Wilmington, NC Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Wilmington, NC is simple. Follow these key steps:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items from your car. Carriers are not insured for personal property left inside.

Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior so you can document any existing damage with photos before shipping.

Check for leaks and mechanical issues: Make sure your car runs properly and has no fluid leaks. Inform the carrier of any issues.

Secure or remove accessories: Take off or secure antennas, spoilers, bike racks, and other exterior accessories that could be damaged.

Maintain proper fuel level: Keep your gas tank between 1/4 and 1/2 full. This reduces weight while ensuring the car can be loaded and unloaded.

Provide a working key: Have a spare key ready for the driver.

Disable alarms: Turn off your car alarm to avoid issues during transport.

For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Proper preparation ensures a smooth, safe transport experience from Wilmington.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Wilmington, NC. Every carrier in our network must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your shipment begins, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing. All contracted carriers also add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy, giving you an extra layer of protection.

This comprehensive coverage is included in your quote at no additional cost. You’ll receive the carrier’s insurance information before pickup, so you can review it and have peace of mind throughout your vehicle’s journey from Wilmington.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from Wilmington, NC at least 1-2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan efficient routes and match your vehicle with other shipments heading in the same direction.

Booking early offers several benefits:

• Better pricing: More time allows carriers to optimize their routes, often resulting in lower costs
• More carrier options: You’ll have access to a wider selection of qualified carriers
• Flexible scheduling: You can choose pickup dates that work best for your timeline

If you need faster service, we offer expedited shipping options with pickup possible in as little as 24-48 hours. However, rush services typically cost more.

For the best experience, contact us as soon as you know your moving dates. We’ll work with you to find the right carrier and ensure a smooth pickup from Wilmington.

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-air trailers that carry multiple vehicles at once. Your car is exposed to weather and road elements during transit. This is the most common and affordable option, costing significantly less than enclosed transport.

Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle in a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and road debris. This premium service typically costs 50-60% more than open transport.

Which should you choose? Most customers shipping to or from Wilmington choose open transport. It’s safe, reliable, and cost-effective for everyday vehicles. Consider enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic car, or any vehicle with custom paint or modifications that need extra protection.

Learn more in our detailed open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes! We offer door-to-door auto transport service to and from Wilmington, NC. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or any address you specify and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will coordinate with you to schedule a convenient time for both pickup and drop-off.

What if the truck can’t access my street?

In some Wilmington neighborhoods—especially those with narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or tight turns—large car carriers may have difficulty reaching your exact address. If this happens, don’t worry. Your driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center parking lot, gas station, or main road. This is still considered door-to-door service.

Door-to-door transport is our standard service and comes at no extra charge. It’s the easiest, most convenient way to ship your car.

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!