Our team has been in the car shipping industry for a long time. We worked for some of the largest brokers and knew there was a better way to do things.

So we set out to create a company that would be different. We want to walk you through how the process works and we guarantee to match any price you hear from a competitor.

We're a scrappy team that looks forward to earning your business.

Preparing your vehicle for the cross-country journey from Chicago to San Francisco is straightforward. Here's what you need to do:

Clean your car inside and out. This helps you document its condition with photos before shipping and makes the carrier's inspection easier.

Remove personal items. Take out toll passes, GPS devices, and anything loose or fragile. Insurance typically doesn't cover personal belongings during transit.

Check fluid levels and tire pressure. Your car needs to be in good running condition for loading and unloading.

Disable alarms. This prevents issues during the 2,100-mile trip across the country.

Leave only a quarter tank of gas. This keeps the vehicle weight down while ensuring enough fuel for loading.

Remove or secure exterior accessories. Bike racks, spoilers, and antennas should be removed or tightened to prevent damage.

Have a spare key ready. Provide one to the carrier and keep one for yourself.

For a complete checklist and more tips, visit our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Taking these simple steps ensures your vehicle arrives safely in San Francisco.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA. At Sakaem Logistics, we require all carriers to maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before your shipment begins, we verify that the carrier's insurance policy is active and valid for the entire journey. You'll receive a copy of the carrier's insurance certificate for your records.

This coverage protects your vehicle against damage during loading, transport, and unloading. While incidents are rare, you can drive with peace of mind knowing your car is protected across the 2,100-mile trip from Chicago to San Francisco.

Important: We recommend documenting your vehicle's condition with photos before shipping and reviewing the condition report carefully with the driver at both pickup and delivery.

We recommend scheduling your car shipment from Chicago to San Francisco at least 1-2 weeks in advance. This gives carriers enough time to plan efficient routes and bundle your vehicle with others heading west.

Booking early offers several benefits:

• Better pricing: Carriers can optimize their routes, which often means lower costs for you
• More carrier options: You'll have access to more available drivers on this popular cross-country route
• Flexible pickup windows: You won't be rushed into tight deadlines

That said, we understand plans change. If you need faster service, we can often arrange pickups within 2-5 days, though this may come with premium pricing.

Pro tip: Chicago to San Francisco is a high-traffic route (about 2,100 miles), so carriers run it regularly. Even last-minute bookings are usually possible, but planning ahead saves you money and stress.

We accept all forms of payment. We can arrange credit cards or arrange for you to pay the carrier directly through cash/certified check. We even accept payment via Cash/Zelle/Venmo.

Your shipment with SAKAEM includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If your shipment includes ocean transit (Hawaii shipments), your vehicle must be emptied of all items. SAKAEM and your assigned carrier are not responsible for personal items left inside your vehicle. See our Auto Transport Process Article for more details.

A designated (adult) must be present at pickup and delivery. 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 Chicago to San Francisco, you'll choose between two main transport methods:

Open Auto Transport is the most popular and affordable option. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air trailer (the same type you see carrying cars on highways). While your car is exposed to weather and road debris during the 2,000+ mile journey, this method is safe for most vehicles and costs significantly less.

Enclosed Auto Transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer. This shields your car from weather, dust, and road debris. Enclosed transport typically costs 50-60% more than open transport on the Chicago to San Francisco route.

Choose open transport if: You have a standard daily driver or newer vehicle in good condition. Over 90% of cars shipped across the country use this method safely.

Choose enclosed transport if: You're shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, exotic sports car, or any car with custom paint or modifications. The extra cost provides peace of mind for high-value vehicles.

Both methods are fully insured. At Sakaem Logistics, we'll help you pick the right option based on your vehicle type and budget.

Yes! We offer door-to-door auto transport service from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA. This is our most popular shipping option because it's convenient and hassle-free.

How it works: When you book with Sakaem Logistics, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Chicago and delivery address in San Francisco. Our assigned carrier will come directly to your location to pick up your vehicle and deliver it right to your destination.

In most cases, we can accommodate residential addresses, office buildings, and other locations. However, if your street has low-hanging trees, narrow roads, or weight restrictions that prevent large car carriers from accessing it safely, our driver will contact you to arrange a convenient nearby meeting spot—like a shopping center parking lot or gas station within a few blocks.

Door-to-door service saves you time and eliminates the need to drive to a terminal. It's included in our standard Chicago to San Francisco auto transport quotes at no extra charge.

We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, electric vehicles, vans and motorcycles across all 48 continental states + Hawaii. Our services even provide shipment for golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship vehicles that don't run so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. The only exception is boats, which we do not transport.

Visit SAKAEM Logistics' FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!