Texas Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for auto transport is simple. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth, hassle-free experience:

• Remove personal belongings. Most carriers are not licensed to transport personal items, and they won’t be covered by insurance if lost or damaged. Clear out your car before pickup.
• Document existing damage. Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles before it’s loaded. This gives you a solid reference point if you need to file a damage claim.
• Keep the gas tank about ¼ full. Enough fuel is needed to load and unload the vehicle, but a full tank adds unnecessary weight.
• Disable your car alarm. An alarm that triggers during transport can cause serious delays. Make sure it’s turned off or provide the driver with instructions to deactivate it.
• Make sure the car runs. Verify that your vehicle starts and drives. If it doesn’t, notify your carrier in advance — inoperable vehicles require special equipment to load and may affect your rate.
• Retract or remove accessories. Fold in side mirrors, lower any antennas, and remove roof racks or spoilers if possible — especially for open transport.
• Check for leaks and mechanical issues. Carriers can refuse a vehicle that is actively leaking fluid. Address any known issues beforehand.

For more helpful tips, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Ready to get started? Get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today.

Yes — your vehicle is insured during transport. Every carrier in the Sherpa Auto Transport network is required to carry cargo insurance as a condition of working with us. This means your car is protected from the moment it’s loaded onto the truck until it’s delivered to you in Texas.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how coverage works:

• Carrier cargo insurance: All carriers in our network maintain active cargo insurance policies. If your vehicle is damaged during transit, the carrier’s insurance is the primary source of coverage.
• Sherpa’s added protection: On top of the carrier’s policy, Sherpa provides an additional layer of coverage for extra peace of mind — something not all auto transport brokers offer.
• Your personal auto insurance: In most cases, your existing auto insurance policy does not cover damage that occurs during shipping. It’s always a good idea to confirm this with your provider before your shipment date.

Before your vehicle is picked up, we strongly recommend doing a thorough inspection and documenting any pre-existing scratches, dents, or damage with photos. This makes it much easier to file a claim if anything unexpected happens during the haul.

Want to learn more about how to prepare your car for shipping? Check out our Vehicle Shipping Tips or visit our FAQs page for more answers. When you’re ready, get a free quote and see why Sherpa is the trusted choice for car shipping to and from Texas.

For most Texas auto transport shipments, we recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan routes and ensures you get the best available options for your move.

That said, timing can vary based on a few key factors:

• Peak seasons: Summer and the snowbird season (fall/winter) are the busiest times for car shipping to and from Texas. During these periods, book 2–4 weeks ahead to lock in your preferred pickup window and avoid delays.
• Last-minute shipments: Need to ship on short notice? It’s still possible, but your options may be limited and prices can be higher.
• Flexibility helps: The more flexible you are with your pickup date, the easier it is to match you with a carrier quickly.

One thing that sets Sherpa apart: our Price Lock Promise guarantees the quote you receive is the price you pay — no surprise fees at pickup. So when you book early, you can plan with confidence.

Ready to get started? Get a free instant quote today and secure your spot before the rush.

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 Texas, you’ll choose between two main transport methods: open and enclosed auto transport.

Open transport is the most popular and budget-friendly option. Your vehicle rides on an open-air, multi-car carrier — the same type of truck you see delivering new cars to dealerships. It’s a safe, reliable choice for most standard vehicles. The tradeoff is that your car is exposed to the elements, like wind, rain, and road debris, during transit.

Enclosed transport ships your vehicle inside a covered trailer, protecting it from weather and road hazards. This is the preferred option for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotics, or any car with high sentimental or monetary value. The added protection does come at a higher price — typically 30–50% more than open transport.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Open transport: More affordable, widely available, great for everyday vehicles
• Enclosed transport: Premium protection, ideal for high-value or classic cars

Not sure which option is right for your vehicle? Check out our in-depth Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping Guide to help you decide. When you’re ready, get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport and see pricing for both options.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service throughout Texas and across the entire country. That means we pick up your vehicle directly from your home, office, or any other specified location — and deliver it straight to your destination address.

You won’t need to drop off or pick up your car at a terminal. Our driver will come to you, which makes the entire process far more convenient — especially for long-distance shipments to or from Texas cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

• Large trucks need space. In some cases, narrow streets or low-hanging trees may make it difficult for a carrier to reach your exact address. If that happens, your driver will coordinate with you to find the closest safe and accessible pickup or drop-off point nearby.
• Your price won’t change. Thanks to our Price Lock Promise, the quote you receive is the price you pay — no surprise fees at pickup or delivery.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote today and see how easy door-to-door car shipping in Texas can be.

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!