West Virginia to Illinois Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 612 miles from West Virginia to Illinois ranges from $760 to $997. Expect the trip to take around one–six days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.7 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Refundable deposit
  • Discounts available
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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
  • Door-to-door service
  • No upfront payment

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Illinois to West Virginia car shipping guide.

Our track record

Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports
Recommended by Time Magazine
Recommended by The New York Times
Recommended by Forbes
Recommended by Money.com
Recommended by Consumer Reports

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 West Virginia to Illinois car shipping companies

Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from West Virginia to Illinois:

Best for Real-Time Tracking
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.7 / 5
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
At A Glance
  • GPS tracking
  • Instant online quotes
  • Economy option
  • Ships nationwide
  • Easy online scheduling
read our full review
Get a quote (224) 310-1412
Best for accurate pricing
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote (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
read our full review
Get a quote (833) 775-1461
Best for safety & reliability
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Get a quote 224-206-5633
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Guaranteed pickup dates available
  • Door-to-door service
read our full review
Get a quote 224-206-5633
Best for overall value
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Get a quote (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
read our full review
Get a quote (864) 492-1221

Top local car shippers in West Virginia

If you'd rather hire a local company, explore the top car shippers in West Virginia that can transport your vehicle to Illinois:

  1. Applewood Motorcar Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Applewood Motorcar Transport

210 McGuire Ln, Gerrardstown, WV 25420 US

starstarstarstarstar3.5 / 5.0

Applewood provides reliable and trustworthy car transport services. Customers appreciate their professionalism, punctual delivery, and exceptional handling of high-value vehicles. However, some reviews mentioned that the owner can be a bit stern under certain conditions.

Get a Quote (304) 229-3784

Services Offered

  • Enclosed transport
  • Interstate shipping

Additional Information

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 West Virginia to Illinois

Ship it with your movers

If you’re planning a move from West Virginia 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.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Certified crews
  • Flat-rate pricing
  • Family-owned
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Specialty packing services
  • White-glove reputation
  • 80+ years' experience
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.45 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • 24/7 cust. service
  • Competitive rates
  • 10% discounts

Drive it yourself

This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 612 miles on your car going from West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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

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.

West Virginia to Illinois auto transport costs and transit times

Below you’ll find tables outlining car shipping costs and transit estimates for popular routes in West Virginia and Illinois. The typical distance is about 612 miles, with shipping times generally falling between one and six days.

Cost to ship a car from Charleston, WV to Illinois

From West Virginia to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Charleston, WV to Chicago, IL $623 – $856 491 miles 1 – 4 days
Charleston, WV to Aurora, IL $685 – $919 525 miles 1 – 6 days
Charleston, WV to Joliet, IL $675 – $909 498 miles 1 – 4 days
Charleston, WV to Naperville, IL $672 – $924 512 miles 1 – 6 days
Charleston, WV to Rockford, IL $686 – $1,029 582 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Huntington, WV to Illinois

From West Virginia to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Huntington, WV to Chicago, IL $635 – $811 442 miles 1 – 4 days
Huntington, WV to Aurora, IL $643 – $847 476 miles 1 – 4 days
Huntington, WV to Joliet, IL $669 – $839 450 miles 1 – 4 days
Huntington, WV to Naperville, IL $624 – $848 464 miles 1 – 4 days
Huntington, WV to Rockford, IL $712 – $900 533 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Morgantown, WV to Illinois

From West Virginia to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Morgantown, WV to Chicago, IL $651 – $919 529 miles 1 – 6 days
Morgantown, WV to Aurora, IL $669 – $930 566 miles 1 – 6 days
Morgantown, WV to Joliet, IL $706 – $957 540 miles 1 – 6 days
Morgantown, WV to Naperville, IL $732 – $930 554 miles 1 – 6 days
Morgantown, WV to Rockford, IL $724 – $997 614 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Parkersburg, WV to Illinois

From West Virginia to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Parkersburg, WV to Chicago, IL $618 – $900 467 miles 1 – 4 days
Parkersburg, WV to Aurora, IL $665 – $896 501 miles 1 – 6 days
Parkersburg, WV to Joliet, IL $637 – $883 474 miles 1 – 4 days
Parkersburg, WV to Naperville, IL $630 – $865 488 miles 1 – 4 days
Parkersburg, WV to Rockford, IL $732 – $959 557 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Wheeling, WV to Illinois

From West Virginia to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Wheeling, WV to Chicago, IL $675 – $892 482 miles 1 – 4 days
Wheeling, WV to Aurora, IL $678 – $887 516 miles 1 – 6 days
Wheeling, WV to Joliet, IL $636 – $909 489 miles 1 – 4 days
Wheeling, WV to Naperville, IL $659 – $915 503 miles 1 – 6 days
Wheeling, WV to Rockford, IL $697 – $1,008 573 miles 1 – 6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from West Virginia to Illinois

SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.

For a larger vehicle going from West Virginia to Illinois, the price usually falls between $950 and $1,246.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from West Virginia to Illinois

Transporting your vehicle from the Mountain State to the Land of Lincoln comes with a number of cost considerations, including:

  • 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 trip from West Virginia to Illinois covers roughly 612 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
  • Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of West Virginia, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
  • Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Illinois should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Illinois vehicle regulations you need to know

When you move to Illinois, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.

  • 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 West Virginia

More than 1.8 million people call West Virginia home. Nicknamed the Mountain State. West Virginia has warm to hot, humid summers and chilly winters. Be sure to check the weather during your move to avoid inclement 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia and when dropping it off in Illinois.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from West Virginia to Illinois?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from West Virginia 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 West Virginia.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. West Virginia's required minimum insurance standards, encompassing liability coverage at $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.

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 West Virginia to Illinois?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from West Virginia to Illinois is about 612 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from West Virginia to Illinois.

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

New residents are given 10 days from the date they title a vehicle to have a West Virginia safety inspection at any official inspection station licensed by the West Virginia State Police.

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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from West Virginia to Illinois?

The cheapest way to ship a car from West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Illinois?

Shipping a car from West Virginia to Illinois costs $760 to $997.

Helpful West Virginia resources