Delaware Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for auto transport is simple. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth shipping experience to or from Delaware:

• Remove personal belongings: Clear out any personal items from the interior and trunk. Carriers are not liable for items left inside, and extra weight can cause issues.
• Disable alarms: Turn off or disable any car alarms to prevent them from triggering during transport.
• Keep the gas tank about ¼ full: A full tank adds unnecessary weight. A quarter tank is enough for loading and unloading.
• Document existing damage: Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles before pickup. This protects you if any disputes arise after delivery.
• Ensure the car is operational: Make sure your vehicle starts, runs, and can be driven onto the carrier. If your car is inoperable, notify your shipping company in advance.
• Check for leaks and mechanical issues: Repair any fluid leaks before shipping. Leaking vehicles can damage other cars on the carrier.
• Retract or remove external accessories: Fold in mirrors, remove roof racks, spoilers, or any custom accessories that could be damaged or cause clearance issues.
• Give the car a wash: A clean car makes it easier to spot any pre-existing damage during the inspection process.

For more helpful advice, check out our vehicle shipping tips. Ready to get started? Get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today.

Yes — your vehicle is insured during transport. Every carrier in the Sherpa Auto Transport network is required to carry cargo insurance as a condition of working with us. This means your car is protected from the moment it’s loaded onto the truck until it’s delivered to you in Delaware (or wherever your destination may be).

Here’s a quick breakdown of how coverage works:

• Carrier cargo insurance: All carriers in our network maintain active cargo insurance policies. If your vehicle is damaged during transit due to carrier negligence, their insurance is the primary source of coverage.
• Sherpa’s added protection: For extra peace of mind, Sherpa also provides an additional layer of coverage on top of what the carrier carries. You’re not left relying on a single policy.

Before your vehicle is picked up, we strongly recommend doing a thorough inspection and noting any pre-existing damage on the Bill of Lading — the official condition report signed by both you and the driver. This document is your best protection if a damage claim ever needs to be filed.

For more helpful tips on preparing your car for shipment, check out our Vehicle Shipping Tips guide. And if you have more questions, visit our FAQs page or get a free quote today.

For most Delaware auto transport shipments, we recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan their routes and ensures you get the best available options for your move.

That said, timing can vary based on a few key factors:

• Peak seasons: Summer and the snowbird season (fall/spring) are the busiest times for car shipping. During these periods, book 2–4 weeks ahead to lock in your preferred dates and avoid price spikes.
• Last-minute shipments: Need to ship on short notice? It’s still possible, but your options may be more limited and costs can be higher.
• Enclosed transport: Fewer enclosed carriers are on the road, so these shipments often require more lead time. Learn more in our Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping Guide.

One of the best ways to plan ahead with confidence is Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise — your quoted price won’t change, so you can book early without worrying about surprise fees later.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote today and secure your spot before your schedule fills up.

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.

When shipping your car to or from Delaware, you’ll have two main transport options: open and enclosed auto transport. Here’s what sets them apart:

Open Auto Transport is the most popular and budget-friendly choice. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier — the same kind you see hauling cars on the highway every day. It’s safe, reliable, and works well for most standard vehicles. The trade-off is that your car is exposed to the elements, like weather and road debris, during transit.

Enclosed Auto Transport ships your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and road debris. This is the preferred option for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotic sports cars, or any vehicle with high monetary or sentimental value. The added protection does come at a higher price — typically 30–40% more than open transport.

Which should you choose? For most everyday vehicles making the trip to or from Delaware, open transport is a smart, cost-effective choice. If you’re moving a high-value or irreplaceable vehicle, enclosed transport gives you that extra peace of mind.

Not sure which option is right for you? Check out our in-depth Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping Guide to learn more, or get a free quote and see pricing for both options side by side.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door car shipping service to and from Delaware. That means we pick up your vehicle directly from your home, office, or any other specified location — and deliver it as close to your destination as safely and legally possible.

We say “as close as possible” because there are times when a large carrier truck cannot access certain streets — such as narrow roads, low-clearance areas, or tight residential neighborhoods. In those cases, we coordinate with you to find a nearby, convenient meeting point. This is standard practice in the auto transport industry and is nothing to worry about.

Here’s what door-to-door service means for your Delaware shipment:

• No drop-off terminals required — you don’t have to drive your car to a central hub.
• Flexible pickup and delivery locations — we work around your schedule and address.
• Direct communication — your assigned carrier will stay in touch with you throughout the process.

Door-to-door service is included as standard with Sherpa, and our Price Lock Promise means the quote you receive won’t change on pickup day. Ready to get started? Get a free quote today and see how easy shipping your car to or from Delaware can be.

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!