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 long journey from Los Angeles to Chicago is simple but important. Start by removing all personal items from inside your vehicle – this includes toll passes, GPS devices, phone chargers, and any loose items that could shift during transport.

Clean your car inside and out before pickup. This helps you spot any existing damage and makes the inspection process smoother. Take photos of your vehicle from all angles as documentation.

Check fluid levels and tire pressure, but keep your gas tank only 1/4 full to reduce weight. Remove or secure any external accessories like bike racks, spoilers, or antennas that could get damaged on the road.

Make sure you have two working keys ready for the driver – one primary and one backup. Finally, disable your car alarm to avoid issues during loading and unloading.

For a complete checklist and more detailed tips, check out our Vehicle Shipping Guide. Following these steps will help ensure your car arrives safely in Chicago.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured when shipping from Los Angeles to Chicago. At Sakaem Logistics, we require all our carriers to maintain at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.

Before we assign your LA to Chicago shipment, we verify that:

• The carrier’s insurance is current and valid
• Coverage remains active throughout your entire transport
• All policy requirements meet industry standards

This insurance protects your vehicle against damage during loading, transport, and unloading. You’ll receive the carrier’s insurance information before pickup, so you have complete peace of mind on this cross-country journey.

Pro tip: Take photos of your car before pickup in Los Angeles. While damage is rare, having before-and-after photos helps if you ever need to file a claim.

For car shipping from Los Angeles to Chicago, we recommend booking your pickup service 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 LA to Chicago fill up quickly
• Flexible scheduling: You’ll have more pickup date options to choose from

If you’re moving during peak seasons (summer months, holidays, or winter snowbird migration), book even earlier – ideally 3-4 weeks ahead. These times see heavy demand on the LA to Chicago route.

Need last-minute service? Don’t worry – Sakaem Logistics can often accommodate shorter notice, though rates may be higher and pickup dates more limited.

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 auto transport is the most common and budget-friendly option for shipping your car from Los Angeles to Chicago. Your vehicle rides on an open trailer alongside other cars, exposed to weather and road conditions. This method typically costs $800-$1,200 for the LA to Chicago route.

Enclosed auto transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer, shielding it from weather, road debris, and dust. This premium service costs 50-80% more than open transport, usually ranging from $1,400-$2,000 for the same route.

Choose enclosed transport if you have:

• Classic or luxury cars worth over $50,000
• Custom paint jobs or modifications
• Convertibles with soft tops
• Low-clearance sports cars

Choose open transport if: You want to save money and have a standard daily-driver vehicle. Most cars ship safely on open trailers every day.

At Sakaem Logistics, we offer both options with full insurance coverage. Our team can help you decide which method best fits your budget and vehicle’s needs for your cross-country move.

Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service from Los Angeles, CA to Chicago, IL. This means we’ll pick up your car from your home, office, or any address you choose in LA and deliver it directly to your preferred location in Chicago.

Our carriers will do their best to reach your exact addresses. However, some neighborhoods have narrow streets, low bridges, or parking restrictions that make it unsafe for large car carriers. If this happens, don’t worry – we’ll work with you to find a nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station, usually within a few miles of your location.

Door-to-door service is included in most of our LA to Chicago shipping quotes at no extra cost. It’s the most popular option because it saves you time and hassle compared to dropping off and picking up at terminals.

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!