Pennsylvania Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for auto transport is simple. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth, hassle-free shipment to or from Pennsylvania:

• Remove personal belongings: Take out all personal items from the interior and trunk. Carriers are not licensed to transport personal property, and loose items can shift and cause damage during transit.
• Document existing damage: Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles before pickup. This gives you a solid record if you ever need to reference the car’s pre-shipment condition.
• Keep the gas tank about ¼ full: A full tank adds unnecessary weight. A quarter tank is enough for loading, unloading, and any short drives needed during transport.
• Disable your alarm: An alarm that triggers during transport can cause major delays. Disable it or leave instructions for deactivating it.
• Ensure the vehicle is operational: Make sure your car starts, drives, and the brakes work. Non-operable vehicles require special equipment and may cost more to ship.
• Check for leaks and mechanical issues: Repair any active fluid leaks before shipping. Leaking fluids can damage other vehicles on the carrier.
• Retract or remove external accessories: Fold in mirrors, remove spoilers, roof racks, or other aftermarket accessories that could be damaged or cause clearance issues.
• Note the tire pressure and battery charge: Properly inflated tires and a charged battery make loading and unloading much easier for the driver.

For more helpful guidance, check out our vehicle shipping tips. When you’re ready to move your car to or from Pennsylvania, get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today.

Yes — your vehicle is insured during transport. Every carrier in Sherpa’s network is required to carry cargo insurance, so your car is protected while it’s in transit to or from Pennsylvania.

Here’s how the coverage works:

• Carrier cargo insurance: All carriers we work with must maintain active cargo insurance. This is a non-negotiable requirement to be part of our network.
• Sherpa’s added protection: On top of the carrier’s coverage, Sherpa provides an additional layer of insurance for extra peace of mind.

Before your vehicle is loaded, we recommend doing a thorough walk-around inspection and noting any pre-existing damage on the Bill of Lading — the official condition report signed at both pickup and delivery. This document is your best protection if a claim ever needs to be filed.

For more helpful tips on preparing your car for shipment, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. You can also find answers to more common questions on our FAQs page.

For most Pennsylvania auto transport shipments, we recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to schedule your pickup and helps ensure a smooth, stress-free experience.

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

• Peak seasons: Summer and snowbird season (fall/winter) are the busiest times for car shipping. During these periods, book 2–4 weeks ahead to lock in availability and better rates.
• Your route: Popular routes to and from major Pennsylvania cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh tend to have more carrier availability. Rural or remote pickup locations may need extra lead time.
• Flexible vs. fixed dates: The more flexible you are with your pickup window, the easier it is to match you with a carrier quickly.

Need to ship on short notice? Expedited shipping is often available, but it typically comes at a higher cost. Booking early is almost always the better option for your schedule and your budget.

Want to plan ahead with confidence? Check out our Price Lock Promise — once you get a quote, your price won’t change. You can also use our Car Shipping Calculator to estimate your costs, or get a free quote today to get started.

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 Pennsylvania, you’ll have two main transport options: open and enclosed. Here’s what you need to know about each:

Open Auto Transport is the most popular and budget-friendly choice. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier — the same type of truck you’ve seen hauling cars on the highway. It’s safe, reliable, and works well for most standard vehicles. The trade-off is that your car is exposed to the elements, like weather and road debris, during transit.

Enclosed Auto Transport ships your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer. This provides an extra layer of protection from weather, dust, and road hazards. It’s the preferred option for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotics, or any car with high sentimental or monetary value. Expect to pay a premium — typically 30–40% more than open transport.

Which should you choose?

• Choose open transport if you have a standard vehicle and want the most affordable option.
• Choose enclosed transport if you’re shipping a high-value, classic, or exotic vehicle and want maximum protection.

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

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door car shipping service throughout Pennsylvania — including major cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and beyond.

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 chosen address. We pick up your car at your home, office, or another convenient location and deliver it straight to your destination’s door.

There is one thing worth knowing: in some cases, a driver may need to meet you at a nearby alternate location — such as a large parking lot or side street. This can happen when narrow roads, low-hanging branches, or local traffic laws make it difficult for a large transport truck to access certain areas. If that happens, the driver will always coordinate with you in advance.

A few other things to keep in mind:

• Convenience: No need to travel to a drop-off terminal — your car comes to you.
• Flexibility: Door-to-door service works for both open and enclosed transport. Not sure which is right for you? Check out our Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping Guide.
• Price transparency: With Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise, the quote you receive is the price you pay — no surprise fees at pickup or delivery.

Ready to ship your car to or from Pennsylvania? Get a free quote today and see how easy door-to-door auto transport can be.

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!