Car shipping from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA

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 Los Angeles route is straightforward but important. Here's what you need to do:

Clean and Document: Wash your car inside and out before shipping. This makes it easier to spot any pre-existing damage during the inspection. Take photos from all angles, including close-ups of any scratches or dents.

Remove Personal Items: Clear out all personal belongings, toll passes, and loose items from the interior. Carriers aren't insured for personal property, and extra weight can affect shipping costs.

Check Fluids and Battery: Ensure your gas tank is between 1/4 and 1/2 full. Check that your battery is charged and there are no fluid leaks. Your car needs to be in running condition for loading and unloading.

Secure or Remove Accessories: Take off or secure any exterior accessories like bike racks, spoilers, or antenna extensions. Retract mirrors if possible. Remove or secure loose interior items.

Disable Alarms: Turn off your car alarm to avoid issues during transport.

Provide a Key: Have a spare key ready for the driver. You'll get it back upon delivery.

For more detailed preparation tips, check out our complete guide on how to ship a car. If you're transporting a luxury or classic vehicle, consider enclosed car shipping for added protection on this cross-country journey.

Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Chicago to Los Angeles. 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.

This coverage protects your vehicle against damage that may occur during loading, transit, and unloading. When the driver arrives for pickup, they'll provide you with a copy of their insurance certificate, and you'll complete a detailed vehicle inspection report together. This document records your car's condition before transport and serves as an important reference point.

While carrier insurance provides solid protection, you should also check with your personal auto insurance provider, as some policies offer additional coverage during transport. For more details about insurance requirements and what's covered, visit our guide on valid insurance for car shipping.

Rest assured, we only work with licensed, insured carriers who meet our strict safety standards—giving you peace of mind for your cross-country journey.

We recommend scheduling your pickup service from Chicago at least 7-14 days in advance for the best results. The sooner you book, the more time carriers have to plan efficient routes and bundle shipments, which can help keep your costs down.

If you have flexibility with your dates, booking 2-3 weeks ahead gives you the widest selection of carriers and the best rates. However, if you're working with a tight timeline, we also offer expedited car shipping services that can arrange pickup in as little as 24-48 hours.

Keep in mind: Chicago to Los Angeles is a popular cross-country route with consistent carrier traffic, so you'll generally have more scheduling flexibility than less common routes. That said, booking early is especially important during peak moving seasons (summer months and end-of-month periods) when demand is highest.

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 Los Angeles, 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 economical option. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open-air carrier (the same type you see hauling cars on the highway). While your car is exposed to weather and road debris during the 1,800-mile journey, this method is safe, reliable, and used for about 90% of all vehicle shipments. It's perfect for everyday cars and standard vehicles.

Enclosed Auto Transport provides maximum protection by shipping your vehicle inside a covered trailer. This shields your car from weather, dust, and road debris throughout the cross-country trip. However, enclosed car shipping typically costs 50-60% more than open transport due to limited trailer space and specialized equipment.

Which should you choose? Opt for enclosed transport if you're shipping a luxury vehicle, classic car, exotic sports car, or any vehicle with custom paint or modifications. For standard daily drivers, open transport offers excellent value and protection. Both methods include carrier insurance, though you may want to verify valid insurance coverage before shipping.

At Sakaem Logistics, we'll help you select the right option based on your vehicle type and budget—no pressure, just honest advice to get your car safely to Los Angeles.

Yes! We offer door-to-door car shipping from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA. This is our most popular service because it provides maximum convenience for this cross-country route.

Here's how it works: When you book your shipment, simply provide your preferred pickup address in Chicago and delivery address in Los Angeles. Our assigned carrier will come directly to your home, office, or specified location to pick up your vehicle, then deliver it right to your door in LA.

In most cases, carriers can access residential streets and driveways without issue. However, if your location has narrow streets, low-hanging trees, tight turns, or weight restrictions that make it unsafe for a large carrier truck, the driver will contact you to arrange a nearby alternative meeting spot. This might be a large parking lot, shopping center, or gas station within a few blocks of your address.

Door-to-door service is included in our standard pricing for the Chicago to Los Angeles route—there's no hidden fee for this convenience. It saves you time and eliminates the hassle of driving to a terminal or depot to drop off or collect your vehicle.

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!