10 Best Car Shipping Companies in Illinois (2026 Cost Guide)
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Quick answer: Nexus Auto Transport is our choice for the best car shipping in Illinois, based on its pricing, dependability, and reviews. Our team rated them 4.7 out of 5 stars. Distance and transport type are the main cost drivers, putting the range between $653 and $1,375 to ship your car from Illinois.
Illinois car shipping facts
- 94% of Illinois auto shippers offer open transport, the most popular, budget-friendly way to ship a car.
- 89% of car shipping companies in Illinois offer enclosed transport delivery.
- Only 28% of car shipping companies nationwide offer guaranteed delivery, compared to 15% in Illinois. If you need your vehicle delivered on a specific day, we recommend using Nexus Auto Transport.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
Best car shipping companies in Illinois
Over 400 hours of research have gone into reviewing services, pricing, and availability for 612 car shippers across the country, including 19 right here in IL. Our goal is to use that data to deliver trustworthy and unbiased recommendations for the best car shipping companies in your area.
If you're looking to ship a car from Chicago or anywhere else in Illinois, check out our top car shipping picks below:
Nexus Auto Transport
http://www.nexusautotransport.com
Nexus Auto Transport, established in 2015, has rapidly become a trusted name in vehicle shipping across the US. With a network of more than 30,000 carriers, they offer services in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. They offer open and enclosed transport, expedited shipping, and door-to-door delivery, as well as discounts for multi-vehicle shipments, cash payments, students, military members, and seniors, among others. Their Moving Season Package includes special deals and services catered to residential and commercial relocations. Customers appreciate their transparent pricing, real-time tracking, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Nexus boasts high customer satisfaction ratings, with an average of 4.7 stars across various platforms. Their user-friendly online quote system provides instant estimates, and a refundable $25 deposit secures your booking.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Live shipment tracking
- Fast, no-hassle quotes
- Door-to-door pickup
- Competitive discounts
Cons
- No international shipping
- Pay more with debit/credit card
Services Offered
- Door-to-door deliveries
- Open and enclosed trailers
- Hawaii/Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Sherpa Auto Transport
https://www.sherpaautotransport.com
Sherpa Auto Transport is known for providing competitive pricing and strong communication throughout the car shipping process. Available in the Lower 48, Sherpa guarantees you won’t pay more than you are quoted, so you don’t have to worry about any hidden fees or other price changes. The company ships standard passenger cars, trucks, and SUVS, and can provide expedited transport, if needed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price Lock Promise keeps pricing fixed
- Pay by credit card available
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- $100k in cargo insurance
- Will ship inoperable vehicles as long as they can brake, roll and steer
- Ship cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans
Cons
- Online instant quote not available
- Cars only. Cannot ship boats, motorcycles, RVs, or trailers
- No international shipping
- No shipping to Alaska or Hawaii
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Insured shipping
Navi Auto Transport
https://naviautotransport.com
Navi Auto Transport is an experienced vehicle shipping company offering nationwide service across the US, including door-to-door delivery and both open and enclosed transport options. Known for its reliable scheduling and attentive customer support, Navi has earned strong customer satisfaction ratings, with many reviewers highlighting the company's transparent pricing and consistent communication. They offer instant online quotes, and their expedited shipping option makes them a solid choice for time-sensitive moves.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Price match policy
- Quick turnaround
- Discounts
- White-glove transport
- 24/7 tracking
Cons
- Limited international shipping
- No guaranteed pickup date
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
SGT Auto Transport
http://sgtautotransport.com
SGT Auto Transport is a top-rated long-distance vehicle shipper available in every state except Alaska. SGT Auto offers open or enclosed carriers for cars and motorcycles, and provides door-to-door service standard in the contiguous U.S. Get a free quote easily and quickly online, and be sure to ask about SGT’s price-matching guarantee and discounts for military members, students, and senior citizens.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open and enclosed auto transport options available
- Car shipping to Hawaii
- Motorcycle shipping available
- Free cancellation
- Full insurance coverage included in the price
- Nothing to pay up front
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Limited international shipping
- Doesn't ship RVs
- No digital tracking
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Long-distance and international shipping
- Hawaii and Alaska shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Ship A Car Direct
https://shipacardirect.com
Ship A Car Direct works with a widespread network of carriers to provide long-distance auto transport with quick turnaround times for cars, trucks, and SUVs. This highly-rated company also provides a Damage-Free Guarantee, which is a free contingent insurance policy that covers up to $500 of your deductible if a carrier's cargo insurance falls short. Ship A Car Direct is a great choice if you’re in a rush, since they can easily handle last-minute requests.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Home of the industry’s only 'Damage Free Guarantee'
- No deposit upfront to schedule
- Expedited Shipping Available
- Pay by credit card available
- Ship an additional 100lbs in the car for Free
- $500 complimentary damage or loss coverage
- Rental car assistance should transport take more than 14 days
Cons
- Quotes expire sometimes within 1 week
- Do not ship boats or heavy equipment
- No international shipping
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open and enclosed transport
- Hawaii shipping
- Insured shipping
- Online instant pricing
Karma Auto Transport
901 Nicholas Blvd Unit D, Elk Grove Village, IL, 60007
https://www.karmaautotransport.com
Karma Auto Transport (DOT: 2882553) offers fully insured interstate and international vehicle shipping with open or enclosed transport options.
