Illinois to Colorado Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 1,010 miles from Illinois to Colorado typically falls between $815 and $1,254. The process usually takes two–eight 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 Colorado 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 Colorado car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Illinois to Colorado:
- 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
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Illinois that can relocate your vehicle to Colorado:
- 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 Colorado
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Illinois to Colorado, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,010 extra miles on your car to travel from Illinois to Colorado. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Illinois to Colorado. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
Ship by train
This service provides a secure and budget-friendly option for transporting your car. Car shipping by train is actually the most economical choice.
Illinois to Colorado auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Illinois and Colorado. The average travel distance is about 1,010 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Chicago, IL to Colorado
| From Illinois to Colorado | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Denver, CO | $760 – $1,204 | 1,002 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chicago, IL to Colorado Springs, CO | $815 – $1,279 | 1,073 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chicago, IL to Aurora, CO | $792 – $1,242 | 1,003 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chicago, IL to Fort Collins, CO | $756 – $1,271 | 981 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Chicago, IL to Lakewood, CO | $760 – $1,254 | 1,009 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aurora, IL to Colorado
| From Illinois to Colorado | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, IL to Denver, CO | $821 – $1,187 | 966 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, IL to Colorado Springs, CO | $768 – $1,292 | 1,037 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Aurora, IL to Aurora, CO | $829 – $1,199 | 968 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, IL to Fort Collins, CO | $751 – $1,226 | 946 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, IL to Lakewood, CO | $789 – $1,298 | 973 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Joliet, IL to Colorado
| From Illinois to Colorado | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet, IL to Denver, CO | $811 – $1,196 | 977 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Joliet, IL to Colorado Springs, CO | $784 – $1,254 | 1,048 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Joliet, IL to Aurora, CO | $803 – $1,296 | 978 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Joliet, IL to Fort Collins, CO | $789 – $1,236 | 956 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Joliet, IL to Lakewood, CO | $811 – $1,246 | 984 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Naperville, IL to Colorado
| From Illinois to Colorado | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville, IL to Denver, CO | $787 – $1,308 | 975 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Naperville, IL to Colorado Springs, CO | $745 – $1,217 | 1,047 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Naperville, IL to Aurora, CO | $803 – $1,209 | 977 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Naperville, IL to Fort Collins, CO | $782 – $1,249 | 955 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Naperville, IL to Lakewood, CO | $772 – $1,296 | 982 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rockford, IL to Colorado
| From Illinois to Colorado | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL to Denver, CO | $829 – $1,175 | 954 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Colorado Springs, CO | $768 – $1,204 | 1,025 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rockford, IL to Aurora, CO | $766 – $1,224 | 955 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Fort Collins, CO | $759 – $1,201 | 933 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Lakewood, CO | $789 – $1,273 | 961 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Illinois to Colorado
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 Illinois to Colorado you should expect to pay between $1,019 and $1,568.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Illinois to Colorado
When moving your vehicle from the Land of Lincoln to the Centennial State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- 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: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Colorado.
- Distance and route: The journey from Illinois to Colorado spans approximately 1,010 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Illinois around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Illinois and Colorado.
- 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.
Colorado vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Colorado, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- Car insurance requirements: To drive in Colorado, you must have insurance with minimum 25/50/10 liability limits, covering $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. While meeting the state's minimum requirement, it's advisable to consider factors for determining optimal coverage levels.
- Vehicle inspection: To register and title your vehicle in Colorado within 90 days of moving, you'll need to provide the DMV with an out-of-state vehicle title, proof of a valid Colorado auto insurance policy, verifiable identification, and documentation of the vehicle's weight.
- Driver’s license: To obtain a Colorado driver's license, new residents must visit a Colorado DMV office in person. The process cannot be done online or by phone. A valid out-of-state license is required, with no suspensions, revocations, or cancellations, and must not have been deemed unfit to drive by CO DMV or a court.
- Additional taxes: Vehicles purchased outside Colorado are not taxed, but if they are registered in Colorado, the buyer must pay use and local taxes. If the buyer has already paid taxes in the state of purchase, they may claim credit towards the use tax. No use tax applies to vehicles brought into Colorado by a nonresident becoming a resident, but rules may differ for those who lease vehicles.
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 Colorado
About 5.9 million people are living in the Centennial State. Colorado has a relatively complex climate. Ranging from the famous mountain region of the state to desert. Therefore, keep track of the weather of your new city on move day. The most extreme weather that happens in Colorado happens in the least populated areas of the state but you may drive through these regions to get to your new home so be wary of that too.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Illinois and delivery in Colorado?
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 Colorado.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Illinois to Colorado?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Illinois to Colorado, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Colorado, 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.
To drive in Colorado, you must have insurance with minimum 25/50/10 liability limits, covering $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. While meeting the state's minimum requirement, it's advisable to consider factors for determining optimal coverage levels.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to Colorado?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Illinois to Colorado is about 1,010 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Illinois to Colorado.
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.
To register and title your vehicle in Colorado within 90 days of moving, you'll need to provide the DMV with an out-of-state vehicle title, proof of a valid Colorado auto insurance policy, verifiable identification, and documentation of the vehicle's weight.
If I have a driver’s license in Illinois, will I need one in Colorado?
To obtain a Colorado driver's license, new residents must visit a Colorado DMV office in person. The process cannot be done online or by phone. A valid out-of-state license is required, with no suspensions, revocations, or cancellations, and must not have been deemed unfit to drive by CO DMV or a court.
If I bought a car in Illinois, will I be required to pay sales tax in Colorado after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Illinois to Colorado after purchasing it.
Vehicles purchased outside Colorado are not taxed, but if they are registered in Colorado, the buyer must pay use and local taxes. If the buyer has already paid taxes in the state of purchase, they may claim credit towards the use tax. No use tax applies to vehicles brought into Colorado by a nonresident becoming a resident, but rules may differ for those who lease vehicles.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Illinois and Colorado to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Colorado?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Colorado 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 Colorado?
Shipping a car from Illinois to Colorado costs $815 to $1,254.
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