Columbus, OH Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Columbus, OH 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. Most carriers don’t insure personal items during transit.

Check for leaks and mechanical issues: Ensure your vehicle runs properly and has no fluid leaks. Inform your carrier of any mechanical problems.

Disable alarms: Turn off your car alarm to prevent it from going off during transport.

Secure or remove accessories: Remove or secure any exterior accessories like bike racks, spoilers, or antennas that could be damaged.

Maintain fuel level: Keep your gas tank at about a quarter full. This reduces weight while ensuring the driver can load and unload your vehicle.

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

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

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Columbus, OH. All carriers in our network must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your shipment leaves Columbus, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is valid and current. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy. This gives you an extra layer of protection.

Your vehicle is covered from pickup in Columbus through delivery at your destination. If you’d like to review the carrier’s insurance certificate before transport, just ask—we’re happy to provide it.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from Columbus, OH at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you the best results.

Here’s why early booking helps:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan routes more efficiently and offer competitive rates
• More carrier options: You’ll have access to more available drivers in the Columbus area
• Flexible pickup windows: You can choose dates that work best for your schedule
• Route optimization: Your vehicle can be bundled with other shipments heading the same direction

Need faster service? We can often accommodate rush shipments with 2-5 days notice, though this may cost more and limit your carrier options.

For the smoothest experience, book as soon as you know your moving dates. This is especially important during peak seasons (summer months and end of month) when demand is highest in Columbus.

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 debris during transit. This is the most common and affordable option, used for about 90% of vehicle shipments.

Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle inside a covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and road debris. It costs 50-60% more than open transport but offers maximum protection.

Which should you choose? Most Columbus drivers choose open transport—it’s safe, reliable, and cost-effective. Consider enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic sports car, or any car with custom paint or modifications. The extra protection is worth the cost for high-value vehicles.

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

Yes! We offer door-to-door auto transport service throughout Columbus, OH and the surrounding areas. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or any address you specify and deliver it directly to your destination.

Here’s how it works:

At Pickup: Our carrier will come to your Columbus address at the scheduled time to load your vehicle onto the transport truck.

At Delivery: Your vehicle will be delivered right to your door at the destination address.

Important Note: In some Columbus neighborhoods, large car carriers may face challenges due to narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or tight turns. If your street isn’t accessible for a full-size carrier, don’t worry—we’ll work with you to find a convenient nearby location like a shopping center parking lot or gas station. This is common and ensures both safety and efficiency.

Door-to-door service eliminates the need for you to drive to a terminal, making your car shipping experience as convenient 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!