New Jersey to Illinois Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 897 miles from New Jersey to Illinois ranges from $842 to $1,294 and takes 2–7 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 New Jersey car shipping guide.

New Jersey to Illinois auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in New Jersey and Illinois. The average travel distance is about 897 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 7 days.

Cost to ship a car from Trenton, NJ to Illinois

From New Jersey to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Trenton, NJ to Chicago, IL $815 – $1,187 779 miles 2 – 7 days
Trenton, NJ to Aurora, IL $830 – $1,333 816 miles 2 – 7 days
Trenton, NJ to Joliet, IL $823 – $1,225 789 miles 2 – 7 days
Trenton, NJ to Naperville, IL $890 – $1,295 803 miles 2 – 7 days
Trenton, NJ to Rockford, IL $856 – $1,331 866 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Newark, NJ to Illinois

From New Jersey to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Newark, NJ to Chicago, IL $883 – $1,225 780 miles 2 – 7 days
Newark, NJ to Aurora, IL $838 – $1,308 817 miles 2 – 7 days
Newark, NJ to Joliet, IL $832 – $1,275 790 miles 2 – 7 days
Newark, NJ to Naperville, IL $890 – $1,219 805 miles 2 – 7 days
Newark, NJ to Rockford, IL $856 – $1,266 867 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Jersey City, NJ to Illinois

From New Jersey to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Jersey City, NJ to Chicago, IL $815 – $1,312 788 miles 2 – 7 days
Jersey City, NJ to Aurora, IL $861 – $1,249 825 miles 2 – 7 days
Jersey City, NJ to Joliet, IL $806 – $1,287 798 miles 2 – 7 days
Jersey City, NJ to Naperville, IL $830 – $1,206 813 miles 2 – 7 days
Jersey City, NJ to Rockford, IL $824 – $1,347 875 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Paterson, NJ to Illinois

From New Jersey to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Paterson, NJ to Chicago, IL $866 – $1,300 778 miles 2 – 7 days
Paterson, NJ to Aurora, IL $881 – $1,244 815 miles 2 – 7 days
Paterson, NJ to Joliet, IL $891 – $1,250 788 miles 2 – 7 days
Paterson, NJ to Naperville, IL $881 – $1,206 803 miles 2 – 7 days
Paterson, NJ to Rockford, IL $908 – $1,357 865 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Elizabeth, NJ to Illinois

From New Jersey to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Elizabeth, NJ to Chicago, IL $815 – $1,262 789 miles 2 – 7 days
Elizabeth, NJ to Aurora, IL $835 – $1,236 826 miles 2 – 7 days
Elizabeth, NJ to Joliet, IL $815 – $1,237 799 miles 2 – 7 days
Elizabeth, NJ to Naperville, IL $847 – $1,257 814 miles 2 – 7 days
Elizabeth, NJ to Rockford, IL $868 – $1,387 876 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from New Jersey 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 New Jersey to Illinois you should expect to pay between $1,053 and $1,618.

Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from New Jersey to Illinois

When transporting your vehicle from the Garden 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: 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 journey from New Jersey to Illinois spans approximately 897 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
  • Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of New Jersey, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
  • Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between New Jersey and Illinois and the varying gas prices across the country.
  • 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 New Jersey to Illinois should take between 2 and 7 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

The best New Jersey to Illinois car shipping companies

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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • No deposit
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from New Jersey to Illinois:

Best for Accurate Pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best Cross-Country Shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
At A Glance
  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for Quick Pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for Discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for Overall Value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from New Jersey to Illinois

What else should you know about shipping a car from New Jersey to Illinois?

  • 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.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

Transporting your vehicle from New Jersey

Over 39 million people call New Jersey home. Nicknamed the Garden State, New Jersey summers are typically hot and humid and winters are usually cold. During winter and early spring, New Jersey can experience "nor'easters", which are capable of causing blizzards or flooding throughout the northeastern United States.

Transporting your vehicle to Illinois

About 22 million people are living in the Land of Lincoln of Illinois. 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 picking up my car in New Jersey and when dropping off my car in Illinois?

Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in New Jersey and when dropping it off in Illinois.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from New Jersey to Illinois?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from New Jersey 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 New Jersey.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In New Jersey, meet the minimum auto insurance requirements: $15,000 per person for bodily injury up to $30,000 per accident and $5,000 for property damage. Stay legally covered and financially secure on the road.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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 New Jersey to Illinois?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from New Jersey to Illinois is about 897 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-7 days to travel from New Jersey to Illinois.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

If you are planning to reside in New Jersey for a minimum of 6 months, it is mandatory to transfer the title of your vehicle, register it, and obtain a driver's license from the state. As a new resident, you have 60 days from the date of establishing your residency to register your vehicle. It is important to note that before registering your vehicle, you are required to have liability insurance coverage as per the New Jersey state laws.

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 New Jersey, 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 New Jersey, 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from New Jersey to Illinois?

The cheapest way to ship a car from New Jersey to Illinois is to ship it on a train or to choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pick-up dates.

How much does it cost to ship a car from New Jersey to Illinois?

Shipping a car from New Jersey to Illinois costs $842 to $1,294.

Helpful New Jersey resources