North Carolina to Illinois Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 819 miles from North Carolina to Illinois typically falls between $849 and $1,260. The process usually takes two–seven days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.
|
|
|
|
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Illinois to North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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
- 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
Top local car shippers in North Carolina
Going with a nearby mover? These recommended car shippers in North Carolina can deliver your vehicle to Illinois:
- 48 States Auto Shipping: 3.78 out of 5 stars
- Ship A Car ASAP: 3.72 out of 5 stars
- Charlotte Auto Shipping Group: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Stewart Transport Solutions: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Speedy Car Shipping: 3.5 out of 5 stars
48 States Auto Shipping
1154 Mimosa Ln, Greenville, NC 27834 US
48statesautoshipping.com
3.78 / 5.0
Customers report extremely poor service due to lack of communication and significant delays in vehicle pickup and delivery. The overall sentiment is frustration over unresponsive support and inconsistent scheduling.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2246104
Alternative Business Names
- Perfect Auto Transport Inc.
Ship A Car ASAP
4801 Glenwood Ave Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27612 US
shipacarasap.com
3.72 / 5.0
Customers consistently praise David’s exemplary service, highlighting his professionalism, excellent communication, and the efficiency of the car shipping process. However, some feedback indicates occasional delays in response times from representatives at the company.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 1628739
Alternative Business Names
- JE Carriers, LLC
Charlotte Auto Shipping Group
15720 Brixham Hill Ave # 300, Charlotte, NC 28277 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-north-carolina/charlotte
3.58 / 5.0
Customers consistently praise the company's exceptional service and professionalism, highlighting their friendly demeanor and timely delivery. However, there were no significant negative aspects mentioned.
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
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239008
Stewart Transport Solutions
341 Avery Rd, Erwin, NC 28339 US
stewarttrans.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Interstate shipping
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 917297
Speedy Car Shipping
3600 N Duke St #1, Durham, NC 27704 US
speedycarshipping.com/car-shipping-service/auto-transport-durham-nc
3.5 / 5.0
Customers praised the clear and user-friendly website and the exceptional customer service. They reported a strong trust in the company's process and recommendations. However, no significant negative feedback was indicated.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Classic cars
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
Discounts
- Military
- Senior
Additional Information
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2297446
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 North Carolina to Illinois
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from North Carolina to Illinois, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
|
|
 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
|
|
Drive it yourself
This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 819 miles on your car going from North Carolina to Illinois. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs. shipping it.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from North Carolina to Illinois is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
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.
North Carolina 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 North Carolina and Illinois. The average journey covers about 819 miles and takes roughly two to seven days.
Cost to ship a car from Charlotte, NC to Illinois
| From North Carolina to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC to Chicago, IL | $827 – $1,150 | 756 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charlotte, NC to Aurora, IL | $778 – $1,193 | 790 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charlotte, NC to Joliet, IL | $843 – $1,161 | 763 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charlotte, NC to Naperville, IL | $818 – $1,133 | 777 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Charlotte, NC to Rockford, IL | $781 – $1,205 | 846 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Raleigh, NC to Illinois
| From North Carolina to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC to Chicago, IL | $792 – $1,224 | 806 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Aurora, IL | $822 – $1,217 | 840 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Joliet, IL | $849 – $1,224 | 813 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Naperville, IL | $814 – $1,217 | 827 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Raleigh, NC to Rockford, IL | $837 – $1,286 | 896 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Greensboro, NC to Illinois
| From North Carolina to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro, NC to Chicago, IL | $810 – $1,140 | 731 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Aurora, IL | $787 – $1,138 | 765 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Joliet, IL | $826 – $1,140 | 738 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Naperville, IL | $771 – $1,208 | 752 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Greensboro, NC to Rockford, IL | $833 – $1,272 | 822 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Durham, NC to Illinois
| From North Carolina to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham, NC to Chicago, IL | $810 – $1,229 | 783 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Durham, NC to Aurora, IL | $849 – $1,200 | 817 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Durham, NC to Joliet, IL | $843 – $1,241 | 790 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Durham, NC to Naperville, IL | $817 – $1,163 | 804 miles | 2 – 7 days |
| Durham, NC to Rockford, IL | $842 – $1,221 | 873 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Winston-Salem, NC to Illinois
| From North Carolina to Illinois | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC to Chicago, IL | $815 – $1,118 | 707 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Aurora, IL | $826 – $1,175 | 741 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Joliet, IL | $815 – $1,118 | 715 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Naperville, IL | $754 – $1,152 | 729 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Winston-Salem, NC to Rockford, IL | $826 – $1,253 | 798 miles | 2 – 7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from North Carolina to Illinois
Larger vehicles such as SUVs, trucks, and vans are heavier and bulkier, making them more expensive to transport than sedans.
If you’re moving one from North Carolina to Illinois, expect costs to range from $1,061 to $1,575.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from North Carolina to Illinois
When moving your vehicle from the Tar Heel State to the Land of Lincoln, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- 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: 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 North Carolina to Illinois involves roughly 819 miles. Greater distances increase both fuel and labor expenses.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from North Carolina in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between North Carolina and Illinois.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from North Carolina to Illinois should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Illinois vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Illinois means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- 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 North Carolina
More than 10.8 million people call North Carolina home. Nicknamed the Tar Heel State. North Carolina has mild weather year round, however, snow may affect your move in some parts of the state during winter time.
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina and when dropping it off in Illinois.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from North Carolina to Illinois?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from North Carolina 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 North Carolina.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Ensure compliance with North Carolina's mandatory minimum liability insurance rules for drivers. Your coverage should meet or exceed $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Don't forget to enhance your protection with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Stay informed and safeguarded on the road by meeting these state 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.
How long does it take to ship a car from North Carolina to Illinois?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from North Carolina to Illinois is about 819 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from North Carolina to Illinois.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Before the North Carolina DMV can register a passenger vehicle, it must pass an annual safety inspection if it is less than 30 years old.
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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from North Carolina to Illinois?
The cheapest way to ship a car from North Carolina 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 North Carolina to Illinois?
Shipping a car from North Carolina to Illinois costs $849 to $1,260.
