Ithaca, NY Car Shipping

To prepare your vehicle for shipping from Ithaca, NY, follow these key steps:

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

Clean your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage during the pre-transport 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 during pickup and delivery.

Remove or secure loose parts: Take off toll passes, GPS units, and any aftermarket accessories that could fall off. Secure or remove spoilers, bike racks, and roof boxes.

Document existing damage: Take photos of your car from all angles. Note any scratches, dents, or other issues before shipping.

For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Proper preparation protects your car and ensures smooth pickup from Ithaca.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Ithaca, NY with Sherpa Auto Transport.

Every carrier in our network must carry:

• $1,000,000 minimum liability insurance
• $100,000 minimum cargo insurance

Before your Ithaca pickup, 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.

What this means for you: Your car is covered from the moment it’s loaded in Ithaca until delivery at your destination. This insurance is included in your quote at no extra cost.

We recommend taking photos of your vehicle before pickup in Ithaca. This helps document your car’s condition and speeds up any potential claims process.

For car shipping from Ithaca, NY, we recommend scheduling your pickup at least 2-3 weeks in advance. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing competitive rates and flexible pickup dates.

Ithaca’s location in the Finger Lakes region means carriers need time to plan efficient routes that bundle multiple vehicles. Last-minute bookings (less than one week) often result in higher costs and limited availability, especially during peak seasons like summer and early fall.

If you’re moving during busy periods or need door-to-door service in Ithaca’s residential areas, consider booking 3-4 weeks ahead. This gives carriers ample time to coordinate pickups and ensures you get the best service for your 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 transport is the most common and budget-friendly option. Your car rides on an open trailer, exposed to weather and road debris. It’s safe for most vehicles and costs significantly less.

Enclosed transport protects your car inside a covered trailer. It costs 40-60% more than open transport but shields your vehicle from weather, dust, and road debris. This option is ideal for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.

For most Ithaca residents shipping standard vehicles, open transport offers excellent value and reliability. Choose enclosed transport if your car is worth over $50,000 or has sentimental value you can’t replace. See our complete open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door service for Ithaca, NY car shipping. This means we pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or chosen address and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book with us, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses in Ithaca. Our carriers will do their best to reach these exact locations. However, some Ithaca neighborhoods have narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or parking restrictions that make it hard for large car carriers to navigate safely.

If your address isn’t accessible, don’t worry. Our driver will work with you to find a nearby meeting spot like a shopping center, gas station, or public parking lot. This is still much more convenient than terminal-to-terminal service, where you’d have to drive to a shipping facility.

Door-to-door service in Ithaca saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to arrange extra transportation or take time off work to drop off your car at a distant terminal.

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!