Arizona to Illinois Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Arizona to Illinois is simple. Follow these key steps:

Clean your vehicle: Wash the exterior so you can document any existing damage with photos before shipping.

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and fragile items. Carriers typically don’t insure personal property left inside.

Check fluid levels and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and the battery is charged so it can be loaded and unloaded.

Remove or secure accessories: Take off bike racks, roof boxes, spoilers, and custom antennas that could get damaged during transit.

Disable alarms: Turn off your car alarm to avoid issues during transport.

Provide a key: Have a working key ready for the driver.

Document condition: Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles before pickup.

For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures a smooth shipping experience from Arizona to Illinois.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Arizona to Illinois. Every carrier in our network must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your shipment begins, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to list Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy. This gives you an extra layer of protection throughout your Arizona to Illinois route.

You’ll receive the carrier’s insurance information before pickup, so you have complete peace of mind while your vehicle travels across state lines.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from Arizona to Illinois at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you the best results.

Here’s why early booking helps:

• Better carrier availability: More drivers can bid on your shipment
• Lower prices: Carriers can bundle your vehicle with others heading to Illinois
• Flexible pickup dates: You’ll have more scheduling options

Need to ship last minute? We can often arrange pickups within 2-5 days. Just keep in mind that rush orders may cost more and have fewer carrier options.

Pro tip: If you’re moving during peak season (May-September) or around holidays, book 3-4 weeks ahead to secure the best rates.

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 auto transport uses open-air trailers (like you see carrying cars on highways) and is the most affordable option. Your vehicle will be exposed to weather and road debris during the 1,600-mile journey from Arizona to Illinois, but it’s perfectly safe for most cars—this is how dealerships ship new vehicles.

Enclosed auto transport ships your vehicle in a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, dust, and debris. It costs 50-60% more than open transport but is worth considering for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom features.

For a standard daily driver making the Arizona to Illinois trip, open transport is usually the smart choice. Save enclosed transport for high-value vehicles where extra protection justifies the cost. Learn more in our open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes! We offer door-to-door auto transport service from Arizona to Illinois. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or any address you choose in Arizona and deliver it directly to your destination in Illinois.

When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will coordinate with you to schedule a convenient time for both pickup and drop-off.

Important to know: While we strive to reach every address, some locations may have restrictions. Large car carriers need wide streets and adequate clearance. If your location has narrow roads, low-hanging trees, or tight turns, we’ll work with you to find a safe nearby spot—like a shopping center or gas station—that’s easy for you to reach.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle. You won’t need to drive to a terminal or arrange extra transportation. We handle the logistics so you can focus on your move from Arizona to Illinois.

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!