Maryland to Illinois Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 793 miles from Maryland to Illinois ranges from $787 to $1,193. Expect the trip to take around two–seven 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 Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Maryland that can transport your vehicle to Illinois:
- Baltimore Auto Shipping Group: 3.64 out of 5 stars
- Jdf International Transport: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Right Way Auto Transport Inc: 3.56 out of 5 stars
- S J Trucking & Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- All State to State Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Baltimore Auto Shipping Group
210 E Lexington St #100, Baltimore, MD 21202 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-maryland/baltimore
3.64 / 5.0
Customers appreciate Auto Shipping Group for their excellent reliability and customer service, highlighting clear communication and professionalism. However, some feedback indicates issues with the demeanor of a customer representative.
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
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239008
Jdf International Transport
1301 York Road Suite 800, Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 US
jdftransports.com
3.58 / 5.0
Customers appreciate the affordable pricing of the products offered. While the reviews predominantly highlight this strength, more detailed feedback might provide a fuller picture of customer experiences.
Services Offered
- International shipping
- Trailers
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3156504
Right Way Auto Transport Inc
1911 East Old Philadelphia Road, Elkton, MD 21921 US
rightwayautotransport.com
3.56 / 5.0
Customers largely appreciate the professionalism, attentiveness, and friendly service provided by the team. They highlight specific individuals for their outstanding customer interaction, creating a positive buying experience. However, a serious concern was raised regarding one driver's unsafe behavior, which detracted from the company's reputation.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 355181
S J Trucking & Logistics
140 Western Maryland Pkwy Unit D, Hagerstown, MD 21740 US
sjtal.com
3.5 / 5.0
Customers appreciate the friendly and helpful customer service, but express frustration with long shipping times, high prices, and difficulty in contacting the company or accessing its office.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: Y0084838637
All State to State Auto Transport
4 Dwelling House Ct, Catonsville, MD 21228 US
allstatetostateautotransport.com/contact-us
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
Alternative Business Names
- Bismillah Transport, LLC
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 Maryland to Illinois
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Maryland to Illinois, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 793 extra miles on your car to travel from Maryland to Illinois. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Maryland to Illinois. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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.
Maryland 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 Maryland and Illinois. The average journey covers about 793 miles and takes roughly two to seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Washington DC, MD to Illinois
| From Maryland to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC, MD to Chicago, IL | $772 – $1,064 | 699 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Aurora, IL | $748 – $1,108 | 733 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Joliet, IL | $746 – $1,022 | 707 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Naperville, IL | $739 – $1,065 | 721 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Rockford, IL | $779 – $1,125 | 790 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Baltimore, MD to Illinois
| From Maryland to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MD to Chicago, IL | $739 – $1,119 | 702 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Aurora, IL | $794 – $1,130 | 739 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Joliet, IL | $709 – $1,076 | 713 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Naperville, IL | $764 – $1,119 | 727 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Rockford, IL | $772 – $1,159 | 796 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, MD to Illinois
| From Maryland to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MD to Chicago, IL | $706 – $1,074 | 694 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Aurora, IL | $779 – $1,053 | 732 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Joliet, IL | $724 – $1,043 | 705 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Naperville, IL | $754 – $1,033 | 719 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Rockford, IL | $733 – $1,125 | 788 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Germantown, MD to Illinois
| From Maryland to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germantown, MD to Chicago, IL | $695 – $1,050 | 672 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Aurora, IL | $731 – $1,022 | 710 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Joliet, IL | $706 – $1,106 | 683 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Naperville, IL | $772 – $1,074 | 697 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Rockford, IL | $741 – $1,084 | 766 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Silver Spring, MD to Illinois
| From Maryland to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Spring, MD to Chicago, IL | $758 – $1,064 | 690 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Aurora, IL | $756 – $1,053 | 728 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Joliet, IL | $761 – $1,065 | 701 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Naperville, IL | $761 – $1,108 | 715 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Rockford, IL | $787 – $1,170 | 784 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Maryland 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 Maryland to Illinois, the price usually falls between $984 and $1,491.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Maryland to Illinois
When moving your vehicle from the Old Line State to the Land of Lincoln, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- 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 vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Illinois.
- Distance and route: The trip from Maryland to Illinois covers roughly 793 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Maryland around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Maryland and Illinois 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.
Illinois vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Illinois, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- 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 Maryland
More than 6.2 million people call Maryland home. Nicknamed the Old Line State. Maryland has a wide array of climates, due to local variances in elevation, proximity to water, and protection from colder weather due to downslope winds. The eastern half of Maryland — which includes the cities of Ocean City, Salisbury, Annapolis, and the southern and eastern suburbs of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore — lies on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, with flat topography and sandy or muddy soil. This region has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a short, mild-to-cool winter
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 Maryland 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 Maryland and when dropping it off in Illinois.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Maryland to Illinois?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Maryland 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 Maryland.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. All vehicles in Maryland must maintain insurance coverage from a Maryland-licensed insurance company at all times, with mandatory minimum coverage of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for multiple people, and $15,000 for property damage.
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 Maryland to Illinois?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Maryland to Illinois is about 793 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Maryland to Illinois.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
If you recently relocated to Maryland or bought a vehicle, you must get it inspected at an authorized inspection station before registering the vehicle. New residents are mandated to undergo a vehicle safety inspection before obtaining car registration.
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 Maryland, 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 Maryland, 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 Maryland 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 Maryland and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Maryland to Illinois?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Maryland 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 Maryland to Illinois?
Shipping a car from Maryland to Illinois costs $787 to $1,193.
