Palo Alto, CA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Palo Alto, CA is simple but important. Follow these key steps:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including items in the glove box, trunk, and console. Car carriers are not licensed to transport personal property.

Clean your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This makes it easier to spot any damage during inspection.

Document condition: Take photos of your car from all angles, noting any existing scratches or dents.

Prepare for pickup: Remove toll tags, GPS devices, and loose accessories. Disable car alarms. Keep fuel between 1/4 and 1/2 tank.

Have keys ready: Provide one set of working keys to the driver. Make sure all keys work for doors, ignition, and any locks.

For complete preparation details, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures smooth pickup and delivery of your vehicle.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Palo Alto, CA. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry:

• $1,000,000 in liability insurance
• $100,000 in cargo insurance

Before we assign your Palo Alto car shipment, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy for extra protection.

Your vehicle is covered from pickup in Palo Alto through delivery at your destination. This insurance protects against damage during transport at no extra cost to you.

Pro tip: Take photos of your car before pickup in Palo Alto. This helps document your vehicle’s condition and makes any insurance claims faster if needed.

For car shipping from Palo Alto, CA, we recommend booking at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you better options and pricing.

Here’s why advance booking helps:

• Better carrier availability – More drivers service the busy San Francisco Bay Area
• Lower costs – Carriers can group your car with other shipments
• Flexible pickup dates – You get more scheduling options

If you need rush shipping, we can often arrange pickup within 2-3 days from Palo Alto. This costs more but works for urgent moves.

Peak season tip: Summer months (May-September) are busiest. Book 3-4 weeks ahead during these times for the best rates and availability.

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 uses open trailers that expose your car to weather and road debris. It’s the most common and affordable option, costing about 50% less than enclosed transport.

Enclosed transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer, shielding it from weather, dust, and road debris. This option costs more but is ideal for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.

For most everyday vehicles shipping from Palo Alto, open transport works perfectly fine. However, if you own a high-value car or want maximum protection during transport, enclosed shipping is worth the extra cost. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for more details on choosing the right option for your needs.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers convenient door-to-door auto transport service to and from Palo Alto, CA.

When you book your car shipment, simply provide your pickup and delivery addresses. Our assigned carrier will come directly to your location in Palo Alto to collect your vehicle and deliver it right to your destination.

However, Palo Alto’s narrow residential streets and parking restrictions may sometimes require slight adjustments. If your specific address has limited truck access, our driver will work with you to find a safe nearby location like:

• A local shopping center parking lot
• A nearby gas station
• A wider residential street in your neighborhood

This ensures your vehicle is picked up and delivered as close to your preferred location as safely possible. Our team will coordinate these details with you in advance, so there are no surprises on pickup or delivery day.

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!