Grand Rapids, MI Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Grand Rapids, MI is simple. Follow these key steps:

Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior so you can document any existing damage with photos before shipping.

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items from the interior. These aren’t covered by carrier insurance.

Remove or secure accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, or custom antennas that could be damaged in transit.

Check fluid levels and tire pressure: Ensure your car is in good running condition with no leaks.

Disable alarms: Turn off your car alarm to avoid issues during transport.

Keep gas tank low: Maintain fuel at about 1/4 tank to reduce weight.

Provide a key: Have a working key ready for the driver.

For more detailed guidance, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when transporting from Grand Rapids, MI. Every carrier in our network must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your shipment begins, we verify that your assigned carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy for added protection.

This means your vehicle is covered from pickup in Grand Rapids through delivery at your destination. You’ll receive a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate before transport begins, giving you complete peace of mind.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from Grand Rapids, MI at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you the best chance of securing lower rates and faster pickup times.

Here’s why advance booking matters:

• Better carrier availability: Carriers can plan routes more efficiently and bundle your vehicle with other shipments heading in the same direction
• More competitive pricing: Last-minute bookings often cost more due to limited availability
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more pickup date options to choose from

Need to ship sooner? We can often accommodate rush orders with 2-3 days notice, though expedited service may include additional fees. Contact us as soon as you know your moving dates, and we’ll work to find the best solution for your timeline and budget.

No payment is due at the time of booking. We do require a payment method on file so that it is available to charge once a carrier is secured. We accept all major debit and credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. The most convenient option is to pay for your shipment in full by credit card at the time a carrier is secured.

We also allow you to pay for your Initial Payment via credit or debit card and then pay the outstanding balance on delivery day via cash or a certified check made out to the carrier.

Your Sherpa shipment includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If you are shipping to or from a port or your shipment includes ocean transit, your vehicle must be emptied of all items. Sherpa and your assigned carrier cannot be responsible for personal items left inside the vehicle. See our Vehicle Shipping Tips for more details.

Yes. It is important that you, or another adult that you trust, is there for pickup and delivery of your vehicle. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle’s condition.

Open auto transport uses open-air trailers that carry multiple vehicles at once. Your car is exposed to weather and road elements during transit. This is the most popular and affordable option, used for about 90% of vehicle shipments.

Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle in a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and debris. This premium service costs 50-60% more than open transport.

Which should you choose? Most Grand Rapids residents choose open transport—it’s safe, reliable, and budget-friendly. Consider enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic sports car, or a car with custom paint. The extra protection is worth it for high-value vehicles.

Learn more in our detailed open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes! We offer door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments to and from Grand Rapids, MI. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or any address you prefer, and deliver it directly to your destination.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide us with your preferred pickup and delivery addresses in Grand Rapids. Our assigned carrier will come directly to that location to load or unload your vehicle—no need for you to drive to a terminal.

What if the carrier can’t access my street? In some cases, large car carriers may not be able to navigate narrow residential streets, low-hanging trees, or tight turns in certain Grand Rapids neighborhoods. If this happens, your driver will contact you to arrange a convenient nearby meeting spot, such as a grocery store parking lot, gas station, or main road. This is rare, but we always work with you to find the easiest solution.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle, making your Grand Rapids car shipping experience as smooth as possible.

Many Auto Transport companies try to tease customers with lower rates, only to surprise you with “hidden costs” later. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we do things differently. We provide one locked-in price upfront and stick to it. If unexpected costs arise, we pay them out of our own pocket.

While we may not always be the cheapest option at first glance, our commitment to transparency and reliability offers exceptional value. As a premium service, we ensure an stress-free experience from start to finish.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles across the nation, including service to Alaska and Hawaii. At this time, we do not service boats, golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship both operable and inoperable vehicles so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. We can also ship electric vehicles.

Visit Sherpa’s FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!