Preparing your car for shipping from Texas to Illinois is simple but important. Follow these key steps:

Clean and inspect your vehicle: Wash your car inside and out. Take photos of any existing damage for your records.

Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items. Carriers are not responsible for personal property.

Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has less than a quarter tank of gas. Check that your battery is secure and working.

Remove or secure accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, or other add-ons that could get damaged. Fold in side mirrors if possible.

Have keys ready: Make sure you have working keys to give the driver for loading and unloading.

For complete preparation details, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps helps ensure your car arrives safely in Illinois.

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

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

This comprehensive coverage means your vehicle is protected from pickup in Texas all the way to delivery in Illinois. You can ship with confidence knowing your car is covered by professional-grade insurance every mile of the trip.

For car shipping from Texas to Illinois, we recommend scheduling your pickup at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and preferred dates.

Here’s why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: More time allows carriers to plan efficient routes and bundle shipments
• More carrier options: Popular routes like Texas to Illinois fill up quickly
• Flexible scheduling: You can choose pickup dates that work best for your move

If you need faster service, we can often accommodate rush orders with 3-7 days notice, though this may cost more. For the smoothest experience and best value, book as early as possible once you know your moving timeline.

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 uncovered trailers that expose your car to weather and road debris. It’s the most popular choice because it costs less and works well for most vehicles.

Enclosed transport protects your car inside a covered trailer. It costs 40-60% more than open transport but shields your vehicle from weather, dust, and road debris.

Choose enclosed transport if you have a:

• Classic or vintage car
• Luxury vehicle worth over $50,000
• Custom paint job or modifications
• Low-clearance sports car

For regular cars shipping from Texas to Illinois, open transport is usually the smart choice. You’ll save money and still get reliable service. See our complete open vs enclosed transport guide for more details.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service from Texas to Illinois. This means we pick up your car from your home, office, or any address you choose in Texas and deliver it directly to your preferred location in Illinois.

Here’s how it works: When you book your shipment, simply tell us your pickup address in Texas and delivery address in Illinois. Our carrier will come to both locations to handle your vehicle. This saves you time and hassle – no need to drive to terminals or depots.

In rare cases where large trucks can’t access your exact address (like narrow streets or low bridges), we’ll work with you to find a safe nearby spot. This might be a shopping center, gas station, or wide street close to your location.

Door-to-door service is included in most of our Texas to Illinois car shipping quotes at no extra cost. It’s the most popular choice for customers because it offers maximum convenience for your cross-country 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!