Massachusetts to Illinois Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,099 miles from Massachusetts to Illinois ranges from $848 to $1,291 and takes two–eight 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 Illinois to Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Massachusetts ready to move your vehicle to Illinois:
- Fox Auto Transport: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- Intercity Lines Inc: 3.84 out of 5 stars
- Fisher Shipping Company: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Dreamline Logistics LLC: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Preowned Auto Logistics: 3.8 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 Massachusetts to Illinois
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Massachusetts 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
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 1,099 miles on your car to travel between Massachusetts and Illinois. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Massachusetts 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 a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
Massachusetts to Illinois auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Massachusetts and Illinois. Average distances are close to 1,099 miles, with delivery usually taking two–eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Boston, MA to Illinois
| From Massachusetts to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA to Chicago, IL | $802 – $1,308 | 982 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Boston, MA to Aurora, IL | $831 – $1,304 | 1,020 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Boston, MA to Joliet, IL | $835 – $1,256 | 993 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Boston, MA to Naperville, IL | $848 – $1,251 | 1,007 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Boston, MA to Rockford, IL | $840 – $1,278 | 1,076 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Worcester, MA to Illinois
| From Massachusetts to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA to Chicago, IL | $805 – $1,300 | 945 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Worcester, MA to Aurora, IL | $860 – $1,374 | 983 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Worcester, MA to Joliet, IL | $854 – $1,337 | 956 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Worcester, MA to Naperville, IL | $796 – $1,259 | 970 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Worcester, MA to Rockford, IL | $864 – $1,264 | 1,040 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Springfield, MA to Illinois
| From Massachusetts to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MA to Chicago, IL | $846 – $1,236 | 900 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Springfield, MA to Aurora, IL | $847 – $1,235 | 937 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Springfield, MA to Joliet, IL | $788 – $1,325 | 911 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Springfield, MA to Naperville, IL | $797 – $1,313 | 925 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Springfield, MA to Rockford, IL | $860 – $1,295 | 985 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cambridge, MA to Illinois
| From Massachusetts to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge, MA to Chicago, IL | $852 – $1,282 | 979 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cambridge, MA to Aurora, IL | $840 – $1,304 | 1,017 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cambridge, MA to Joliet, IL | $794 – $1,374 | 990 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Cambridge, MA to Naperville, IL | $782 – $1,251 | 1,004 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Cambridge, MA to Rockford, IL | $807 – $1,383 | 1,073 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lowell, MA to Illinois
| From Massachusetts to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowell, MA to Chicago, IL | $868 – $1,243 | 986 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lowell, MA to Aurora, IL | $807 – $1,278 | 1,023 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lowell, MA to Joliet, IL | $827 – $1,282 | 997 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Lowell, MA to Naperville, IL | $823 – $1,383 | 1,011 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Lowell, MA to Rockford, IL | $840 – $1,343 | 1,071 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts to Illinois, the price usually falls between $1,060 and $1,614.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Massachusetts to Illinois
When moving your vehicle from the Bay State to the Land of Lincoln, several factors can affect the total shipping 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: Shipping costs are higher for bigger and heavier vehicles. Your car’s weight and dimensions play a direct role in the total cost to ship it to Illinois.
- Distance and route: Traveling from Massachusetts to Illinois involves roughly 1,099 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Massachusetts, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between Massachusetts and Illinois.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Massachusetts to Illinois takes two–eight days. Expedited delivery is available but adds to the price.
Illinois vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Illinois, 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: 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 Massachusetts
More than 7.0 million people call Massachusetts home. Nicknamed the Bay State. Most of Massachusetts has a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. Far southeast coastal areas are the broad transition zone to Humid Subtropical climates. The warm to hot summers render the oceanic climate rare in this transition, only applying to exposed coastal areas such as on the peninsula of Barnstable County. The climate of Boston is quite representative for the commonwealth, characterized by summer highs of around 81 °F (27 °C) and winter highs of 35 °F (2 °C), and is quite wet. Frosts are frequent all winter, even in coastal areas due to prevailing inland winds. Due to its location near the Atlantic, Massachusetts is vulnerable to nor'easters, hurricanes, and tropical storms.
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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts and when dropping it off in Illinois.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Massachusetts to Illinois?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Massachusetts mandates minimum car insurance coverage, including $20,000/$40,000 for bodily injury liability, $5,000 for property damage, $20,000/$40,000 for uninsured motorist bodily injury, and $8,000 for personal injury protection.
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 Massachusetts to Illinois?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Massachusetts to Illinois is about 1,099 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to eight days to travel from Massachusetts to Illinois.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Every year, all vehicles in Massachusetts must undergo a safety inspection. New cars registered in the state must be inspected within 7 days of their registration date.
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 Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Massachusetts to Illinois?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts to Illinois?
Shipping a car from Massachusetts to Illinois costs $848 to $1,291.
150 Pleasant St Suite 209, Easthampton, MA 01027 US
552 Old West Brookfield Rd, Warren, MA 01083 US
27B Midstate Dr Suite 106, Auburn, MA 01501 US
2464 Massachusetts Ave #220, Cambridge, MA 02140 US
222 Jubilee Dr., Peabody, MA 01960 US