Getting your car ready for the long trip from California to North Carolina is simple. Here’s what you need to do:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including toll passes, GPS units, and anything loose that could move around during transport.

Clean your vehicle: Wash your car inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage before shipping.

Check fluids and battery: Make sure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and a working battery so it can be loaded and unloaded.

Document everything: Take photos of your car from all angles. Note any scratches or dents you see.

Prepare your keys: Have a spare key ready to give the driver. Keep one for yourself too.

Remove accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, or anything that sticks out. These can get damaged during transport.

For a complete checklist and more tips, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps will help ensure your car arrives safely in North Carolina.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from California to North Carolina. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $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. This gives you extra protection during your cross-country move.

Your vehicle is covered from pickup in California until delivery in North Carolina. If you have questions about coverage, our team can provide insurance details before you book.

For car shipping from California to North Carolina, we recommend scheduling your pickup at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and preferred dates.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan efficient routes and bundle shipments
• More availability: Popular dates fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons
• Less stress: You’ll have backup options if your first choice isn’t available

Peak seasons to book even earlier:

• Summer months (May-September)
• Winter holidays (November-January)
• College move-in periods (August-September)

If you need last-minute shipping, we can often accommodate rush orders within 3-7 days, though rates may be higher and date flexibility is limited.

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 safe and reliable for most cars, but your vehicle is exposed to weather and road debris during the California to North Carolina 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 is ideal for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.

For most standard vehicles shipping from California to North Carolina, open transport works great and saves money. Choose enclosed transport if you have a high-value car or want maximum protection. See our complete open vs enclosed guide for detailed comparisons.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door service for car shipping from California to North Carolina. This means we pick up your vehicle at your home or office and deliver it directly to your new address.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide your pickup address in California and delivery address in North Carolina. Our carrier will come to both locations to handle your vehicle.

Important to know: Sometimes large car carriers cannot access narrow streets, steep driveways, or areas with low-hanging branches. If this happens, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby location like a shopping center or gas station – usually within a few blocks of your address.

Door-to-door service is included in most of our California to North Carolina auto transport quotes at no extra cost. It saves you time and eliminates the need to drive to a terminal or depot.

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!