Illinois Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for auto transport is simple. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth pickup and delivery in Illinois:

• Remove personal belongings: Clear out any personal items from the interior. Carriers are not licensed to transport personal property, and loose items can shift and cause damage during transit.
• Document existing damage: Take clear photos of your vehicle from all angles before pickup. This gives you a reliable record if you ever need to reference the car’s pre-shipment condition.
• Keep the gas tank about ¼ full: Enough fuel is needed to load and unload the vehicle, but a full tank adds unnecessary weight.
• Disable alarms: If your car has an alarm system, disable it or provide clear instructions to the driver. An alarm that triggers during transport can be a major hassle.
• Ensure the car is operable: Make sure your vehicle starts, runs, and can be driven onto and off the carrier. If your car is inoperable, notify your shipping company in advance.
• Check for leaks and mechanical issues: Address any fluid leaks before shipping. Carriers can refuse a vehicle that poses a hazard to others on the transport.
• Retract or remove accessories: Fold in mirrors, remove roof racks, spoilers, or any aftermarket accessories that could be damaged or could damage other vehicles.
• Keep a spare key available: Have a key ready to hand off to the driver at pickup.

For more helpful advice, check out Sherpa’s Vehicle Shipping Tips. And if you’re ready to get started, get a free quote today — backed by our Price Lock Promise so the price you see is the price you pay.

Yes — your vehicle is insured during transport. Every carrier in Sherpa Auto Transport’s network is required to carry cargo insurance, so your car is protected from the moment it’s loaded onto the truck until it’s delivered to you in Illinois (or wherever your destination may be).

Here’s what you should know:

• Carrier cargo insurance: All carriers we work with must maintain active cargo insurance as a condition of being in our network. This coverage applies directly to your vehicle while it’s in transit.
• Sherpa’s added protection: On top of the carrier’s coverage, Sherpa provides an additional layer of protection for extra peace of mind. We want you to feel confident shipping your vehicle — not stressed about it.
• Before you ship: We recommend doing a thorough walk-around inspection of your vehicle and documenting any pre-existing damage with photos before pickup. This makes any potential claims straightforward and stress-free.

Want more tips on preparing your car for transport? Check out our Vehicle Shipping Tips guide. And if you have more questions, visit our FAQ page or get a free quote today.

For most Illinois auto transport shipments, we recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan their routes and ensures you have flexibility in choosing your pickup window.

That said, timing can vary based on a few key factors:

• Standard shipments: 1–2 weeks of lead time is usually plenty for most routes to or from Illinois.
• Peak seasons: Summer and the fall “snowbird season” are the busiest times for auto transport. During these periods, book 2–4 weeks ahead to lock in availability and avoid price spikes.
• Last-minute shipping: Expedited transport is possible, but it typically costs more and limits your carrier options.
• Flexible pickup dates: The more flexible you are with your pickup window, the easier (and often cheaper) it is to find a carrier.

One of the best things you can do is secure your rate early. With Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise, the quote you receive is the price you pay — no surprise fees at pickup or delivery.

Ready to plan ahead? Get a free quote today and lock in your rate before your schedule fills up.

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.

When shipping your car to or from Illinois, you’ll have two main transport options: open and enclosed. Here’s what you need to know about each:

Open Auto Transport is the most popular and budget-friendly choice. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier — the same kind you see hauling cars on the highway every day. It’s safe, reliable, and works well for most standard vehicles. The trade-off is that your car is exposed to the elements, like wind, rain, and road debris, during transit.

Enclosed Auto Transport ships your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather and road hazards. This option is ideal for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotic sports cars, or any vehicle with high monetary or sentimental value. It does cost more than open transport, but the added protection is often worth it for high-value vehicles.

Which should you choose?

• Choose open transport if you want the most affordable option for a standard everyday vehicle.
• Choose enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury, classic, or high-value vehicle and want maximum protection.

Not sure which option is right for your Illinois shipment? Check out our in-depth Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping Guide for a full breakdown. When you’re ready, get a free quote and see pricing for both options side by side.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service throughout Illinois and across the entire country. Instead of requiring you to drop off or pick up your vehicle at a terminal, we send a carrier directly to your specified pickup location and deliver your car as close to your destination address as possible.

Here’s how it works:

• Pickup: A vetted carrier comes to your home, office, or any other location you choose in Illinois.
• Transport: Your vehicle is loaded and shipped directly toward your destination.
• Delivery: The carrier delivers your car to your specified drop-off address.

We say “as close as possible” because large car carriers can’t always navigate narrow streets, low bridges, or tight residential areas. In those cases, the driver will meet you at the nearest safe and accessible location — such as a nearby parking lot or main road.

Door-to-door service is the most convenient and popular option we offer. It saves you time and eliminates the hassle of coordinating terminal drop-offs. And with our Price Lock Promise, the quote you receive is the price you pay — no surprise fees at pickup or delivery.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote today and see how easy shipping your car to or from Illinois can be.

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!