Ohio to California Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for shipping from Ohio to California is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including toll passes, GPS devices, and anything in the glove box or trunk. Carriers aren’t insured for personal items.

Clean your car: Wash the exterior so you can spot any damage during inspection. A clean car also helps with the pickup and delivery process.

Check fluids and battery: Make sure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and brake fluid. Ensure your battery is charged so the carrier can move your vehicle.

Remove or secure loose parts: Take off custom accessories, spoilers, or anything that could fall off during transport. Fold in mirrors and retract antennas.

Have keys ready: You’ll need to give the carrier a working key. Make sure it starts the engine and opens the doors.

For complete preparation details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps helps ensure your car arrives safely in California.

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

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

This means your car is covered for the entire 2,000+ mile journey from Ohio to California. You can ship with confidence knowing your vehicle is protected by comprehensive insurance coverage.

For car shipping from Ohio to California, we recommend booking your pickup service at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and preferred pickup dates.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan efficient routes and bundle shipments
• More availability: Popular dates fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more pickup window options

If you need faster service, we offer expedited shipping with as little as 3-5 days notice, though this typically costs more. For the most savings and convenience on your Ohio to California car shipment, book early with Sherpa Auto Transport.

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 where your car is exposed to weather and road debris. This is the most common and affordable option, costing about 50% less than enclosed transport. Your vehicle will be secure but not fully protected from the elements during your Ohio to California move.

Enclosed auto transport ships your car inside a covered trailer, providing complete protection from weather, dust, and road debris. This premium service costs more but is ideal for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs that need extra care on the long cross-country journey.

For most standard vehicles shipping from Ohio to California, open transport works perfectly fine. Choose enclosed transport if your car is worth over $50,000 or has sentimental value you can’t replace. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for more details.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers convenient door-to-door auto transport service from Ohio to California. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle at your home, office, or preferred location in Ohio and deliver it directly to your new address in California.

When you book your Ohio to California car shipping service, simply provide us with your pickup and delivery addresses. Our experienced carriers will handle the rest, bringing your vehicle right to your door whenever possible.

In some cases, large transport trucks may not be able to access certain residential areas due to low-hanging branches, narrow streets, or local parking restrictions. If this happens, don’t worry – our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station that’s easy for you to reach.

This door-to-door service saves you time and hassle during your cross-country move from Ohio to California. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or arrange additional transportation to pick up your vehicle.

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!