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

Clean and inspect your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. Take photos of any existing damage before pickup.

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and fragile items. Carriers are not responsible for personal property left in vehicles.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and that the battery works. Your vehicle needs to start and move during loading.

Secure loose parts: Remove or tighten any exterior accessories like spoilers, bike racks, or antennas that could be damaged during transport.

Have keys ready: Make sure you have working keys to give the driver at pickup.

For complete details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps helps ensure your car arrives safely in Washington.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Pennsylvania to Washington. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry minimum $1,000,000 liability insurance and $100,000 cargo insurance.

We verify each carrier’s insurance is active and valid before your shipment begins. Our carriers also name Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policies for added protection.

What this means for you: If damage occurs during your Pennsylvania to Washington car shipment, you’re covered under the carrier’s cargo insurance. This coverage is included in your quote at no extra cost.

We recommend taking photos of your vehicle before pickup and reviewing the Bill of Lading with your driver. This helps document your car’s condition and makes any insurance claims smoother.

We recommend scheduling your car shipping service from Pennsylvania to Washington at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and preferred pickup dates.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can group your vehicle with other shipments heading the same direction
• More flexibility: You’ll have more pickup and delivery options to choose from
• Peak season planning: Summer months and holidays book up faster

If you need faster service, we do offer expedited shipping options. However, booking early typically saves you money and reduces stress during your move to Washington.

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 transport is the most common and budget-friendly option. Your car rides on an open trailer, exposed to weather and road debris. It’s safe for most vehicles and costs significantly less.

Enclosed transport protects your car inside a covered trailer. It costs 40-60% more than open transport but shields your vehicle from weather, dust, and road debris. This option is ideal for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.

For most Pennsylvania to Washington shipments, open transport works perfectly fine. Choose enclosed transport if your car is worth over $50,000 or has sentimental value you can’t replace. See our complete open vs enclosed guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers convenient door-to-door auto transport service for your Pennsylvania to Washington car shipment. This means we pick up your vehicle right from your home or office in Pennsylvania and deliver it directly to your new address in Washington.

When you book with us, simply provide your pickup address in Pennsylvania and your delivery address in Washington. Our experienced carriers will handle the rest. If your street has restrictions like low-hanging trees, narrow roads, or weight limits for large trucks, don’t worry. We’ll work with you to find a safe nearby location like a shopping center or gas station within a few miles of your home.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or shipping yard. This is especially helpful for the long Pennsylvania to Washington route, making your cross-country move much easier.

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!