Kentucky to Illinois Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 409 miles from Kentucky to Illinois ranges from $606 to $759. Expect the trip to take around one–four 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 Illinois to Kentucky 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 Kentucky to Illinois 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 Kentucky to Illinois:
- 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
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove 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 Kentucky
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Kentucky ready to move your vehicle to Illinois:
- Jack Cooper Transport: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Louisville Auto Shipping Group: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Safe Way Auto Transport, LLC: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Ceva Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Highway Express Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Jack Cooper Transport
6709 Grade Ln, Louisville, KY 40213 US
jackcooper.com
3.66 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- RVs
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 64161
Alternative Business Names
- Pacific Motor Trucking Co.
Louisville Auto Shipping Group
9900 Corporate Campus Dr #3000, Louisville, KY 40223 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-kentucky/louisville
3.56 / 5.0
Customers have reported a positive experience with Louisville Auto Shipping Group, highlighting their excellent communication and customer focus. However, there were significant concerns regarding the professionalism of a transport coordinator, which detracted from the overall experience.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239008
Safe Way Auto Transport, LLC
501 Lake Shore Dr, Kuttawa, KY 42055 US
safewayautotransport.com
3.5 / 5.0
Safe Way Auto Transport generally receives positive feedback for its excellent communication, timely vehicle delivery, and overall professional service. However, some customers have reported issues with missed pickups and unresponsive customer support, leading to significant frustration and unsatisfactory experiences.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2232026
Ceva Logistics
6712 Grade Ln, Louisville, KY 40213 US
cevalogistics.com
3.5 / 5.0
Customers appreciate the friendly staff and timely offloading services. However, issues with delivery reliability, slow check-in processes, and poor communication have been highlighted.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Storage solutions
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 187774
Highway Express Inc
1800 E Blue Lick Rd, Suite 7, Shepherdsville, KY 40165 US
highwayexpressinc.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
Additional Information
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 Kentucky to Illinois
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Kentucky for a move to Illinois, 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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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 409 miles on your car going from Kentucky to Illinois. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Kentucky to Illinois 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
Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
Kentucky to Illinois auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Kentucky and Illinois. The average journey covers about 409 miles and takes roughly one to four days.
Cost to ship a car from Louisville, KY to Illinois
| From Kentucky to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY to Chicago, IL | $448 – $630 | 297 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Louisville, KY to Aurora, IL | $520 – $710 | 332 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Louisville, KY to Joliet, IL | $465 – $655 | 305 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Louisville, KY to Naperville, IL | $470 – $695 | 319 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Louisville, KY to Rockford, IL | $536 – $726 | 388 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lexington, KY to Illinois
| From Kentucky to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, KY to Chicago, IL | $527 – $750 | 368 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Lexington, KY to Aurora, IL | $554 – $822 | 402 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Lexington, KY to Joliet, IL | $553 – $772 | 375 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Lexington, KY to Naperville, IL | $587 – $803 | 389 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Lexington, KY to Rockford, IL | $631 – $841 | 459 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bowling Green, KY to Illinois
| From Kentucky to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY to Chicago, IL | $600 – $774 | 418 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Aurora, IL | $625 – $849 | 452 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Joliet, IL | $623 – $846 | 426 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Naperville, IL | $599 – $821 | 440 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bowling Green, KY to Rockford, IL | $602 – $897 | 509 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Owensboro, KY to Illinois
| From Kentucky to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owensboro, KY to Chicago, IL | $504 – $703 | 349 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Aurora, IL | $547 – $741 | 383 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Joliet, IL | $565 – $728 | 356 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Naperville, IL | $527 – $750 | 370 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Owensboro, KY to Rockford, IL | $583 – $782 | 407 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Covington, KY to Illinois
| From Kentucky to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covington, KY to Chicago, IL | $452 – $630 | 297 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Covington, KY to Aurora, IL | $525 – $668 | 331 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Covington, KY to Joliet, IL | $509 – $695 | 304 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Covington, KY to Naperville, IL | $499 – $668 | 318 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Covington, KY to Rockford, IL | $564 – $734 | 387 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Kentucky to Illinois
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Kentucky to Illinois, the price usually falls between $758 and $949.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Kentucky to Illinois
When arranging car transport from the Bluegrass State to the Land of Lincoln, the following factors will determine your overall 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: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Kentucky to Illinois.
- Distance and route: The route from Kentucky to Illinois is about 409 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 Kentucky around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Kentucky and Illinois.
- 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 Kentucky to Illinois should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Illinois vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Illinois means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: 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.
- Driver’s license: Even if your out-of-state driver's license is valid, you must still pass a vision test and written exam if you are moving to Illinois. Within 90 days of becoming a resident in the state, you must convert your license to an Illinois non-commercial license.
- Additional taxes: According to Illinois law, the recipient or buyer of any vehicle transferred within the state must complete a Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction form (form RUT-50) and pay the sales tax for the car within 30 days of the transfer of ownership.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Kentucky
More than 4.5 million people call Kentucky home. Nicknamed the Bluegrass State. Kentucky has relatively hot, humid, rainy summers, and moderately cold and rainy winters. Kentucky rarely experiences the extremes cold of the northern states nor the heat of the state in the Deep South.
Transporting your vehicle to Illinois
About 12.5 million people are living in 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"
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Kentucky and delivery in Illinois?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Kentucky and when dropping it off in Illinois.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Kentucky to Illinois?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Kentucky to Illinois, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Illinois, which you should verify before loading your car in Kentucky.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The insurance coverage includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability with limits of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and $25,000 respectively; Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (not required); Personal Injury Protection with a limit of $10,000; and optional Collision and Comprehensive coverage for vehicle repair or replacement expenses, with no requirement.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Kentucky to Illinois?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kentucky to Illinois is about 409 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Kentucky to Illinois.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
When moving to Kentucky from another state, a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection is required. To complete the VIN inspection, bring the vehicle and its title to the Sheriff's office in the county where the car will be registered.
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 I have a driver’s license in Kentucky, will I need one in Illinois?
Even if your out-of-state driver's license is valid, you must still pass a vision test and written exam if you are moving to Illinois. Within 90 days of becoming a resident in the state, you must convert your license to an Illinois non-commercial license.
If I bought a car in Kentucky, will I be required to pay sales tax in Illinois after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Kentucky to Illinois after purchasing it.
According to Illinois law, the recipient or buyer of any vehicle transferred within the state must complete a Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction form (form RUT-50) and pay the sales tax for the car within 30 days of the transfer of ownership.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Kentucky and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to Illinois?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to Illinois 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 Kentucky to Illinois?
Shipping a car from Kentucky to Illinois costs $606 to $759.
