Illinois to Idaho Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,643 miles from Illinois to Idaho ranges from $1,223 to $1,812. Expect the trip to take around three–nine days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho:
- 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
Looking to stay local? Here are the leading car shippers in Illinois who can get your vehicle to Idaho:
- 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 Idaho
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Illinois to Idaho, 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 1,643 extra miles on your car to travel from Illinois to Idaho. 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 Idaho. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
Ship by train
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
Illinois to Idaho 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 Illinois and Idaho. The trip typically spans 1,643 miles and takes about three–nine days.
Cost to ship a car from Chicago, IL to Idaho
| From Illinois to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Boise, ID | $1,175 – $1,725 | 1,692 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Chicago, IL to Meridian, ID | $1,216 – $1,783 | 1,700 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Chicago, IL to Nampa, ID | $1,179 – $1,783 | 1,709 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Chicago, IL to Idaho Falls, ID | $1,073 – $1,597 | 1,470 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Chicago, IL to Caldwell, ID | $1,228 – $1,729 | 1,717 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aurora, IL to Idaho
| From Illinois to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, IL to Boise, ID | $1,163 – $1,812 | 1,657 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aurora, IL to Meridian, ID | $1,259 – $1,639 | 1,665 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aurora, IL to Nampa, ID | $1,211 – $1,656 | 1,673 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Aurora, IL to Idaho Falls, ID | $1,084 – $1,662 | 1,435 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Aurora, IL to Caldwell, ID | $1,151 – $1,691 | 1,681 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Joliet, IL to Idaho
| From Illinois to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet, IL to Boise, ID | $1,187 – $1,725 | 1,668 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Joliet, IL to Meridian, ID | $1,199 – $1,708 | 1,676 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Joliet, IL to Nampa, ID | $1,235 – $1,674 | 1,684 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Joliet, IL to Idaho Falls, ID | $1,106 – $1,630 | 1,446 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Joliet, IL to Caldwell, ID | $1,163 – $1,777 | 1,692 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Naperville, IL to Idaho
| From Illinois to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville, IL to Boise, ID | $1,199 – $1,725 | 1,666 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Naperville, IL to Meridian, ID | $1,175 – $1,656 | 1,674 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Naperville, IL to Nampa, ID | $1,235 – $1,691 | 1,683 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Naperville, IL to Idaho Falls, ID | $1,084 – $1,630 | 1,444 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Naperville, IL to Caldwell, ID | $1,151 – $1,691 | 1,690 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rockford, IL to Idaho
| From Illinois to Idaho | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL to Boise, ID | $1,247 – $1,794 | 1,645 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Rockford, IL to Meridian, ID | $1,259 – $1,777 | 1,653 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Rockford, IL to Nampa, ID | $1,163 – $1,656 | 1,661 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Rockford, IL to Idaho Falls, ID | $1,040 – $1,662 | 1,423 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Rockford, IL to Caldwell, ID | $1,187 – $1,743 | 1,669 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Illinois to Idaho
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from Illinois to Idaho, expect costs to range from $1,529 to $2,265.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Illinois to Idaho
When transporting your vehicle from the Land of Lincoln to the Gem State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is recommended for high-value or classic cars. Top-loading is another option to consider. Learn more in our guide to open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Idaho.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Illinois to Idaho involves roughly 1,643 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- 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: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Illinois and Idaho and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Illinois to Idaho takes three–nine days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Idaho vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Idaho 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: Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
- Vehicle inspection: In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.
- Driver’s license: If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.
- Additional taxes: New residents in Idaho must register their out-of-state vehicle with the Idaho DMV within 90 days of moving. Note that if you bought the vehicle prior to moving, you may owe a 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 Idaho
About 2.0 million people are living in the Gem State. The climate in Idaho varies widely. In the west cloud cover, humidity, and precipitation are at their maximum extent. Idaho can be hot but have relatively low humidity and cooler evenings during the summer months. It is important to know that winters in Idaho can be cold.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Illinois and delivery in Idaho?
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 Idaho.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Illinois to Idaho?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Illinois to Idaho, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Idaho, 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.
Idaho's minimum insurance mandates include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to Idaho?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Illinois to Idaho is about 1,643 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 Idaho.
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.
In Idaho, all vehicles in Ada and Canyon Counties are required to pass an emissions test every two years. Additionally, out-of-state vehicle registrations must go through a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection.
If I have a driver’s license in Illinois, will I need one in Idaho?
If you're moving to Idaho with an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it to an Idaho license within 90 days. If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), the transfer must be completed within 30 days.
If I bought a car in Illinois, will I be required to pay sales tax in Idaho after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Illinois to Idaho after purchasing it.
New residents in Idaho must register their out-of-state vehicle with the Idaho DMV within 90 days of moving. Note that if you bought the vehicle prior to moving, you may owe a use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Illinois and Idaho to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Idaho?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Idaho 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 Idaho?
Shipping a car from Illinois to Idaho costs $1,223 to $1,812.
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