$1,490 Car Shippers from California to Illinois (2024 Guide)

Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car the 2083 miles from California to Illinois ranges from $1,490 to $2,374 and takes 4-12 days.

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Illinois to California car shipping guide.

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The average cost to ship a car from California to Illinois

Because the distance between California to Illinois is about 2083 miles, it’ll take from 4 to 12 days to complete your car shipment.

Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Illinois

  • Los Angeles to Chicago: $1,430 to $2,304
  • Los Angeles to Rockford: $1,424 to $2,296
  • Los Angeles to Springfield: $1,483 to $2,340
  • Los Angeles to Peoria: $1,542 to $2,318
  • Los Angeles to Round Lake Beach: $1,534 to $2,421

Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Illinois

  • San Diego to Chicago: $1,534 to $2,351
  • San Diego to Rockford: $1,534 to $2,397
  • San Diego to Springfield: $1,454 to $2,340
  • San Diego to Peoria: $1,549 to $2,351
  • San Diego to Round Lake Beach: $1,549 to $2,258

Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Illinois

  • San Jose to Chicago: $1,536 to $2,295
  • San Jose to Rockford: $1,505 to $2,460
  • San Jose to Springfield: $1,430 to $2,397
  • San Jose to Peoria: $1,564 to $2,211
  • San Jose to Round Lake Beach: $1,475 to $2,389

Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Illinois

  • San Francisco to Chicago: $1,445 to $2,389
  • San Francisco to Rockford: $1,534 to $2,328
  • San Francisco to Springfield: $1,564 to $2,351
  • San Francisco to Peoria: $1,475 to $2,281
  • San Francisco to Round Lake Beach: $1,581 to $2,271

Cost to ship a car from Fresno, CA to Illinois

  • Fresno to Chicago: $1,475 to $2,342
  • Fresno to Rockford: $1,445 to $2,304
  • Fresno to Springfield: $1,519 to $2,258
  • Fresno to Peoria: $1,564 to $2,444
  • Fresno to Round Lake Beach: $1,566 to $2,271

Shipping an SUV or Truck from California to Illinois

Since vehicles such as SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?

If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from California to Illinois you should expect to pay between $1,863 and $2,968.

Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from California to Illinois

  • Open Carrier or Enclosed Trailer – Most new cars from ports and factories are moved on open auto carriers, while race cars, vintage collector’s cars, and high-dollar luxury cars get enclosed transport. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs enclosed car shipping.
  • Time of the year – Due to demand, prices to ship your car from California to Illinois tend to be a little higher in the summer.
  • Size, Weight, and Type of Vehicle – The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more shipping your car to Illinois will cost.
  • Delivery Expectations – Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from California to Illinois should take between 4 and 12 days.
  • Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal in California and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home in Illinois. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.

Resources for Shipping a Car from California to Illinois

The following resources can help with you shipping your car from California to Illinois:

Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and California car shippers you should use.

The best car shipping from California to Illinois

A good car shipping company should cover the basics. These are the things to look out for in a quality transport company:

  • Insurance: Make sure the insurance covers both the company and the hauler the company contracts with to ship the car.
  • Experience: Look for a company that has multiple years of experience and a good track record.
  • Shipping options: Good car shipping companies will offer open and closed transport, expedited delivery, shipment tracking, and more.
  • Added Perks: Damage coverage, no initial deposits, rental car assistance, free car wash, and guaranteed pricing are some additional options great car shippers offer.
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Transparent pricing
  • Fully insured
Check prices (864) 492-1221

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
Check prices (888) 259-6046

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
Check prices (833) 775-1461

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.35 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable
Check prices (866) 563-0804

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.55 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 13 yrs experience
  • Ship boat, RV, ATV
Check prices (224) 206-5633

% of users select this mover

How car shipping from California to Illinois works

  • After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from California to Illinois.
  • Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in California where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
  • Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in Illinois on your delivery date.

What else should you know about shipping a car from California to Illinois?

  • 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.

Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Illinois

Learn more with our car shipping checklist

Shipping Your Car from California to Illinois FAQs

Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in California and when dropping off my car in Illinois?

Most companies will require someone that is at least 18-years-old to be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Illinois.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Illinois?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Illinois, it’s not 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 California.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. With the trip from California to Illinois being about 2083 miles, that’s as fast as about 5 days. But most car transporting companies will take 4-12 days to go from California to Illinois.