Houston, TX Car Shipping

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

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including items in the glove box, trunk, and console. Carriers are not responsible for personal property.

Clean your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage during the pre-transport inspection.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and coolant. Make sure your battery is charged and secure.

Remove or secure loose parts: Take off custom accessories, spoilers, or loose trim. Remove toll tags like EZ Tag (common in Houston) and GPS devices.

Document existing damage: Take photos of your car from all angles before pickup.

Provide working keys: Have at least one set of keys ready for the driver.

For complete preparation details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures smooth pickup and delivery of your vehicle from Houston.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Houston, TX. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your Houston pickup, 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 for extra protection.

This means your car is covered from the moment it’s loaded in Houston until it reaches your destination. Our insurance requirements exceed industry standards to give you peace of mind during your vehicle transport.

For car shipping from Houston, TX, we recommend scheduling your pickup service at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and preferred pickup dates.

Houston is a major shipping hub with high demand, so booking early allows carriers to:

• Bundle your vehicle with other shipments heading to your destination
• Offer better pricing through route optimization
• Provide more flexible scheduling options

Peak seasons (summer months and winter holidays) may require even more advance notice – up to 4 weeks ahead. For last-minute shipments, we can often accommodate requests with 3-7 days notice, but expect limited availability and higher costs.

The key is to book as soon as you know your moving timeline. Early booking from Houston gives you the most options and the best value for your car shipping needs.

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 that expose your car to weather and road debris. It’s the most common and affordable option, costing 40-60% less than enclosed transport.

Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle in a covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dirt, and debris. This premium service costs more but offers maximum protection.

Choose open transport if: You have a standard daily driver and want to save money. Most cars ship safely this way.

Choose enclosed transport if: You own a luxury car, classic vehicle, or custom car with special paint. The extra cost is worth protecting your investment.

For Houston residents, both options work well year-round. See our complete open vs enclosed guide to help you decide which fits your needs and budget.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service throughout Houston and the surrounding areas. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or any address you choose, and deliver it directly to your destination.

How it works: When you book your car shipment, simply provide us with your pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come to you at both locations, making the process as convenient as possible.

Important to know: While we always aim for true door-to-door service, sometimes large car carriers can’t access certain streets due to low bridges, narrow roads, or tight turns. In Houston’s busy neighborhoods or areas with restricted access, we may need to meet you at a nearby location like a shopping center or gas station. Don’t worry – we’ll work with you to find the most convenient spot nearby.

This service saves you time and hassle compared to dropping off or picking up your vehicle at a terminal across town. Most Houston customers can enjoy true door-to-door pickup and delivery.

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!