Preparing your vehicle for transport from California to Massachusetts 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, toll passes, and fragile items. Carriers aren’t responsible for personal property left inside.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and that the battery works. Fix any fluid leaks before pickup.

Secure loose parts: Remove or tighten any loose exterior accessories like spoilers, antennas, or bike racks that could get damaged during transport.

Have keys ready: Make sure you have working keys to give the driver at pickup.

For complete details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps helps ensure your car arrives safely in Massachusetts.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from California to Massachusetts with Sherpa Auto Transport.

Every carrier in our network must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance. We verify that each carrier’s insurance is active and valid before they transport your vehicle.

For added protection, all our carriers list Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policies. This means we monitor coverage throughout your California to Massachusetts shipment.

Your vehicle is protected from pickup in California until delivery in Massachusetts. This comprehensive coverage gives you peace of mind during the cross-country journey.

We recommend scheduling your car pickup from California at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives us time to find the best carrier and secure competitive rates for your shipment.

Why book early? Carriers prefer to bundle multiple vehicles on the same route. When you book ahead, we can match your car with other shipments heading to Massachusetts, which keeps costs down and ensures faster pickup.

During busy seasons (summer months and winter holidays), consider booking 4 weeks ahead. Popular routes like California to Massachusetts fill up quickly during these times.

Last-minute bookings are possible but may cost more and take longer to arrange. For the best service and pricing, early booking is always your best bet.

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 car to weather and road debris. It costs less and works well for most everyday vehicles. Enclosed auto transport uses covered trailers that fully protect your car from the elements.

For shipping from California to Massachusetts, enclosed transport typically costs 40-60% more than open transport. Choose enclosed if you have a luxury car, classic vehicle, or custom paint job that needs extra protection during the 3,000+ mile journey. Most standard cars ship safely using open transport.

See our complete open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons and pricing information.

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

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide us with your pickup address in California and delivery address in Massachusetts. Our carrier will come right to these locations to handle your vehicle.

In some cases, large trucks cannot access certain streets due to low bridges, narrow roads, or local restrictions. If this happens, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station. This ensures your car stays protected while making pickup and delivery as easy as possible.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle compared to dropping off or picking up your vehicle at a terminal. It’s especially helpful for busy families relocating from California to Massachusetts.

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!