Car shipping from Chicago, IL to Seattle, WA

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 Chicago to Seattle route is straightforward but important. Start by removing all personal belongings, toll transponders (like I-PASS), and any fragile items from the interior. Carriers are licensed to transport vehicles only, not household goods, and items left inside aren't covered by insurance.

Give your car a quick wash before pickup—this makes it easier to document any existing scratches or dents during the inspection. Take photos of all sides of your vehicle as a precaution. Remove or secure any custom accessories like bike racks, spoilers, or antenna toppers that could get damaged during the 2,000+ mile journey across the country.

Make sure your gas tank is between ¼ and ½ full (this reduces weight while ensuring the carrier can load and unload your vehicle), check that your battery is charged, and verify your tires are properly inflated. You'll need to provide a set of keys to the driver and ensure someone is available at both the Chicago pickup and Seattle delivery locations to hand off and receive the vehicle. For more details on the entire process, check out our cross country vehicle transport guide.

Finally, disable any alarm systems to avoid issues during transit, and make sure you have valid insurance on your vehicle throughout the shipping period.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Chicago to Seattle. At Sakaem Logistics, we require all our 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 current and in good standing for the entire duration of your cross-country trip.

When your driver arrives for pickup, they'll provide you with a copy of their insurance certificate and a Bill of Lading. We recommend reviewing these car shipping documents carefully and keeping them handy throughout the transport process. While damage during transit is rare, having this documentation ensures you're protected every mile from Chicago to Seattle.

It's worth noting that while carriers must have valid insurance, their coverage protects against damage that occurs during loading, transport, and unloading. Your personal auto insurance typically doesn't cover your vehicle during commercial transport, so the carrier's policy is your primary protection. If you have questions about coverage specifics, we're always happy to walk you through the details before you book.

We recommend scheduling your pickup service at least 1-2 weeks in advance for the Chicago to Seattle route. However, booking even earlier—ideally 3-4 weeks out—gives you the best chance of securing competitive pricing and flexible pickup windows.

Here's why advance booking matters: carriers often bundle multiple vehicles heading in the same direction to maximize efficiency and keep costs down. When you post your shipment early, you give carriers more time to coordinate these routes, which can result in faster pickup and better rates for you.

If you're on a tight timeline, we do offer Expedited Car Shipping Services that can arrange pickup within 24-48 hours, though this typically comes at a premium price. For most customers shipping from Chicago to Seattle—a popular cross-country route—standard advance booking of 2-3 weeks strikes the right balance between cost and convenience.

Pro tip: If you're planning a long-distance move, check out our Cross Country Vehicle Transport Guide for additional planning tips that can help ensure a smooth shipping experience.

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 car shipping guide 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 Seattle, you'll choose between two main transport methods: open and enclosed auto transport. Here's what sets them apart:

Open Auto Transport is the most common and affordable option. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier (the same type you see hauling cars on highways). While your car is exposed to weather and road conditions during the 2,000+ mile journey, this method is safe, reliable, and used for the vast majority of cross-country shipments. It typically costs 40-60% less than enclosed transport.

Enclosed Auto Transport provides maximum protection by shipping your vehicle inside a covered trailer. This shields your car from weather, road debris, and dust throughout the trip. Enclosed transport is ideal for luxury vehicles, classic cars, exotic sports cars, or any vehicle with custom paint or modifications where even minor exposure risk is unacceptable. Expect to pay 50-60% more than open transport for this premium service.

Which should you choose? For most standard vehicles, open transport offers excellent value and protection. Consider enclosed transport if your vehicle is worth over $100,000, has sentimental value as a collector's item, or features custom work you want to preserve. For more details on pricing factors, check out our Cost To Ship A Car guide or our Cross Country Vehicle Transport Guide.

Yes! Door-to-door auto transport is our standard service for shipments from Chicago to Seattle. When you book with Sakaem Logistics, we'll ask for your preferred pickup address in Chicago and delivery address in Seattle, and our assigned carrier will come directly to those locations to load and unload your vehicle.

This service saves you the hassle of driving to a terminal or depot—the carrier brings the transport truck right to your door. In most residential and commercial areas, door-to-door pickup and delivery works smoothly. However, if your location has narrow streets, low-hanging trees, weight restrictions, or other access limitations that make it unsafe or impossible for a large car carrier to navigate, don't worry. Our driver will simply work with you to choose a nearby alternative meeting spot, such as a shopping center parking lot, gas station, or wide intersection that's convenient for you.

This flexibility is especially helpful for a long-distance route like Chicago to Seattle. Whether you're relocating for work, need vehicle relocation services, or just want the convenience of having your car delivered to your new driveway, door-to-door service makes the process as easy as possible. For more details on planning your shipment across the country, check out our Cross Country Vehicle Transport Guide.

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.

See our car shipping guide to learn more about car shipping!