West Virginia Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for auto transport is simple. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth experience when shipping your car to or from West Virginia:

• Clean your car: Wash the exterior so any pre-existing scratches, dents, or damage are easy to spot and document.
• Document existing damage: Take clear photos of all sides of your vehicle — including the roof and undercarriage — before the carrier picks it up. This protects you if any dispute arises.
• Remove personal items: Auto transport carriers are not licensed to transport personal belongings. Remove everything from the interior and trunk to avoid liability issues.
• Keep the gas tank about 1/4 full: A full tank adds unnecessary weight. A quarter tank is enough for loading and unloading.
• Disable your car alarm: An alarm that triggers during transport can cause major delays. Disable it or leave instructions for the driver.
• Check for mechanical issues: Make sure your vehicle starts, runs, and drives. Inoperable vehicles require special equipment and may cost more to ship.
• Retract or remove accessories: Fold in side mirrors, remove roof racks, and retract any antennas to prevent damage during transport.
• Note your mileage: Record the odometer reading before pickup as part of your documentation.

For more helpful advice, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. 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 as a condition of working with us. This means your car is protected from the moment it’s loaded onto the truck until it’s safely delivered to you in West Virginia — or wherever your destination may be.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how coverage works:

• Carrier insurance: All carriers in our network carry their own cargo insurance policy. If your vehicle is damaged in transit due to carrier negligence, their policy is the first line of coverage.
• Sherpa’s added protection: For extra peace of mind, Sherpa also provides an additional layer of coverage on top of what the carrier carries. We’ve got your back if anything unexpected happens.

Before your vehicle is picked up, we strongly recommend doing a thorough walk-around inspection and noting any pre-existing damage on the Bill of Lading. This document serves as your official record and is essential if you ever need to file a claim. You can find more helpful advice on our Vehicle Shipping Tips page.

Have more questions? Visit our FAQs page or get a free quote today to get started with confidence.

For most shipments to or from West Virginia, we recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan their routes through the state’s mountainous terrain and rural corridors.

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 auto transport. Book 2–3 weeks ahead during these periods to lock in your preferred pickup window.
• Last-minute shipments: Need to ship sooner? It’s possible, but expect fewer carrier options and potentially higher rates.
• Flexible pickup dates: The more flexible you are with your pickup window, the easier it is to match you with a carrier — and often at a better price.

One more tip: once you book with Sherpa Auto Transport, our Price Lock Promise guarantees your quoted rate won’t change — no surprise fees at pickup or delivery.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote today and secure your spot early.

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 West Virginia, you’ll choose between two main transport methods: open and enclosed auto transport.

Open transport is the most popular and budget-friendly option. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier — the same type of truck you’ve seen hauling multiple cars on the highway. It’s safe, reliable, and works well for most standard vehicles. The trade-off is that your car is exposed to the elements, like weather and road debris, during transit.

Enclosed transport ships your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and road hazards. This is the preferred choice for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotic sports cars, or any vehicle with high monetary or sentimental value. It does cost more — typically 30–40% higher than open transport — but the added protection is often worth it.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Open Transport: Lower cost, widely available, great for everyday vehicles
• Enclosed Transport: Higher cost, maximum protection, ideal for high-value or classic cars

Not sure which option is right for your vehicle? Check out our in-depth Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping Guide to help you decide. When you’re ready, get a free quote and see pricing for both options for your West Virginia shipment.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service throughout West Virginia. That means we pick up your vehicle directly from your home, office, or any other specified location — and deliver it straight to your destination, no terminal drop-offs required.

This is the most convenient option for most customers. You don’t have to worry about driving your car to a central hub or arranging a separate pickup. Our carrier comes to you.

A quick note on “door-to-door” logistics: In some cases, if your street is too narrow or has low-hanging trees that make it difficult for a large transport truck to maneuver safely, the driver may ask to meet you at a nearby open location — like a parking lot or wide intersection. This is rare, but it’s good to know upfront.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote today, and check out our Price Lock Promise — we guarantee the price you’re quoted is the price you pay. No surprises.

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!