Iowa City, IA Car Shipping

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

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items from the interior. Carriers typically don’t insure personal property.

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

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your gas tank is about 1/4 full, and the battery is charged so the carrier can load and unload your vehicle.

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

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

Provide a working key: Make sure you have a key available for the driver.

For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Our team at Sherpa Auto Transport will guide you through the entire process to ensure safe delivery from Iowa City.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Iowa City, IA. 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 active and valid. 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 driver picks up your vehicle in Iowa City, they will provide you with a copy of their insurance certificate. We recommend reviewing it and keeping it on hand until delivery is complete.

We recommend scheduling your pickup from Iowa City at least 1-2 weeks in advance for the best results. However, booking earlier gives you more options and better rates.

Here’s why advance notice helps:

• Better carrier availability: Carriers can plan routes that include Iowa City with other shipments
• More competitive pricing: Last-minute bookings often cost more
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more pickup date options to choose from

If you need faster service, we can often arrange pickups within 3-5 days, though this may limit your carrier options. For seasonal moves (summer months and end-of-month periods), book 3-4 weeks ahead when possible.

Bottom line: Book as soon as you know your moving dates. The earlier you schedule, the smoother your Iowa City car shipping experience will be.

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 all vehicle shipments.

Enclosed auto transport uses fully covered trailers that protect your vehicle from weather, dust, and road debris. It costs 50-60% more than open transport but offers maximum protection.

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

Learn more in our open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service to and from Iowa City, IA. This is our most popular shipping option because it’s the most convenient.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide your pickup and delivery addresses in Iowa City. Our carrier will come directly to your home, office, or specified location to pick up your vehicle. When your car arrives at its destination, we’ll deliver it right to your door.

Important considerations for Iowa City residents:

While we always aim for true door-to-door service, some Iowa City locations may have restrictions. Narrow residential streets, low-hanging trees, or tight cul-de-sacs can make it difficult for large car carriers to access certain areas. If your specific address isn’t accessible, don’t worry—our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a grocery store parking lot or gas station.

Most Iowa City pickups and deliveries go smoothly since the city has good road infrastructure. We’ll confirm all details before your scheduled pickup date to ensure a seamless experience.

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!