $1,800 range for multi-car enclosed trailers, and $1,500 to $3,500 or more for single-vehicle enclosed trailers. Distance, vehicle size, season, and route access all affect the final number. Get a quote with your specific ZIP codes for an accurate figure.
Is enclosed transport safer than open transport?
Yes, for high-value vehicles it is meaningfully safer. An enclosed trailer shields your car from rain, hail, road salt, flying debris, and direct sun exposure throughout the entire trip. Open transport leaves the vehicle exposed to those elements, which is acceptable for standard cars but is a real risk for original paint, chrome trim, or a show-condition finish.
How far in advance should I book enclosed car transport?
Book at least two weeks out for the best carrier options. Enclosed carriers are far fewer than open trailers, so availability tightens faster, especially during summer and major holidays. On short-notice moves, expedited options exist but carry a premium. If your move date is fixed, locking in early protects both your schedule and your rate.
What should I do to prepare my car for enclosed transport?
Remove personal belongings from the interior, leave the fuel tank about a quarter full, and photograph the exterior from all angles before pickup. Disable any alarm systems that could trigger during loading. Document pre-existing scratches or paint chips with time-stamped photos. These steps protect you if a damage dispute arises and help the carrier load the vehicle correctly from the start.
Does Dispatch Dudes offer enclosed transport for motorcycles and boats?
Yes. Dispatch Dudes ships cars, motorcycles, and boats nationwide using both open and enclosed carriers. Enclosed transport for motorcycles works the same way as for cars: a covered trailer with soft tie-downs and door-to-door delivery. If you’re shipping something beyond a standard car, our team can walk you through the right equipment and coverage for your specific vehicle.
Conclusion
For most single car enclosed transport moves, Dispatch Dudes is the service we recommend first. Our dedicated advisors, fully insured carriers, and door-to-door service handle the details so you don’t have to track down updates or wonder about equipment quality. Get an instant quote on our site and we can have your vehicle scheduled for pickup in as little as 24 hours.