Chicago, IL Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Chicago, IL is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including items in the glove box, trunk, and console. Carriers are not responsible for personal property.

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

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 or secure loose parts: Take off custom accessories, spoilers, or anything that might fall off. Retract antennas and fold in mirrors.

Document existing damage: Take photos of your car from all angles before pickup.

Have keys ready: Provide one set of working keys to the driver.

For complete preparation details, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures your Chicago vehicle transport goes smoothly.

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

Before your Chicago shipment begins, 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 means your car is covered from pickup in Chicago until delivery at your destination. You can ship with confidence knowing your vehicle is protected throughout the entire journey.

For car shipping from Chicago, IL, we recommend booking your pickup service 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 matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan efficient routes and bundle shipments
• More flexibility: You’ll have more pickup date options to choose from
• Peak season planning: Summer months and holidays require even more advance notice

Chicago is a major shipping hub with regular carrier traffic, so last-minute bookings are sometimes possible. However, waiting until the last week often means higher costs and limited availability.

Pro tip: If you have flexible dates, mention this when booking. Carriers appreciate flexibility and often offer better rates for adaptable schedules.

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 uncovered trailers that can carry 8-10 cars at once. This is the most common and cost-effective option, used for about 90% of all car shipments from Chicago. Your vehicle will be exposed to weather and road debris, but it’s perfectly safe for everyday cars.

Enclosed auto transport uses covered trailers that protect your car from weather, dust, and road debris. This premium service costs 40-60% more than open transport but is worth it for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.

Which should you choose for your Chicago move? Most people pick open transport because it’s reliable and affordable. Choose enclosed transport if your car is worth over $50,000, has sentimental value, or you want maximum protection during Chicago’s harsh winters.

Learn more in our detailed open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for Chicago customers. This means we pick up your car from your home, office, or any address you choose and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book with us, simply provide your pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will come to you – no need to drive to a terminal or depot. This saves you time and makes the whole process much easier.

In some cases, large trucks cannot access certain streets due to low bridges, narrow roads, or parking restrictions. If this happens in your Chicago neighborhood, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a grocery store parking lot or gas station. We always call ahead to coordinate the best location.

Door-to-door service is included in most of our Chicago auto transport quotes at no extra cost. It’s just one more way we make car shipping simple and stress-free for you.

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!