Seattle, WA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Seattle is simple. Follow these key steps:

Clean your car: Wash the exterior so you can document any existing damage with photos. This protects you if any issues arise during transit.

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items. Carriers typically don’t insure personal property, and extra weight can increase costs.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your vehicle is in good running condition with adequate fuel (about 1/4 tank), proper fluid levels, and a charged battery.

Disable alarms: Turn off car alarms to prevent issues during transport.

Remove or secure accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, and other aftermarket additions that could be damaged in transit.

Provide a working key: Make sure the driver has a key to load and unload your vehicle.

For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures a smooth pickup from Seattle and safe delivery to your destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Seattle, WA. All carriers in our network must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your Seattle shipment begins, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is valid and active. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy for your added protection.

This insurance covers your vehicle from the moment it’s loaded in Seattle until it reaches its destination. You can request a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate at any time during your shipment.

We recommend scheduling your car shipping service from Seattle at least 1-2 weeks in advance for the best results. However, booking earlier gives you more advantages.

Why book early? Seattle is a major shipping hub with regular carrier routes, but advance notice allows carriers to efficiently plan their routes and combine multiple vehicles heading in the same direction. This often results in better pricing and more reliable pickup windows for you.

If you’re shipping during peak seasons (summer months, holidays, or end-of-month periods), consider booking 3-4 weeks ahead. For last-minute shipments, we can often accommodate requests with just a few days’ notice, though options may be more limited.

The key is to book as soon as you know your moving dates. This gives you the widest selection of carriers, the most competitive rates, and greater flexibility with your schedule.

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 to or from Seattle, you’ll choose between two main transport methods:

Open Auto Transport is the most popular and affordable option. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier (the kind you see on highways). While your car is exposed to weather and road debris during transit, this method is safe and used for over 90% of vehicle shipments nationwide. It’s perfect for everyday vehicles and offers the best value.

Enclosed Auto Transport provides full protection inside a covered trailer. This premium service costs 50-60% more than open transport, but shields your vehicle from weather, dust, and road debris. It’s ideal for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotic sports cars, or any car with custom paint work.

For most Seattle residents shipping standard vehicles, open transport is reliable and cost-effective. Choose enclosed transport if your vehicle is high-value or requires extra protection. Learn more in our detailed open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers convenient door-to-door auto transport service throughout Seattle and the surrounding areas.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our assigned carrier will come directly to your home, office, or specified location in Seattle to pick up your vehicle. When delivery time comes, we’ll bring your car right to your door at the destination.

Important note for Seattle residents: Seattle’s narrow streets, hills, and residential restrictions can sometimes make direct door-to-door access challenging for large car carrier trucks. If your street has low-hanging trees, tight turns, or parking limitations, our driver may ask to meet you at a nearby open location—like a grocery store parking lot or main intersection. This keeps your vehicle safe and ensures smooth loading.

We always work with you to find the most convenient spot possible. Our goal is to make your Seattle car shipping experience as easy and stress-free as we can.

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!