West Virginia to Illinois Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 612 miles from West Virginia to Illinois ranges from $703 to $978. 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.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Illinois to West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia to Illinois:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- 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
- 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
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in West Virginia
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in West Virginia ready to move your vehicle to Illinois:
- Applewood Motorcar Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Applewood Motorcar Transport
210 McGuire Ln, Gerrardstown, WV 25420 US
applewoodmotorcar.com
3.5 / 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.
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1007612
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 relocating from West Virginia to Illinois, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 612 miles to your vehicle on the route from West Virginia to Illinois. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
You might consider hiring a driver to move your car from West Virginia to Illinois. Keep in mind, though, that this is usually expensive and involves trusting someone else with your vehicle.
Ship by train
This service provides a secure and budget-friendly option for transporting your car. Car shipping by train is actually the most economical choice.
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 | $587 – $841 | 491 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, WV to Aurora, IL | $614 – $920 | 525 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Charleston, WV to Joliet, IL | $624 – $883 | 498 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Charleston, WV to Naperville, IL | $608 – $854 | 512 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Charleston, WV to Rockford, IL | $647 – $999 | 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 | $617 – $813 | 442 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntington, WV to Aurora, IL | $643 – $883 | 476 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntington, WV to Joliet, IL | $595 – $841 | 450 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntington, WV to Naperville, IL | $589 – $833 | 464 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Huntington, WV to Rockford, IL | $672 – $893 | 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 | $633 – $938 | 529 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Aurora, IL | $657 – $886 | 566 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Joliet, IL | $666 – $920 | 540 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Naperville, IL | $651 – $895 | 554 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Morgantown, WV to Rockford, IL | $710 – $939 | 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 | $589 – $866 | 467 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Aurora, IL | $608 – $845 | 501 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Joliet, IL | $613 – $833 | 474 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Naperville, IL | $643 – $841 | 488 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Parkersburg, WV to Rockford, IL | $684 – $886 | 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 | $606 – $858 | 482 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Aurora, IL | $608 – $906 | 516 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Joliet, IL | $631 – $866 | 489 miles | 1 – 4 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Naperville, IL | $596 – $880 | 503 miles | 1 – 6 days |
| Wheeling, WV to Rockford, IL | $697 – $895 | 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 $879 and $1,223.
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: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- 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: The journey from West Virginia to Illinois spans approximately 612 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Shipping costs rise during peak moving seasons and around major holidays. Moves out of West Virginia in summer or winter are often more expensive due to higher demand.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from West Virginia to Illinois, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is one–six days, but you can pay for expedited service.
Illinois vehicle regulations you need to know
To drive legally after your move to Illinois, you’ll need to handle vehicle registration and a few additional steps. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s required.
- 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 $703 to $978.
