Tacoma, WA Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Tacoma, WA is simple but important. Start by removing all personal items from inside your car – carriers are not insured for personal belongings. Take out toll passes, GPS devices, and any loose items that could shift during transport.

Clean your vehicle inside and out before pickup. This makes it easier to spot any existing damage during the inspection process. Document any scratches, dents, or issues with photos.

Make sure your car is in good working condition with at least a quarter tank of gas (but no more than half full). Check that your battery is charged and tires are properly inflated. Remove or secure any aftermarket accessories like spoilers, bike racks, or custom antennas.

Finally, have your keys ready for the driver and ensure you’re available for both pickup and delivery inspections. For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Tacoma, WA. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before we assign your Tacoma car shipment, 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 vehicle is covered from pickup in Tacoma until delivery at your destination. Our insurance requirements exceed industry standards to give you peace of mind during transport.

Important: While our carriers provide comprehensive coverage, we recommend checking with your personal auto insurance about any gaps during transport.

For car shipping from Tacoma, WA, we recommend booking 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 car with other shipments heading the same direction
• More scheduling options: You’ll have flexibility to choose pickup times that work for you
• Reduced stress: No last-minute scrambling to find available transport

If you’re moving during peak seasons (summer months or winter snowbird season), consider booking 3-4 weeks ahead. Tacoma’s location near Seattle makes it a popular shipping hub, so earlier booking ensures better service options.

Need faster service? We offer expedited shipping, though it costs more. Contact us to discuss your timeline and get a free quote tailored to your Tacoma pickup 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 transport is the most common and budget-friendly option. Your car rides on an open trailer alongside other vehicles. It’s safe and reliable for most cars, but your vehicle is exposed to weather and road debris.

Enclosed transport costs 40-60% more but provides complete protection. Your car travels inside a covered trailer, shielding it from rain, snow, and road debris. This is ideal for luxury cars, classics, or custom vehicles.

For most Tacoma residents shipping standard vehicles, open transport works great. Choose enclosed if you have a high-value car or want maximum protection. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service to and from Tacoma, WA. This means we pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or preferred location in Tacoma and deliver it directly to your destination address.

When you book your car shipment, simply provide us with your pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come to your specified location in Tacoma to collect your vehicle. This saves you time and hassle – no need to drive to a terminal or depot.

In some cases, large car carriers cannot access narrow residential streets or areas with low-hanging branches in Tacoma neighborhoods. If this happens, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or wide street. We always prioritize safety while keeping the pickup as close to your location as possible.

Door-to-door service is included in our standard car shipping rates. There are no hidden fees for this convenience.

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!