Columbia, MO Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Columbia, MO is simple. Follow these key steps:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items from your car. Carriers are not insured for personal property.

Clean your vehicle: Wash your car inside and out. This makes it easier to document any existing damage during inspection.

Check for leaks and issues: Ensure your vehicle runs properly with no fluid leaks. Check tire pressure and battery charge.

Remove or secure accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, and custom antennas. Secure or remove anything that could come loose during transit.

Document the condition: Take photos of your vehicle from all angles before shipping. Note any scratches or dents.

Provide a working key: Give the carrier a key or fob. Make sure it works for both ignition and doors.

Keep fuel low: Leave only a quarter tank of gas. This reduces weight and meets safety requirements.

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

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Columbia, MO. 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, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is valid and active. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy. This gives you extra protection and peace of mind.

When the carrier arrives to pick up your vehicle in Columbia, they’ll provide you with a copy of their insurance certificate. You should review this document and keep it with your shipping paperwork.

If you have questions about insurance coverage or want additional protection, contact our team before your shipment. We’re here to help ensure your vehicle is protected every mile of the journey.

We recommend booking your car shipment from Columbia, MO at least 1-2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan efficient routes and group your vehicle with other shipments heading in the same direction.

For the best rates and more carrier options, consider scheduling 3-4 weeks ahead if your timeline allows. The earlier you book, the more flexibility you’ll have with pickup dates and pricing.

Need faster service? We can often arrange expedited pickup within 24-48 hours, though this typically costs more due to the rush nature of the service.

Keep in mind: Columbia’s location in central Missouri means carriers regularly pass through the area, which can work in your favor for quicker scheduling compared to more remote locations.

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 is the most common and affordable option. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air trailer alongside other cars. It’s fully exposed to weather and road conditions, just like driving on the highway. This method is safe, reliable, and costs significantly less—making it perfect for everyday vehicles.

Enclosed auto transport provides complete protection inside a covered trailer. Your car is shielded from weather, road debris, and dust during transit. This option costs 50-60% more than open transport but is worth it for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotic sports cars, or any car with custom paint or modifications.

For most Columbia, MO residents shipping standard vehicles, open transport offers excellent value and safety. Choose enclosed transport if your vehicle is high-value or requires extra protection. Learn more in our detailed open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service in Columbia, MO. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or another address you choose, and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come to your location in Columbia to load your vehicle and transport it to your specified destination address.

What if the truck can’t access my street?

Large car carriers need wide streets and clearance to operate safely. If your Columbia address has narrow streets, low-hanging trees, tight turns, or other obstacles, the driver will contact you to arrange a nearby meeting point. This is typically a gas station, shopping center parking lot, or open area close to your location.

Door-to-door service makes shipping your car from Columbia simple and convenient. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or storage facility—we come to you.

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!