To prepare your vehicle for shipping from Arizona to Illinois, follow these key steps:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including toll passes, GPS devices, and fragile items. Carriers are not responsible for personal property left in the vehicle.

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

Document condition: Take photos of your car from all angles, noting any scratches, dents, or other issues before shipping.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and coolant. Make sure the battery is charged and secure.

Remove accessories: Take off or secure loose parts like spoilers, bike racks, or custom mirrors that could get damaged during transport.

Provide working keys: Have a spare key ready for the driver. Make sure all keys work properly.

For complete details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps will help ensure your Arizona to Illinois car shipment goes smoothly.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Arizona to Illinois. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your car ships, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy for extra protection.

This insurance covers your vehicle throughout the entire journey from Arizona to Illinois. You can ship with confidence knowing your car is protected every mile of the way.

We recommend scheduling your car shipping service from Arizona to Illinois at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and preferred pickup dates.

Here’s why early booking helps:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan efficient routes and bundle shipments
• More flexibility: You’ll have multiple pickup date options
• Peak season protection: Arizona winters bring higher demand from snowbirds

Need faster service? We can often arrange pickup within 3-7 days, though rates may be higher for rush orders. Contact us early to discuss your timeline and get the best value for your Arizona to Illinois car transport.

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 Arizona to Illinois journey.

Enclosed transport costs 40-60% more but provides complete protection. Your car travels inside a covered trailer, shielded from weather, dust, and debris – important for Arizona’s desert conditions and varying Midwest weather.

Choose open transport if you have a standard daily driver and want to save money. Choose enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, or custom car that needs extra protection on the 1,200+ mile trip to Illinois.

Both options are fully insured and tracked. See our complete open vs enclosed guide for detailed comparisons and pricing.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers convenient door-to-door auto transport service from Arizona to Illinois. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle directly from your home, office, or preferred location in Arizona and deliver it right to your doorstep in Illinois.

When you book your Arizona to Illinois car shipping, simply provide us with your pickup and delivery addresses. Our professional carriers will coordinate with you to schedule convenient times for both pickup and drop-off. This service saves you time and eliminates the need to drive to terminals or shipping yards.

Important note: In rare cases where your specific address has access restrictions (like narrow streets, low bridges, or HOA rules), our carrier will work with you to find a safe nearby location such as a shopping center or gas station. We always prioritize the safety of your vehicle and our equipment while keeping pickup and delivery as close to your desired location as possible.

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!