Lakeland, FL Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Lakeland, FL is simple. Follow these key steps:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items from your car. Carriers are not insured for personal property.

Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior so you can document its condition with photos before shipping.

Check for leaks and issues: Make sure your car runs properly, has no fluid leaks, and the battery is charged. Disable any alarms.

Secure or remove accessories: Take off or secure any loose parts like antennas, spoilers, or bike racks that could be damaged during transit.

Maintain fuel levels: Keep your gas tank about 1/4 full. This reduces weight while ensuring the driver can load and unload your vehicle.

Provide a key: Have a working key ready for the carrier.

For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Lakeland, FL. All carriers in our network must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your shipment begins, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is valid and active. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy. This gives you extra protection and peace of mind.

You’ll receive a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate before pickup. If you have questions about coverage, our team is here to help explain the details.

We recommend scheduling your car shipping service from Lakeland, FL at least 1-2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan efficient routes and match your vehicle with other shipments heading in the same direction.

For the best rates and availability, book even earlier if possible. Here’s why timing matters:

• More carrier options: Early booking means more carriers can bid on your shipment
• Better prices: Last-minute bookings often cost more due to limited availability
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more control over pickup and delivery dates

Need to ship sooner? We can often arrange pickup within 2-5 days, though availability and pricing may vary. Contact us as soon as you know your moving date, and we’ll work to accommodate your 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 auto transport uses open-air trailers that carry multiple vehicles at once. Your car is exposed to weather and road debris, but it’s the most affordable and widely available option. About 90% of vehicles shipped in the U.S. use open transport, including new cars from dealerships.

Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle in a covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and road debris. It costs 50-60% more than open transport but offers maximum protection for high-value, classic, luxury, or custom vehicles.

Which should you choose? For most everyday vehicles, open transport is perfectly safe and cost-effective. Choose enclosed transport if you’re shipping a classic car, exotic vehicle, or any car with custom paint or modifications. Many Lakeland residents shipping standard sedans and SUVs save money with open transport without any issues.

See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for a detailed comparison and pricing information.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service throughout Lakeland, FL and across the country. This is our most popular shipping option because it’s the most convenient.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, you provide your pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come directly to your home, business, or specified location in Lakeland to pick up your vehicle. When delivery time comes, they’ll bring it right to your destination address.

In most residential and commercial areas of Lakeland, door-to-door service works perfectly. However, if your street has low-hanging trees, tight turns, or isn’t accessible for large car carriers, our driver will contact you to arrange a nearby meeting spot. This is typically a shopping center parking lot, gas station, or other safe, accessible location within a few blocks of your address.

Door-to-door service is included in your quote at no extra charge. It saves you time and eliminates the need to drop off or pick up your vehicle at a terminal.

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!