Sonoma, CA Car Shipping

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

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items from the interior. Carriers typically don’t insure personal property.

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

Check for leaks and mechanical issues: Make sure your car runs properly, has adequate tire pressure, and isn’t leaking fluids.

Secure or remove accessories: Take off or secure any external items like bike racks, spoilers, or antennas that could get damaged.

Leave a quarter tank of gas: Keep fuel levels low to reduce weight, but ensure enough for loading and unloading.

Provide a working key: Have a spare key ready for the driver.

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

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Sonoma, CA. All our carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your shipment begins, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is valid and in good standing. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy. This gives you extra protection and peace of mind.

Your vehicle is covered from pickup in Sonoma to final delivery. If you’d like to review the carrier’s insurance certificate before transport, just ask—we’re happy to provide it.

We recommend scheduling your pickup from Sonoma, CA at least 1-2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan efficient routes and match your vehicle with other shipments heading in the same direction.

Booking early offers several benefits:

• Better rates: More time means more carrier options and competitive pricing
• Flexible dates: You’ll have more control over your pickup window
• Less stress: Avoid last-minute rush fees and limited availability

If you need faster service, we can often arrange pickups within 2-5 days, though this may cost more. For the best experience, book as early as you know your moving dates.

Peak season tip: During busy months (May-September), consider booking 3-4 weeks ahead to secure your preferred dates.

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 elements during transit. This is the most common and affordable option, used for about 90% of vehicle shipments.

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

Which should you choose? Most Sonoma residents choose open transport—it’s safe, reliable, and budget-friendly. Consider enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic car, or a vehicle with custom modifications. For standard daily drivers, open transport works perfectly fine.

Learn more in our detailed open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service for Sonoma, CA residents. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home or business and deliver it directly to your destination address.

When you book with us, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery locations. Our carrier will come directly to you in Sonoma—whether that’s your driveway, apartment complex, or workplace.

Important note for Sonoma residents: Some residential streets in Sonoma may have narrow roads, low-hanging trees, or tight turns that make it difficult for large car carriers to access. If your location isn’t accessible for a full-size transport truck, don’t worry. Our driver will contact you to arrange a safe, nearby meeting spot like a grocery store parking lot or gas station.

This service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or arrange additional transportation. We handle the logistics so you can focus on your move.

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!