Rochester, MN Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Rochester, MN is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including items in the glove box and trunk. Carriers are not responsible for personal property.

Clean your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This makes it easier to spot any damage during inspection.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and that the battery works. Your vehicle needs to start and move for loading.

Remove or secure loose parts: Take off custom accessories, spoilers, or anything that might fall off. Retract antennas and fold in mirrors.

Document condition: Take photos of your car from all angles before pickup.

For complete preparation details, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures smooth pickup from Rochester and safe delivery to your destination.

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

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

This comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle from pickup in Rochester through delivery at your destination. You can ship with confidence knowing your car is protected every mile of the journey.

For car shipping from Rochester, MN, we recommend booking your pickup service at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and flexible scheduling options.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better carrier availability: More carriers can include your Rochester pickup in their routes
• Lower costs: Carriers can bundle multiple vehicles from the Rochester area
• Flexible dates: You’ll have more pickup window options to choose from

If you need faster service, we can often arrange pickups with 1-2 weeks notice, though this may limit your carrier options and increase costs. For last-minute shipments (under one week), express services are available but come at a premium price.

Peak season tip: During busy times like summer months, book 3-4 weeks ahead for the best Rochester, MN car shipping experience.

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 budget-friendly option. Your car rides on an open trailer alongside other vehicles. It’s safe and reliable, but your car is exposed to weather and road debris during transport.

Enclosed auto transport provides full protection inside a covered trailer. Your vehicle is shielded from weather, dust, and road debris. This option costs 40-60% more than open transport.

Choose open transport if: You have a standard daily driver and want to save money. Most cars shipped from Rochester use this method.

Choose enclosed transport if: You own a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic sports car, or any car with custom paint or modifications that need extra protection.

Both options are insured and reliable. The choice comes down to your budget and how much protection your vehicle needs. See our complete open vs enclosed guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door service for Rochester, MN. This means we pick up your car from your home or office and deliver it right to your new address.

Here’s how it works: When you book, just give us your pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come directly to you in Rochester. If your street has low bridges, narrow roads, or other issues, don’t worry. We’ll find a safe nearby spot like a parking lot or gas station.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or arrange extra transportation. Most Rochester neighborhoods work great for this service, making your car shipping experience smooth and easy.

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!