Pleasanton, CA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for shipping from Pleasanton, CA is simple when you follow these key steps:

Remove Personal Items: Take out all personal belongings, including toll passes, GPS devices, and any loose items that could shift during transport.

Clean Your Car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage and makes the inspection process easier.

Document Everything: Take photos of your car from all angles, noting any scratches, dents, or damage before pickup.

Check Fluids and Battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), check fluid levels, and make sure the battery is charged so the carrier can load and unload your vehicle.

Remove Accessories: Take off any removable parts like bike racks, spoilers, or custom accessories that could be damaged or fall off during transit.

Have Keys Ready: Provide one set of working keys to the driver at pickup.

For a complete checklist and more detailed tips, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps will help ensure your car arrives safely at its destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Pleasanton, CA with Sherpa Auto Transport. We require all our carriers to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage that protects your vehicle throughout the entire transport process.

Here’s what covers your vehicle:

• $1,000,000 minimum liability insurance – Protects against accidents and damage
• $100,000 minimum cargo insurance – Covers your specific vehicle during transport
• Verified coverage – We check that insurance is active before your Pleasanton pickup

For added protection, all our carriers list Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy. This means we can directly verify coverage and handle any claims on your behalf.

Your vehicle is protected from the moment it’s loaded in Pleasanton until it reaches its destination. If you have questions about coverage details, our team is happy to explain the insurance process before your shipment begins.

For car shipping from Pleasanton, CA, we recommend booking your pickup service at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, scheduling even earlier gives you the best results.

Here’s why booking early helps:

• Better pricing: Carriers can group your car with other vehicles heading to the same area
• More pickup options: You’ll have more flexible scheduling choices
• Less stress: Avoid last-minute rush fees and limited availability

Pleasanton’s location in the San Francisco Bay Area means regular carrier traffic, but peak seasons (summer months and holidays) fill up faster. During these busy times, book 3-4 weeks ahead when possible.

Need to ship on short notice? We can often arrange pickup within 2-7 days, though expect higher costs and fewer carrier options.

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 trailers where your car is exposed to weather and road debris. It’s the most common and affordable option, costing significantly less than enclosed transport.

Enclosed auto transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer, shielding it from weather, dust, and road debris. This premium service typically costs 40-60% more than open transport.

Choose open transport if: You have a standard daily driver and want to save money. Most cars ship safely this way.

Choose enclosed transport if: You own a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic car, or have custom paint work. The extra protection is worth the higher cost for valuable vehicles.

For Pleasanton residents shipping high-value vehicles, enclosed transport offers peace of mind during long-distance moves. See our complete open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers convenient door-to-door service for Pleasanton, CA residents. This means we pick up your vehicle from your home or office and deliver it directly to your new address.

When you book your car shipment, simply provide your pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come to you in Pleasanton and handle everything. You don’t need to drive to a terminal or depot.

In some cases, large trucks can’t access certain streets due to low branches, narrow roads, or parking restrictions. If this happens in your Pleasanton neighborhood, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station. This ensures your car gets picked up safely and on time.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. It’s included in most of our shipping quotes at no extra cost.

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!