Virginia Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for auto transport in Virginia is simple. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth pickup and delivery:

• Remove personal belongings: Clear out any personal items from the interior. Carriers are not responsible for lost or damaged personal property, and extra weight can cause issues.
• Document existing damage: Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles before it’s picked up. This gives you a solid record if any disputes arise after delivery.
• Keep the gas tank about a quarter full: A full tank adds unnecessary weight. A quarter tank is enough for loading and unloading.
• Disable alarms: Make sure any automatic car alarms are turned off or disarmed. A triggered alarm during transport can cause major headaches for the driver.
• Ensure the car is operational: Your vehicle should be able to start, drive, and brake normally. If it’s inoperable, let your carrier know in advance.
• Retract or remove accessories: Fold in side mirrors and remove any external accessories like roof racks, spoilers, or antennas that could be damaged in transit — especially if you’re using open transport.
• Check for leaks: Make sure your vehicle isn’t leaking oil or other fluids, as this can damage other vehicles on the carrier.

For more helpful tips, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. When you’re ready to get started, get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today.

Yes — your vehicle is insured during transport. Every carrier in Sherpa Auto Transport’s network is required to carry cargo insurance, so your car is protected from the moment it’s loaded onto the truck until it’s delivered to you in Virginia.

Here’s how the coverage works:

• Carrier cargo insurance: All carriers we work with must maintain active cargo insurance as a condition of being in our network. This covers damage that occurs while your vehicle is in transit.
• Sherpa’s added protection: For extra peace of mind, Sherpa also provides supplemental coverage on top of what the carrier carries.

Before your vehicle is picked up, we strongly recommend doing a thorough walkaround inspection with the driver. Note any pre-existing dents, scratches, or damage on the Bill of Lading — this document is your official record and is essential if you ever need to file a claim.

Want to learn more before booking? Check out our Vehicle Shipping Tips or visit our FAQs page for more details. When you’re ready, get a free quote and ship your car to or from Virginia with confidence.

For most Virginia auto transport shipments, we recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan routes and ensures you get the best available options for your move.

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

• Peak seasons: Summer and the snowbird season (fall/spring) are the busiest times for car shipping. During these periods, book 2–4 weeks ahead to lock in your preferred dates and avoid price spikes.
• Enclosed transport: Enclosed carriers are less common, so they book up faster. Give yourself extra lead time if you need this option.
• Last-minute shipments: Need to ship on short notice? It’s still possible, but you may have fewer carrier choices and higher rates.

The earlier you book, the more flexibility you have — and with Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise, the quote you receive is the price you pay. No surprises at pickup.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote today and secure your spot before Virginia’s busy shipping season hits.

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 Virginia, you’ll have two main transport options: open and enclosed auto transport. Here’s what sets them apart:

Open Auto Transport is the most popular and budget-friendly choice. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier — the same kind you’ve seen hauling cars on the highway. It’s safe, reliable, and used for the vast majority of shipments. If you’re moving a standard everyday vehicle, open transport is likely your best bet.

Enclosed Auto Transport offers a higher level of protection. Your car rides inside a fully covered trailer, shielded from weather, road debris, and dust. This option is ideal for luxury vehicles, classic cars, exotics, or any car with high sentimental or monetary value. It does come at a higher price — typically 30–40% more than open transport.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Open transport: More affordable, widely available, great for standard vehicles
• Enclosed transport: Extra protection, higher cost, best for high-value or specialty vehicles

Not sure which option is right for your Virginia shipment? Check out our in-depth Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping Guide for a full comparison, or get a free quote to see pricing for both options side by side.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door car shipping service throughout Virginia and across the entire country. That means we pick up your vehicle directly from your home, office, or any other convenient location — and deliver it straight to your destination address.

You won’t need to drop your car off at a terminal or arrange extra transportation. Our goal is to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible for you.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Accessibility matters. Our carriers use large transport trucks, so if your street is narrow or has low-hanging trees, your driver may ask to meet at a nearby open spot like a parking lot. This is normal and very common.
• Flexibility is key. Our drivers will always work with you to find the most convenient pickup and delivery point possible.
• Your price won’t change. Thanks to our Price Lock Promise, the quote you receive is the price you pay — no surprise fees at pickup or delivery.

Ready to get started? Get a free, instant quote today and see how simple shipping your vehicle to or from Virginia 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!