North Carolina Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for auto transport is simple. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth pickup and delivery in North Carolina:

• Clean your car: Wash the exterior so it’s easier to spot and document any pre-existing scratches, dents, or dings.
• Document existing damage: Take clear, time-stamped photos of all sides of your vehicle before the carrier arrives. This protects you if any disputes arise.
• Remove personal items: Carriers are not insured to transport personal belongings inside the vehicle. Remove everything from the interior and trunk.
• Keep the gas tank about a quarter full: Enough fuel is needed to load and unload the car, but a full tank adds unnecessary weight.
• Disable any aftermarket alarms: An alarm that triggers during transport can cause delays and headaches for the driver.
• Check for leaks and mechanical issues: Make sure your vehicle is in good working order. Inform your carrier of any issues ahead of time.
• Retract or remove antennas and accessories: Fold in side mirrors and remove any external accessories that could be damaged or cause clearance issues on the carrier.
• Note the tire pressure and battery charge: Your car needs to be driveable so it can be loaded and unloaded from the transport truck.

For more helpful advice, check out our vehicle shipping tips. And if you’re ready to get started, 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, so your car is protected from the moment it’s loaded onto the truck until it’s delivered to you in North Carolina.

Here’s how the coverage works:

• Carrier cargo insurance: All carriers we work with must meet minimum insurance requirements before joining our network. This coverage protects your vehicle against damage that occurs while it’s in the carrier’s care.
• Sherpa’s added protection: For extra peace of mind, Sherpa also provides an additional layer of coverage on top of what the carrier carries.

Before your vehicle is picked up, we strongly recommend doing a thorough walk-around inspection and noting any pre-existing damage on the Bill of Lading — the official inspection 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 about preparing your car for a smooth, worry-free shipment? Check out our Vehicle Shipping Tips or visit our FAQs page for more answers. When you’re ready, get a free quote today.

For most shipments to or from North Carolina, we recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan their routes and helps ensure a smooth, on-time pickup.

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

• Peak seasons: Summer and the winter snowbird season are the busiest times for auto transport. During these periods, book 2–4 weeks ahead to lock in availability and avoid price spikes.
• Your route: Popular routes — like Florida to North Carolina or the Northeast corridor — tend to fill up faster. Less common routes may need extra lead time to find a carrier.
• Open vs. enclosed transport: Enclosed carriers are less common, so booking early is especially important if you need extra protection for a luxury or classic vehicle.

The earlier you book, the more options you have — and the better your chances of securing a great rate. With Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise®, the price you’re quoted is the price you pay, so there are no surprises at pickup.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote today and lock in your shipment with confidence.

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 North Carolina, you’ll choose between two main transport methods: open and enclosed auto transport. Here’s what sets them apart:

Open Auto Transport is the most popular and budget-friendly option. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier — the same kind you see hauling new cars on the highway. It’s safe, reliable, and used for the vast majority of everyday vehicle shipments. If you’re shipping a standard car, truck, or SUV, open transport is usually the right call.

Enclosed Auto Transport puts your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, shielding it from weather, road debris, and dust. This option costs more — typically 30–40% higher than open transport — but it offers maximum protection. It’s the preferred choice for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotics, or any vehicle with high sentimental or monetary value.

Which should you choose?

• Choose open transport if you want the most affordable, widely available option for a standard vehicle.
• Choose enclosed transport if your vehicle is high-value, rare, or you simply want extra peace of mind.

Not sure which is right for your North Carolina shipment? Check out our in-depth Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping Guide or get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door car shipping service throughout North Carolina — including major cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, and Asheville, as well as smaller towns and suburbs.

Here’s how it works: instead of requiring you to drop off or pick up your vehicle at a terminal, we send a carrier directly to your specified pickup location and deliver it as close to your destination as possible. That could be your home, your workplace, or any other address you choose.

We say “as close as possible” because there are occasional exceptions. Large car carriers can have difficulty navigating narrow streets, low-hanging tree branches, or tight residential cul-de-sacs. In those cases, your driver will coordinate with you to find a nearby, accessible meeting point — such as a parking lot or main road — that works for both of you.

A few things to keep in mind about our door-to-door service:

• Flexible scheduling: We work with you to find a pickup and delivery window that fits your timeline.
• Price transparency: Thanks to our Price Lock Promise®, the quote you receive is the price you pay — no surprise fees at delivery.
• Open or enclosed transport: Door-to-door service is available with both open and enclosed carriers. Not sure which is right for your vehicle? Check out our Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping Guide.

Ready to get started? Get a free, instant quote and see how easy it is to ship your car to or from North Carolina with Sherpa.

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!