Palm Springs, CA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Palm Springs is simple. Follow these key 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 carrier insurance.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and a working battery for loading and unloading.

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

Remove or secure accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, and other exterior add-ons that could get damaged.

Document condition: Take 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. If you have questions about preparing your specific vehicle, our team is here to help.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Palm Springs, CA. 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 in good standing. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy for added protection.

This means your vehicle is covered from pickup in Palm Springs through delivery to your destination. You’ll receive the carrier’s insurance details before your transport begins, giving you complete peace of mind.

We recommend scheduling your car pickup from Palm Springs at least 5-7 days in advance, though 1-2 weeks is ideal for the best rates and carrier availability.

Booking early gives carriers more time to plan efficient routes and bundle your vehicle with other shipments heading in the same direction. This often results in lower costs and faster pickup times.

If you need expedited service, we can often arrange pickups within 24-48 hours, though this may come with premium pricing. Palm Springs’ location in the Coachella Valley means carriers frequently travel through the area, especially along major routes to Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix.

Pro tip: Flexible pickup dates give you more options and better pricing. If possible, provide a 2-3 day pickup window when booking your shipment.

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. Your car is exposed to weather and road conditions during transit. This is the most common and affordable option, used for about 90% of vehicle shipments.

Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle in a fully covered trailer. This protects it from weather, road debris, and dust. It costs 40-60% more than open transport but offers maximum protection.

For most standard vehicles leaving Palm Springs, open transport works great. Choose enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic sports car, or any car with custom paint or modifications. The extra cost is worth it for high-value vehicles.

Learn more in our open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service throughout Palm Springs and the surrounding Coachella Valley area. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, business, or hotel and deliver it directly to your destination address.

How it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery locations. Our carrier will come directly to you in Palm Springs, whether you’re in the downtown area, Desert Hot Springs, or any residential neighborhood.

Important note: While we strive for true door-to-door service, some Palm Springs locations may have restrictions. Narrow desert roads, gated communities with limited access, or low-hanging trees can sometimes prevent large car carriers from reaching your exact address. If this happens, our driver will work with you to find a safe, convenient nearby spot like a shopping center parking lot or main street location.

Most Palm Springs customers experience seamless door-to-door pickup and delivery without any issues. We handle the logistics so you can focus on your move.

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!