Washington to Arizona Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for car shipping from Washington to Arizona is simple. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth transit:

• Clean your car: Wash the exterior so any pre-existing scratches, dents, or damage are easy to spot during the inspection process.
• Document the condition: Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles before the carrier picks it up. This protects you if any disputes arise.
• Remove personal items: Clear out any personal belongings from the interior. Most auto transport insurance policies do not cover personal items left inside the vehicle.
• Remove accessories: Take off any exterior add-ons such as bike racks, spoilers, or roof cargo boxes that could be damaged in transit.
• Remove your toll pass: Detach any toll transponders (such as a Good To Go! pass commonly used in Washington) to avoid unexpected charges during transport.
• Check your fluids and tire pressure: Make sure there are no fluid leaks and that your tires are properly inflated so the carrier can safely load and unload your vehicle.
• Leave a quarter tank of gas: Keep the fuel level at about ¼ of a tank — enough to load and unload the car, but not so much that it adds unnecessary weight.
• Disable car alarms: Deactivate any aftermarket alarms to prevent disruptions during transport.
• Provide a spare key: Have a key ready to hand off to the carrier at pickup.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. A little preparation goes a long way in ensuring your vehicle arrives in Arizona safely and on time!

Yes, your vehicle is insured when shipping from Washington to Arizona with Sherpa Auto Transport. Here’s how we protect you:

• Every carrier we work with is required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.
• Before your vehicle is ever loaded, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is valid and in good standing for the full duration of your shipment.
• All contracted carriers are required to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy — giving you an extra layer of protection.

Our quotes are also all-inclusive, so there are no hidden fees or surprise charges. The price you see is the price you pay.

We recommend reviewing your personal auto insurance policy as well. Some policies offer supplemental coverage during transport. If you have questions about coverage, our team is happy to help — contact us anytime.

The sooner you schedule, the better. We recommend booking your Washington pickup at least two weeks in advance. However, if your move date is flexible, posting your shipment three to four weeks ahead gives carriers more time to bundle your vehicle with other shipments heading to Arizona — which can also help lower your overall shipping cost.

Keep in mind that demand can spike during peak moving seasons (spring and summer), so earlier is always smarter. Last-minute bookings are possible, but they may limit your carrier options and increase your rate. Get a free quote today to lock in the best price for your Washington to Arizona 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 transport is the most popular and affordable option for shipping your car from Washington to Arizona. Your vehicle rides on an open-air trailer — the same type used to deliver new cars to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and the right choice for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 50% more than open transport, but it provides extra protection. Your car is fully covered inside a trailer, shielded from road debris, dust, and the elements along the Washington-to-Arizona route. This option is best for:

• Classic or vintage cars
• Luxury or exotic vehicles
• Cars with custom paint jobs or body modifications
• Any vehicle with high monetary or sentimental value

For most everyday vehicles, open transport is the smarter choice — it’s cost-effective and used successfully millions of times each year. If your car’s value or condition demands extra care, enclosed is worth the added cost.

Still not sure which is right for you? Check out our detailed open vs. enclosed auto transport guide to make the best decision for your shipment.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments from Washington to Arizona. This is the most convenient way to ship your car — no need to drop it off at a terminal or travel out of your way.

Here’s how it works:

• At booking, you provide your preferred pickup address in Washington and your delivery address in Arizona.
• Your assigned carrier will come directly to your home, office, or any other location you specify.
• Upon arrival in Arizona, your vehicle will be delivered as close to your door as safely possible.

Keep in mind that large car carriers cannot always navigate narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or tight residential areas. If your address presents a challenge, your driver will contact you to arrange a nearby alternative — such as a local parking lot or gas station. This is common and nothing to worry about.

The drive from Washington to Arizona covers roughly 1,200 to 1,400 miles depending on your specific locations, so having a carrier handle the pickup and delivery directly saves you significant time and effort. Get a free quote today and let us take care of the heavy lifting.

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!