Sherpa Auto Transport Review

When we review car shipping companies, we consider industry reputation, cost, services, and customer experience. The following sections provide further details on these criteria and how we rated Sherpa Auto Transport in each of them.

Reputation

We evaluate companies’ state availability, years in business, and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings to determine reputation score. Sherpa is a relative newcomer to the industry, having been founded in 2017. However, the company has a strong A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB. Sherpa handles vehicle shipments in the contiguous 48 states. Overall, we give the company 4.6 out of 5.0 stars for reputation.

Cost

For this review, we gathered quotes for shipping an operable 2018 Toyota RAV4 various distances and along different routes. Our team received estimates for both open transport (shipping on an open-air trailer) and enclosed transport (shipping in a hauler with a roof and walls). Sherpa offers average costs for 1,500-mile shipments through open transport, although its rates for enclosed shipping are above average.

What sets Sherpa apart from its competitors in this category is the company’s Price Lock Promise. This means the price you’re quoted for won’t change after you book your shipment, which isn’t always the case in the auto shipping industry. It’s important to note that Sherpa requires a $250-$300 deposit when your shipment is assigned to a carrier.

Overall, we give the company a 4.5-star rating for cost.

Services

Sherpa offers open and enclosed shipping and can pick up your vehicle between one and five days after you schedule a shipment. The company offers door-to-door shipping that picks up and drops off your vehicle as close to your home address as possible. However, it doesn’t offer an option for picking up and dropping off your vehicle at centralized shipping terminals, which is typically the cheaper way to ship a car.

You also get the Clean Car Guarantee with Sherpa, which gives you a $20 reimbursement for a car wash after your vehicle is delivered. Overall, we give the shipping broker a 4.7 out of 5.0-star rating for services.

Customer Experience

Sherpa receives high marks from customers, including a terrific star rating of 4.9 out of 5.0 from over 350 reviews on the BBB. The company also holds a rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 stars based on over 1,000 Google reviews. Our team found the quote process with Sherpa to be fast and easy, taking about five minutes overall. All things considered, we give Sherpa Auto Transport a healthy 4.7-star rating for customer experience.

Founded: 2017

Headquarters: Charlotte, NC

Service Area: Continental United States

Sherpa Auto Transport is a relatively young auto shipping company, but it has a reputation for providing top-of-the-line customer service. Sherpa sets itself apart from the competition by offering locked-in quotes and a Clean Car Guarantee. You can have your car shipped anywhere in the continental U.S. on an open or enclosed carrier with Sherpa.

Sherpa guarantees its prices, so rates won’t go up after you book. Other car transport companies may quote a lower price and then raise the final cost.

When you visit the company’s website for a quote, you’ll fill in certain details about your vehicle. To finalize the quote, you’ll need to call the company, where a representative will confirm your vehicle details and walk you through the entire shipping process. They’ll also thoroughly explain the company’s Price Lock Promise and how it compares to other companies’ pricing.

To give you a sense of overall Sherpa pricing, the table below reveals some of the quotes we received during our research in late 2022. These all apply to a 2018 Toyota RAV4. Distances range from short shipments to cross-country moves.

For added context, here are the prices we received from Sherpa for the same shipments in 2021:

If you’re looking for a relatively cheap car shipping option with accurate pricing, Sherpa is a smart choice. However, it’s best to shop around and compare free quotes. You can get a Sherpa quote on this page or by calling the company or using its online quote form.

In August of 2023, we conducted a car shipping survey of 1,000 consumers who had shipped their cars. Of the 1,000 respondents, 61 percent reported paying less than $1,500 for their auto shipment. Our survey included customers from many companies, not only Sherpa.

What Affects The Cost Of Auto Shipping?

According to our consumer survey on the auto shipping experience, 21 percent of respondents said cost was the most important factor in choosing a shipping company. We recommend Sherpa because your final car shipping cost will not rise as it could with other competitors.

The following factors will influence your Sherpa Auto Transport cost:

• Car size: Trucks and SUVs can be more expensive to ship than sedans.
• Vehicle condition: Operable cars will cost less to ship than inoperable cars because they require less labor.
• Shipping distance: Longer trips cost more overall but usually less per mile than shorter trips.
• Type of transport: Open car shipping is more common and cheaper than enclosed shipping.
• Season: Certain months, including January and the summer months, are more costly for car shipping.
• Fuel prices: When fuel costs go up, carriers typically raise their prices.

Inoperable vehicles are a hassle to load onto a truck, so they cost more to ship.

The further in advance you book, the lower your price is likely to be. Sherpa also offers a military discount that can reduce your cost if you’re an active-duty member of the armed forces.

After you book with Sherpa, you will need to make a partial advance payment. Based on our team’s experience getting shipping quotes, this payment is around $300.

Door-to-door shipping: Yes
Terminal-to-terminal shipping: No
Enclosed shipping: Yes
Open shipping: Yes
Motorcycle/ATV shipping: No
Expedited transport: Available in some areas

Sherpa ships standard as well as exotic and classic vehicles, but you’ll want to book an enclosed shipment to protect more valuable autos. If your car is inoperable, you’ll pay a higher price since the carrier will need to winch it onto a truck.

