Illinois to Arizona Car Shipping

Preparing your vehicle for transport from Illinois to Arizona is simple! Follow these key steps to ensure a smooth and safe shipment:

• Clean your car: Wash your vehicle before pickup so the carrier can perform an accurate inspection and document any pre-existing damage.
• Do a thorough walkthrough: Take photos and note any existing dents, scratches, or dings. This protects you in the unlikely event of a dispute.
• Remove personal items: Clear out all personal belongings from the interior. Items left inside are not covered by carrier insurance.
• Remove accessories: Take off any exterior add-ons like spoilers, bike racks, or roof racks that could be damaged in transit.
• Remove your toll pass: Detach any I-Pass or other toll transponders to avoid accidental charges during the drive to Arizona.
• Check fluid levels and tire pressure: Make sure there are no active leaks and that your tires are properly inflated.
• Leave a quarter tank of gas: Enough fuel is needed to load and unload your car, but a full tank adds unnecessary weight.
• Provide a key: Make sure you have a working key available for the carrier at pickup.
• Disable your car alarm: An alarm that triggers during transport can cause delays and complications.

For a full checklist, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Our team is also happy to walk you through every step — just give us a call!

Yes, your vehicle is insured when shipping from Illinois to Arizona with Sherpa Auto Transport. Here is how we protect you:

• Carrier Liability Insurance: Every carrier we work with is required to carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance.
• Cargo Insurance: All carriers must also carry a minimum of $100,000 in cargo insurance, which covers your vehicle while it is in transit.
• Insurance Verification: Before your vehicle is picked up in Illinois, we verify that the carrier’s insurance policy is valid and in good standing for the full duration of your shipment to Arizona.
• Certificate Holder: All contracted carriers are required to add Sherpa Auto Transport as a Certificate Holder on their insurance policy, giving you an added layer of protection.

It is also a good idea to check with your personal auto insurance provider before shipping. Some policies offer additional coverage during transport, which can give you extra peace of mind on the long haul from Illinois to Arizona.

Have questions about coverage? Contact our team — we are happy to walk you through the details before you book.

The sooner you schedule, the better. We recommend booking your car shipment from Illinois to Arizona at least two weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to bundle your vehicle with other shipments heading in the same direction, which helps keep costs down and ensures a smoother pickup experience.

That said, the further out you book, the more flexibility you have in choosing your pickup date and carrier. Last-minute bookings are possible, but they can result in higher rates and longer wait times. If you have a firm move-out date, don’t wait — get a free quote and lock in your shipment as early as you can.

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 from Illinois to Arizona, you have two options: open transport and enclosed transport.

Open transport is the most popular choice. Your vehicle rides on an open-air trailer, exposed to the elements. It’s safe, reliable, and the most affordable option for most cars. The majority of vehicles shipped across the country use this method.

Enclosed transport places your vehicle inside a fully covered trailer, protecting it from weather, road debris, and dust. The tradeoff? It typically costs 40–60% more than open transport. It’s the right choice if you’re shipping a:

• Classic or antique car
• Luxury or exotic vehicle
• Car with a custom paint job or low ground clearance

For most standard vehicles making the trip from Illinois to Arizona, open transport is the smart, cost-effective choice. But if your car has high value or sentimental worth, the extra cost of enclosed transport is well worth the peace of mind.

Not sure which is right for you? Check out our in-depth open vs. enclosed auto transport guide to make the best decision for your vehicle.

Yes! Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door auto transport service for all shipments, including car shipping from Illinois to Arizona. This is the most convenient and popular option for our customers.

Here’s how it works: when you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Illinois and your delivery address in Arizona. Your assigned carrier will come directly to you — no need to drop your vehicle off at a terminal.

Keep in mind that carriers use large trucks, so there may be occasional access or safety restrictions in certain neighborhoods, narrow streets, or areas with low-hanging trees or power lines. If your address isn’t accessible, your driver will work with you to find a safe and convenient nearby alternative — such as a local parking lot or gas station. This is rare, but it’s good to know upfront.

The bottom line: door-to-door service saves you time and hassle on your Illinois to Arizona move. It’s one of the many reasons customers choose Sherpa for a stress-free car shipping experience.

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!