Cambridge, MA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Cambridge, MA is simple. Follow these key steps:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes (like E-ZPass), and fragile items. Carriers typically don’t insure personal property left inside.

Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior so you can document any existing damage with photos before shipping.

Check for leaks and mechanical issues: Make sure your car runs properly, has adequate tire pressure, and no fluid leaks. The battery should be charged and secure.

Secure or remove accessories: Take off or secure loose parts like spoilers, bike racks, or antennas that could get damaged during transit.

Keep fuel low: Leave only about a quarter tank of gas. This reduces weight and meets safety requirements.

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

For more detailed guidance, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures a smooth pickup from Cambridge and safe delivery to your destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when transporting from Cambridge, MA. All carriers in our network must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your shipment begins, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy. This gives you extra protection and peace of mind.

Your vehicle is covered from pickup in Cambridge through delivery to your destination. If you’d like to review the carrier’s insurance certificate before transport, just ask—we’re happy to provide it.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from Cambridge, MA at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you the best results.

Here’s why early booking helps:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan routes more efficiently and offer competitive rates
• More options: You’ll have access to more available carriers and pickup dates
• Flexible timing: You can choose dates that work best for your schedule
• Route optimization: Carriers can bundle your vehicle with others heading the same direction

Need to ship on short notice? We can often arrange pickups within 2-5 days, though options may be more limited and costs slightly higher.

Pro tip: If you’re moving during peak season (May through September) or around holidays, book 3-4 weeks ahead when possible. Cambridge’s tight streets and parking restrictions mean carriers need proper planning for safe pickup.

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 common and affordable option, where your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier alongside other cars. Your car is exposed to weather and road elements during transit, but it’s perfectly safe for most vehicles and is the same method dealerships use to ship new cars.

Enclosed transport provides full protection inside a covered trailer, shielding your vehicle from weather, dust, and road debris. It typically costs 50-60% more than open transport.

For most Cambridge residents shipping standard vehicles, open transport is the practical choice. Consider enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic sports car, or any car with custom paint work that needs extra protection. Learn more in our open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes! We offer door-to-door auto transport service for Cambridge, MA residents. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or any address you choose, and deliver it directly to your destination.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our assigned carrier will come to you in Cambridge, saving you time and hassle.

Important note for Cambridge residents: Some Cambridge streets have parking restrictions, narrow roads, or low-hanging trees that may prevent large car carriers from accessing your exact address. If this happens, don’t worry—our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby alternative like a public parking lot, gas station, or wider street. This is common in older Boston-area neighborhoods.

Door-to-door service is included in your quote at no extra charge. It’s the most convenient way to ship your car, and we handle the logistics so you don’t have to drive to a terminal.

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!