Tampa, FL Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for shipping from Tampa, FL is simple when you follow these key steps:

Clean and inspect your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. Take photos of any existing damage for your records.

Remove personal items: Clear out all belongings, including items in the glove box, trunk, and console. Remove toll passes, GPS devices, and any loose accessories.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has less than a quarter tank of gas. Check that the battery is secure and fluids are at proper levels.

Disable alarms: Turn off car alarms to prevent issues during transport.

Provide working keys: Have a spare key ready for the driver. Make sure all keys work properly.

For a complete checklist and more detailed guidance, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps will help ensure your vehicle ships safely from Tampa to its destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Tampa, FL. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your Tampa shipment begins, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is current and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy for extra protection.

This means your car is covered from pickup in Tampa to delivery at your destination. You can ship with confidence knowing your vehicle is protected throughout the entire transport process.

For car shipping from Tampa, FL, we recommend booking at least 2-3 weeks in advance. However, scheduling earlier gives you better options and pricing.

Here’s why advance booking helps:

• Better carrier availability – More drivers can fit your shipment into their routes
• Lower costs – Carriers can bundle multiple vehicles from the Tampa area
• Flexible pickup dates – You’ll have more scheduling options that work for you

If you need last-minute shipping (within 1-2 weeks), we can still help, but expect higher prices and fewer carrier options. Tampa is a major shipping hub, so we typically find carriers faster than smaller cities.

Peak season tip: During summer months and holidays, book 3-4 weeks ahead when possible. More people move during these times, creating higher demand.

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 way to ship your car to or from Tampa. Your vehicle rides on an open trailer alongside other cars, exposed to weather and road debris. This method works great for everyday vehicles and saves you money.

Enclosed transport protects your car inside a covered trailer, shielding it from Florida’s intense sun, rain, and road debris. This premium service costs 40-60% more than open transport but is worth it for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.

Most Tampa residents choose open transport for regular cars. Consider enclosed transport if you’re shipping a high-value vehicle or want maximum protection during transport. Both options are safe and reliable – it comes down to your budget and peace of mind. Check our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers convenient door-to-door auto transport service for Tampa residents and those moving to the area. This service means we pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or preferred location and deliver it directly to your destination address.

When you book your Tampa car shipping service, simply provide us with your pickup and delivery addresses. Our assigned carrier will coordinate with you to schedule pickup and delivery at these exact locations whenever possible.

However, some Tampa neighborhoods have narrow streets, low-hanging branches, or parking restrictions that may prevent large car carriers from accessing certain areas. In these cases, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center, gas station, or open parking lot – typically within a few blocks of your preferred location.

This door-to-door service eliminates the need for you to drop off or pick up your vehicle at a distant terminal, saving you time and hassle during your move to or from Tampa.

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!