Illinois to Florida Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,183 miles from Illinois to Florida ranges from $870 to $1,390 and takes two–eight days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Florida 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 Florida 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 Illinois to Florida:
- 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 Illinois
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Illinois that can transport your vehicle to Florida:
- 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 Florida
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Illinois to Florida, 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
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 1,183 miles to your car on the trip from Illinois to Florida. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Illinois to Florida, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
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!
Illinois to Florida auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Illinois and Florida. The average journey covers about 1,183 miles and takes roughly two to eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Chicago, IL to Florida
| From Illinois to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL | $864 – $1,251 | 1,061 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chicago, IL to Miami, FL | $976 – $1,521 | 1,380 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Chicago, IL to Tampa, FL | $914 – $1,460 | 1,172 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chicago, IL to Orlando, FL | $861 – $1,333 | 1,154 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Chicago, IL to St. Petersburg, FL | $932 – $1,333 | 1,194 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aurora, IL to Florida
| From Illinois to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, IL to Jacksonville, FL | $790 – $1,304 | 1,094 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Aurora, IL to Miami, FL | $1,073 – $1,549 | 1,413 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Aurora, IL to Tampa, FL | $929 – $1,497 | 1,205 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Aurora, IL to Orlando, FL | $870 – $1,347 | 1,187 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Aurora, IL to St. Petersburg, FL | $997 – $1,452 | 1,227 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Joliet, IL to Florida
| From Illinois to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet, IL to Jacksonville, FL | $864 – $1,343 | 1,068 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Joliet, IL to Miami, FL | $1,079 – $1,598 | 1,389 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Joliet, IL to Tampa, FL | $879 – $1,347 | 1,179 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Joliet, IL to Orlando, FL | $896 – $1,474 | 1,161 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Joliet, IL to St. Petersburg, FL | $978 – $1,422 | 1,201 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Naperville, IL to Florida
| From Illinois to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville, IL to Jacksonville, FL | $856 – $1,383 | 1,081 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Naperville, IL to Miami, FL | $1,106 – $1,694 | 1,400 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Naperville, IL to Tampa, FL | $923 – $1,390 | 1,191 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Naperville, IL to Orlando, FL | $905 – $1,347 | 1,174 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Naperville, IL to St. Petersburg, FL | $997 – $1,526 | 1,214 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rockford, IL to Florida
| From Illinois to Florida | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL to Jacksonville, FL | $896 – $1,390 | 1,144 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rockford, IL to Miami, FL | $1,139 – $1,613 | 1,463 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Rockford, IL to Tampa, FL | $987 – $1,511 | 1,255 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Rockford, IL to Orlando, FL | $920 – $1,497 | 1,239 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Rockford, IL to St. Petersburg, FL | $939 – $1,467 | 1,277 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Illinois to Florida
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 Florida you should expect to pay between $1,088 and $1,738.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Illinois to Florida
If you’re shipping a car from the Land of Lincoln to the Sunshine State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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 Florida than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Illinois to Florida involves roughly 1,183 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from Illinois in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Illinois and Florida and the varying gas prices across the country.
- 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 Florida should take between two and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Florida vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Florida, 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: 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.
- Vehicle inspection: Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
- Driver’s license: If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
- Additional taxes: If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
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 Florida
About 22.6 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Illinois and delivery in Florida?
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 Florida.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Illinois to Florida?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Illinois to Florida, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Florida, 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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to Florida?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Illinois to Florida is about 1,183 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 Florida.
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.
Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
If I have a driver’s license in Illinois, will I need one in Florida?
If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
If I bought a car in Illinois, will I be required to pay sales tax in Florida after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Illinois to Florida after purchasing it.
If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Illinois and Florida to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Florida?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Florida 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 Florida?
Shipping a car from Illinois to Florida costs $870 to $1,390.
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