Arizona to Illinois Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 1,544 miles from Arizona to Illinois typically falls between $1,142 and $1,599. The process usually takes three–nine days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Illinois to Arizona car shipping guide.
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
The best Arizona to Illinois car shipping companies
After logging over 400 hours of research in the car shipping industry, we found that these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Arizona to Illinois:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Arizona
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Arizona who can get your vehicle to Illinois:
- Car Go Auto Transport: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- Autogo Auto Transport: 3.72 out of 5 stars
- Tucson Auto Shipping Group: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Phoenix Auto Shipping Group: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Car Shipping Carriers-Phoenix: 3.56 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from Arizona to Illinois
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Arizona to Illinois, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,544 extra miles on your car to travel from Arizona to Illinois. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from Arizona to Illinois is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
Ship by train
If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
Arizona to Illinois auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Arizona and Illinois. The average travel distance is about 1,544 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to nine days.
Cost to ship a car from Phoenix, AZ to Illinois
| From Arizona to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZ to Chicago, IL | $1,134 – $1,715 | 1,752 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Phoenix, AZ to Aurora, IL | $1,170 – $1,715 | 1,724 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Phoenix, AZ to Joliet, IL | $1,134 – $1,629 | 1,713 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Phoenix, AZ to Naperville, IL | $1,217 – $1,749 | 1,728 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Phoenix, AZ to Rockford, IL | $1,187 – $1,643 | 1,685 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tucson, AZ to Illinois
| From Arizona to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ to Chicago, IL | $1,182 – $1,715 | 1,748 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Tucson, AZ to Aurora, IL | $1,158 – $1,715 | 1,721 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Tucson, AZ to Joliet, IL | $1,194 – $1,783 | 1,710 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Tucson, AZ to Naperville, IL | $1,229 – $1,698 | 1,725 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Tucson, AZ to Rockford, IL | $1,199 – $1,627 | 1,682 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mesa, AZ to Illinois
| From Arizona to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa, AZ to Chicago, IL | $1,146 – $1,629 | 1,739 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Mesa, AZ to Aurora, IL | $1,134 – $1,681 | 1,712 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Mesa, AZ to Joliet, IL | $1,241 – $1,663 | 1,701 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Mesa, AZ to Naperville, IL | $1,217 – $1,801 | 1,715 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Mesa, AZ to Rockford, IL | $1,176 – $1,578 | 1,673 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chandler, AZ to Illinois
| From Arizona to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler, AZ to Chicago, IL | $1,205 – $1,801 | 1,751 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Chandler, AZ to Aurora, IL | $1,229 – $1,783 | 1,732 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Chandler, AZ to Joliet, IL | $1,158 – $1,663 | 1,713 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Chandler, AZ to Naperville, IL | $1,134 – $1,801 | 1,728 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Chandler, AZ to Rockford, IL | $1,176 – $1,725 | 1,685 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Gilbert, AZ to Illinois
| From Arizona to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert, AZ to Chicago, IL | $1,134 – $1,629 | 1,741 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Gilbert, AZ to Aurora, IL | $1,194 – $1,783 | 1,714 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Gilbert, AZ to Joliet, IL | $1,217 – $1,698 | 1,703 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Gilbert, AZ to Naperville, IL | $1,205 – $1,715 | 1,718 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Gilbert, AZ to Rockford, IL | $1,119 – $1,676 | 1,675 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Arizona to Illinois
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from Arizona to Illinois, expect costs to range from $1,428 to $1,999.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Arizona to Illinois
When moving your vehicle from the Grand Canyon State to the Land of Lincoln, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to Illinois.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Arizona to Illinois involves roughly 1,544 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Arizona in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Arizona to Illinois, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within three–nine days, but expedited options cost more.
Illinois vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in Illinois, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- Car insurance requirements: The liability insurance minimums for Illinois are $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $20,000 property damage liability per accident.
- Vehicle inspection: In Illinois, emissions inspections are mandatory on a yearly basis for eligible vehicles in the Chicago and East St. Louis metropolitan areas. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency conducts tests on automobiles before residents can renew their vehicle registration with the Secretary of State's office.
- Driver’s license: 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.
- Additional taxes: According to Illinois law, the recipient or buyer of any vehicle transferred within the state must complete a Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction form (form RUT-50) and pay the sales tax for the car within 30 days of the transfer of ownership.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Arizona
More than 7.4 million people call Arizona home. Nicknamed the Grand Canyon State. Arizona may be on of the top states where your move is least likely to be affected by climate due to the unlikelihood of extremely cold days and natural disasters.
Transporting your vehicle to Illinois
About 12.5 million people are living in the Land of Lincoln. 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"
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Arizona and delivery in Illinois?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Arizona and when dropping it off in Illinois.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Arizona to Illinois?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Arizona to Illinois, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Illinois, which you should verify before loading your car in Arizona.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The mandated liability insurance minimums in Arizona are as follows: $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person per accident $30,000 for bodily injury liability for two or more people per accident $10,000 for property damage liability per accident
The liability insurance minimums for Illinois are $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $20,000 property damage liability per accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from Arizona to Illinois?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Arizona to Illinois is about 1,544 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from Arizona to Illinois.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Emissions testing is mandatory in Phoenix and Tucson, but not in the rest of Arizona. If you reside in either Phoenix or Tucson, you are required to undergo an emissions test every two years while renewing your vehicle registration. On the other hand, car safety inspections are not mandatory in the state of Arizona.
In Illinois, emissions inspections are mandatory on a yearly basis for eligible vehicles in the Chicago and East St. Louis metropolitan areas. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency conducts tests on automobiles before residents can renew their vehicle registration with the Secretary of State's office.
If I have a driver’s license in Arizona, will I need one 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.
If I bought a car in Arizona, will I be required to pay sales tax in Illinois after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Arizona to Illinois after purchasing it.
According to Illinois law, the recipient or buyer of any vehicle transferred within the state must complete a Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction form (form RUT-50) and pay the sales tax for the car within 30 days of the transfer of ownership.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Arizona and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Arizona to Illinois?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Arizona to Illinois is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Arizona to Illinois?
Shipping a car from Arizona to Illinois costs $1,142 to $1,599.
17232 N 63rd Ave, Glendale, AZ 85308 US
1661 N Swan Rd # 140, Tucson, AZ 85712 US
2 E Congress St Suite 900 #106, Tucson, AZ 85701 US
1204 E Baseline Rd UNIT 106, Tempe, AZ 85283 US
4600 E Washington St # 300, Phoenix, AZ 85034 US