Rapid City, SD Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for shipping from Rapid City, SD is simple but important. First, remove all personal items from inside your car, including toll passes, GPS devices, and any loose items that could shift during transport. Next, clean your vehicle inside and out so you can easily spot any damage during inspection.

Make sure to remove or secure exterior accessories like bike racks, spoilers, or antennas that could be damaged. Check that your car has no more than a quarter tank of gas – this reduces weight and meets safety requirements. Finally, ensure you have a working key available for the driver, as they’ll need to move your vehicle on and off the carrier.

For a complete checklist and more detailed tips, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Taking these simple steps will help ensure your car arrives safely at its destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Rapid City, SD. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before we assign your Rapid City vehicle shipment, 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 car is covered from pickup in Rapid City through delivery at your destination. Our insurance requirements exceed industry standards to give you peace of mind during transport.

We recommend scheduling your car pickup from Rapid City, SD at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and preferred dates.

Here’s why early booking matters for Rapid City shipments:

• Limited carrier traffic: Rapid City sees fewer auto transport trucks than major cities, so advance notice helps carriers plan efficient routes
• Better pricing: Early bookings allow carriers to group your vehicle with other shipments, reducing costs for everyone
• Seasonal considerations: Winter weather in South Dakota can cause delays, so extra lead time during cold months is essential

Peak moving seasons (summer months and early fall) require even more advance notice – ideally 3-4 weeks ahead. If you need last-minute service, we can often accommodate rush orders, but expect higher rates and limited scheduling options.

The bottom line: book as early as possible for the smoothest, most affordable car shipping experience from Rapid City.

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 standard car carriers where vehicles are exposed to weather and road debris. This is the most common and cost-effective option, costing 40-60% less than enclosed transport.

Enclosed auto transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer, shielding it from weather, dust, and debris. This premium service costs more but is ideal for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint.

For most standard vehicles shipping to or from Rapid City, open transport works perfectly fine. Choose enclosed transport if your car is worth over $50,000, has sentimental value, or you want maximum protection during the journey.

See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons and pricing information.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service to and from Rapid City, SD. This means we pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or any address you choose. We also deliver it right to your door at your destination.

When you book with Sherpa Auto Transport, simply tell us your preferred pickup and delivery addresses in Rapid City. Our carrier will come directly to you. This saves you time and hassle compared to dropping off your car at a terminal.

In some cases, large trucks cannot access certain streets due to low bridges, narrow roads, or tight turns. If this happens in your Rapid City neighborhood, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot. This might be a local shopping center, gas station, or wide street where the truck can safely load your vehicle.

Door-to-door service is included in most of our shipping quotes at no extra cost. It’s just one way we make car shipping simple and convenient for Rapid City 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!