Rockford, IL Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Rockford, IL is simple. Follow these key steps:

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

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items. These aren’t covered by carrier insurance.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough fuel (about 1/4 tank) and the battery is charged.

Remove accessories: Take off or secure any exterior items like bike racks, spoilers, or antennas that could get damaged.

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

Have a key ready: Provide the carrier with a working key for loading and unloading.

For complete preparation guidelines, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps will help ensure a smooth pickup from Rockford and safe delivery to your destination.

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

Before your shipment, we verify that the carrier’s insurance is valid and current. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their policy for added protection.

This means your vehicle is covered from pickup in Rockford through delivery to your destination. You’ll receive a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate before transport begins, giving you peace of mind throughout the shipping process.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from Rockford, IL at least 1-2 weeks in advance for the best results.

Booking early gives carriers more time to plan efficient routes and group your vehicle with others heading in the same direction. This often means better pricing and faster pickup times for you.

That said, we understand plans can change. If you need expedited service, we can often arrange pickup within 2-5 days, though this may come with higher costs and fewer carrier options.

Pro tip: If you’re shipping during peak season (summer months or end of month), book 3-4 weeks ahead when possible. Demand is higher during these times, especially for routes in and out of Rockford.

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 is the most common and affordable option. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air trailer alongside other cars, exposed to weather and road conditions during transit. This method is safe, reliable, and costs significantly less—making it ideal for most standard vehicles.

Enclosed auto transport provides full protection inside a covered trailer, shielding your vehicle from weather, debris, and road elements. This premium service typically costs 50-60% more than open transport, but it’s worth considering for luxury cars, classic vehicles, exotic sports cars, or any car with custom paint or modifications.

For most Rockford residents shipping everyday vehicles, open transport offers excellent value and protection. Choose enclosed transport if your vehicle has high value or requires extra care during the journey. Learn more in our open vs enclosed auto transport guide.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service to and from Rockford, IL. This means we’ll pick up your vehicle from your home, office, or another address you choose, and deliver it directly to your destination.

When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup and delivery addresses. Our assigned carrier will do their best to reach both locations. However, some Rockford neighborhoods have narrow streets, low-hanging trees, or tight turns that make it difficult for large car carriers to navigate safely.

If your location isn’t accessible for a full-size carrier, don’t worry. Our driver will contact you to arrange a convenient nearby meeting spot, such as a shopping center parking lot, gas station, or main road. This ensures your vehicle is transported safely without any damage to your property or the neighborhood.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle compared to terminal-to-terminal shipping. You won’t need to drive to a far-away facility to drop off or pick up your car. We handle the logistics so you can focus on your move.

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!