Maryland to Illinois Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 793 miles from Maryland to Illinois ranges from $761 to $1,238 and takes two–seven 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 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 putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Maryland 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 Maryland
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in Maryland can deliver 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
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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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 793 miles on your car to travel between Maryland and Illinois. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Maryland to Illinois, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
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.
Maryland to Illinois auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in Maryland and Illinois. The typical distance is about 793 miles, with shipping times generally falling between two and 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 | $801 – $1,147 | 699 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Aurora, IL | $776 – $1,127 | 733 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Joliet, IL | $774 – $1,071 | 707 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Naperville, IL | $782 – $1,083 | 721 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Washington DC, MD to Rockford, IL | $825 – $1,214 | 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 | $767 – $1,105 | 702 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Aurora, IL | $761 – $1,081 | 739 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Joliet, IL | $743 – $1,094 | 713 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Naperville, IL | $792 – $1,184 | 727 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Baltimore, MD to Rockford, IL | $817 – $1,132 | 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 | $763 – $1,071 | 694 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Aurora, IL | $824 – $1,161 | 732 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Joliet, IL | $759 – $1,105 | 705 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Naperville, IL | $813 – $1,172 | 719 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Columbia, MD to Rockford, IL | $785 – $1,167 | 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 | $713 – $1,015 | 672 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Aurora, IL | $751 – $1,149 | 710 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Joliet, IL | $801 – $1,082 | 683 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Naperville, IL | $771 – $1,147 | 697 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Germantown, MD to Rockford, IL | $785 – $1,148 | 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 | $740 – $1,082 | 690 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Aurora, IL | $824 – $1,093 | 728 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Joliet, IL | $798 – $1,138 | 701 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Naperville, IL | $774 – $1,094 | 715 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Silver Spring, MD to Rockford, IL | $785 – $1,226 | 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 $951 and $1,548.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Maryland to Illinois
When transporting your vehicle from the Old Line State to the Land of Lincoln, these factors will influence your final price:
- 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: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car 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: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Maryland, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Maryland to Illinois, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Flexibility with delivery dates can sometimes lower costs. In most cases, transporting a vehicle from Maryland to Illinois takes two–seven 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 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 $761 to $1,238.
210 E Lexington St #100, Baltimore, MD 21202 US
1301 York Road Suite 800, Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093 US
1911 East Old Philadelphia Road, Elkton, MD 21921 US
140 Western Maryland Pkwy Unit D, Hagerstown, MD 21740 US
4 Dwelling House Ct, Catonsville, MD 21228 US