Illinois to Florida Car Shipping

Preparing your car for transport from Illinois to Florida is simple. Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth, damage-free shipment:

• Clean your vehicle – Wash the exterior before pickup. This makes it easier to spot any pre-existing scratches or dents during the inspection.
• Document the condition – Take clear photos of all sides of your car before the carrier arrives. This protects you in the unlikely event of a dispute.
• Remove personal items – Carriers are not licensed to transport personal belongings. Remove everything from the interior and trunk.
• Remove or secure accessories – Take off any exterior add-ons like spoilers, bike racks, or roof cargo boxes that could be damaged in transit.
• Remove your toll pass – Devices like I-PASS or E-ZPass can accidentally scan and charge you during transport. Remove them before pickup.
• Check for leaks and tire pressure – Make sure your car has no active fluid leaks and that all tires are properly inflated.
• Leave a quarter tank of gas – Enough fuel is needed to load and unload your vehicle, but a full tank adds unnecessary weight.
• Disable your car alarm – An alarm that triggers during transport can cause delays and frustration for the carrier.
• Have a key ready – Provide the carrier with a working key for loading and unloading at both ends of the route.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. A little preparation goes a long way toward a stress-free car shipping experience from Illinois to Florida.

Yes, your vehicle is insured when shipping from Illinois to Florida with Sherpa Auto Transport. Here’s how we protect you:

• Liability Insurance: Every carrier we work with is required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance.
• Cargo Insurance: All carriers must also carry a minimum of $100,000 in cargo insurance, which covers your vehicle directly.
• Verified Coverage: Before your car is ever loaded, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is valid and active for the full duration of your shipment.
• Added Protection: All contracted carriers are required to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy — giving you an extra layer of accountability.

We also recommend reviewing your personal auto insurance policy before shipping. Some policies extend coverage to vehicles during transport, which can provide additional peace of mind on the long haul from Illinois to Florida.

Have questions about coverage? Contact our team — we’re happy to walk you through the details before you book.

The sooner you schedule, the better. We recommend booking your car shipment from Illinois to Florida at least two weeks in advance. Here’s why it matters:

• Carrier availability: Booking early gives more carriers the chance to pick up your vehicle, which can mean faster pickup and better rates.
• Route bundling: Carriers regularly run routes between Illinois and Florida. The earlier you post your shipment, the easier it is for a carrier to bundle your vehicle with others headed in the same direction — saving everyone time and money.
• Peak season demand: The Illinois-to-Florida route is especially busy in the fall and winter months, as snowbirds head south. During these times, booking three to four weeks ahead is strongly advised.

That said, if you’re in a hurry, Sherpa Auto Transport also offers expedited shipping options to help you move on a tighter timeline. No matter when you need to ship, getting your order in as early as possible gives you the most flexibility and the best chance of a smooth, on-time delivery.

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.

Open transport is the most popular and affordable option. Your car rides on an open-air trailer — the same type used to deliver new cars to dealerships. It’s a great choice for most standard vehicles making the trip from Illinois to Florida.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 30–50% more, but it shields your vehicle from road debris, weather, and the elements inside a covered trailer. It’s the smart choice if you’re shipping a:

• Classic or vintage car
• Luxury or exotic vehicle
• Car with a custom paint job or low ground clearance

For most everyday vehicles, open transport is perfectly safe and the more cost-effective choice. But if your car holds significant monetary or sentimental value, the added protection of enclosed shipping is worth the extra cost — especially on a long haul like Illinois to Florida.

Not sure which is right for you? Check out our detailed open vs. enclosed auto transport guide to help you decide.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments, including routes from Illinois to Florida. This is the most convenient option for shipping your vehicle — no need to drop it off at a terminal or lot.

Here’s how it works:

• At booking, you provide your preferred pickup address in Illinois and your delivery address in Florida.
• Your assigned carrier will come directly to those locations to pick up and drop off your vehicle.
• Flexibility is built in. Large car carriers can’t always navigate narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or tight residential areas. If that’s the case, your driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby alternative — like a local parking lot or gas station just around the corner.

The Illinois-to-Florida route is one of the most popular car shipping corridors in the country, so carriers are frequently available and scheduling is typically smooth. Whether you’re relocating from Chicago to Miami, Springfield to Orlando, or anywhere in between, door-to-door service makes the process as easy as possible.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote today and let us handle the details.

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!