Tuscaloosa, AL Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Tuscaloosa, AL is straightforward. Follow these simple steps:

Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior so you can document any existing scratches or dents with photos.

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll tags, 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 so the carrier can load and unload it.

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

Remove or secure accessories: Take off custom spoilers, bike racks, or roof racks that could get damaged. Retract or remove antennas.

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

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

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

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Tuscaloosa, AL. 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, 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.

You’ll receive a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate before your vehicle is picked up. If you have any questions about coverage, our team is happy to help.

We recommend scheduling your car shipping from Tuscaloosa, AL at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you the best chance of securing competitive rates and flexible pickup times.

Here’s why advance notice helps:

• Better carrier availability: Carriers can match your shipment with others heading in the same direction, which often lowers costs.
• More scheduling flexibility: You’ll have more options for pickup dates that work with your timeline.
• Avoid rush fees: Last-minute bookings (less than 5 days out) may require expedited service at higher rates.

If you need faster service, we can often accommodate pickups within 2-5 business days, though availability and pricing may vary. For the smoothest experience, contact us as soon as you know your moving dates.

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 it’s perfectly safe for most cars. About 90% of vehicles shipped in Tuscaloosa use this method.

Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle in a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and road debris. This option typically costs 50-60% more than open transport. It’s ideal for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotic cars, or any car with custom paint or modifications that need extra protection.

For most standard vehicles leaving Tuscaloosa, open transport is the smart choice. Choose enclosed transport if you’re shipping a high-value or specialty vehicle. Learn more in our open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

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

When you book with us, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery locations. Our carrier will come right to you—no need to drive to a terminal or drop-off point.

What if the truck can’t reach my address?

In Tuscaloosa, most residential and commercial areas are accessible for our carriers. However, if your location has narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or other obstacles, the driver will contact you to arrange a safe nearby meeting spot, like a parking lot or gas station. This happens rarely, but we always prioritize safety and work with you to find the most convenient alternative.

Door-to-door service makes shipping your car as easy as possible—especially when moving to or from Tuscaloosa.

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!