Illinois to Arizona Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,545 miles from Illinois to Arizona usually costs between $1,056 and $1,524. Transit time is about three–nine days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Arizona to Illinois 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 Illinois to Arizona car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Illinois to Arizona:
- 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 Illinois
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Illinois can deliver your vehicle to Arizona:
- Van 3 Auto Transport & Car: 3.92 out of 5 stars
- Dispatchray: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Karma Auto Transport: 3.78 out of 5 stars
- Chicago Auto Shipping Group: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- BKK TRANSPORT: 3.72 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 Illinois to Arizona
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Illinois to Arizona, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,545 extra miles on your car to travel from Illinois to Arizona. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Illinois to Arizona. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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.
Illinois to Arizona auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Illinois and Arizona. Average distances are close to 1,545 miles, with delivery usually taking three–nine days.
Cost to ship a car from Chicago, IL to Arizona
| From Illinois to Arizona | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Phoenix, AZ | $1,185 – $1,667 | 1,754 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Chicago, IL to Tucson, AZ | $1,232 – $1,788 | 1,749 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Chicago, IL to Mesa, AZ | $1,185 – $1,806 | 1,740 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Chicago, IL to Chandler, AZ | $1,232 – $1,667 | 1,753 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Chicago, IL to Gilbert, AZ | $1,161 – $1,823 | 1,743 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aurora, IL to Arizona
| From Illinois to Arizona | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, IL to Phoenix, AZ | $1,197 – $1,823 | 1,726 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aurora, IL to Tucson, AZ | $1,208 – $1,667 | 1,722 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aurora, IL to Mesa, AZ | $1,232 – $1,788 | 1,713 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aurora, IL to Chandler, AZ | $1,256 – $1,806 | 1,725 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aurora, IL to Gilbert, AZ | $1,244 – $1,667 | 1,715 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Joliet, IL to Arizona
| From Illinois to Arizona | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet, IL to Phoenix, AZ | $1,185 – $1,788 | 1,715 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Joliet, IL to Tucson, AZ | $1,220 – $1,736 | 1,711 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Joliet, IL to Mesa, AZ | $1,232 – $1,702 | 1,703 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Joliet, IL to Chandler, AZ | $1,220 – $1,702 | 1,715 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Joliet, IL to Gilbert, AZ | $1,185 – $1,719 | 1,705 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Naperville, IL to Arizona
| From Illinois to Arizona | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville, IL to Phoenix, AZ | $1,185 – $1,806 | 1,731 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Naperville, IL to Tucson, AZ | $1,197 – $1,754 | 1,726 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Naperville, IL to Mesa, AZ | $1,220 – $1,823 | 1,717 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Naperville, IL to Chandler, AZ | $1,208 – $1,684 | 1,730 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Naperville, IL to Gilbert, AZ | $1,149 – $1,667 | 1,720 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rockford, IL to Arizona
| From Illinois to Arizona | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL to Phoenix, AZ | $1,179 – $1,664 | 1,684 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Rockford, IL to Tucson, AZ | $1,167 – $1,747 | 1,679 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Rockford, IL to Mesa, AZ | $1,133 – $1,680 | 1,670 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Rockford, IL to Chandler, AZ | $1,179 – $1,614 | 1,683 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Rockford, IL to Gilbert, AZ | $1,167 – $1,697 | 1,673 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Illinois to Arizona
Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
Shipping a larger vehicle from Illinois to Arizona usually runs between $1,320 and $1,905.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Illinois to Arizona
When moving your vehicle from the Land of Lincoln to the Grand Canyon State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Illinois to Arizona.
- Distance and route: The journey from Illinois to Arizona spans about 1,545 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Illinois, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Illinois and Arizona.
- 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 Illinois to Arizona should take between three and nine days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Arizona vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Arizona, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance 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
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: If you are a former resident of another state and now reside in Arizona, you will need to visit an Arizona Motor Vehicle Services office in person to obtain an Arizona driver's license. You have a 10-day window after relocating within the state to update the address on your Arizona driver's license.
- Additional taxes: In Arizona, vehicle owners are required to pay the Vehicle License Tax (VLT) along with other fees. This tax serves as an alternative to the personal property tax that is imposed in some other states.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Illinois
More than 12.5 million people call Illinois home. Nicknamed 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"
Transporting your vehicle to Arizona
About 7.4 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Illinois and delivery in Arizona?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Illinois and when dropping it off in Arizona.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Illinois to Arizona?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Illinois to Arizona, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Arizona, which you should verify before loading your car in Illinois.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
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
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to Arizona?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Illinois to Arizona is about 1,545 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from Illinois to Arizona.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
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.
If I have a driver’s license in Illinois, will I need one in Arizona?
If you are a former resident of another state and now reside in Arizona, you will need to visit an Arizona Motor Vehicle Services office in person to obtain an Arizona driver's license. You have a 10-day window after relocating within the state to update the address on your Arizona driver's license.
If I bought a car in Illinois, will I be required to pay sales tax in Arizona after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Illinois to Arizona after purchasing it.
In Arizona, vehicle owners are required to pay the Vehicle License Tax (VLT) along with other fees. This tax serves as an alternative to the personal property tax that is imposed in some other states.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Illinois and Arizona to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Arizona?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Arizona 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 Illinois to Arizona?
Shipping a car from Illinois to Arizona costs $1,056 to $1,524.
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