Orinda, CA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Orinda, CA is simple. Follow these key steps:

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

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items. These aren’t covered by carrier insurance.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and the battery is charged so it can be loaded and unloaded.

Remove or secure accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, and custom antennas. Fold in side mirrors if possible.

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

Provide a key: Have a spare key ready for the driver.

For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures a smooth pickup from Orinda and safe delivery to your destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when transporting from Orinda, CA. 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 current. 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.

Your vehicle is covered from pickup in Orinda to final delivery. If you’d like a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate, just ask—we’re happy to provide it.

We recommend scheduling your car pickup from Orinda, CA at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you the best rates and more carrier options.

Here’s why advance notice helps:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan efficient routes and bundle multiple vehicles
• More flexibility: You’ll have more time to choose the right carrier for your needs
• Guaranteed availability: Peak seasons (summer and end of month) book up quickly

Need faster service? We offer expedited shipping with as little as 2-3 days notice, though this typically costs more. For the best experience, contact us as soon as you know your moving dates. We’ll work with you to find a solution that fits your timeline 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.

Open auto transport uses open-air trailers that carry multiple vehicles at once. Your car is exposed to weather and road elements during transit. This is the most common and affordable option, costing significantly less than enclosed transport.

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

Which should you choose? Most Orinda residents use open transport for everyday vehicles—it’s safe, reliable, and budget-friendly. Choose enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic sports car, or any car with custom paint or modifications.

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

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service for Orinda, CA residents. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home or business and deliver it directly to your destination address.

Here’s how it works:

At Pickup: Our carrier will come to your specified address in Orinda to load your vehicle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or drop-off location.

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

Important Note: In some cases, large car carriers may not be able to access narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or tight residential areas common in Orinda’s hillside neighborhoods. If this happens, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a parking lot or main street. This ensures your vehicle stays safe and the transport runs smoothly.

Door-to-door service is included in most quotes and makes shipping your car 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!