Santa Maria, CA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Santa Maria, CA is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including items in the glove box, trunk, and console. Car carriers are not insured for personal property.

Clean your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage during the inspection.

Check fluids and battery: Make sure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and brake fluid. Ensure your battery is charged and secure.

Remove or secure loose parts: Take off custom accessories, spoilers, or loose trim. Remove toll tags and GPS devices.

Document condition: Take photos of your car from all angles before pickup.

Provide working keys: Have at least one set of keys ready for the driver.

For a complete checklist and more detailed tips, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures your car ships safely from Santa Maria to its destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Santa Maria, CA. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your Santa Maria car shipment begins, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is current and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy for extra protection.

This means your vehicle is covered from pickup in Santa Maria through delivery at your destination. Our insurance requirements exceed industry standards to give you peace of mind during your car shipping experience.

We recommend scheduling your car pickup from Santa Maria, CA at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and flexible pickup dates.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan routes more efficiently when they have advance notice
• More options: You’ll have access to more carriers and pickup windows
• Less stress: Avoid last-minute rushes and limited availability

If you’re moving during peak seasons (summer months or winter snowbird migration), consider booking 3-4 weeks ahead. Santa Maria’s location along the Central Coast means carriers often bundle shipments heading to major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, or cross-country destinations.

Need faster service? We can often accommodate rush orders with 3-7 days notice, though expect higher rates for expedited shipping.

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 transport is the most common and cost-effective option. Your car rides on an open trailer with other vehicles, exposed to weather and road debris. This method works great for everyday cars and saves you money.

Enclosed transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer. It costs 40-60% more than open transport, but it’s worth it for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs. Your car stays safe from weather, dust, and road debris during the trip from Santa Maria.

Most people choose open transport because it’s reliable and affordable. Consider enclosed transport if your car is worth over $50,000 or has special value to you. See our complete open vs enclosed guide to help you decide what’s best for your Santa Maria car shipment.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments to and from Santa Maria, CA. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle right from your home or office and deliver it directly to your new address.

When you book with us, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery locations in Santa Maria. Our professional carriers will come to you, saving you time and hassle. However, if your street has low-hanging trees, narrow roads, or parking restrictions that make it unsafe for our large transport trucks, we’ll work with you to find a convenient nearby location like a shopping center or gas station.

Door-to-door service is included in our standard pricing – no hidden fees or surprises. It’s just one more way we make car shipping simple and stress-free for Santa Maria residents.

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!