Shipping a Classic Car: What You Need to Know

Enclosed vs. open transport

Open transport is cheaper ($400–800 for 500 miles) and accounts for the vast majority of all vehicle transport. Your car sits on an open multi-car carrier exposed to weather, road debris, and other vehicles' exhaust.

Enclosed transport ($900–1,600 for 500 miles) puts your car in a fully enclosed trailer. Required for show cars and very high-value vehicles. Strongly recommended for any car worth over $40,000.

For daily-driver classics in the $15,000–40,000 range, open transport is typically acceptable. For anything irreplaceable or above $40,000, pay for enclosed.

How to choose a transporter

Use only licensed, bonded carriers. Verify their MC (Motor Carrier) number at the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) website.

Get three quotes. Be skeptical of prices significantly below the market — low prices often indicate a broker who will shop your shipment to the cheapest carrier available.

Uship, Montway, and Intercity Lines are established names in the market. For ultra-high-value cars, specialty transporters like Reliable Carriers offer white-glove service.

What to document before shipping

Photograph every panel, every scratch, every dent, every ding — inside and outside — before the transporter picks up the car. Send the photos to yourself immediately to timestamp them.

Walk the car with the driver and note every existing mark on the Bill of Lading. This document is your primary tool if a claim becomes necessary.

Drain the fuel tank to less than a quarter tank. Remove personal items. Check that the battery is disconnected if the car won't be started.

What to do on delivery

Inspect the car thoroughly before signing any delivery paperwork. Do not sign a clean bill of lading if there is any damage.

Document any damage in photos immediately and note it on the bill of lading before the driver leaves.

File a claim promptly — most carriers have short windows (24–72 hours) for reporting damage.