Preparing your vehicle for shipping from California to New Jersey 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. Car carriers are not responsible for personal property.

Check fluids and battery: Make sure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and that the battery works. Your car needs to start and drive onto the carrier.

Remove or secure loose parts: Take off custom accessories, spoilers, or anything that might fall off during transport.

Have keys ready: You’ll need to give the driver at least one working key.

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

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from California to New Jersey. 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 check that the carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy. This gives you extra protection during your cross-country move.

Your vehicle is covered from pickup in California until delivery in New Jersey. If you have questions about coverage, our team can explain the details and provide insurance documents.

For car shipping from California to New Jersey, we recommend booking your pickup service at least 2-3 weeks in advance. However, scheduling earlier gives you better options and pricing.

Here’s why early booking helps:

• Better carrier availability – More drivers can fit your route into their schedules
• Lower costs – Carriers can bundle your car with other shipments going the same direction
• Flexible pickup dates – You’ll have more time slots to choose from

During busy seasons (summer and fall), consider booking 3-4 weeks ahead. If you need last-minute service, we can often accommodate rush orders, but expect higher prices and limited pickup windows.

Pro tip: Book as soon as you know your moving date. You can always adjust your pickup window later if your plans change.

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 cost-effective option. Your car rides on an open trailer alongside other vehicles. It’s fully insured and safe for most cars, but your vehicle is exposed to weather and road debris during the California to New Jersey journey.

Enclosed transport costs 40-60% more but provides complete protection. Your car travels inside a covered trailer, shielded from weather, dust, and debris. This option is ideal for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.

For most California to New Jersey moves, open transport works perfectly fine. Choose enclosed transport if you have a high-value vehicle or want maximum protection. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door service for all shipments from California to New Jersey. 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 New Jersey.

Our door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or depot. However, if your street has low bridges, narrow roads, or other restrictions that prevent our large carrier trucks from accessing your location safely, we’ll work with you to find a nearby alternative spot like a shopping center or gas station.

When you book your California to New Jersey auto transport, simply provide us with your pickup and delivery addresses. We handle the rest, making your cross-country move 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!