The company provides damage-free guarantees, expedited delivery, shipment tracking, storage solutions, and transportation for classic and inoperable cars.
Karma Auto Transport holds a 4.6 rating on Yelp, a 4.8 rating on Google, and an A+ rating from the BBB.
However, it does not offer motorcycle, boat, RV, trailer, ATV, or heavy-equipment shipping, which may be a drawback for some customers.
Services Offered
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Storage Solutions
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Interstate
- Classic Car Shipping
- Detailed Inspection Reports
Van 3 Auto Transport & Car
106 Meadow Dr, Countryside, IL, 60525
http://van3autotransport.com
Van 3 Auto Transport & Car (DOT: 2511788) offers insured interstate and international vehicle shipping, including enclosed transport, expedited delivery, and damage-free protection.
The company ships cars that don't run, classic cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs, electric vehicles, and multiple vehicles at once.
It has a 4.5 Yelp rating, a 4.8 Google rating, and an A+ BBB rating.
Military members can receive a discount, though the company does not offer shipment tracking, which may be a downside for some customers.
Services Offered
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- Military Discount
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Deposit Required
- Expedited Delivery
- Pay by Credit Card
- Pay by Cash
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
- Detailed Inspection Reports
BKK TRANSPORT
77 W Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL, 60601
https://www.bkktransport.com
BKK TRANSPORT (DOT: 2248306) offers fully insured vehicle shipping with damage-free guarantees, shipment tracking, and detailed inspection reports.
The company transports inoperable cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs, trailers, ATVs, classic cars, and heavy equipment, with open or enclosed transport options and international shipping.
However, it does not offer guaranteed delivery, multi-car transport, electric vehicle shipping, or listed customer discounts, which may be a downside for some customers.
BKK TRANSPORT has a 1.8 Yelp rating, a 4.1 Google rating, and an A+ BBB rating.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Storage Solutions
- Deposit Required
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Pay by Money Order
- Trailer Shipping
- Pay by Cash
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
- Classic Car Shipping
- Detailed Inspection Reports
Chicago Auto Shipping Group
625 N Michigan Ave Suite 1000 PMB 165, Chicago, IL, 60611
https://autoshippinggroup.com
Chicago Auto Shipping Group (DOT: 2239008) provides fully insured, damage-free-guaranteed vehicle transport, including open and enclosed shipping options.
The company ships cars that run or don’t, as well as motorcycles, boats, RVs, trailers, ATVs, classic cars, electric vehicles, and multiple vehicles at once, with expedited, international, and terminal-to-terminal delivery available.
It also offers storage solutions, shipment tracking, detailed inspection reports, and a military discount, although it does not provide guaranteed delivery, senior, student, teacher, or law-enforcement discounts.
The company has not established a Yelp rating, while it holds a 4.0 Google rating and an A+ BBB rating.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Damage Free Guarantee
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- Military Discount
- International Shipping
- Open Transport
- Storage Solutions
- Deposit Required
- Expedited Delivery
- Shipment Tracking
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Terminal to Terminal Delivery
- Classic Car Shipping
- Detailed Inspection Reports
Dispatchray
6109 Jovic Ct, La Grange, IL, 60525
http://dispatchray.com
Dispatchray (DOT: 2490936) provides fully insured transportation for cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs, trailers, ATVs, electric vehicles, and heavy equipment.
The company offers open and enclosed transport, multi-car shipping, classic car shipping, and transportation for cars that do not run.
Dispatchray has earned a 5.0 rating on both Yelp and Google, along with an A+ rating from the BBB.
However, it does not offer shipment tracking, guaranteed delivery, storage solutions, or expedited delivery, which may be a drawback for some customers.
Services Offered
- ATV Shipping
- Fully Insured
- Inoperable Car Transport
- Enclosed Transport
- Multi Car Transport
- Electric Vehicle Shipping
- Open Transport
- Pay by Credit Card
- Trailer Shipping
- Interstate
- RV Shipping
- Heavy Equipment Shipping
- Boat Shipping
- Motorcycle Shipping
- Classic Car Shipping
Average cost of transporting a car out of IL
If you're shipping a car out of Illinois, prices range between $653 and $1,375. What you actually pay can change depending on how far your car needs to go and whether you pick open or enclosed shipping.
