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 car for the Phoenix to Chicago route is simple but important. Here's what you need to do:

Clean and Document: Wash your car and take photos of any existing damage. This helps with insurance claims if needed.

Remove Personal Items: Take out toll passes, GPS devices, and anything loose inside. Carriers aren't responsible for personal belongings.

Check Fluids and Battery: Make sure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and a working battery. The driver needs to load and unload your vehicle.

Secure or Remove Accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, or anything that might get damaged. Fold in mirrors and retract antennas.

Have Keys Ready: You'll need to give the carrier a working key and any alarm codes.

For more detailed tips, check our Vehicle Shipping Guide. These steps protect your car during the 1,400-mile journey and help avoid delays.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL. At Sakaem Logistics, we require all our carriers to maintain:

• $1,000,000 in liability insurance - covers damage to other vehicles or property
• $100,000 in cargo insurance - protects your specific vehicle during transport

We verify each carrier's insurance is active and valid before your Phoenix to Chicago shipment begins. This means you're covered for the entire 1,700-mile journey.

Important: While rare, if damage occurs, document it immediately during vehicle inspection. Our team will guide you through the simple claims process to get you back on the road quickly.

Unlike larger brokers who may cut corners, we double-check insurance coverage because protecting your investment matters to us.

We recommend booking your Phoenix to Chicago car shipping at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure competitive rates and reliable carriers.

Here's why early booking matters:

• Better pricing: Carriers can plan efficient routes and bundle multiple vehicles
• More carrier options: Popular routes like Phoenix to Chicago fill up quickly
• Flexible scheduling: You'll have more pickup date options to choose from

Need to ship sooner? We can often arrange pickup within 3-7 days, but expect to pay premium rates for rush service. Last-minute bookings limit your carrier choices and may cause delays.

Pro tip: Phoenix winters (November-March) are peak season for car shipping since many people relocate to avoid harsh Chicago winters. Book even earlier during these months.

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.

Open transport is the most common and cost-effective option for shipping your car from Phoenix to Chicago. Your vehicle travels on an open trailer alongside other cars, exposed to weather and road debris. This method costs significantly less and works well for everyday vehicles.

Enclosed transport costs 40-60% more than open transport but provides complete protection inside a covered trailer. Your car stays shielded from weather, dust, and road debris during the 1,200-mile journey from Arizona to Illinois.

Choose enclosed transport if you have:

• A classic, luxury, or exotic car
• A vehicle with custom paint or modifications
• A car worth over $50,000

Choose open transport if you have:

• A daily driver or standard vehicle
• Budget constraints
• Flexibility with pickup/delivery dates

Most customers shipping from Phoenix to Chicago choose open transport. It's safe, reliable, and saves money. Enclosed transport is worth the extra cost only if your vehicle needs special protection.

Yes, we offer convenient door-to-door auto transport service from Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL. This means we'll pick up your vehicle right from your home, office, or preferred location in Phoenix and deliver it directly to your chosen address in Chicago.

When you book with Sakaem Logistics, simply provide us with your pickup address in Phoenix and delivery address in Chicago. Our experienced carriers will handle the rest. In most cases, we can reach your exact locations. However, if your street has restrictions like low-hanging branches, narrow roads, or weight limits for large trucks, our driver will work with you to find a safe nearby spot - like a shopping center or gas station - that's easy for both of you.

This door-to-door service saves you time and hassle compared to having to drive to a terminal. You won't need to arrange extra transportation or take time off work to drop off or pick up your car at a shipping facility.

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!