Cedar Rapids, IA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Cedar Rapids, IA 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 your car inside and out. This makes it easier to document any existing damage during inspection.

Document condition: Take photos of your vehicle from all angles before shipping. Note any scratches, dents, or issues.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has adequate fuel (about 1/4 tank), oil, and coolant. Make sure the battery is charged.

Remove accessories: Take off custom antennas, spoilers, bike racks, and any aftermarket additions that could be damaged.

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

Provide a key: Give the carrier a working key for loading and unloading.

For more detailed preparation tips, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps will ensure a smooth pickup from Cedar Rapids and safe delivery to your destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Cedar Rapids, IA. 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 current. 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.

Your vehicle is covered from pickup in Cedar Rapids through delivery to your destination. If you’d like to review the carrier’s insurance certificate before transport, just ask—we’re happy to provide it.

We recommend scheduling your car shipping service from Cedar Rapids, IA at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you more options and often better rates.

Here’s why advance planning helps:

• More carrier availability: Carriers can plan routes and bundle your vehicle with others heading in the same direction
• Better pricing: Last-minute bookings often cost more due to limited availability
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more pickup date options to choose from

If you need expedited service, we can often arrange pickup within 24-48 hours, though this may come with additional costs.

Pro tip: If you’re moving during peak season (May through September) or around holidays, book 3-4 weeks ahead to ensure availability.

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 is the most common and affordable option. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier alongside other cars, exposed to weather and road elements during transit. This method is safe, reliable, and costs significantly less—making it ideal for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed auto transport provides complete protection inside a covered trailer. Your vehicle is shielded from weather, road debris, and dust throughout the journey. This premium service typically costs 50-60% more than open transport, but it’s worth considering for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotic sports cars, or any car with custom paint or modifications.

For most Cedar Rapids residents shipping standard vehicles, open transport offers excellent value and protection. However, if you’re transporting a high-value or collector vehicle, enclosed transport provides added peace of mind. Learn more in our open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes! We offer convenient door-to-door auto transport service throughout Cedar Rapids, IA and nationwide. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or any address you choose, and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book with us, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come directly to those locations, saving you the hassle of dropping off or picking up your vehicle at a terminal.

Important note for Cedar Rapids residents: While we strive to provide true door-to-door service, some Cedar Rapids neighborhoods may have narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or local restrictions that prevent large car carriers from accessing certain addresses. If your location isn’t accessible for a full-size carrier, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot—like a grocery store parking lot or gas station—typically within a few blocks of your address.

This service is included in your quote at no extra charge, making your Cedar Rapids car shipping experience as smooth and convenient 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!