Illinois to Maryland Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 787 miles from Illinois to Maryland typically falls between $825 and $1,167. The process usually takes two–seven 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 Maryland 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 Maryland car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Illinois to Maryland:
- 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
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Illinois can deliver your vehicle to Maryland:
- 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 Maryland
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Illinois for a move to Maryland, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate 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 787 extra miles on your car to travel from Illinois to Maryland. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Illinois to Maryland for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
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 Maryland 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 Maryland. The average travel distance is about 787 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Chicago, IL to Maryland
| From Illinois to Maryland | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Washington DC, MD | $733 – $1,114 | 697 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Chicago, IL to Baltimore, MD | $782 – $1,161 | 703 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Chicago, IL to Columbia, MD | $786 – $1,049 | 696 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Chicago, IL to Germantown, MD | $728 – $1,015 | 673 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Chicago, IL to Silver Spring, MD | $771 – $1,049 | 691 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aurora, IL to Maryland
| From Illinois to Maryland | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, IL to Washington DC, MD | $769 – $1,172 | 734 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Aurora, IL to Baltimore, MD | $824 – $1,127 | 740 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Aurora, IL to Columbia, MD | $784 – $1,081 | 733 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Aurora, IL to Germantown, MD | $759 – $1,127 | 710 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Aurora, IL to Silver Spring, MD | $824 – $1,150 | 728 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Joliet, IL to Maryland
| From Illinois to Maryland | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet, IL to Washington DC, MD | $743 – $1,071 | 708 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Joliet, IL to Baltimore, MD | $767 – $1,127 | 714 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Joliet, IL to Columbia, MD | $743 – $1,060 | 707 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Joliet, IL to Germantown, MD | $733 – $1,147 | 684 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Joliet, IL to Silver Spring, MD | $805 – $1,094 | 702 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Naperville, IL to Maryland
| From Illinois to Maryland | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville, IL to Washington DC, MD | $790 – $1,105 | 720 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Naperville, IL to Baltimore, MD | $800 – $1,150 | 726 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Naperville, IL to Columbia, MD | $790 – $1,083 | 719 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Naperville, IL to Germantown, MD | $771 – $1,136 | 696 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Naperville, IL to Silver Spring, MD | $767 – $1,161 | 714 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rockford, IL to Maryland
| From Illinois to Maryland | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL to Washington DC, MD | $769 – $1,120 | 791 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Baltimore, MD | $841 – $1,214 | 797 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Columbia, MD | $801 – $1,202 | 790 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Germantown, MD | $793 – $1,101 | 758 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Silver Spring, MD | $793 – $1,226 | 785 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Illinois to Maryland
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Illinois to Maryland, the price usually falls between $1,031 and $1,459.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Illinois to Maryland
When moving your vehicle from the Land of Lincoln to the Old Line 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: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Maryland than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The route from Illinois to Maryland is about 787 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- 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 Maryland 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 Maryland takes two–seven days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Maryland vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Maryland, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- Car insurance requirements: All vehicles in Maryland must maintain insurance coverage from a Maryland-licensed insurance company at all times, with mandatory minimum coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.
- Vehicle inspection: If you recently relocated to Maryland or bought a vehicle, you must get it inspected at an authorized inspection station before registering the vehicle. New residents are mandated to undergo a vehicle safety inspection before obtaining car registration.
- Driver’s license: As a new resident of Maryland, it's mandatory to obtain a Maryland driver's license within 60 days. You need to surrender your previous state's driver's license before obtaining a Maryland one.
- Additional taxes: The sales tax in Maryland is set at 6%. This applies to both new and used car purchases, adding an additional 6% to the cost. Fortunately for Maryland residents, there is no sales tax imposed by any other governing level in the state.
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 Maryland
About 6.2 million people are living in the Old Line State. Maryland has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to water, and protection from colder weather due to downslope winds. The eastern half of Maryland — which includes the cities of Ocean City, Salisbury, Annapolis, and the southern and eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore — lies on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with flat topography and sandy or muddy soil. This region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a short, mild-to-cool winter
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Illinois and delivery in Maryland?
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 Maryland.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Illinois to Maryland?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Illinois to Maryland, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Maryland, 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 in Maryland must maintain insurance coverage from a Maryland-licensed insurance company at all times, with mandatory minimum coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to Maryland?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Illinois to Maryland is about 787 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 Maryland.
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.
If you recently relocated to Maryland or bought a vehicle, you must get it inspected at an authorized inspection station before registering the vehicle. New residents are mandated to undergo a vehicle safety inspection before obtaining car registration.
If I have a driver’s license in Illinois, will I need one in Maryland?
As a new resident of Maryland, it's mandatory to obtain a Maryland driver's license within 60 days. You need to surrender your previous state's driver's license before obtaining a Maryland one.
If I bought a car in Illinois, will I be required to pay sales tax in Maryland after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Illinois to Maryland after purchasing it.
The sales tax in Maryland is set at 6%. This applies to both new and used car purchases, adding an additional 6% to the cost. Fortunately for Maryland residents, there is no sales tax imposed by any other governing level in the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Illinois and Maryland to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Maryland?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Maryland 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 Maryland?
Shipping a car from Illinois to Maryland costs $825 to $1,167.
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