North Carolina to California Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from North Carolina to California is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Remove Personal Items: Take out all personal belongings, including toll passes, GPS devices, and fragile items. Carriers are not responsible for items left inside your car.

Clean Your Vehicle: Wash your car inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage and makes the inspection process easier.

Document Current Condition: Take photos of your vehicle from all angles. Note any existing scratches, dents, or damage on the inspection report.

Check Fluids and Battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and other fluids. Make sure your battery is charged and your car starts reliably.

Secure or Remove Accessories: Remove or secure loose parts like spoilers, antennas, or bike racks that could be damaged during transport.

Provide Working Keys: Have at least one working key ready for the driver. Test that it starts the engine and unlocks all doors.

For complete details, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures a smooth pickup and delivery process for your North Carolina to California car shipment.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from North Carolina to California. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your car ships, 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. This gives you extra protection on your cross-country move.

Your vehicle is covered from pickup in North Carolina until delivery in California. If you need proof of insurance for your records, we can provide documentation before your shipment begins.

For car shipping from North Carolina to California, we recommend scheduling your pickup at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan efficient routes and group your vehicle with other shipments heading west.

Booking early offers several benefits:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan ahead and offer more competitive rates
• More pickup dates: You’ll have flexible scheduling options
• Reduced stress: No last-minute scrambling to find available transport

If you’re moving during peak seasons (summer months or winter holidays), consider booking 4-6 weeks ahead. These busy periods see higher demand for cross-country shipping.

Need to ship on short notice? We can often accommodate rush orders within 3-7 days, though expect higher costs and limited scheduling flexibility.

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 uses open trailers where your car is exposed to weather and road debris. It’s the most common and affordable option, costing significantly less than enclosed transport.

Enclosed auto transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer, shielding it from weather, dust, and road debris. This premium service typically costs 40-60% more than open transport.

Choose open transport if: You have a standard daily driver and want to save money on your North Carolina to California move.

Choose enclosed transport if: You’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic car, or any vehicle with custom paint that needs extra protection during the 2,400+ mile journey.

Both options are safe and reliable for your cross-country move. See our complete open vs enclosed guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for shipments from North Carolina to California. This means we pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or preferred location in North Carolina and deliver it directly to your destination in California.

When you book your shipment, simply provide us with your pickup and delivery addresses. Our assigned carrier will coordinate with you to schedule convenient pickup and delivery times that work with your schedule.

Important to know: In some cases, large transport trucks cannot access certain residential areas due to low-hanging branches, narrow streets, or parking restrictions. If this happens, our carrier will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station – usually within a few miles of your location.

Door-to-door service eliminates the hassle of driving to distant terminals, making your North Carolina to California car shipment as convenient as possible.

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!