Arizona to Illinois Car Shipping

Getting your car ready for transport from Arizona to Illinois is simple! Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth, stress-free shipment:

• Remove personal items: Clear out any personal belongings from the interior. Carriers are not licensed to transport personal items, and they can add unnecessary weight.
• Remove accessories: Take off any exterior accessories such as spoilers, roof racks, or custom mirrors that could be damaged during transit.
• Disable toll passes: Remove or disable any toll transponders (like E-ZPass or FasTrak) to avoid unwanted charges along the route.
• Check fluid levels and tire pressure: Make sure your fluids are topped off and your tires are properly inflated for safe loading and unloading.
• Leave only a quarter tank of gas: A full tank adds extra weight. A quarter tank is all your carrier needs to load and unload your vehicle.
• Document existing damage: Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles before pickup. This protects you in the unlikely event of a dispute.
• Provide a working key: Make sure your carrier has a key available to move the vehicle on and off the transport truck.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. A little preparation goes a long way in making your Arizona to Illinois car shipping experience seamless!

Yes, your vehicle is insured when shipping from Arizona to Illinois with Sherpa Auto Transport. Every carrier in our network is required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your car ever leaves Arizona, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is active and in good standing. We don’t just take their word for it — all contracted carriers are required to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy. This gives us direct oversight and an added layer of protection for you.

Our quotes are also all-inclusive, so there are no hidden fees or surprise charges. The price you see is the price you pay — insurance coverage included.

If you have specific questions about coverage during your Arizona to Illinois shipment, our team is happy to walk you through the details. Contact us anytime.

The sooner you book, the better. We recommend scheduling your pickup from Arizona at least two weeks in advance. However, booking even earlier — especially during peak moving seasons like summer — gives you more flexibility and a better chance of locking in the best rate.

Early scheduling allows carriers to bundle your vehicle with other shipments heading from Arizona to Illinois, which helps keep costs down and ensures a faster pickup window. Last-minute bookings are possible, but they can limit your carrier options and may cost more.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote from Sherpa Auto Transport today and secure your spot on the route.

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 kind used to deliver new cars to dealerships. It’s safe, reliable, and the right choice for most vehicles making the trip from Arizona to Illinois.

Enclosed transport costs roughly 50–60% more, but it shields your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer. This is the best choice if you’re shipping a:

• Classic or antique car
• Luxury or exotic vehicle
• Car with a custom paint job or body modifications

The extra cost buys protection from road debris, dust, and weather — all real factors on a long haul from Arizona to Illinois. For most standard vehicles, open transport is the smarter, more cost-effective choice.

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

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments from Arizona to Illinois. This is the most convenient way to ship your car — no need to drop it off at a terminal or travel out of your way.

Here’s how it works: when you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Arizona and your delivery address in Illinois. Your assigned carrier will come directly to you and deliver your vehicle as close to your front door as possible.

Keep in mind that large car carriers cannot always access every street. Narrow roads, low-hanging trees, or local traffic restrictions may require a slight adjustment. If that happens, your driver will coordinate with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot — like a parking lot or gas station — just a short distance away.

Door-to-door service is available whether you’re shipping from Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, or anywhere else in Arizona to destinations across Illinois, including Chicago, Springfield, Peoria, and beyond. It’s the easiest, most stress-free way to get your vehicle safely from Point A to Point B.

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!