Florida to Illinois Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 1,184 miles from Florida to Illinois falls between $861 and $1,460. Delivery typically takes two–eight days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Illinois to Florida 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 Florida to Illinois car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Florida to Illinois:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Florida
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Florida can deliver your vehicle to Illinois:
- All Coast Auto Transport: 3.94 out of 5 stars
- Eship: 3.92 out of 5 stars
- Nationwide Transport Services: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- Shiping-My-Car.Com: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- National Car Transport: 3.88 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 Florida to Illinois
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Florida 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 1,184 extra miles on your car to travel from Florida to Illinois. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Florida to Illinois, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
Florida to Illinois auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in Florida and Illinois. The trip typically spans 1,184 miles and takes about two–eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Jacksonville, FL to Illinois
| From Florida to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville, FL to Chicago, IL | $782 – $1,357 | 1,062 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Jacksonville, FL to Aurora, IL | $831 – $1,383 | 1,096 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Jacksonville, FL to Joliet, IL | $823 – $1,343 | 1,069 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Jacksonville, FL to Naperville, IL | $790 – $1,330 | 1,083 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Jacksonville, FL to Rockford, IL | $941 – $1,375 | 1,147 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Miami, FL to Illinois
| From Florida to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL to Chicago, IL | $1,068 – $1,536 | 1,381 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Miami, FL to Aurora, IL | $1,139 – $1,694 | 1,415 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Miami, FL to Joliet, IL | $1,048 – $1,505 | 1,388 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Miami, FL to Naperville, IL | $1,051 – $1,630 | 1,407 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Miami, FL to Rockford, IL | $1,051 – $1,613 | 1,470 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tampa, FL to Illinois
| From Florida to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa, FL to Chicago, IL | $932 – $1,432 | 1,172 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Tampa, FL to Aurora, IL | $968 – $1,497 | 1,206 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Tampa, FL to Joliet, IL | $896 – $1,474 | 1,180 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Tampa, FL to Naperville, IL | $870 – $1,375 | 1,194 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Tampa, FL to Rockford, IL | $978 – $1,467 | 1,257 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Orlando, FL to Illinois
| From Florida to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando, FL to Chicago, IL | $861 – $1,446 | 1,154 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Orlando, FL to Aurora, IL | $879 – $1,404 | 1,188 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Orlando, FL to Joliet, IL | $852 – $1,361 | 1,164 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Orlando, FL to Naperville, IL | $879 – $1,404 | 1,178 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Orlando, FL to Rockford, IL | $968 – $1,422 | 1,239 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from St. Petersburg, FL to Illinois
| From Florida to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Petersburg, FL to Chicago, IL | $852 – $1,361 | 1,195 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| St. Petersburg, FL to Aurora, IL | $968 – $1,541 | 1,229 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| St. Petersburg, FL to Joliet, IL | $958 – $1,467 | 1,203 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| St. Petersburg, FL to Naperville, IL | $978 – $1,511 | 1,217 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| St. Petersburg, FL to Rockford, IL | $949 – $1,541 | 1,280 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Florida to Illinois
Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Florida to Illinois you should expect to pay between $1,076 and $1,825.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Florida to Illinois
Transporting your vehicle from the Sunshine State to the Land of Lincoln comes with a number of cost considerations, including:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Illinois than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The journey from Florida to Illinois spans about 1,184 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Florida more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Florida and Illinois and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes two–eight days, while expedited service costs more.
Illinois vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Illinois means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- 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 Florida
More than 22.6 million people call Florida home. Nicknamed the Sunshine State. Severe weather is a common occurrence in Florida, as Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the US. June 1st and November 30 is the time when most hurricanes in Florida occur, the most severe dates lie between August - October. Be sure to check your local weather station before your move as Florida is known for its thunderstorms and high levels of precipitation. Perhaps plan for a Winter or Springtime move to ensure the safety of your belongings.
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 Florida 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 Florida and when dropping it off in Illinois.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Florida to Illinois?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Florida 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 Florida.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
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 Florida to Illinois?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Florida to Illinois is about 1,184 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Florida to Illinois.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
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 Florida, 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 Florida, 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 Florida 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 Florida and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Florida to Illinois?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Florida 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 Florida to Illinois?
Shipping a car from Florida to Illinois costs $861 to $1,460.
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