Illinois to Maryland Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 787 miles from Illinois to Maryland ranges from $742 to $1,162. Expect the trip to take around two–seven 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 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 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
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Illinois ready to move 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
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 787 miles on your car to travel between Illinois and Maryland. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Illinois to Maryland. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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 Maryland auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Illinois and Maryland. Average distances are close to 787 miles, with delivery usually taking two–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 | $745 – $1,034 | 697 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Chicago, IL to Baltimore, MD | $748 – $1,100 | 703 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Chicago, IL to Columbia, MD | $737 – $1,098 | 696 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Chicago, IL to Germantown, MD | $762 – $1,053 | 673 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Chicago, IL to Silver Spring, MD | $715 – $1,066 | 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 | $742 – $1,055 | 734 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Aurora, IL to Baltimore, MD | $750 – $1,133 | 740 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Aurora, IL to Columbia, MD | $788 – $1,122 | 733 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Aurora, IL to Germantown, MD | $786 – $1,122 | 710 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Aurora, IL to Silver Spring, MD | $735 – $1,111 | 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 | $763 – $1,067 | 708 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Joliet, IL to Baltimore, MD | $786 – $1,067 | 714 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Joliet, IL to Columbia, MD | $763 – $1,067 | 707 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Joliet, IL to Germantown, MD | $722 – $1,088 | 684 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Joliet, IL to Silver Spring, MD | $718 – $1,144 | 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 | $733 – $1,067 | 720 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Naperville, IL to Baltimore, MD | $804 – $1,100 | 726 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Naperville, IL to Columbia, MD | $778 – $1,056 | 719 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Naperville, IL to Germantown, MD | $715 – $1,120 | 696 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Naperville, IL to Silver Spring, MD | $771 – $1,144 | 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 | $781 – $1,116 | 791 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Baltimore, MD | $742 – $1,196 | 797 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Columbia, MD | $789 – $1,208 | 790 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Germantown, MD | $774 – $1,142 | 758 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Silver Spring, MD | $813 – $1,104 | 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 $928 and $1,453.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Illinois to Maryland
When arranging car transport from the Land of Lincoln to the Old Line State, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Maryland.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Illinois to Maryland involves roughly 787 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Illinois more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Illinois to Maryland, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is two–seven days, but you can pay for expedited service.
Maryland vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to Maryland, 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 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 $742 to $1,162.
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