Illinois Auto Transport: Daily Car Shipping Routes in Chicago, Peoria & Rockford

• Pickup and delivery at your address across all 102 Illinois counties, or a nearby meetpoint where the truck cannot fit
• Open and enclosed transport on every major route
• Licensed broker MC-796224, USDOT 2336907, matched to FMCSA-compliant carriers
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees at pickup

Illinois Auto Transport Routes, Transit Times, and Pricing

Depending on the car's location, most pickup windows are 24 to 72 hours from when the vehicle is ready to be picked up. This window could take up to 5 days in remote areas. Illinois car shipping turnaround time for a destination under 1,000 miles is 2 to 3 days. From 1,000 to 1,750 miles, the transit time is estimated to be 4 to 6 days. From 1,750 to 2,500 miles, the transit time is estimated at 7 to 10 days.

Major Illinois Cities Served

Every city below is covered on the same terms, and so is every town between them.

• Chicago
• Aurora
• Naperville
• Joliet
• Rockford
• Elgin
• Springfield
• Peoria
• Champaign
• Waukegan
• Cicero
• Bloomington
• Schaumburg
• Evanston
• Arlington Heights
• Bolingbrook
• Decatur
• Skokie
• Palatine
• Des Plaines

Shipping a Car to Illinois

The most popular lanes into Illinois, with the transit windows this page has always published.

The Texas figures come from our Texas auto transport page, the California figures from our California auto transport page, and the Florida figures from our Florida auto transport page, whose table prices the Illinois lane in either direction. Lanes with no published figure read Get a quote.

Shipping a Car from Illinois

The most popular lanes out of Illinois. Transit windows are this page's own.

Our New York to Illinois route guide prices the westbound lane only, so the Illinois to New York row is quoted individually with the rest. Lanes with no published figure read Get a quote.

Popular City-to-City Illinois Routes

City-pair pricing for the lanes we publish. Standard sedans on open or enclosed carriers.

The six New York pairs are published on our New York to Illinois route guide, which publishes no enclosed figure for three of them. The Jacksonville row comes from our Florida page, the San Antonio row from our Texas page, and the Los Angeles row from our California page.

Per-Mile Pricing Guide for Illinois Routes

The same per-mile guide appears on our Texas, New York, California, and Florida pages. A simple way to sanity check any Illinois quote.

• Short distance (under 500 miles)

  $1.00 to $1.75 per mile

• Medium distance (500 to 1,000 miles)

  $0.75 to $1.00 per mile

• Long distance (1,000+ miles)

  $0.50 to $0.75 per mile

• Distance: The length of your journey is a crucial factor affecting costs, playing a significant role in determining your quote.
• Locations: Specific cities matter, with considerations such as local traffic conditions, proximity to major highways, and ease of pickup/drop-off contributing to pricing variations.
• Trailer Type: Opt for open-air transport for a more budget-friendly choice, or consider enclosed trailers for added protection, albeit at a higher cost.
• Vehicle Details: The dimensions and weight of your car are significant factors influencing the auto transport rate.
• Seasonality: Prices fluctuate throughout the year, influenced by the demand for car shipping. More active seasons might lead to slightly higher costs, depending on the chosen route.

For the most accurate Illinois auto transport rate, provide the following details:

• Your car's specifications and type
• Origin and destination cities
• If possible, flexibility with shipping dates
• Preferred trailer type (open or enclosed)

By supplying this information, you'll receive a personalized car shipping rate tailored to meet your specific needs when transporting your vehicle to or from Illinois.

Illinois Route Guides

Full pages on the lanes we run most, with city-pair pricing, transit windows, and what to do after the car arrives. The complete list is on our popular routes page.

• New York to Illinois

Illinois Military Installations We Serve

• Naval Station Great Lakes

  Great Lakes, IL. The Navy's largest training installation and home of its only boot camp.

• Scott Air Force Base

  Near Belleville, IL. U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command, about 20 miles east of St. Louis.

• Rock Island Arsenal

  Rock Island, IL. Army Sustainment Command and First Army, on an island in the Mississippi River.

• 126th Air Refueling Wing

  Scott Air Force Base, IL. Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 tanker wing.

• 182nd Airlift Wing

  Peoria, IL. Illinois Air National Guard C-130 wing at Peoria Air National Guard Base.

• 183rd Wing

  Springfield, IL. Illinois Air National Guard wing, air operations support.

