Illinois to New Jersey Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 893 miles from Illinois to New Jersey falls between $799 and $1,228. Delivery typically takes two–seven days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey:
- 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
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Illinois that can relocate your vehicle to New Jersey:
- 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 New Jersey
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Illinois to New Jersey, 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
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 893 miles to your vehicle on the route from Illinois to New Jersey. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from Illinois to New Jersey. 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey. The average travel distance is about 893 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Chicago, IL to New Jersey
| From Illinois to New Jersey | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Trenton, NJ | $750 – $1,150 | 780 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Chicago, IL to Newark, NJ | $758 – $1,093 | 781 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ | $797 – $1,127 | 788 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Chicago, IL to Paterson, NJ | $813 – $1,185 | 779 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Chicago, IL to Elizabeth, NJ | $781 – $1,139 | 789 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aurora, IL to New Jersey
| From Illinois to New Jersey | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, IL to Trenton, NJ | $803 – $1,204 | 817 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, IL to Newark, NJ | $827 – $1,180 | 818 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, IL to Jersey City, NJ | $800 – $1,185 | 825 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, IL to Paterson, NJ | $772 – $1,192 | 816 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Aurora, IL to Elizabeth, NJ | $753 – $1,150 | 826 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Joliet, IL to New Jersey
| From Illinois to New Jersey | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet, IL to Trenton, NJ | $820 – $1,139 | 791 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Joliet, IL to Newark, NJ | $797 – $1,162 | 792 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Joliet, IL to Jersey City, NJ | $750 – $1,139 | 799 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Joliet, IL to Paterson, NJ | $813 – $1,196 | 790 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Joliet, IL to Elizabeth, NJ | $811 – $1,133 | 800 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Naperville, IL to New Jersey
| From Illinois to New Jersey | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville, IL to Trenton, NJ | $819 – $1,157 | 803 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Naperville, IL to Newark, NJ | $764 – $1,145 | 804 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Naperville, IL to Jersey City, NJ | $811 – $1,145 | 811 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Naperville, IL to Paterson, NJ | $772 – $1,204 | 802 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Naperville, IL to Elizabeth, NJ | $748 – $1,157 | 812 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rockford, IL to New Jersey
| From Illinois to New Jersey | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL to Trenton, NJ | $772 – $1,249 | 865 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Newark, NJ | $772 – $1,201 | 866 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Jersey City, NJ | $820 – $1,141 | 873 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Paterson, NJ | $796 – $1,261 | 873 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Elizabeth, NJ | $804 – $1,261 | 874 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Illinois to New Jersey
Because of their added size and weight, SUVs, trucks, and vans generally cost more to ship than smaller cars.
Shipping a larger vehicle from Illinois to New Jersey usually runs between $999 and $1,535.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Illinois to New Jersey
When moving your vehicle from the Land of Lincoln to the Garden State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to New Jersey than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The journey from Illinois to New Jersey spans about 893 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- 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: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Illinois and New Jersey and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within two–seven days, but expedited options cost more.
New Jersey vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to New Jersey, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- Car insurance requirements: In New Jersey, meet the minimum auto insurance requirements: $15,000 per person for bodily injury up to $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage. Stay legally covered and financially secure on the road.
- Vehicle inspection: If you are planning to reside in New Jersey for a minimum of 6 months, it is mandatory to transfer the title of your vehicle, register it, and obtain a driver's license from the state. As a new resident, you have 60 days from the date of establishing your residency to register your vehicle. It is important to note that before registering your vehicle, you are required to have liability insurance coverage as per the New Jersey state laws.
- Driver’s license: As per the state laws of New Jersey, new residents are expected to transfer their driver's license and register their vehicles within 60 days of arriving in the state. However, during public health crises, this time frame may be extended to 120 days. It is important to note that there won't be any reminders for this, so it's recommended to keep a record of the date of your arrival in the state.
- Additional taxes: New Jersey law requires residents to transfer their vehicle title and registration within 60 days of moving to the state. The transfer title fee is $60 for standard vehicle, $85 for financed vehicle with one lien, $110 for financed vehicle with two liens and registration fee and tax may apply unless you are eligible for a sales tax exemption.
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 New Jersey
About 9.3 million people are living in the Garden State. New Jersey summers are typically hot and humid and winters are usually cold. During winter and early spring, New Jersey can experience "nor'easters", which are capable of causing blizzards or flooding throughout the northeastern United States.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Illinois and delivery in New Jersey?
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 New Jersey.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Illinois to New Jersey?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Illinois to New Jersey, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to New Jersey, 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.
In New Jersey, meet the minimum auto insurance requirements: $15,000 per person for bodily injury up to $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage. Stay legally covered and financially secure on the road.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to New Jersey?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Illinois to New Jersey is about 893 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 New Jersey.
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 are planning to reside in New Jersey for a minimum of 6 months, it is mandatory to transfer the title of your vehicle, register it, and obtain a driver's license from the state. As a new resident, you have 60 days from the date of establishing your residency to register your vehicle. It is important to note that before registering your vehicle, you are required to have liability insurance coverage as per the New Jersey state laws.
If I have a driver’s license in Illinois, will I need one in New Jersey?
As per the state laws of New Jersey, new residents are expected to transfer their driver's license and register their vehicles within 60 days of arriving in the state. However, during public health crises, this time frame may be extended to 120 days. It is important to note that there won't be any reminders for this, so it's recommended to keep a record of the date of your arrival in the state.
If I bought a car in Illinois, will I be required to pay sales tax in New Jersey after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Illinois to New Jersey after purchasing it.
New Jersey law requires residents to transfer their vehicle title and registration within 60 days of moving to the state. The transfer title fee is $60 for standard vehicle, $85 for financed vehicle with one lien, $110 for financed vehicle with two liens and registration fee and tax may apply unless you are eligible for a sales tax exemption.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Illinois and New Jersey to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to New Jersey?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
Shipping a car from Illinois to New Jersey costs $799 to $1,228.
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