Santa Cruz, CA Car Shipping

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

Clean and inspect your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. Take photos of any existing damage for your records.

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including items in the glove box and trunk. Remove toll passes, GPS devices, and any loose accessories.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has less than a quarter tank of gas. Check that the battery is secure and fluids aren’t leaking.

Prepare keys and documents: Have a spare key ready for the driver. Keep your registration and insurance handy.

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

For complete details, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures smooth pickup from Santa Cruz and safe delivery to your destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Santa Cruz, CA. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your Santa Cruz car shipment begins, 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 pickup in Santa Cruz through delivery at your destination. You can ship with confidence knowing your car is protected throughout the entire transport process.

For car shipping from Santa Cruz, 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.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan efficient routes and offer lower rates
• More carrier options: Popular routes fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more pickup window options to choose from

Need to ship sooner? We can often accommodate rush orders with 3-7 days notice, though expect higher rates for expedited service.

Santa Cruz’s coastal location means most shipments connect through major hubs like San Jose or San Francisco, so advance planning helps ensure smooth logistics for your vehicle transport.

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 uncovered 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 hazards. 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 without issues.

Choose enclosed transport if: You own a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic car, or have custom paint work that needs extra protection during the journey from Santa Cruz.

For detailed comparisons and pricing, check our complete open vs enclosed transport guide.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service to and from Santa Cruz, CA. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or any address you choose and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book with Sherpa Auto Transport, simply provide us with your preferred pickup and delivery locations. Our professional carriers will do their best to reach these exact spots. However, Santa Cruz’s narrow residential streets or steep hillside roads may sometimes require adjustments for safety reasons.

If your specific address isn’t accessible for our large transport trucks, don’t worry. We’ll work with you to find a convenient nearby location like:

• A local shopping center parking lot
• A gas station with easy truck access
• A wider street in your neighborhood

This door-to-door service saves you time and hassle compared to terminal-to-terminal shipping. You won’t need to drive to a distant facility or arrange extra transportation. Our goal is to make your Santa Cruz car shipping experience as smooth as possible.

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!