Recently, a Maserati GranSport from 2006 made a journey of 717 miles, going from Marietta, Georgia to Royal Oak, Michigan. The owner used enclosed shipping for this vehicle, paying $1,295 in total, or $1.81 per mile, which is an expected price for enclosed shipping services on such a route.
This car model features front engine, GT, V8 engine, 4.2 liter, low stance, and, accordingly, it is highly valuable and close to the ground. Therefore, such car requires careful loading and transporting compared to standard sedan vehicles. Let us take a closer look at the process of moving of the car. In particular, we will examine the chosen route and reasons for choosing enclosed shipping.
The Process
The journey began with a quote from the very basics. In this case, the manufacturer, model name and year, pickup and delivery zip code, and trailer were included in the quote. Since the GranSport is an elegant sports vehicle that requires limited clearance, the enclosed service was automatically included in the quote. So was the corresponding insurance.
After receiving the approval for the chosen rate, booking ensured the set date for pickup. After this, it became necessary to select a driver who would be able to handle an enclosed trailer, in addition to having experience in working with low-clearance vehicles. Since enclosed haulers are not as numerous as open ones, finding a suitable driver took some extra effort.
The scheduled day for pickup arrived, and the driver arrived at the appointed Marietta address to do a complete inspection and then load the vehicle. All details of the inspection were recorded by photos and added to the Bill of Lading. As the GranSport is a low-profile vehicle, the driver used liftgates and low-clearance ramps of the trailer to prevent damage to the front splitter.
The vehicle itself, being transported in the trailer, was loosely strapped right over the tires, instead of using chains that could have been attached to the frame of the vehicle, so it would be transported securely, without applying any pressure points on the tires or the suspension system. When the vehicle was secured and put into the trailer, the driver secured it and proceeded with his transportation, heading to the North.
The Route
In particular, the 717 miles from the Atlanta metro area to the metro area of Detroit is located along some of the busiest freight corridors in the eastern part of the country. This works to a shipper’s advantage because carriers travel those routes regularly, making locating an available enclosed carrier relatively fast.
Pickup occurred in Marietta, which is just northwest of Atlanta in the suburb of Cobb County. The most efficient route after this point would go through the state of Georgia before turning north. The truck would continue following the interstate route into Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio until reaching southeast Michigan. Royal Oak is just north of Detroit in Oakland County, Michigan.
Metro-to-metro auto shipping does not get much easier than this. Because both of these destinations are large metropolitan areas, highway access will be convenient for a carrier. Thus, a high number of carriers will be able to offer services at competitive prices. Remote locations off the interstate tend to incur extra fees and delays, which do not apply here.
Normally, a run of this magnitude may take anywhere from two to four days, depending on the driver’s previous load. Weather may sometimes affect the run during late spring through the Appalachian and Ohio Valley regions; however, nothing special occurred during this run.
Why Enclosed Trailer
Enclosed transport accounts for approximately 10 percent of auto transport business. However, it is preferred when transporting luxurious, classic, or sports automobiles. An enclosed trailer protects the vehicle from precipitation, road salt, dust, UV rays, and debris raised by other vehicles on the road. This kind of service is justified in relation to an expensive car like the 2006 Maserati GranSport.
There are certain facts that indicate that enclosed is the optimal solution for such shipment. The first is the low ground clearance of this car. Being low to the ground, a GranSport requires liftgates and low-ramp loading, which is typical of exotic trailers. Another point is the value of the vehicle itself. Typically, the insurance for luxurious or exotic cars is considerably higher compared to ordinary cars, thus, being adequate to the vehicle’s cost. There is also the issue of paint and finish, since enclosed trailer protects a car body from damage and contamination caused by any weather condition. Finally, the number of automobiles loaded at once into an enclosed trailer is lower than the capacity of an open trailer.
The enclosed cost is more than the open transport cost, which usually increases by between 45 and 65 percent from 2025. The cost of $1,295 indicates the premium that comes with the enclosed service. In terms of the cost-benefit analysis, the car is worthy of the extra expenses considering the protection provided against bad weather conditions.
Transport Summary
- Origin: Marietta, GA 30060
- Destination: Royal Oak, MI 48067
- Vehicle: 2006 Maserati GranSport
- Distance: 717 miles
- Total cost: $1,295 (about $1.81 per mile)
- Trailer type: Enclosed
- The route: I-75 N → I-475 (Toledo bypass) → I-75 N to Royal Oak.
