How to Ship a Luxury Car Across the Country

Start with the trailer type

Luxury cars should almost always ship enclosed. Open carriers expose the paint to road debris, weather, and the risk of another vehicle leaking fluid above yours. Enclosed trailers add hard walls, a roof, and usually a hydraulic lift gate that eliminates ramp scrape risk for low-clearance vehicles.

If the vehicle is worth more than $75,000, has custom paint, or sits lower than stock, enclosed transport is not an upgrade — it is the baseline.

Vet the broker and the carrier

The broker sets the price, but the carrier does the actual work. Ask for the carrier's MC number, insurance certificate, and safety record before dispatch. A broker who cannot provide these details is not vetting the trucks that will touch your car.

At Enterprise Auto Transport, we dispatch only carriers we would trust with our own vehicles. Our 99.9% carrier rating on Central Dispatch exists because drivers want to work with us — and that matters when your car needs to move on a specific lane.

Prepare the vehicle for white-glove handling

Wash the car so damage is visible in photos. Remove all personal items, toll transponders, and parking passes. Leave about a quarter tank of fuel. Disable the alarm or brief the driver. Note any leaks or quirks. Photograph every panel, the roof, the wheels, and the interior with timestamps.

At pickup and delivery, walk the vehicle with the driver and make sure the bill of lading matches reality before you sign. Signing a clean bill of lading at delivery closes the door on most damage claims.

Request a luxury car shipping quote

Coast-to-coast luxury car transport requires accurate pricing, verified insurance, and a coordinator who understands high-value vehicles. Use our Get a Quote form to receive a dedicated enclosed quote for your luxury car move.