• Camp Lincoln

  Springfield, IL. Headquarters of the Illinois National Guard.

• Marseilles Training Center

  Marseilles, IL. Illinois National Guard training area and ranges.

Timing Your Shipment Around PCS Orders

PCS season runs May through August, when trucks fill fast on every base-to-base lane. Most service members get 30 to 60 days between orders and report date. Plan on 1 to 3 days to pickup, and book two weeks out once orders are in hand.

Know where the posts are. Great Lakes sits on Lake Michigan north of Chicago, and recruits do not bring cars, so the lane serves the instructors and staff posted there. Scott Air Force Base and the 126th Air Refueling Wing share one base near Belleville, about 20 miles east of St. Louis. Rock Island Arsenal is on the Mississippi at Rock Island. Camp Lincoln and the 183rd Wing are in Springfield, and the 182nd Airlift Wing is in Peoria.

Military Discount and Who Qualifies

Active duty, reservists, National Guard, and veterans all qualify for a military rate. Mention your status on the quote form or when you call. Bring your CAC, military ID, or DD-214 at pickup. Spouses moving on PCS orders qualify at the same rate.

What Moves on Lowboy and Step Deck Trailers

• Dump trucks, excavators, material handlers, and lifts
• Dozers and wheel loaders
• Skid steers, backhoes, and compact track loaders
• Cranes and aerial booms
• Combines, tractors, and farm implements
• Industrial generators and pumps

Why Lowboy and RGN Transport Works for Illinois

• Height Compliance

  Lowboy decks sit 18 to 24 inches off the ground. Tall machinery clears bridges and overpasses on Illinois interstates.

• Stability and Capacity

  Step deck and lowboy trailers carry the weight of full-size dozers, cranes, and combines without straining the suspension.

• Permit and Escort Expertise

  Carriers in our network handle IDOT oversize and overweight permits, route surveys, escort vehicles, and restricted travel windows.

Equipment that does not fit on a step deck moves on a Removable Gooseneck (RGN) trailer. The front detaches so tracked machinery rolls on without ramps. Best for excavators, dozers, and equipment without functional drive systems.

Should You Drive or Ship Your Car to or from Illinois?

Driving looks cheap on a lane this short. These figures come from our New York to Illinois route guide, for a one-way drive from New York of about 900 miles with one night on the road.

The Hidden Cost of Driving It Yourself

Typical figures for a sedan with one night out. Tolls are the Hudson crossing, the Ohio Turnpike, the Indiana Toll Road, and the Chicago tollways. The total leaves out the flight back, about 900 miles on the odometer, and two days.

Driving vs. Shipping, Side by Side

Moving to Illinois: What to Do After Your Car Arrives

Most people shipping into Illinois are relocating. Illinois puts you on a 30-day clock, and it wants a tax form even when no tax is due. Here is what actually applies.

The RUT-50 Form Is Due, but the Tax Usually Is Not

Illinois charges a vehicle use tax on cars brought into the state. Form RUT-50 is due within 30 days of bringing the car into Illinois. A new resident who used the car outside Illinois for at least three months is exempt.

You still file the RUT-50 to show the exempt status. You also surrender the out-of-state title, registration, or other proof of use when you apply for the Illinois title. A car used outside Illinois for less than three months does not qualify for that exemption.

No Safety Inspection, and Emissions Only Around Chicago and the Metro East

Illinois has no safety inspection for passenger cars. The state's inspection list covers trucks over 8,000 pounds, buses, tow trucks, limousines, and similar vehicles. The new-resident checklist has no line for a VIN verification either.

Emissions testing applies in Cook, DuPage, and Lake counties and in parts of Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Will, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair. It covers gasoline cars from model year 1996 on, first at four years old and then every two years with the plate renewal. Electric and diesel vehicles are exempt. A car still in compliance with another state's emissions program is exempt until it is registered in the test area.

Insurance and License

Illinois requires liability coverage of at least $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of more than one person, and $20,000 for damage to another person's property. Uninsured motorist coverage is included automatically. Proof of insurance is on the new-resident checklist, so switch the policy before you apply. Drivers moving to Illinois may use their valid out-of-state license for 90 days.

Bring the out-of-state title, proof of insurance, the online transaction printout, and the RUT-50. A standard vehicle costs $316: $165 for the title plus $151 for the registration and plates. Fees and forms are on the Illinois Secretary of State site.

Illinois Auto Transport Frequently Asked Questions

The questions we get most on Illinois moves. For everything else, see our auto transport FAQ.

