Lancaster, PA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Lancaster, PA is simple. Follow these key steps:

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

Remove Personal Items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items. These aren’t covered by insurance during transit.

Document the Condition: Take photos of your vehicle from all angles before shipping. This creates a record of its pre-transport condition.

Check Fluid Levels and Battery: Ensure your gas tank is no more than 1/4 full. Check that the battery is charged and there are no leaks.

Disable Alarms: Turn off any car alarms to avoid issues during transport.

Remove Accessories: Take off or secure any external items like bike racks, spoilers, or antenna attachments that could get damaged.

Provide a Key: Make sure you have a working key available for the carrier.

For more detailed guidance, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Our team at Sherpa Auto Transport is here to make your Lancaster car shipping experience smooth and worry-free.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Lancaster, PA. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers 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 is valid and current. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy for added protection.

This means your vehicle is covered from pickup in Lancaster through delivery to your destination. You can ship with confidence knowing comprehensive insurance protection is included in your quote.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from Lancaster, PA at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you the best results.

Here’s why early booking helps:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan routes more efficiently and offer competitive rates
• More options: You’ll have access to more available carriers and flexible pickup dates
• Route optimization: Your vehicle can be bundled with other shipments heading the same direction, which saves time and money

If you need faster service, we can often arrange pickup within 2-5 days, though this may cost more. For the most flexibility and savings, book as soon as you know your moving dates.

Peak season tip: During summer months (May-September), book 3-4 weeks ahead when possible, as this is the busiest time for car shipping.

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, used for about 90% of vehicle shipments.

Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle in a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and debris. This costs 50-60% more than open transport but offers maximum protection.

Which should you choose? Most Lancaster residents use open transport for everyday vehicles. It’s safe, reliable, and budget-friendly. Choose enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic car, or any vehicle with custom paint or modifications. The extra cost is worth it for high-value vehicles that need premium protection.

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

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service to and from Lancaster, PA. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, business, or another address you choose and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come to you, making the process as convenient as possible. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or drop-off location.

Important note for Lancaster residents: Some residential streets in Lancaster may have tight turns, low-hanging trees, or narrow roads that make it difficult for large car carriers to access. If your location isn’t accessible for a full-size truck, our driver will contact you to arrange a safe, nearby meeting spot—such as a parking lot, gas station, or main road. This ensures your vehicle is transported safely without any issues.

Our goal is to make your car shipping experience as easy and stress-free as possible, whether you’re moving across Pennsylvania or across the country.

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!