Illinois to Texas Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for shipping from Illinois to Texas is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including toll passes, GPS devices, and loose items that could shift during transport.

Clean your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. This helps you spot any existing damage during the pre-transport inspection.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and that the battery is charged. Your vehicle needs to start and move for loading.

Document existing damage: Take photos of any scratches, dents, or wear. This protects you if issues arise during shipping.

Secure loose parts: Remove or tighten any loose exterior accessories like spoilers, antennas, or bike racks that could be damaged.

For complete preparation details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures your Illinois to Texas car shipping goes smoothly.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Illinois to Texas with Sherpa Auto Transport.

All our carriers must have:

• $1,000,000 in liability insurance – covers damage to other vehicles or property
• $100,000 in cargo insurance – protects your vehicle during transport

We check each carrier’s insurance before your shipment. We make sure their policy is active and valid for your entire trip from Illinois to Texas.

For extra protection, all carriers add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy. This means we can directly verify coverage and help with any claims if needed.

Important: While rare, if damage occurs, report it immediately to the driver before signing the delivery receipt. Take photos and document everything right away.

For car shipping from Illinois to Texas, we recommend scheduling your pickup at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you better options and pricing.

Here’s why advance booking helps:

• Better carrier availability: More time allows carriers to plan efficient routes
• Lower costs: Early booking lets carriers bundle your car with other shipments
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more pickup date options to choose from

If you need faster service, we offer expedited shipping with as little as 24-48 hours notice, though this costs more. For the best experience shipping your car from Illinois to Texas, book as soon as you know your moving date.

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 common and budget-friendly option. Your car rides on an open trailer alongside other vehicles. It’s safe and reliable for most cars, but your vehicle is exposed to weather and road debris during the Illinois to Texas journey.

Enclosed transport costs 40-60% more but provides complete protection. Your car travels inside a covered trailer, shielded from weather, dust, and debris. This is ideal for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.

For most Illinois to Texas moves, open transport works great and saves money. Choose enclosed transport if you have a high-value vehicle that needs extra protection. See our open vs enclosed auto transport guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for shipments from Illinois to Texas. This means we pick up your car from your home, office, or chosen address and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book with us, simply provide your pickup location in Illinois and delivery address in Texas. Our carrier will come to you, making the process hassle-free. In rare cases where large trucks can’t access narrow streets or restricted areas, we’ll arrange pickup at a nearby safe location like a shopping center or gas station.

Door-to-door service is included in most of our Illinois to Texas shipping quotes at no extra cost. This saves you time and eliminates the need to drop off or pick up your vehicle at a terminal.

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!