Illinois to Florida Car Shipping

Preparing your car for shipping from Illinois to Florida is easy when you follow these key steps:

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including toll passes, GPS devices, and any loose items that could shift during transport.

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

Document current condition: Take photos of your vehicle from all angles, noting any scratches, dents, or wear.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and brake fluid. Make sure your battery is secure and working.

Remove accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, or any aftermarket parts that could get damaged or fall off.

Provide working keys: Have a spare key ready for the driver, as they’ll need to move your car on and off the trailer.

For complete preparation guidelines, check out our detailed Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps ensures your Illinois to Florida car shipping goes smoothly.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Illinois to Florida. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your Illinois to Florida car 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 insurance covers your vehicle from pickup in Illinois until delivery in Florida. You’ll receive insurance details with your shipping documents so you have complete peace of mind during your cross-country move.

We recommend scheduling your car shipping from Illinois to Florida at least 1-2 weeks in advance. However, booking earlier gives you better options and pricing.

Here’s why advance booking helps:

• Better carrier availability: Popular routes like Illinois to Florida fill up quickly
• Lower costs: Last-minute bookings often cost 20-30% more
• Flexible pickup dates: More time means carriers can group your car with others heading the same direction

If you need rush shipping, we can often arrange pickup within 24-48 hours, but expect higher rates. For the best experience and value, give us as much notice as possible when planning your move to Florida.

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 uses open-air trailers that carry 8-10 cars at once. Your car is exposed to weather and road debris, but it’s the most affordable option used for 90% of car shipments from Illinois to Florida.

Enclosed transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer with only 2-6 cars. It costs 40-60% more than open transport but shields your car from weather, dust, and debris during the 1,100-mile journey.

Choose open transport for everyday vehicles to save money. Pick enclosed transport for luxury cars, classics, or vehicles with custom paint jobs that need extra protection. Both options are safe and reliable for your Illinois to Florida move.

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

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service from Illinois to Florida. This means we’ll pick up your car from your home or office and deliver it directly to your new address in Florida.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide us with your pickup address in Illinois and your delivery address in Florida. Our assigned carrier will coordinate with you to schedule both pickup and delivery at these exact locations.

In some cases, large trucks may not be able to access certain residential areas due to low-hanging branches, narrow streets, or HOA restrictions. If this happens, don’t worry – we’ll arrange a convenient nearby location like a shopping center or gas station that’s easy for you to reach.

Door-to-door service saves you time and hassle during your move from Illinois to Florida. No need to drive to terminals or arrange additional transportation for your vehicle.

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!