Sterling Heights, MI Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Sterling Heights, MI is simple. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth pickup:

• Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items from the interior. 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.
• Secure or remove accessories: Take off or secure any loose parts like spoilers, bike racks, or antennas that could be damaged.
• Keep fuel low: Leave only about a quarter tank of gas to reduce weight.
• Provide a key: Have a working key ready for the driver at pickup.

For more detailed guidance, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Proper preparation protects your vehicle and helps avoid delays during pickup in Sterling Heights.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Sterling Heights, MI. Every carrier in our network must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your shipment begins, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is active and valid. 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.

When the driver picks up your vehicle in Sterling Heights, they’ll provide a copy of their insurance certificate. We recommend reviewing it and keeping a copy for your records during transport.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from Sterling Heights, MI at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you the best results.

Here’s why early booking helps:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan routes and bundle shipments, which often means lower costs for you
• More carrier options: You’ll have access to more qualified drivers heading to your destination
• Flexible pickup dates: Earlier scheduling gives you more control over timing
• Peak season planning: During busy months (May-September), booking 2-3 weeks ahead is ideal

Need to ship on short notice? We can often arrange expedited pickup within 24-48 hours, though this typically costs more. Contact us as soon as you know your moving date, and we’ll work to find the best solution for your timeline and budget.

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, where your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air trailer alongside other cars. This is how most vehicles are shipped across the country, including new cars from dealerships. Your car will be exposed to weather and road elements during transit, but carriers are insured and experienced in protecting vehicles.

Enclosed auto transport provides full protection inside a covered trailer, shielding your vehicle from weather, road debris, and dust. This option costs 50-60% more than open transport but is worth considering for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotic sports cars, or any car with custom paint or modifications.

For most standard vehicles leaving Sterling Heights, open transport is perfectly safe and cost-effective. Choose enclosed transport if your vehicle is high-value or requires extra protection. Learn more in our open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes! We offer convenient door-to-door auto transport service for Sterling Heights residents. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, business, or preferred location in Sterling Heights and deliver it directly to your destination address.

When you book your shipment, simply provide your pickup and delivery addresses. Our assigned carrier will come directly to these locations to load and unload your vehicle—saving you time and hassle.

What if the truck can’t access my street?

In some cases, large car carriers may have difficulty navigating narrow residential streets, low-hanging trees, or tight turns in certain Sterling Heights neighborhoods. If this happens, your driver will contact you to arrange a nearby meeting point, such as a shopping center parking lot, gas station, or main road. This is standard practice and ensures safe loading of your vehicle.

Door-to-door service is included in most quotes at no extra charge, making it the most popular shipping option for Sterling Heights customers.

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!