New Jersey to California Car Shipping

Preparing your car for shipping from New Jersey to California is simple. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth, damage-free trip:

• Clean your vehicle – Wash the exterior so the carrier can clearly document its condition during the pre-shipment inspection.
• Document existing damage – Take photos of all sides of your car before pickup. This protects you if any disputes arise upon delivery.
• Remove personal items – Clear out all personal belongings. Auto transport insurance does not cover items left inside the vehicle.
• Remove toll passes and parking tags – Electronic toll devices (like E-ZPass) can be triggered while on the carrier. Remove them to avoid unexpected charges.
• Remove exterior accessories – Take off spoilers, bike racks, roof racks, or any custom add-ons that could be damaged in transit.
• Check for fluid leaks – Carriers can refuse a vehicle that is actively leaking fluids. Have any leaks addressed beforehand.
• Keep the gas tank low – Leave only about a quarter tank of gas. A full tank adds unnecessary weight to the carrier.
• Ensure the battery is charged – Your car needs to be drivable for loading and unloading.
• Disable car alarms – A triggered alarm on a cross-country haul is a major inconvenience for the carrier. Deactivate it or provide instructions to turn it off.
• Provide a spare key – Give your carrier a key so they can safely move your vehicle on and off the transport truck.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. A little preparation goes a long way in making your New Jersey to California car shipment as smooth as possible!

Yes, your vehicle is insured when shipping from New Jersey to California with Sherpa Auto Transport. Every carrier in our network is required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your car ever leaves New Jersey, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing. We also require all contracted carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy — giving you an extra layer of protection for the long haul to California.

Our quotes are all-inclusive, so there are no hidden fees or surprise charges. You can ship with confidence knowing your vehicle is covered from pickup to delivery. If you have questions about coverage, our team is happy to help — just contact us before you book.

The sooner you book, the better. We recommend scheduling your pickup at least two weeks in advance, but booking even earlier gives you the best chance of securing your preferred dates and the most competitive rates.

Here’s why early booking matters for a New Jersey to California shipment:

• Carrier availability: This is a long-haul route (roughly 2,700+ miles). Carriers plan their loads in advance, so early bookings get priority.
• Better pricing: Last-minute shipments often cost more. Booking ahead gives carriers time to bundle your vehicle with others heading the same way, which can lower your rate.
• Peak season demand: Summer months are the busiest time for auto transport. If you’re moving between June and August, we strongly suggest booking three to four weeks out.

If you’re in a time crunch, don’t worry — Sherpa Auto Transport offers expedited shipping options to help get your vehicle moving as quickly as possible. Just keep in mind that rush bookings may come at a higher cost.

When in doubt, book early and book with confidence. The more lead time you give us, the smoother your shipment 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.

When shipping your car from New Jersey to California, you have two transport options: open and enclosed.

Open transport is the most popular and affordable choice. Your vehicle rides on an open-air, multi-car trailer — the same type used to deliver new cars to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and the right fit for most everyday vehicles.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 50% more, but offers maximum protection. Your car travels inside a fully covered trailer, shielded from weather, road debris, and dust. This is the best option if you’re shipping a:

• Classic or antique car
• Luxury or exotic vehicle
• Custom or freshly painted vehicle
• Any high-value car you can’t risk exposing to the elements

For most standard vehicles making the cross-country trip from New Jersey to California, open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice. If your car holds significant monetary or sentimental value, enclosed is worth the extra investment.

Not sure which is right for you? Check out our in-depth open vs. enclosed auto transport guide to help you decide.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments from New Jersey to California. This is the most convenient option for our customers — and it’s our standard way of doing business.

Here’s how it works: when you book your shipment, we’ll ask for your preferred pickup address in New Jersey and your delivery address in California. Your assigned carrier will come directly to you — whether that’s your home, office, or another location of your choice.

Keep in mind that “door-to-door” doesn’t always mean the truck will pull directly into your driveway. Large car carriers need room to maneuver safely. If your street is too narrow or has low-hanging trees or other obstacles, your driver will contact you to arrange a nearby meeting spot — like a parking lot or gas station just around the corner. It’s a small adjustment that keeps your vehicle and your neighborhood safe.

The bottom line: door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drop off or pick up your vehicle at a terminal. From New Jersey to California, we bring the service to you.

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!