Joliet, IL Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Joliet, IL is simple but important. Start by removing all personal items from inside your car, including toll passes, GPS devices, and any loose items that could shift during transport. Clean your vehicle inside and out – this helps you spot any existing damage and makes the inspection process easier.

Make sure your car has between 1/4 and 1/2 tank of gas. Remove or secure any exterior accessories like bike racks, spoilers, or antenna toppers that could get damaged. Check your battery and tire pressure to ensure your vehicle can be loaded and unloaded safely.

Take photos of your car from all angles before pickup. This creates a record of your vehicle’s condition. Finally, have a spare key ready for the driver – they’ll need it to move your car on and off the transport truck.

For a complete checklist and more detailed tips, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps will help ensure your car arrives safely at its destination.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Joliet, IL. Sherpa Auto Transport requires all carriers to maintain comprehensive insurance coverage that protects your car throughout the entire transport process.

Every carrier in our network must have:

• $1,000,000 minimum liability insurance – covers damages to other vehicles or property
• $100,000 minimum cargo insurance – directly protects your vehicle during transport

Before your Joliet shipment begins, we verify that your assigned carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy, giving you an extra layer of protection.

Important: While rare, if damage occurs during transport from Joliet, you’ll file a claim directly with the carrier’s insurance company. We’ll help guide you through this process to ensure a smooth resolution.

For car shipping from Joliet, IL, we recommend booking at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, scheduling earlier gives you better options and pricing.

Here’s why advance booking helps:

• Better carrier availability – More drivers service the Chicago metro area
• Lower costs – Carriers can group your car with other shipments
• Flexible pickup dates – You’ll have more scheduling options

If you need rush shipping, we can often arrange pickup within 2-3 days from Joliet. This costs more but works for urgent moves.

Peak season tip: Summer months (May-September) are busiest. Book 3-4 weeks ahead during these times for the best rates and service.

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 affordable option. Your car travels on an open trailer alongside other vehicles. It’s exposed to weather and road debris, but it’s perfectly safe for most cars. This method costs less and has more availability.

Enclosed transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer. It costs 40-60% more than open transport but shields your car from weather, dust, and road debris. Choose this for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs.

For most Joliet residents shipping everyday vehicles, open transport works great and saves money. If you’re moving a high-value car or want extra protection, enclosed transport is worth the cost. See our complete open vs enclosed guide to help you decide.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service to and from Joliet, IL. This service brings maximum convenience to your car shipping experience.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide your pickup and delivery addresses in Joliet or your destination city. Our carrier will come directly to your location to collect your vehicle and deliver it to your specified address.

However, we want to be upfront about potential limitations. If your street has restrictions like low-hanging branches, narrow roads, or weight limits that prevent our large transport trucks from accessing your exact address, don’t worry. Our experienced drivers will work with you to find a safe, nearby alternative location such as:

• A nearby parking lot
• Local gas station
• Shopping center
• Easy-access street corner

This flexible approach ensures your vehicle gets picked up and delivered as close to your door as safely possible, while protecting both your car and property during the transport process.

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!