Established in 2017, Sherpa Auto Transport stands out as a top-notch auto transport broker in the shipping industry. In fact, they’re one of our top picks for best car shipping companies.
What sets them apart is their commitment to exceptional customer service, their Price Lock Promise that shields customers from unexpected price hikes, their Clean Car Guarantee that includes a free car wash post-transport, and their free bookings. These unique features make Sherpa Auto Transport the go-to shipper for long-distance moves.
It’s important to note that Sherpa Auto Transport’s services are limited to car shipments in the Lower 48 and Hawaii. Customers planning to move to or from Alaska will need to consider other car shippers. Additionally, Sherpa doesn’t ship boats, golf carts, ATVs, or RVs.
Despite these limitations, customer reviews consistently rate their service highly. Check out this guide to get a comprehensive understanding of Sherpa’s services and whether they’re the best option for your car shipment.
Why Trust FreightWaves?
Our mission at FreightWaves is to provide readers with data-driven, unbiased car shipping information and company reviews.
Using our own unique rating system, we evaluated 2,400 car shipping companies nationwide based on key factors like pricing, services, availability, and customer satisfaction. We also dig deep into online consumer reviews to pinpoint what real people have to say about each company and identify recurring pain points and areas of praise.
Our in-house team of experts fully fact-checks all content to ensure our content is up-to-date, accurate, and relevant to what you want and need to know.
Table of Contents
How Much Does Sherpa Auto Transport Cost?
Navigating the costs associated with car shipping can be confusing, but Sherpa Auto Transport minimizes hassle through their Price Lock Promise.
The average cost of using Sherpa Auto Transport varies based on multiple factors which include:
- Distance: The longer a carrier has to ship your car, the more they charge. Shipping across states or oceans (if shipping to Hawaii) is more costly than shipping within the same state.
- Type of vehicle: Larger vehicles like trucks or SUVs cost more to transport because they’re larger and heavier. Smaller vehicles like sedans or motorcycles are generally cheaper to ship.
- Shipping option: Choosing between open transport and enclosed transport affects the price. Enclosed is more expensive because it protects vehicles from the elements, so it’s typically used only for luxury or classic cars.
- Location: Metropolitan areas are more accessible to shippers, so they can sometimes cut you a deal on pricing for transport to major urban centers. However, remote areas usually incur higher costs because they’re harder to reach.
- Time of year: Pricing fluctuates based on demand. During the summer peak season, you can expect to pay higher rates.
- Operability: Sherpa Auto Transport ships both operable and inoperable vehicles, although you’ll likely pay more for inoperable vehicles because they require specialized equipment.
To give you a clearer idea, here’s a cost table with sample quotes for different distances and car sizes:
| Distance | Car Size | Type of Transport | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| NY to CA (approx. 2800 miles) | Sedan | Open | $1100–$1400 |
| FL to NY (approx. 1200 miles) | SUV | Open | $800–$1000 |
| Los Angeles to Seattle (approx. 1100 miles) | Sedan | Enclosed | $1200–$1500 |
| Charlotte, NC to Miami (approx. 700 miles) | Truck | Open | $600–$800 |
| Chicago to Houston (approx. 1000 miles) | Sedan | Open | $700–$900 |
Sherpa Auto Transport Services
Sherpa Auto Transport offers a range of vehicle transport services including:
- Door-to-door shipping: Sherpa only offers door-to-door shipping, in which they pick up and deliver your vehicle as close to your specified location as possible. Many customers say this is more convenient than terminal-to-terminal shipping, which requires traveling to specialized shipping terminals.
- Open transport: This is the most common and cost-effective car shipping method. With this option, Sherpa’s car carriers transport your car on an open trailer. It does expose your car to road conditions and the weather though.
- Enclosed transport: Owners of high-end luxury or classic cars often upgrade to enclosed transport because it offers more protection from weather and road debris in a fully enclosed trailer.
- Military vehicle shipping: Sherpa only offers domestic car shipping in the contiguous United States and Hawaii. However, if your next military assignment is within the United States, Sherpa has years of experience with military moves.
- Expedited pickup: Sherpa Auto Transport can’t offer guaranteed pickup or delivery, but they can expedite your car shipment for an additional fee. In many cases, this puts you at the front of the line and ships your car within 24 to 48 hours. However, expedited pickup isn’t always available during peak season, so it’s best to call Sherpa and inquire about availability first.
Sherpa Auto Transport vs. the Competition
Sherpa Auto Transport offers a lot to their customers, but even so, they aren’t the only car transport service to choose from. Customers highly rate Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise and Clean Car Guarantee, but other auto shipping companies bring a lot to the table too.
Montway Auto Transport
For example, Montway Auto Transport has a huge network of carriers and offers flexible moving arrangements. However, they don’t offer binding quotes like Sherpa does, so your final price could (and likely will) change from your quoted price.
SGT Auto Transport
SGT Auto Transport is another popular Sherpa Auto Transport alternative thanks to their price match guarantee. Both SGT and Sherpa offer door-to-door service and express delivery while SGT offers guaranteed pickup dates as an upgrade.
| Car Shipping Company | BBB Rating | State Availability | Free Cancellations? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherpa Auto Transport | A+ | 49 states (not in AK) | No |
| Montway Auto Transport | A+ | 50 states | No |
| SGT Auto Transport | B | 49 states (not in AK) | Yes |
Is Sherpa Auto Transport Right for You?
Sherpa Auto Transport is a promising option for several situations. They could be a good match if you:
- Are moving to Hawaii
- Need a military move
- Want to upgrade for expedited pickup
- Want binding quotes
- Prefer to offset the cost of a car wash after delivery
However, Sherpa doesn’t offer international car shipping, so you’ll need to go with a different shipping company for global relocations. They also don’t serve Alaska or ship boats, golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. Sherpa can only offer five-day pickup and delivery windows, so if you need guaranteed pickup, go with SGT Auto Transport instead.
Ultimately, the best way to find a reputable auto transport company is to gather quotes from at least three shippers. This will help you compare perks, features, and transparent pricing to determine the best car shipping company for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Sherpa Auto Transport work?
Get started by requesting a free quote online or by calling Sherpa’s customer service team. They’ll provide you with a binding quote, which guarantees that your total costs won’t exceed your quote under most circumstances.
Once you accept the quote, you place a credit card on file, and Sherpa will connect you with a carrier and provide a five-day pickup window. Services are door-to-door, so the shipper will pick up your car as close to your address as possible.
When you’re at your destination, Sherpa will provide another five-day delivery window for delivery. You or a trusted contact must be present to receive the car.
How does Sherpa Auto Transport’s Price Lock Promise work?
Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise ensures the price they quote you is the final price you pay. This means there are no unexpected price hikes or changes. If the price of a carrier’s service changes, Sherpa provides $300 in coverage to address any overages, hopefully keeping your quote the same.
How does Sherpa’s Clean Car Guarantee work?
Sherpa Auto Transport only reimburses customers for the cost of a car wash. They don’t actually wash your car. Once Sherpa Auto Transport delivers your car, you have 14 days to wash it at a car wash of your choosing. Keep the receipt and submit a reimbursement request along with your bill of lading for up to $20 to Sherpa’s customer service team.
