Preparing your vehicle for shipping from California to Kentucky 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 door pockets. Car carriers are not licensed to transport personal property.

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

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

Remove or secure loose parts: Take off custom accessories, spoilers, or anything that could fall off. Remove toll tags, GPS devices, and fragile items.

Document existing damage: Take photos of your car from all angles before pickup.

Provide working keys: Have at least one spare key ready for the driver.

For complete details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures your car arrives safely in Kentucky and helps avoid any shipping delays.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from California to Kentucky. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your car ships, 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 insurance covers your vehicle from pickup in California all the way to delivery in Kentucky. You can ship with confidence knowing your car is protected throughout the entire journey.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from California to Kentucky at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and preferred pickup dates.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan routes more efficiently when they have advance notice
• More carrier options: Popular routes like California to Kentucky fill up quickly
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more pickup date options to choose from

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 convenience, book as early as possible once you know your moving timeline.

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 transport is the most common and budget-friendly option. Your car travels on an open trailer alongside other vehicles, exposed to weather and road debris. This method costs less and offers faster pickup times since most carriers use open trailers.

Enclosed transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer, shielding it from weather, dust, and road debris during the long trip from California to Kentucky. This premium service costs 40-60% more than open transport but provides maximum protection.

Choose open transport if you have a standard daily driver and want to save money. Choose enclosed transport for luxury cars, classics, exotic vehicles, or cars with custom paint jobs that need extra protection on the 1,800+ mile journey. Learn more in our complete open vs enclosed transport guide.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service from California to Kentucky. This means we pick up your car from your home, office, or any address you choose in California and deliver it directly to your specified location in Kentucky.

When you book with Sherpa Auto Transport, simply provide us with your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come right to your door whenever possible. If your location has narrow streets, low-hanging branches, or other access issues, don’t worry – we’ll work with you to find a safe nearby spot like a shopping center or gas station.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or arrange extra transportation. It’s especially helpful for the long California to Kentucky route, which typically takes 5-7 days to complete.

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!