San Ramon, CA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from San Ramon, CA is simple. Follow these key steps:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items from the interior. Carriers are not insured for personal property.

Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior so you can document its condition with photos before shipping.

Check for leaks and issues: Make sure your car runs properly, has no fluid leaks, and the battery is charged. Inform your driver of any mechanical problems.

Secure or remove accessories: Take off or secure any loose parts like antennas, spoilers, or bike racks that could be damaged during transit.

Keep fuel low: Leave only about a quarter tank of gas. This keeps the vehicle lighter and meets safety requirements.

Provide a key: Have a spare key ready for the carrier.

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

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from San Ramon, CA. Every carrier in our network must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your vehicle leaves San Ramon, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is active and valid for your entire shipment. We also require all carriers to list Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy. This gives you extra protection and peace of mind.

You’ll receive a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate before pickup. If you have questions about coverage, our team is always here to help.

We recommend scheduling your car shipping service from San Ramon, CA at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you the best chance of securing lower rates and more flexible pickup dates.

Here’s why advance booking matters:

• Better carrier availability: Carriers can plan routes more efficiently and bundle your vehicle with other shipments heading in the same direction
• More competitive pricing: Last-minute bookings often cost more due to limited carrier options
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more control over your pickup window

Need to ship on short notice? We can often accommodate rush shipments from San Ramon within 2-5 days, though expedited service may include additional fees. Contact us as soon as possible to discuss your timeline and 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-air trailers that carry multiple vehicles at once. Your car is exposed to weather and road debris, but it’s the most affordable and popular option. About 90% of vehicles shipped in the U.S. use open transport, including new cars from dealerships.

Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle inside a covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and road debris. It costs 50-60% more than open transport but provides maximum protection.

Which should you choose? Most San Ramon residents use open transport for everyday vehicles—it’s safe, reliable, and budget-friendly. 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.

See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for a detailed comparison and pricing information.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service for San Ramon, CA residents. This is our most popular shipping option because it’s simple and convenient.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, you provide your pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come directly to your home or business in San Ramon to pick up your vehicle. They’ll then deliver it right to your destination address.

What if the truck can’t reach my exact address?

San Ramon has many residential areas with narrow streets, tight turns, or low-hanging trees. Large car carriers may not fit in every location. If your street isn’t accessible, don’t worry. The driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a parking lot or shopping center. This happens before pickup, so you’ll have plenty of notice.

Door-to-door service means the carrier gets as close to your door as safely and legally possible. In most cases in San Ramon, this means your exact address. When it’s not possible, we make the alternative location as convenient as we can.

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!