Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to get your vehicle from point A to point B, but couldn’t drive it yourself? This is something that happens more often than you might think. It could be a very rare and valuable car, and the owner doesn’t want to risk taking it on the highway, or a vintage car that might not be 100% trustworthy for a long road trip (with an iffy parts situation in case of a breakdown). In a lot of instances, though, it’s just a matter of an owner relocating to another part of the country, and getting the vehicle to the new home is just one more detail that has to be addressed. 

That’s where a resource like Sherpa Auto Transport is pretty invaluable. Some drivers have found out the hard way that auto transport companies can be sketchy, with late deliveries, no-show transport drivers, scrapes and dents inflicted on their vehicles and indifferent customer service. Sherpa Auto Transport has made a point of breaking away from the reputation that certain corners of the auto transport business have, and you can look up Sherpa Auto Transport reviews that back up that assertion. 

Founded in 2017, they’ve since grown to become a successful enterprise that’s one of the leaders in the auto transport industry. Let’s get a closer look at Sherpa and see what they bring to the table: 

About Sherpa Auto Transport  

The founders of Sherpa Auto Transport are people who have made several cross-country moves themselves, and had some less-than-stellar experiences with other auto transport companies. They decided they could do better (much better), and started brainstorming the best ways that they could leverage their business leadership, logistics expertise, technology and customer care mindset into a new business. Since then, Sherpa Auto Transport has hauled over 100,000 customer vehicles, with a track record of success (reviews for Sherpa Auto Transport tell the story). 

Those Sherpa Auto Transport reviews average out to an excellent 4.9 on a five-star scale, an industry-leading performance that showcases a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. They offer a Price Lock Guarantee (more on that in a bit), a preferred carrier network of transport drivers and a customer-first approach to everything they do. Their business model has proven so successful that they’re now partnered with SAKAEM Logistics, a Georgia-based carrier that specializes in auto transport for fleets, dealerships and rental car companies. Their nationwide network of carriers and their system that’s geared toward operational efficiency makes them a great choice for corporate customers or for car owners who need to get their vehicle to a destination with as little hassle as possible. 

Key Features:

Here’s a quick rundown of things you should know about Sherpa Auto Transport: 

• In 2023, Sherpa Auto Transport was named as a Top Automotive Shipping Provider by Auto Business Outlook. 
• Sherpa Auto Transport has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the highest possible rating they offer. 
• Among the excellent reviews for Sherpa Auto Transport are accolades from USA Today, Forbes, Consumer Affairs, US News, MarketWatch, Move.org and HomeAdvisor. 
• Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise is designed for complete transparency. The quote that you receive from either a consultant or their Online Quote Calculator feature will always be the total amount you pay, with no hidden charges, no tacked-on fees and no surprises, ever. 
• Sherpa acts as a broker, connecting you with a carrier (rather than operating a fleet of company-owned trucks of their own). Once your payment is locked in, Sherpa’s dispatchers find the right carrier for your run. If it turns out that additional funds are going to be needed to get your vehicle on a truck, they will kick in $300 toward the carrier’s fee to ensure your price for shipment stays fixed. 
• Sherpa’s Clean Car Guarantee means that if your vehicle arrives at its destination dusty from exposure to road grit, they will comp a car wash (up to a $20 value) so that your car is in the same spotless condition it was when it was shipped. 
• Sherpa Auto Transport has a standing-offer discount to first responders, military and National Guard members, and offers incentives for repeat customers as well as discounts for shipping multiple vehicles. 

How Sherpa Auto Transport  compares to other companies

There’s plenty of competition out there in the auto transport industry, but not too many that can boast of a 4.9 customer rating, as shown in reviews for Sherpa Auto Transport. Also, not many can offer the same kind of pricing transparency and straight-shooting consultation. Their price structure compares well to other carriers, but the Price Lock Promise is what sets them apart, especially in light of the fact that they will put their own money toward your costs (if necessary) to make sure that you stay within budget. 

Sherpa offers a few different options for shipping methods, and all their carriers are fully vetted with DOT certifications for commercial interstate transport, licensing, insurance coverage and documentation. In the lower 48 states, Sherpa offers full door-to-door service and expedited shipping is available for last-minute jobs. Unlike many other carriers, Sherpa even offers international shipping and transport to Alaska and Hawaii (thanks to their partnerships). 

How much does Sherpa Auto Transport  cost?

It’s a little hard to answer this question, as all kinds of things can enter into the equation for shipping costs. The amount of distance covered, method of shipping, vehicle size and weight, timeframe and external factors like fuel costs and supply chain issues for the driver’s transport truck all have an impact on shipping costs. 

It should also be noted that while it’s possible to ship a salvage vehicle or a vehicle that isn’t in running condition, it will come at an enhanced cost since it requires extra equipment and time to load and offload the car. Auto transport companies also see a surge in business around certain periods in the calendar year; transport drivers can become scarcer, and shipping costs can spike somewhat. Finally, you should also keep in mind that expedited shipping comes with a premium cost, and it’s better if you can give at least a couple weeks of lead time for your auto logistics job. 

How Sherpa Auto Transport ’s pricing compares to other vehicle shipping companies

One of the advantages that a broker like Sherpa Auto Transport offers is their flexibility when it comes to making shipping arrangements. As a broker, their job is to find a carrier for you whose rates are going to be the most favorable for everyone involved. That is then assured with their Price Lock Guarantee, with no additional charges or tacked-on fees, ever. That’s a pretty big distinction from other auto transport companies that pull a bait-and-switch (yes, it does happen sometimes) or hit you with surprise fees when it’s time to settle up. 

Cost factors to consider

It’s important to do your due diligence when you’re researching costs for any expenditure, so here are some factors to keep in mind for auto shipping through Sherpa Auto Transport: 

• Transport type: Sherpa Auto Transport gives you the option of open car transport or enclosed transport. What’s the difference, you ask? With open car transport, your vehicle will share a transport trailer with several others that will be delivered along the driver’s route; it’s the same design of trailer that’s used by car dealerships. In an enclosed transport situation, your vehicle is protected on all four sides in a closed trailer (either with tarps on the sides or an all-metal trailer). The two types of transport have their own pluses and minuses, with enclosed transport offering an enhanced level of protection and security. It’s important to note, though, that open car transport is more cost-effective and enclosed transport comes at a premium cost. 

• Vehicle size and weight: like with any logistics company, Sherpa Auto Transport figures vehicle weight into a quote. The curb weight of a RAM 2500 pickup is around 6500 pounds, while a Toyota Camry weighs a little over half that much. The size and weight of the RAM is going to make it more expensive to ship.

• Vehicle condition: it’s best if your vehicle can start, run, steer and stop under its own power, but Sherpa can also ship non-running or salvage vehicles as well. It does cost more for a vehicle that’s not in running condition, though, as it means the driver will have to use a winch or other equipment for loading and unloading, as well as taking more time. 

• Time of the year: as discussed above, the periods around Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, July 4, Memorial Day and a couple of other dates all see a spike in auto logistics business, with more traffic on the roads and sometimes a scarcity of transport drivers. Rates will usually be a bit higher during those calendar dates. 

• Locations: if you’re living in a rural or remote area and the transport driver has to take a lengthy trip off the main routes of the interstates to access your vehicle, that can spike transport costs. 

• External factors: variables like fuel costs, maintenance costs for vehicles and other factors are out of a driver’s or a logistics broker’s control, and can all have an effect on transport rates.