($826) Cost to ship a car from Jersey City, NJ to Chicago, IL
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 788 miles from Jersey City, New Jersey, to Chicago, Illinois, generally falls between $826 and $1,205. Variables like transport type, seasonality, and your vehicle’s specs all influence the price. For more exact numbers, check our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chicago to Jersey City car shipping guide.
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The best Jersey City to Chicago car shipping companies
To make your relocation easier, we’ve rounded up the best car shipping companies for transporting a vehicle from Jersey City to Chicago:
- Best for Real-Time Tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best cross-country shipper: 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 Jersey City
If you’d rather work with a local car shipper than a national one, check out the leading car shipping companies in Jersey City, NJ:
- Molloy Bros Trucking Inc: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Roadrunner Auto: 3.72 out of 5 stars
- Broadway Auto Transport: 3.72 out of 5 stars
- Rcc Auto Trasport: 3.7 out of 5 stars
- New York City Auto Shipping Group: 3.62 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
Car shipping alternatives from NJ to IL
When you’re moving from Jersey City to Chicago, there are several ways to get your car to your new home. Here are the most common car shipping alternatives. Each one has its own benefits and trade-offs.
Coordinate with your movers
On moves from Jersey City to Chicago, it’s common for the top long-distance movers to coordinate with established car shippers for you. This can simplify your relocation, but you might not have a say in which car shipper they choose.
Drive your car
There are lots of pros and cons of driving your car versus shipping it. You may be able to incorporate the 788-mile drive from Jersey City to Chicago into a fun road trip, and you’ll likely save money. But all that mileage will put some wear and tear on your vehicle, and you could face inclement weather or other dangerous driving conditions.
Use a driving service
You could hire a professional driver to take your car from New Jersey to Illinois, though this tends to be a pricey choice. You’ll also need to ensure the driver is reliable enough to get your car from Jersey City to Chicago safely. Keep in mind, this option still adds mileage to your vehicle.
Ship your car via train
Transporting your car by train is one of the safest and most affordable options for getting your vehicle to Chicago—especially if your household goods are already moving by rail. In fact, it’s the cheapest car shipping method available. The downside is limited pickup and drop-off flexibility, plus longer transit times compared to standard car shipping or driving yourself.
Factors affecting Jersey City to Chicago car shipping costs
The price to ship your car from Jersey City to Chicago can vary. Here are the main factors that determine the cost:
Transport method
When it comes to moving your car from Jersey City to Chicago, you’ll typically choose between open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport. The best option depends on the type of vehicle you’re shipping.
Open carriers are the most economical choice, while enclosed shipping gives extra security for luxury or classic models. To weigh the options for your move to Chicago, visit our guide on open vs. enclosed transport.
Vehicle size and type
Vehicle size plays a major role in determining your shipping costs from Jersey City. Larger models add both bulk and weight to the trailer, raising the overall expense. So, moving a full-size SUV to Chicago will be more expensive than shipping a compact vehicle.
Distance and route
To put it simply, the longer the journey, the higher the price. Distance impacts pricing in terms of fuel and labor expenses, as well as added costs like toll fees and carrier maintenance. Shipping your car 788 miles from Jersey City to Chicago will likely be more expensive than transporting it a shorter distance within New Jersey.
Where you’re shipping your car matters, too. Rates are usually lower for routes along major highways and higher for more remote areas.
The time of the year
Both seasonal trends and local weather in Jersey City and Chicago can influence what you’ll pay for car shipping.
September, June and May are the best months in Jersey City, while January and February are the least comfortable months as these are the coldest. Plan your moves accordingly.
Although Chicago gets less snowfall than surrounding areas in the Midwest and the Great Lakes region, heavy snowfall could still affect your move in the wintertime.
High-demand periods such as summer and the winter holidays often drive up prices. If you plan to ship your car from Jersey City to Chicago during these busy times, expect higher costs due to increased demand.
Fuel prices
Changes in fuel prices have a major impact on shipping costs. With 788 miles between Jersey City and Chicago, fluctuating fuel rates across regions can significantly affect your price. Higher fuel costs almost always mean higher transport charges.
Delivery expectations
Being flexible with your delivery dates can sometimes lead to discounts from your auto shipper. However, shipping a car from Jersey City to Chicago typically takes between two and seven days. Flexibility in delivery times can save costs, whereas expedited services ensure quicker delivery but at a premium cost.
Comparing Jersey City and Chicago vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- Jersey City: Resident parking permits are required for parking over 2 hours in many areas. Posted signs will indicate a need for a parking permit, parking restrictions for street cleaning, and other limitations for street parking. Parking meters are also placed in certain high traffic business districts.
- Chicago: For a fee of $25, CDOT will provide ticket and tow enforceable signs to eligible moving companies for the day of the move. This requires 72 hours.
Car insurance requirements
- Jersey City: 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.
- Chicago: 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 inspections
- Jersey City: 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.
- Chicago: 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
- Jersey City: As per the state laws of New Jersey, new residents are expected to transfer their driver's license and register their vehicles within 60 days of arriving in the state. However, during public health crises, this time frame may be extended to 120 days. It is important to note that there won't be any reminders for this, so it's recommended to keep a record of the date of your arrival in the state.
- Chicago: 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.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Jersey City to Chicago?
The cost to ship a car from Jersey City, NJ to Chicago, IL varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed car shipping), vehicle size and weight, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from Jersey City to Chicago will range from $826 to $1,205.
How long will it take to ship my car from Jersey City to Chicago?
It will take approximately two to seven days to ship your car the 788 miles from Jersey City to Chicago. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Jersey City to Chicago?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Jersey City to Chicago. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.
Is it cheaper to ship my car or drive it from Jersey City to Chicago?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from Jersey City to Chicago than to ship it. However, when deciding whether to drive your car or ship it, you need to factor in related costs like maintenance fees that could result from the additional wear-and-tear on your vehicle during the 788-mile trip. Long-distance trips also involve food and possibly lodging, which can add up quickly.
We recommend that you reach out to at least a few of the top car shippers to ask about seasonal rates and auto transport discounts. You can also use our car shipping calculator to quickly generate and compare quotes from multiple companies.
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