El Cajon, CA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from El Cajon, CA is simple. Follow these 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 insurance during transit.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and the battery is charged. Fix any leaks before shipping.

Remove or secure accessories: Take off custom spoilers, bike racks, and roof carriers. Retract or remove antennas.

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

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

Document condition: Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles before pickup.

For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Our team will walk you through any questions when scheduling your El Cajon pickup.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from El Cajon, CA. All of our carriers 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 policy is active and in good standing. We also require all contracted carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy for added protection.

This means your vehicle is covered from pickup in El Cajon through delivery to your destination. You’ll receive a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate before transport begins, giving you peace of mind throughout the shipping process.

We recommend booking your car shipment from El Cajon at least 1-2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan routes and pair your vehicle with other shipments heading in the same direction, which helps keep costs down.

That said, the earlier you book, the better. Scheduling 3-4 weeks ahead gives you more carrier options and greater flexibility with pickup dates. This is especially important during busy seasons like summer and at month-end when demand is higher.

Need to ship sooner? We can often arrange rush shipping with just a few days’ notice, though this typically costs more. Contact us as soon as you know your moving dates, and we’ll work to find the best solution for 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. This is the most common and affordable option, costing significantly less than enclosed transport. Your vehicle will be exposed to weather and road debris during transit, but carriers take precautions to secure your car safely.

Enclosed auto transport uses fully covered trailers that protect your vehicle from the elements. This option costs 50-60% more than open transport but provides maximum protection. It’s ideal for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotic sports cars, or any car with custom features.

For most El Cajon residents shipping standard vehicles, open transport works perfectly fine. However, if you’re transporting a high-value or collectible car, the extra cost of enclosed transport is worth the peace of mind. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for more details.

Yes! We offer door-to-door auto transport service throughout El Cajon, CA and nationwide. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, business, or any address you choose, and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come right to your location in El Cajon to load your vehicle and transport it to your specified destination address.

In some cases, large transport trucks may face challenges navigating narrow residential streets, low-hanging trees, or tight turns common in certain El Cajon neighborhoods. If your location isn’t accessible for the carrier, don’t worry—we’ll work with you to find a convenient nearby meeting spot, such as a shopping center parking lot or gas station.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or arrange extra transportation. It’s our most popular shipping option for El Cajon 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!