Illinois to Louisiana Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 852 miles from Illinois to Louisiana usually costs between $809 and $1,196. Transit time is about two–seven 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana:
- 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 prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Illinois that can relocate your vehicle to Louisiana:
- 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 Louisiana
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Illinois to Louisiana, 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
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 852 miles on your car going from Illinois to Louisiana. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Illinois to Louisiana. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana. The average journey covers about 852 miles and takes roughly two to seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Chicago, IL to Louisiana
| From Illinois to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to New Orleans, LA | $871 – $1,287 | 926 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Chicago, IL to Baton Rouge, LA | $797 – $1,236 | 915 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Chicago, IL to Shreveport, LA | $850 – $1,208 | 864 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Chicago, IL to Metairie, LA | $838 – $1,287 | 920 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Chicago, IL to Lafayette, LA | $862 – $1,298 | 969 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aurora, IL to Louisiana
| From Illinois to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, IL to New Orleans, LA | $813 – $1,274 | 948 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, IL to Baton Rouge, LA | $805 – $1,274 | 937 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, IL to Shreveport, LA | $846 – $1,254 | 826 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, IL to Metairie, LA | $788 – $1,338 | 943 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, IL to Lafayette, LA | $860 – $1,308 | 991 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Joliet, IL to Louisiana
| From Illinois to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet, IL to New Orleans, LA | $855 – $1,262 | 904 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Joliet, IL to Baton Rouge, LA | $837 – $1,324 | 892 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Joliet, IL to Shreveport, LA | $857 – $1,260 | 816 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Joliet, IL to Metairie, LA | $795 – $1,235 | 898 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Joliet, IL to Lafayette, LA | $788 – $1,351 | 946 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Naperville, IL to Louisiana
| From Illinois to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville, IL to New Orleans, LA | $838 – $1,313 | 933 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Naperville, IL to Baton Rouge, LA | $821 – $1,338 | 922 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Naperville, IL to Shreveport, LA | $814 – $1,168 | 831 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Naperville, IL to Metairie, LA | $863 – $1,261 | 928 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Naperville, IL to Lafayette, LA | $810 – $1,256 | 976 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rockford, IL to Louisiana
| From Illinois to Louisiana | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL to New Orleans, LA | $854 – $1,363 | 967 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Baton Rouge, LA | $812 – $1,363 | 956 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Shreveport, LA | $805 – $1,217 | 849 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Metairie, LA | $804 – $1,324 | 961 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Lafayette, LA | $782 – $1,278 | 1,010 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Illinois to Louisiana
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 Louisiana you should expect to pay between $1,011 and $1,495.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Illinois to Louisiana
When arranging car transport from the Land of Lincoln to the Pelican State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- 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 Louisiana.
- Distance and route: The route from Illinois to Louisiana is about 852 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- 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: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Illinois and Louisiana may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Illinois to Louisiana takes two–seven days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Louisiana vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Louisiana, 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: The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
- Vehicle inspection: In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
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 Louisiana
About 4.6 million people are living in the Pelican State. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Illinois and delivery in Louisiana?
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 Louisiana.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Illinois to Louisiana?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Illinois to Louisiana, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Louisiana, 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 insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to Louisiana?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Illinois to Louisiana is about 852 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Illinois to Louisiana.
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 Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
If I have a driver’s license in Illinois, will I need one in Louisiana?
New residents in Louisiana must transfer their out-of-state driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in Illinois, will I be required to pay sales tax in Louisiana after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Illinois to Louisiana after purchasing it.
In Louisiana, a 4% tax is levied on all car sales by the state, with additional taxes charged by individual counties and cities.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Illinois and Louisiana to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Louisiana?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
Shipping a car from Illinois to Louisiana costs $809 to $1,196.
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