• What is the cost of shipping a car to Illinois?

  The cost of shipping a car to Illinois depends on several factors, including distance, location, trailer type, vehicle details, and seasonality. Prices fluctuate throughout the year, and busy seasons may lead to slightly higher costs. In order to get the most accurate quote, you should provide the following information: your car's type and specifications, origin and destination cities, flexible shipping dates (if possible), and preferred trailer type (open or enclosed).

• How long does it take to ship a car to or from Illinois?

  Most pickup windows are 24 to 72 hours from when the vehicle is ready to be picked up. In remote areas, it could take up to 5 days. Here are some estimated transit times based on distance: under 1,000 miles, 2 to 3 days. 1,000 to 1,750 miles, 4 to 6 days. 1,750 to 2,500 miles, 7 to 10 days.

• What types of vehicles can I transport to or from Illinois?

  Number 1 Auto Transport handles all your vehicle relocation needs, from everyday cars and trucks like coupes, sedans, SUVs, and pickups to minivans and passenger vans. We've got you covered for specialty vehicles too, including electric cars, motorcycles, and all-terrain rides like ATVs and UTVs. Need your golf cart or a John Deere Tractor shipped? If it has wheels, we can ship it!

• Can I transport a car to or from Illinois if it's not running?

  Yes, carriers in our network are equipped with a winch to help pull the vehicle onto the trailer. Please let your dedicated shipping agent know if the car breaks, rolls, and steers.

• Can I pack my car when transporting it to or from Illinois?

  While some personal belongings can be transported inside your vehicle for your convenience, there are restrictions. The total weight must be under 100 pounds, and for security reasons, they should be stored in the trunk or back seat, remaining below the window line. It's important to note that any personal belongings shipped within the car are not covered by the standard transport insurance in case of damage or loss.

• Does my vehicle need to have plates when shipping it to or from Illinois?

  No, but sometimes a carrier will have to meet in a parking lot due to the size of his truck and the destination street layout. If so, you will most likely have to drive the car a few blocks.

• How should I prep my car before shipping it?

  It's recommended to wash your car so the transport carrier can do a proper inspection at pickup. Remove any toll tags so you don't incur fees while in transit. It's also best to remove any loose parts to prevent any damage during transport.

• What is the cheapest way to transport a car to or from Illinois?

  The cheapest way to ship a car to or from Illinois is on an open car trailer.

• Should I drive or ship my car to Illinois?

  If the trip is a short distance, you should consider driving it to save money. Shipping is ideal for long distances, valuable cars, or if you don't want the hassle of driving yourself.

• Is my vehicle insured when using an Illinois car shipping service?

  Yes, all the carriers in our network are vetted and screened with the DOT and FMCSA to make sure they have up to date and adequate cargo coverage to fully protect your car during transport.

• How do I get a quote for shipping my car to Illinois?

  Most car shipping carriers request a 3-day (weekday) window for pickup. Once you have your desired pickup window, provide us with the year, make, model, and we will be able to provide you with an Illinois car shipping rate.

• How do I pay for my Illinois auto transport service?

  Number 1 Auto Transport offers a variety of convenient payment methods to ensure a smooth transaction for our customers. We accept all major credit cards for your convenience. Additionally, we facilitate secure electronic transfers through established platforms (Zelle, Venmo, Cashapp, Paypal) as well as ACH and wire transfers. For alternative payment preferences, certified and bank checks are also accepted.

• What documents do I need to provide to ship my car?

  You do not need to provide any documents to ship your car. However, it is recommended to sign a Bill of Lading before the carrier leaves.

• What happens upon pick-up and delivery of my car?

  The transport carrier will conduct a thorough inspection with you at the predetermined pickup location, noting any existing dents or scratches. The same inspection will be done upon delivery.

• How far in advance do I need to schedule my Illinois car shipping service?

  To ensure we can fulfill your preferred delivery timeframe, scheduling your car shipment with ample lead time is highly recommended. Ideally, booking your transport at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance allows for optimal planning and execution.

• Do I have to register my car in Illinois after it arrives?

  Yes, if you are moving here. New residents have 30 days to apply for an Illinois title and registration, as long as the car is properly registered in another state. Form RUT-50 is due within 30 days too, and a car you used outside Illinois for at least three months is exempt from the use tax. There is no safety inspection, and emissions testing applies only around Chicago and the Metro East. Title and plates for a standard vehicle cost $316.