Los Angeles, CA to Austin, TX Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Los Angeles to Austin is simple and straightforward. Here are the key steps:

Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior so you can document any existing damage with photos before shipping.

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and fragile items. Carriers typically don’t insure personal items left inside.

Check for leaks and mechanical issues: Ensure your car runs properly and has no fluid leaks. Notify your carrier of any mechanical problems in advance.

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

Maintain low fuel level: Keep your gas tank at about a quarter full to reduce weight while ensuring enough fuel for loading and unloading.

Provide a spare key: Have a working key ready for the driver.

For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures a smooth, safe transport experience from LA to Austin.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Los Angeles to Austin. Every carrier 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 policy is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy. This gives you an extra layer of protection throughout your LA to Austin route.

You’ll receive a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate before pickup. While damage during transport is rare, you’re covered if anything unexpected happens on the road between California and Texas.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from Los Angeles to Austin at least 1-2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan efficient routes and group your vehicle with others heading to Texas.

Booking early offers several benefits:

• Better pricing: Last-minute bookings often cost more due to limited availability
• More carrier options: Popular routes like LA to Austin fill up quickly
• Flexible pickup dates: You’ll have more control over your schedule

That said, we can often accommodate shorter timelines if needed. If you need faster service, let us know and we’ll work to find available carriers on your route.

Pro tip: Have flexible pickup dates? Giving carriers a 2-3 day window instead of one specific date can speed up the process and may lower your cost.

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 (like the ones you see on highways) and is the most popular and affordable option. Your vehicle is exposed to weather and road debris, but it’s safe for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed auto transport ships your car in a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and debris. This costs 40-60% more than open transport but is worth it for luxury cars, classic vehicles, or cars with custom modifications.

For most Los Angeles to Austin shipments, open transport works great and saves you money. Choose enclosed if your vehicle is high-value or needs extra protection. Check out our complete open vs enclosed auto transport guide for more details on which option is right for you.

Yes! We offer door-to-door auto transport service from Los Angeles to Austin, making your car shipping experience as convenient as possible.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Los Angeles and delivery address in Austin. Our assigned carrier will come directly to your location to pick up your vehicle and deliver it right to your doorstep in Texas.

Important to know: In some cases, large car carriers cannot access certain residential streets due to low-hanging trees, narrow roads, or tight turns. If your location has these restrictions, our driver will contact you to arrange a safe, nearby meeting point—like a shopping center parking lot or gas station—typically within a few blocks of your address.

Door-to-door service is included in your quote at no extra charge, giving you maximum convenience for your Los Angeles to Austin vehicle shipment.

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!