Louisiana to Illinois Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 853 miles from Louisiana to Illinois typically falls between $801 and $1,208. 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 Illinois to Louisiana 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 Louisiana to Illinois car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from Louisiana to Illinois:
- 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 Louisiana
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Louisiana that can transport your vehicle to Illinois:
- Auto Driveaway: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- Speedy Car Shipping: 3.5 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 Louisiana to Illinois
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Louisiana to Illinois, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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Drive it yourself
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 853 miles to your vehicle on the route from Louisiana to Illinois. 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 Louisiana to Illinois. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
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.
Louisiana to Illinois auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Louisiana and Illinois. Average distances are close to 853 miles, with delivery usually taking two–seven days.
Cost to ship a car from New Orleans, LA to Illinois
| From Louisiana to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA to Chicago, IL | $863 – $1,338 | 925 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Aurora, IL | $797 – $1,300 | 913 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Joliet, IL | $871 – $1,236 | 905 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Naperville, IL | $822 – $1,300 | 937 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| New Orleans, LA to Rockford, IL | $837 – $1,272 | 968 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Baton Rouge, LA to Illinois
| From Louisiana to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA to Chicago, IL | $788 – $1,236 | 915 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Aurora, IL | $813 – $1,325 | 938 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Joliet, IL | $812 – $1,261 | 894 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Naperville, IL | $805 – $1,351 | 926 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Baton Rouge, LA to Rockford, IL | $796 – $1,337 | 957 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Shreveport, LA to Illinois
| From Louisiana to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shreveport, LA to Chicago, IL | $859 – $1,208 | 862 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Aurora, IL | $781 – $1,291 | 827 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Joliet, IL | $849 – $1,188 | 816 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Naperville, IL | $822 – $1,217 | 830 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Shreveport, LA to Rockford, IL | $834 – $1,308 | 850 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Metairie, LA to Illinois
| From Louisiana to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie, LA to Chicago, IL | $838 – $1,262 | 923 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Metairie, LA to Aurora, IL | $813 – $1,249 | 908 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Metairie, LA to Joliet, IL | $846 – $1,287 | 900 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Metairie, LA to Naperville, IL | $863 – $1,248 | 932 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Metairie, LA to Rockford, IL | $796 – $1,246 | 962 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lafayette, LA to Illinois
| From Louisiana to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, LA to Chicago, IL | $854 – $1,350 | 968 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Aurora, IL | $854 – $1,324 | 955 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Joliet, IL | $813 – $1,248 | 945 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Naperville, IL | $868 – $1,243 | 979 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lafayette, LA to Rockford, IL | $790 – $1,291 | 1,010 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Louisiana to Illinois
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 Louisiana to Illinois, expect costs to range from $1,001 to $1,510.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Louisiana to Illinois
When arranging car transport from the Pelican State to the Land of Lincoln, the following factors will determine your overall cost:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Illinois.
- Distance and route: The trip from Louisiana to Illinois covers roughly 853 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of Louisiana in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Since car shipping costs fluctuate with fuel costs, the cost of shipping between Louisiana and Illinois may be affected by changing gas prices across regions.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is two–seven days, but you can pay for expedited service.
Illinois vehicle regulations you need to know
Once you arrive in Illinois, registering your vehicle and ensuring it’s road-legal will require a few specific actions. The list below outlines the most important requirements.
- 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 Louisiana
More than 4.6 million people call Louisiana home. Nicknamed the Pelican State. Louisiana has long hot humid summers and short mild winters. Rain is frequent throughout the year, although from April to September is slightly wetter than the rest of the year. Louisiana is often affected by tropical cyclones and is very vulnerable to major hurricanes, particularly around the New Orleans area. Lousiana averages about 27 tornadoes annually; they are most common from January through March in the south and from February through March in the North.
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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana and when dropping it off in Illinois.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Louisiana to Illinois?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Louisiana 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 Louisiana.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The insurance limit represents the maximum payout for a claim, and in Louisiana, the minimum liability limits are $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage; these limits can be raised beyond the state-mandated minimums.
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 Louisiana to Illinois?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Louisiana to Illinois is about 853 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Louisiana to Illinois.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Louisiana, the annual safety and emissions inspection includes checks on the vehicle's safety equipment, anti-tampering of emissions systems, and a test on the integrity of the gas cap.
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 Louisiana, 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 Louisiana, 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Louisiana to Illinois?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Louisiana 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 Louisiana to Illinois?
Shipping a car from Louisiana to Illinois costs $801 to $1,208.
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