All Sherpa carriers are registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and are required to maintain a satisfactory U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) safety rating. (This is standard in the auto transport industry.) Sherpa carriers also must maintain the following minimum levels of insurance coverage:

• No less than $100,000 in cargo insurance coverage per shipment
• Commercial automobile liability insurance with a combined single limit of no less than $1 million per occurrence

While your vehicle is being shipped with Sherpa, you’ll have access to 24/7 real-time updates through Sherpa customer support. You can receive automatic updates or call Sherpa to inquire about your vehicle status. Many Sherpa Auto Transport reviews mention this as a helpful service.

As mentioned, Sherpa Auto Transport includes the Clean Car Guarantee with all shipments. This means you’ll receive a $20 reimbursement for a car wash after your vehicle is delivered. To get this rebate, just mail Sherpa your bill of lading and car wash receipt.

Sherpa Auto Transport is an auto transport broker, meaning the company will arrange car shipment services with a carrier from its network. For most people, working with a broker is the best way to find an auto shipping carrier.

Here’s an overview of how to ship a car with Sherpa Auto Transport:

1. Call for a quote or request a quote online. After you complete the quote request, a Sherpa agent will contact you by phone call or email.
2. Book your order and make the initial payment. You can pay with a credit card, and the amount depends on the total shipping cost.
3. Clean your car and remove any personal belongings and accessories. Leave a quarter of a tank of gas. Sherpa will give you a two- to four-hour window for when to expect your driver.
4. After the driver arrives, you and they will inspect the vehicle for damage. Your car then gets loaded onto the carrier.
5. During transport, a Sherpa agent will contact you with general updates and an updated two- to four-hour window for your driver’s arrival.
6. After you inspect the car to ensure it didn’t incur any damage during the shipping process, you’ll sign a bill of lading and pay your remaining balance to the driver. You must make the final payment with cash or a certified check.

If you cancel any time prior to the assignment of a carrier, Sherpa will charge a $25 dispatch fee. If you cancel after Sherpa assigns your carrier, you must forfeit your shipping deposit.

What To Know For A Successful Auto Shipment

When utilizing the services of an auto transport company, keep these things in mind to have a stress-free shipment:

• Be flexible: Car shipping is a complex process with many moving parts. The more flexible you can be with pricing and pickup and drop-off dates, the better your experience will be.
• Finding a carrier can take time: Be aware it can take some time to secure a carrier, depending on supply and demand.
• File claims with the carrier: If you notice new damage on your vehicle after shipment, note it on the bill of lading and have the driver sign off on it. You’ll then file a claim with the carrier, not Sherpa. You can reach out to Sherpa for help in contacting the carrier.

Sherpa Auto Transport reviews praise the company for excellent customer service. The company has an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB. Customers have filed only six complaints against Sherpa through the BBB in the last three years.

Sherpa Auto Transport also deserves credit for its diligence in responding to 49 percent of its reviews. Additionally, 21 percent of reviewers explicitly mention recommending this provider to others.

Positive Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews

Those happy with Sherpa Auto Transport often mention a smooth pickup and delivery process. Customers also highlight top-notch customer service and how quickly the process moves from booking to delivery. Overall, 91.5 percent of reviews we analyzed from the BBB and Google rate the provider 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.

Negative Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews

Of course, not every customer has a positive experience with Sherpa. Some reviews mention rude drivers, for example. However, only two percent of reviewers give the company a one-star rating.

With such a large network of carriers, not every driver will be perfect. Sherpa appears to make a strong effort to address all customer complaints. Among auto transport companies, Sherpa has a stellar customer reputation.

Sherpa Auto Transport is an excellent choice for auto shipping, thanks in large part to its Price Lock Promise and robust network of vetted and insured carriers. According to Sherpa Auto Transport reviews, the company has a knack for high-quality customer service.

Sherpa’s prices are decent despite the company not offering terminal-to-terminal shipping, which is often the cheapest way to move your vehicle. We believe Sherpa’s transparent pricing makes up for the lack of a terminal-to-terminal option, however.

Sherpa may be a wonderful auto transporter for your needs, but as mentioned, it’s always wise to get quotes from multiple providers before signing a contract. Up next are two other auto transport companies we highly recommend if you need to ship a car.

Montway Auto Transport works with over 15,000 carriers across the nation that bid on customers’ shipments. The company can ship vehicles to and from anywhere in the U.S., offering Alaska and Hawaii car shipping.

Montway Auto Transport customer reviews indicate you can trust the company with your vehicle. Montway has an A+ rating from the BBB, which shows its commitment to service. It also has customer ratings of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars on the BBB and 4.5 stars on Trustpilot from a combined total of more than 3,000 reviews. Positive Montway reviews often mention timely delivery and excellent communication.

Montway offers competitive rates for various shipping services, including open and enclosed transport. The company has no listing fees but does have a cancellation fee of $199 minimum.

You can learn more in our dedicated Montway Auto Transport review.

As one of the largest car shipping companies, AmeriFreight works with more than 10,000 carriers across the U.S. AmeriFreight reviews mention the company’s strong customer service and shipping options, in particular.

AmeriFreight holds an A+ rating from the BBB and 4.9 stars from over 600 BBB customer reviews. We recognized AmeriFreight as the shipper with the Best Discounts, which are available to several groups of people, including but not limited to active-duty military, first responders, and students.

You can learn more in our AmeriFreight review.