- Short-distance shipments (under 500 miles): $538 - $849
- Medium-distance shipments (500 - 1,500 miles): $857 - $1,197
- Long-distance shipments (over 1,500 miles): $1,128 - $1,291
Check out these example price ranges:
| Route | Open | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois to Texas | $963 | $1,465 |
| Illinois to Florida | $1,034 | $1,603 |
| Illinois to Michigan | $706 | $985 |
| Illinois to Georgia | $929 | $1,376 |
| Illinois to Arizona | $1,238 | $1,936 |
| Ohio to Illinois | $678 | $976 |
| Pennsylvania to Illinois | $862 | $1,342 |
| North Carolina to Illinois | $951 | $1,398 |
| New York to Illinois | $920 | $1,369 |
| California to Illinois | $1,519 | $2,374 |
What affects car shipping costs from Illinois
- Your move distance: Shipping within Illinois or to neighboring states costs less than a long cross-country haul.
- Location: Shipping from a rural part of Illinois often costs more, since carriers may need to detour off major routes to reach you. Pickups near Chicago or other well-traveled corridors usually mean a lower rate.
- Your car's make, model, and year: Compact cars cost less to ship. Classic or specialty vehicles from Illinois cost more, since they need extra care in transit. Only 73% of Illinois shippers handle classic cars, so ask upfront if yours needs special handling.
- Shipping options in the Land of Lincoln: 94% of Illinois auto transporters offer open transport, and 89% offer enclosed transport. Open-air costs less, but enclosed transport protects your car from Illinois's unpredictable weather for a higher price.
- Gas prices: Fuel costs in Illinois factor into your total price, especially on longer routes. The average price is about $3.19 per gallon right now.
- Delivery time frame: You'll pay more for car shipping if you need a guaranteed delivery date or expedited service.
- Seasonality: Prices tend to climb during peak car shipping season, roughly May through October, when demand is highest. Booking in the fall or winter can work in your favor, though weather-related delays are more common during those months.
- Discounts: In Illinois, 4 companies offer military discounts, 1 offer senior discounts, 19 offer other discounts, and many also discount multi-vehicle shipments. Check out our full guide on car shipping discounts to learn more.
For a more accurate quote, use our car shipping calculator. You can also check out all the popular Illinois car shipping routes.
How to ship a car from Illinois
Follow these steps to compare auto transport companies and book a reliable car shipper in Illinois.
- Estimate your shipping cost. Use the moveBuddha car shipping calculator to estimate your route and vehicle type. Shipping a car out of Illinois typically costs $653 - $1,375, though distance, transport type, and season all affect the final quote.
- Choose open vs enclosed transport. Open transport is the most affordable option for standard vehicles. Enclosed transport costs more but protects luxury, classic, or high-value cars from weather and road debris. This is especially relevant given Illinois's weather patterns.
- Verify MC/DOT licensing. Ask every carrier for their motor carrier (MC) and USDOT numbers, then verify them on the FMCSA carrier lookup. Legitimate auto transport companies must be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Compare shippers and get 3+ quotes. Compare at least three of the 19 car shippers moveBuddha tracks in Illinois. Request written quotes that specify open vs enclosed transport, pickup windows, and insurance coverage before you book.
- Book an off-peak ship date. Flexibility on your ship date is one of the biggest cost levers. Avoid peak summer demand and end-of-month rushes. Delivery from Illinois runs 1 - 3 days locally and about 7 - 14 days on cross-country routes.
FAQs
What percentage of Illinois car shippers offer guaranteed delivery?
Only 28% of car shipping companies nationwide offer guaranteed delivery dates. If you need your vehicle delivered on a specific day, Nexus Auto Transport is worth considering.
What is the most reliable car shipping company in Illinois?
Nexus Auto Transport is the most reliable car shipping company in Illinois, based on our research. Using our in-house car shipping methodology, we rated Nexus Auto Transport a 4.7 for its range of services, pricing accuracy, and comprehensive insurance. The company also maintains an excellent customer satisfaction score across sites like the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and Google reviews.
Does weather in Illinois impact car shipping?
Severe weather can significantly influence the cost to ship your vehicle out of Illinois. Illinois' climate is clearly different in the northern and southern halves of the state. The northern half experiences cold winters and mild summers whereas the southern half experiences mild winters and hot and humid summers. Illinois is a part of "tornado alley"
Do Illinois car shippers handle motorcycles, RVs, or other specialty vehicles?
Yes, plenty of Illinois shippers handle specialty vehicles. 73% ship motorcycles. 31% ship RVs. 47% ship boats. Ask about your specific vehicle when requesting quotes.
How long do I have to update my drivers license in Illinois?
Even if your out-of-state driver's license is valid, you must still pass a vision test and written exam if you are moving to Illinois. Within 90 days of becoming a resident in the state, you must convert your license to an Illinois non-commercial license.
