Vehicle Transportation: A Comprehensive Guide for 2026

What are the different methods of vehicle transportation?

There are two main methods of transporting a vehicle. These approaches vary in cost and protection.

• Open Transport: Open transport means your car will be shipped on an open air trailer with other vehicles. This method is also less expensive and can be used to ship everyday use vehicles such as a sedan or SUV.
• Enclosed Transport: This method involves shipping your vehicle on a fully enclosed trailer which protects it from the weather and debris. This method of transportation is more expensive, but is the desired method for shipping cars, trucks or other vehicles that are considered as luxury or special.

Not only does Servo Home offer the two most popular ways of transportation, but we also provide door-to-door pickup and delivery. That means, you don’t have to take, or pick up your vehicle at a shipping terminal.

Vehicle Transportation Costs

How much does it cost to transport a vehicle? The cost depends on many things like how far the vehicle needs to go, the size of the vehicle, and what kind of transportation is used. Transportation costs for distances under 500 miles is generally between $400 and $800. Over 2,500 miles can cost from $1,250 to $1,800 or more for an open transport. An enclosed transport will cost about 30-50% more than the cost of an open transport.

Things that effect the price of transporting a vehicle include:

• Distance. The longer the distance the higher the cost, but the cost per mile decreases the farther it needs to go.
• Season. Summer and winter are typically the more expensive times of the year because of increased demand.
• Route. Shipping to major cities is usually cheaper than shipping to rural and remote areas.
• Vehicle size and weight. A large vehicle takes up more space on a trailer and therefore costs more.

What is Done to Prepare Vehicles for Transport?

Proper preparation helps to prevent damage to the vehicle and makes the process run smoother. Before the vehicle is picked up you should:

• Wash the vehicle and take photos of the vehicle from all sides and the odometer.
• Make sure all of your personal belongings are removed and all exterior accessories are removed.
• Contact your insurance company to see what kind of coverage they offer and make sure you understand the coverage the carrier offers.
• Make sure the battery and tires are good and inflated since the vehicle may need to be driven on and off the transport trailer.

What Happens During Pickup and Delivery?

When the carrier comes to pick up your vehicle, they will first do an inspection and document the condition of the vehicle. After the inspection, you will be asked to sign a Bill of Lading. The vehicle will be transported along with the carrier's other cargo. The delivery process is reversed. The driver will contact you to set up a time for delivery. You will sign a Bill of Lading to verify receipt of the vehicle and perform a condition inspection to make sure no new damage occurred during transport. Be sure to let the driver know if you notice any damage and take photos as evidence.