Louisiana Car Shipping

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

• Clean your car: Wash the exterior so you can clearly see and document any pre-existing scratches, dents, or dings.
• Document existing damage: Take detailed photos of all sides of your vehicle before pickup. This protects you if any disputes arise after delivery.
• Remove personal belongings: Carriers are not insured to transport personal items inside the vehicle. Empty the trunk and interior before your driver arrives.
• Keep the gas tank about ¼ full: Enough fuel is needed to load and unload the car, but a full tank adds unnecessary weight.
• Disable your alarm: An alarm that goes off during transport can cause major delays. Disable it or leave instructions for the driver.
• Check for fluid leaks: Make sure your vehicle isn’t leaking oil or other fluids, as this can damage other cars on the carrier.
• Retract or remove accessories: Fold in side mirrors, remove roof racks, and retract antennas if possible to prevent damage during loading.
• Ensure the car is operational: Your vehicle needs to be able to drive on and off the carrier under its own power. If it’s inoperable, notify your transport company in advance.

For more helpful advice, check out our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. When you’re ready to ship, get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today.

Yes — your vehicle is insured during transport. Every carrier in Sherpa Auto Transport’s 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 Louisiana.

Here’s how the coverage works:

• Carrier cargo insurance: All carriers in our network maintain active cargo insurance policies. If your vehicle is damaged during transit, the carrier’s 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 navigating a claim on your own.

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

Want to learn more before shipping your car to or from Louisiana? Check out our Vehicle Shipping Tips or visit our FAQs page for more details. When you’re ready, get a free quote in minutes.

We recommend booking your Louisiana auto transport at least 1–2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to schedule your pickup and helps ensure a smooth, on-time delivery.

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

• Peak seasons: Summer months and snowbird season (fall/winter) are the busiest times for car shipping. If you’re shipping during these periods, aim to book 3–4 weeks ahead to lock in better availability and pricing.
• Your route: Popular routes to and from Louisiana — like Louisiana to Florida or Texas — tend to have more carrier availability. Less common routes may need extra lead time.
• Last-minute shipping: Need to ship quickly? Expedited options are often available, but they typically come at a higher cost.

The earlier you book, the more flexibility you’ll have on pickup dates and pricing. At Sherpa Auto Transport, our Price Lock Promise means the quote you receive is the price you pay — no surprise fees at pickup.

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 Louisiana, you’ll have two main transport options: open and enclosed. 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 type of truck you’ve seen hauling new cars on the highway. It’s safe, reliable, and widely available throughout Louisiana. The trade-off is that your car is exposed to the elements, like rain, dust, and road debris. For most standard vehicles, this is a perfectly fine option.

Enclosed Auto Transport places your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, shielding it from weather and road conditions. This is the preferred choice for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotic sports cars, or anything with high sentimental or monetary value. It does cost more — typically 30–40% higher than open transport — but the added peace of mind is often worth it.

Which should you choose?

• Shipping an everyday car? Open transport is the smart, cost-effective pick.
• Shipping a high-value or classic vehicle? Enclosed transport is the safer bet.

Not sure which option is right for your vehicle? Check out our in-depth Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping Guide for a full breakdown. When you’re ready, get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport and see pricing for both options side by side.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door car shipping service throughout Louisiana and across the entire country. That means we pick up your vehicle directly from your home, office, or any other convenient location — and deliver it straight to your destination address.

You won’t need to drop your car off at a terminal or arrange extra transportation. Our goal is to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible for you.

A few things to keep in mind:

• In some cases, narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or local traffic restrictions may prevent a large carrier from pulling directly to your door. If that happens, your driver will work with you to find the closest safe and legal pickup or drop-off point nearby.
• Louisiana’s mix of urban areas like New Orleans and Baton Rouge and rural regions can sometimes affect carrier accessibility, so flexibility helps.

Door-to-door service is included as standard with Sherpa — no hidden fees or surprises. In fact, our Price Lock Promise guarantees that the quote you receive is the price you pay.

Ready to get started? Get a free, instant quote today and see how easy Louisiana auto transport 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!