Minnesota to Illinois Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 624 miles from Minnesota to Illinois usually costs between $724 and $1,007. Transit time is about one–six days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Illinois to Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota
If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in Minnesota that can transport your vehicle to Illinois:
- Auto Driveaway: 3.62 out of 5 stars
- Minneapolis Auto Shipping Group: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Ceva Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Express Auto Transport Inc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Global Auto Transportation: 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 Minnesota to Illinois
Ship it with your movers
If you need to ship your car from Minnesota 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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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 624 miles on your car going from Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
Minnesota to Illinois auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in Minnesota and Illinois. The trip typically spans 624 miles and takes about one–six days.
Cost to ship a car from Minneapolis, MN to Illinois
| From Minnesota to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN to Chicago, IL | $606 – $846 | 407 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Aurora, IL | $575 – $771 | 398 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Joliet, IL | $635 – $854 | 429 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Naperville, IL | $594 – $863 | 410 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Minneapolis, MN to Rockford, IL | $557 – $716 | 333 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from St. Paul, MN to Illinois
| From Minnesota to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul, MN to Chicago, IL | $569 – $787 | 397 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Aurora, IL | $575 – $827 | 389 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Joliet, IL | $594 – $813 | 419 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Naperville, IL | $576 – $863 | 400 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Paul, MN to Rockford, IL | $514 – $673 | 324 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rochester, MN to Illinois
| From Minnesota to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, MN to Chicago, IL | $535 – $724 | 346 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rochester, MN to Aurora, IL | $513 – $731 | 336 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rochester, MN to Joliet, IL | $576 – $811 | 367 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rochester, MN to Naperville, IL | $551 – $738 | 348 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Rochester, MN to Rockford, IL | $448 – $642 | 271 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bloomington, MN to Illinois
| From Minnesota to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, MN to Chicago, IL | $630 – $830 | 412 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Aurora, IL | $624 – $846 | 404 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Joliet, IL | $629 – $879 | 434 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Naperville, IL | $636 – $846 | 415 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Bloomington, MN to Rockford, IL | $562 – $746 | 338 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Duluth, MN to Illinois
| From Minnesota to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN to Chicago, IL | $631 – $865 | 467 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Duluth, MN to Aurora, IL | $612 – $900 | 459 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Duluth, MN to Joliet, IL | $643 – $927 | 489 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Duluth, MN to Naperville, IL | $669 – $848 | 470 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Duluth, MN to Rockford, IL | $587 – $787 | 394 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Minnesota to Illinois
Since vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Minnesota to Illinois you should expect to pay between $905 and $1,259.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Minnesota to Illinois
If you’re shipping a car from the North Star State to the Land of Lincoln, keep these cost factors in mind:
- 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 and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Minnesota to Illinois.
- Distance and route: The journey from Minnesota to Illinois spans about 624 miles. More miles mean more fuel and labor, raising the cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Minnesota, 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 Minnesota and Illinois.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within one–six 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 Minnesota
More than 5.7 million people call Minnesota home. Nicknamed the North Star State. Minnesota experiences temperature extremes characteristic of its continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Minnesota does experience weather such as: rain, snow, blizzards, thunderstorms, hail, derechos, tornadoes, and high-velocity straight-line winds.
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota and when dropping it off in Illinois.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Minnesota to Illinois?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Minnesota 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 Minnesota.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Minnesota must maintain a minimum insurance coverage, including $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $10,000 for property damage liability, ensuring financial protection in case of accidents and aligning with state regulations for responsible driving practices.
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 Minnesota to Illinois?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Minnesota to Illinois is about 624 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Minnesota to Illinois.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Minnesota does not have a mandate for regular safety inspections on personal vehicles.
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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Minnesota to Illinois?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Minnesota 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 Minnesota to Illinois?
Shipping a car from Minnesota to Illinois costs $724 to $1,007.
4570 West 77th Street, Suite 215, Edina, MN 55435 US
80 S 8th St Suite 900, Minneapolis, MN 55402 US
3169 Dodd Rd, St Paul, MN 55121 US
22015 Canton Ct, Farmington, MN 55024 US
1620 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 US