Are Sherpa Auto Transport and Ship a Car Direct brokers or carriers?

Both are brokers. They arrange your shipment with a licensed carrier, so ask which carrier is assigned and see its insurance certificate.

Which company takes no upfront payment?

Ship a Car Direct says it takes no upfront payment. The other company doesn't state this in the sources we checked, so ask before you book.

Do both offer enclosed transport?

Yes, both list enclosed transport for luxury, classic and other high-value vehicles.

Which company has better reviews?

Haulwide hasn't collected verified reviews for either company yet, so neither has a Haulwide Score. Check their current ratings and complaints on the BBB, Trustpilot and Google, linked on this page, and read the most recent reviews.

Can I get quotes from Sherpa Auto Transport and Ship a Car Direct?

Yes. Request a written quote from each for the same route, vehicle and dates, then compare the total price, pickup window and cancellation terms, not just the headline number.

Sherpa Auto Transport vs. Ship a Car Direct

A side-by-side look at Sherpa Auto Transport and Ship a Car Direct: licensing, services, payment terms and programs, with sources.

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Sherpa Auto TransportBroker · USDOT 4085166

Ship a Car DirectBroker · USDOT 2241272

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Key differences

Neither company has a Haulwide Score yet, so this comparison sticks to facts we could source. It isn't a ranking.

Both have active FMCSA registrations: Sherpa Auto Transport under USDOT 4085166 and Ship a Car Direct under USDOT 2241272, checked Sep 15, 2026.
Both are brokers that arrange shipments with licensed carriers rather than running their own trucks.
Ship a Car Direct has been around longer: on FMCSA record since 2011, compared with Sherpa Auto Transport, founded in 2017.
Ship a Car Direct says it takes no upfront payment. Sherpa Auto Transport describes its payment terms differently.
Only Ship a Car Direct lists door-to-door, expedited shipping and military program in our sources.
Sherpa Auto Transport offers Price Lock Promise and Clean Car Guarantee.
Ship a Car Direct offers Damage Free Guarantee.
Sherpa Auto Transport is based in Charlotte, NC and Ship a Car Direct in Hygiene, CO.

Facts checked Sep 15, 2026. Haulwide isn't affiliated with either company.

Sherpa Auto Transport

BrokerUSDOT registration active

Charlotte, North Carolina auto transport broker known for its Price Lock Promise.

USDOT / MC: 4085166 / MC-1555035
Based in: Charlotte, NC
Founded: 2017
Payment: Terms not stated

Full Sherpa Auto Transport profile Get a quote

Ship a Car Direct

BrokerUSDOT registration active

Colorado auto transport broker with no upfront deposit and a Damage Free Guarantee.

USDOT / MC: 2241272 / MC-632461
Based in: Hygiene, CO
FMCSA record since: 2011
Payment: No upfront payment

Full Ship a Car Direct profile Get a quote

Side-by-side facts

Rows where the companies differ are highlighted. A dash means a service wasn't listed in our sources, not that it isn't offered.

Sherpa Auto Transport vs. Ship a Car Direct
Company
Fact	Sherpa Auto Transport Get Quote	Ship a Car Direct Get Quote
Company type	Broker	Broker
Based in	Charlotte, NC	Hygiene, CO
Founded	2017	Not confirmed
FMCSA license
USDOT number	4085166	2241272
MC number	MC-1555035	MC-632461
FMCSA classification	Property broker	Property broker
On record since	2023	2011
Payment and programs
No upfront payment (stated)	Not reported	Yes
Named programs	Price Lock Promise, Clean Car Guarantee	Damage Free Guarantee
Services listed
Open transport	Yes	Yes
Enclosed transport	Yes	Yes
Door-to-door	Not reported	Yes
Expedited shipping	Not reported	Yes
Inoperable vehicles	Not reported	Not reported
Multi-car shipping	Not reported	Not reported
Classic cars	Yes	Yes
Military program	Not reported	Yes

Choose Sherpa Auto Transport if…

You want its Price Lock Promise
You want its Clean Car Guarantee
Its written quote beats Ship a Car Direct's for your route and dates

Get a Sherpa Auto Transport quote

Choose Ship a Car Direct if…

You'd rather not pay anything before a carrier is assigned
A longer track record matters to you
You want door-to-door service
Its written quote beats Sherpa Auto Transport's for your route and dates

Get a Ship a Car Direct quote

Sherpa Auto Transport ratings and complaints

Live profiles on other sites. We link to ratings instead of copying them.

Ship a Car Direct ratings and complaints

Live profiles on other sites. We link to ratings instead of copying them.

Sherpa Auto Transport vs. Ship a Car Direct: FAQs

Are Sherpa Auto Transport and Ship a Car Direct licensed?
Yes. When we checked on Sep 15, 2026, FMCSA records showed active registrations for Sherpa Auto Transport LLC (USDOT 4085166, MC-1555035) and Ship A Car Direct Inc (USDOT 2241272, MC-632461). Look the numbers up again before you pay.
Verify a car shipping company
Are Sherpa Auto Transport and Ship a Car Direct brokers or carriers?
Both are brokers. They arrange your shipment with a licensed carrier, so ask which carrier is assigned and see its insurance certificate.
Broker vs. carrier
Which company takes no upfront payment?
Ship a Car Direct says it takes no upfront payment. The other company doesn't state this in the sources we checked, so ask before you book.

Do both offer enclosed transport?
Yes, both list enclosed transport for luxury, classic and other high-value vehicles.
Which company has better reviews?
Haulwide hasn't collected verified reviews for either company yet, so neither has a Haulwide Score. Check their current ratings and complaints on the BBB, Trustpilot and Google, linked on this page, and read the most recent reviews.
How we verify reviews
Can I get quotes from Sherpa Auto Transport and Ship a Car Direct?
Yes. Request a written quote from each for the same route, vehicle and dates, then compare the total price, pickup window and cancellation terms, not just the headline number.
Get a quote

Compare any companies

Choosing a car shipping company

Sources and corrections

Facts on this page were checked on Sep 15, 2026.

Spot something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it again.

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