San Mateo, CA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from San Mateo, CA is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including items in the glove box, trunk, and console. This protects your items and reduces weight.

Clean your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage during the inspection.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and coolant. Make sure your battery is secure and working.

Remove or secure loose parts: Take off custom accessories, spoilers, or anything that might fall off. Remove toll tags like FasTrak passes.

Document existing damage: Take photos of any scratches, dents, or other issues before pickup.

Have keys ready: Provide one set of working keys to the driver.

For complete details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures a smooth pickup from San Mateo and safe delivery to your destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from San Mateo, CA. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your San Mateo pickup, 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.

This means your vehicle is covered from the moment it’s loaded in San Mateo until it’s delivered to your destination. Our insurance requirements exceed industry standards to give you peace of mind during transport.

For car shipping from San Mateo, CA, we recommend booking at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and flexible pickup dates.

San Mateo’s location in the busy San Francisco Bay Area means carriers frequently travel through the region. However, booking early allows drivers to plan efficient routes and bundle your vehicle with other shipments heading in the same direction.

If you need faster service, we can often accommodate rush shipments with 3-7 days notice, though this may cost more. For the most savings and scheduling flexibility, book as soon as you know your moving dates.

Peak seasons like summer months require even more advance notice due to higher demand. Contact us early to discuss your specific timeline and get the best service for your San Mateo car shipping needs.

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 that expose your vehicle to weather and road debris. It’s the most common and affordable option, costing about 50% less than enclosed transport. Your car travels on the same multi-level trailers you see on highways every day.

Enclosed auto transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer, shielding it from weather, dust, and road debris. This premium service costs more but offers maximum protection for high-value, classic, or luxury vehicles.

Which should San Mateo residents choose? Most everyday vehicles ship safely using open transport. Consider enclosed transport if you own a classic car, luxury vehicle, or have custom paint work that needs extra protection. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service for San Mateo residents and surrounding areas. This means we pick up your car from your home or office and deliver it directly to your destination address.

When you book with us, simply provide your San Mateo pickup address and final delivery location. Our carrier will coordinate with you to schedule a convenient pickup time. In most cases, we can access residential streets and driveways throughout San Mateo.

However, some locations may have restrictions like narrow streets, low-hanging branches, or HOA rules that prevent large car carriers from accessing your exact address. If this happens, don’t worry – our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station within a few miles of your location.

Door-to-door service is included in our standard pricing, so you won’t pay extra for this convenience. It’s the most popular option for San Mateo customers because it saves time and eliminates the need to drive to a terminal.

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!