Illinois to Washington Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,947 miles from Illinois to Washington ranges from $1,224 to $1,952 and takes three–eleven days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington:
- 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 Washington:
- 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 Washington
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Illinois to Washington, 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 1,947 miles on your car going from Illinois to Washington. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Illinois to Washington, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
Ship by train
If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
Illinois to Washington 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 Washington. The average travel distance is about 1,947 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to eleven days.
Cost to ship a car from Chicago, IL to Washington
| From Illinois to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Seattle, WA | $1,217 – $2,058 | 2,069 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Chicago, IL to Spokane, WA | $1,205 – $1,749 | 1,791 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Chicago, IL to Tacoma, WA | $1,305 – $1,921 | 2,082 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Chicago, IL to Vancouver, WA | $1,230 – $1,992 | 2,123 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Chicago, IL to Bellevue, WA | $1,254 – $1,882 | 2,063 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Aurora, IL to Washington
| From Illinois to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, IL to Seattle, WA | $1,217 – $2,019 | 2,053 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Aurora, IL to Spokane, WA | $1,241 – $1,732 | 1,775 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Aurora, IL to Tacoma, WA | $1,192 – $1,960 | 2,067 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Aurora, IL to Vancouver, WA | $1,317 – $1,980 | 2,087 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Aurora, IL to Bellevue, WA | $1,254 – $1,980 | 2,048 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Joliet, IL to Washington
| From Illinois to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet, IL to Seattle, WA | $1,292 – $1,882 | 2,086 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Joliet, IL to Spokane, WA | $1,243 – $1,806 | 1,808 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Joliet, IL to Tacoma, WA | $1,279 – $2,019 | 2,099 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Joliet, IL to Vancouver, WA | $1,267 – $1,980 | 2,098 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Joliet, IL to Bellevue, WA | $1,305 – $2,019 | 2,080 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Naperville, IL to Washington
| From Illinois to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville, IL to Seattle, WA | $1,217 – $1,901 | 2,063 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Naperville, IL to Spokane, WA | $1,146 – $1,801 | 1,785 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Naperville, IL to Tacoma, WA | $1,217 – $1,882 | 2,076 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Naperville, IL to Vancouver, WA | $1,204 – $1,901 | 2,096 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Naperville, IL to Bellevue, WA | $1,242 – $1,960 | 2,057 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rockford, IL to Washington
| From Illinois to Washington | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford, IL to Seattle, WA | $1,286 – $1,821 | 1,989 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Rockford, IL to Spokane, WA | $1,123 – $1,663 | 1,711 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Rockford, IL to Tacoma, WA | $1,267 – $1,980 | 2,003 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Rockford, IL to Vancouver, WA | $1,242 – $1,901 | 2,066 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| Rockford, IL to Bellevue, WA | $1,261 – $1,952 | 1,983 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Illinois to Washington
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 Washington, expect costs to range from $1,530 to $2,440.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Illinois to Washington
If you’re shipping a car from the Land of Lincoln to the Evergreen State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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 and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Illinois to Washington.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Illinois to Washington involves roughly 1,947 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Illinois in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Illinois to Washington, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Illinois to Washington should take between three and eleven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Washington vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Washington, 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: Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
- Vehicle inspection: In the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
- Driver’s license: To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.
- Additional taxes: If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's 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 Washington
About 7.8 million people are living in the Evergreen State. Washington state rarely experiences extreme weather to worry about. Your move should be unaffected by the weather conditions. However, it's always a good idea to check the forecast ahead of time and maybe prepare for a little rain!
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Illinois and delivery in Washington?
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 Washington.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Illinois to Washington?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Illinois to Washington, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Washington, 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.
Drivers in Washington are mandated to maintain a minimum of $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $10,000 for property damage to meet legal requirements and enhance on-road protection.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to Washington?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Illinois to Washington is about 1,947 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from Illinois to Washington.
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 the state of Washington, there are no annual safety inspections, however, vehicles must still comply with strict Clean Car standards.
If I have a driver’s license in Illinois, will I need one in Washington?
To register your vehicle in Washington, obtaining a Washington driver's license is necessary. This must be done within 30 days of relocating to the state. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, the process of obtaining a Washington license is straightforward and only requires proof of residency in the state, without the need for any additional exams.
If I bought a car in Illinois, will I be required to pay sales tax in Washington after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Illinois to Washington after purchasing it.
If you have obtained and utilized a "private motor vehicle" in another state for more than 90 days prior to relocating to Washington, you are exempt from paying Washington's use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Illinois and Washington to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Washington?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois to Washington 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 Washington?
Shipping a car from Illinois to Washington costs $1,224 to $1,952.
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