Missouri to Illinois Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 273 miles from Missouri to Illinois ranges from $461 to $604. Expect the trip to take around one–four 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 Missouri 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 Missouri to Illinois car shipping companies
Through more than 400 hours of analysis of car shippers, we found that these are the top car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Missouri 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 Missouri
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Missouri ready to move your vehicle to Illinois:
- Kansas City Auto Shipping Group: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Jmn Logistics Llc: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Passport Transport: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport Co Inc: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Nations Auto Transport LLC: 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 Missouri to Illinois
Ship it with your movers
If your move takes you from Missouri to Illinois, you might want to look for a moving company that can coordinate car shipping. Many interstate moving companies already partner with established auto transport services.
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Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 273 miles on your car going from Missouri to Illinois. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
Another option is to pay someone to drive your car from Missouri to Illinois. This can be costly and hinges on trusting another person to handle your vehicle responsibly.
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.
Missouri to Illinois auto transport costs and transit times
Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in Missouri and Illinois. The typical distance is about 273 miles, with shipping times generally falling between one and four days.
Cost to ship a car from Kansas City, MO to Illinois
| From Missouri to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL | $651 – $939 | 509 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Kansas City, MO to Aurora, IL | $609 – $854 | 490 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Kansas City, MO to Joliet, IL | $655 – $821 | 471 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Kansas City, MO to Naperville, IL | $641 – $863 | 486 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Kansas City, MO to Rockford, IL | $673 – $907 | 479 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from St. Louis, MO to Illinois
| From Missouri to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL | $479 – $647 | 297 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Louis, MO to Aurora, IL | $455 – $640 | 278 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Louis, MO to Joliet, IL | $470 – $634 | 259 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Louis, MO to Naperville, IL | $447 – $622 | 273 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| St. Louis, MO to Rockford, IL | $488 – $673 | 293 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Springfield, MO to Illinois
| From Missouri to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MO to Chicago, IL | $677 – $922 | 511 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Springfield, MO to Aurora, IL | $654 – $899 | 491 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Springfield, MO to Joliet, IL | $611 – $907 | 472 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Springfield, MO to Naperville, IL | $641 – $854 | 487 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Springfield, MO to Rockford, IL | $657 – $850 | 507 miles | 1 – 6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, MO to Illinois
| From Missouri to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MO to Chicago, IL | $585 – $817 | 391 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, MO to Aurora, IL | $586 – $793 | 372 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, MO to Joliet, IL | $552 – $763 | 353 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, MO to Naperville, IL | $536 – $748 | 367 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Columbia, MO to Rockford, IL | $609 – $809 | 388 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Independence, MO to Illinois
| From Missouri to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence, MO to Chicago, IL | $677 – $913 | 511 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Independence, MO to Aurora, IL | $673 – $846 | 492 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Independence, MO to Joliet, IL | $611 – $838 | 473 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Independence, MO to Naperville, IL | $641 – $854 | 488 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Independence, MO to Rockford, IL | $667 – $890 | 481 miles | 1 – 4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Missouri 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 Missouri to Illinois you should expect to pay between $576 and $755.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Missouri to Illinois
When transporting your vehicle from the Show-Me State to the Land of Lincoln, these factors will influence your final price:
- 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: Larger and heavier vehicles cost more to ship. Your car’s dimensions and weight will directly influence the price of transporting it from Missouri to Illinois.
- Distance and route: The route from Missouri to Illinois is about 273 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons. Moves from Missouri around these times usually come with higher costs.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Missouri and Illinois.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes one–four days, while expedited service costs more.
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 Missouri
More than 6.2 million people call Missouri home. Nicknamed the Show-Me State. Although temperature in Missouri doesn't get extreme, being in the heart of tornado alley means that storms in the area are common. Be sure to check the weather forecast before move day to prepare for any upcoming weather.
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 Missouri 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 Missouri and when dropping it off in Illinois.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Missouri to Illinois?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Missouri 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 Missouri.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Missouri, drivers must have minimum liability coverage, including $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with $25,000 per accident for property damage. Adherence to these requirements is crucial for financial responsibility and contributes to a safer driving environment.
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 Missouri to Illinois?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Missouri to Illinois is about 273 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Missouri to Illinois.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Missouri's DMV requires that passenger vehicles undergo a biennial safety inspection to evaluate the condition of its suspension, seatbelts, headlights, and related components. Additionally, residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area are required to have vehicle emission inspections.
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 Missouri, 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri 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 Missouri and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Missouri to Illinois?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Missouri 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 Missouri to Illinois?
Shipping a car from Missouri to Illinois costs $461 to $604.
1712 Main St 4th floor, Kansas City, MO 64108 US
2050 Creve Coeur Mill Road N., Maryland Heights, MO 63043 US
145 Evergreen Pkwy, Lebanon, MO 65536 US
2345 Grand Blvd # 2400, Kansas City, MO 64108 US
12032 E 46 Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64133 US