Ellicott City, MD Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Ellicott City, MD is simple. Follow these key steps:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and fragile items. Carriers are not insured for personal property left inside.

Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior so you can document its condition with photos before shipping.

Check for leaks and mechanical issues: Ensure your car runs properly and has no fluid leaks. Notify your carrier of any issues.

Secure or remove accessories: Take off or secure loose parts like antennas, spoilers, and bike racks that could be damaged in transit.

Maintain fuel level: Keep your gas tank at about 1/4 full. This reduces weight while ensuring the car can be loaded and unloaded.

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 shipping from Ellicott City, MD. All carriers in our network must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before we assign your shipment, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is active and valid. 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 during transport.

Our quotes include this insurance coverage at no extra cost. You’ll receive the carrier’s insurance details before your vehicle is picked up from Ellicott City, so you have complete peace of mind throughout the shipping process.

We recommend scheduling your car pickup from Ellicott City, MD at least 1-2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan efficient routes and match your vehicle with other shipments heading in the same direction.

Booking early offers several benefits:

• Better pricing: More time means more carrier options and competitive rates
• Flexible scheduling: You can choose pickup dates that work best for you
• Higher priority: Early bookings get first consideration from quality carriers

That said, we can often arrange pickups with as little as 24-48 hours notice if you need expedited service. However, rush shipments typically cost more and offer fewer carrier choices.

For the best experience, contact us as soon as you know your moving dates. Our team will work with you to find the ideal pickup window that fits your schedule 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.

The main difference is protection and cost. Open auto transport uses open-air trailers (like those you see on highways) and is the most affordable option. Your vehicle is exposed to weather and road debris, but it’s perfectly safe for most cars. This is how dealerships ship new vehicles.

Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle in a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and debris. It costs 50-60% more than open transport but is worth considering for luxury vehicles, classic cars, exotic cars, or vehicles with custom modifications.

For most Ellicott City residents shipping standard vehicles, open transport is reliable and cost-effective. Choose enclosed transport if your vehicle is high-value or requires extra protection. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for a detailed comparison.

Yes! We offer door-to-door auto transport service to and from Ellicott City, MD. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home or business and deliver it directly to your destination address.

When you book with us, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery locations. Our carrier will come right to you in Ellicott City, saving you the hassle of driving to a terminal.

What if the truck can’t access my street?

Some Ellicott City neighborhoods have narrow roads, low-hanging trees, or tight turns that large car carriers can’t navigate safely. If this happens, don’t worry. Your driver will contact you to arrange a nearby meeting spot, like a parking lot or gas station. This is still considered door-to-door service, and we’ll work with you to find the most convenient alternative.

Door-to-door transport is our standard service because we know it’s the easiest option for our customers. You won’t need to take time off work or arrange extra transportation to drop off or pick up your vehicle.

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!