Dec–Feb
Winter
Cheapest, with weather delays
January and February are usually the cheapest months, but snowstorms can delay pickups.
Car Shipping in Chicago
Shipping a car out of a Lincoln Park two-flat, down to Florida for the winter, or west to California. Chicago is the biggest car carrier hub in the Midwest, with trucks heading in every direction. Here's what it costs and where carriers can meet you.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Chicago?
Shipping a standard sedan from Chicago costs about $650–$1,450 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. Chicago to Florida runs about $925–$1,175 (3–5 days), and Chicago to Los Angeles about $1,150–$1,450 (4–7 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
- Pickup: carriers can't use Lake Shore Drive or the boulevards, so most city pickups happen near an expressway.
- Cheapest months: January and February, if you can work around winter storms.
- Main truck routes: I-90, I-94, I-55, I-57, I-80 and I-294.
Pickup and delivery
Where car carriers can meet you in Chicago
Chicago's alleys, side streets and truck rules make some neighborhoods much easier than others. Pick your area to see truck routes and good meeting spots.
Trucks are banned from Lake Shore Drive
Commercial vehicles can't use DuSable Lake Shore Drive or Chicago's park boulevards, and many residential streets have weight limits. Carriers stick to the expressways and truck routes.
DuSable Lake Shore DrivePark boulevardsResidential weight-limit streetsLower Wacker clearance limits
The Loop & River North
Truck access: Hard for trucksDowntown streets are busy, loading zones are tight and garages rarely fit a carrier. Most downtown customers meet the truck near the Kennedy, Dan Ryan or Eisenhower.
Truck routes
- Kennedy Expressway
- Dan Ryan Expressway
- Eisenhower Expressway
Good meeting spots
- Large lots west of the Loop near I-90/94
- Industrial areas along the river south of downtown
Tip: Avoid Friday afternoons and big event days; downtown traffic can add hours.
North Side
Truck access: ModerateLincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park and Logan Square have narrow residential streets and permit parking. Carriers can reach main streets but prefer meeting near the Kennedy.
Truck routes
- Kennedy Expressway
- Edens Expressway
Good meeting spots
- Big-box store lots along the Kennedy
- Retail lots on major streets like Clybourn and Elston
Tip: Permit-parking zones can make it hard for a truck to stop; pick a commercial lot instead.
South Side
Truck access: ModerateHyde Park, Bridgeport and the South Side are served by the Dan Ryan and the Skyway, with plenty of industrial areas nearby for loading.
Truck routes
- Dan Ryan Expressway
- Chicago Skyway (toll)
- Stevenson Expressway
Good meeting spots
- Industrial areas near the Stevenson and the Dan Ryan
- Large retail lots near I-94
Tip: Southbound loads to Florida and Texas often leave on I-57 or I-55, so South Side pickups can be quick.
O'Hare & Northwest Side
Truck access: EasyThe area around O'Hare is full of trucking yards and wide roads, making it one of the easiest pickup areas in the region.
Truck routes
- Kennedy and Jane Addams Tollway
- Tri-State Tollway
- O'Hare spur
Good meeting spots
- Business park and hotel lots near O'Hare (not terminal roads)
- Retail lots near I-294
Tip: If you live downtown, a meeting point near O'Hare can save a carrier the trip into the city.
North Shore & North Suburbs
Truck access: ModerateEvanston, Skokie, Wilmette and Highland Park are suburban but have tree-lined streets and some truck restrictions. Many pickups happen near the Edens.
Truck routes
- Edens Expressway
- Tri-State Tollway
Good meeting spots
- Shopping center lots near the Edens
- Your driveway on wider suburban streets
Tip: Naval Station Great Lakes recruits' families often ship cars for graduation moves; book early around graduation dates.
Western Suburbs
Truck access: EasyNaperville, Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Aurora have wide streets, big lots and tollway access. Door pickups are common.
Truck routes
- Reagan Memorial Tollway
- Veterans Memorial Tollway
- Eisenhower Expressway
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in most neighborhoods
- Shopping center lots near the tollways
Tip: Remove your I-PASS before pickup so it doesn't register tolls on the truck.
Northwest Indiana
Truck access: EasyGary, Hammond and Merrillville are a short drive from the South Side and sit on I-80/94 and I-65. Many carriers serving Chicago stage here.
Truck routes
- Borman Expressway
- To Indianapolis
- Indiana Toll Road
Good meeting spots
- Truck-friendly lots near I-80/94
- Retail lots near I-65
Tip: Meeting in Northwest Indiana can be cheaper for eastbound or southbound shipments.
Prices
Car shipping prices to and from Chicago
Estimated open-carrier prices for a standard sedan. Routes with a guide link to city-by-city prices; the rest start a quote.
Shipping from Chicago
- Chicago → Miami, FL
1,430 mi · 3–5 days$925–$1,175 - Chicago → Phoenix, AZ
1,740 mi · 4–7 days$1,025–$1,325 - Chicago → Los Angeles, CA
2,090 mi · 4–7 days$1,150–$1,450 - Chicago → Dallas, TX
970 mi · 2–4 days$750–$950 - Chicago → Denver, CO
1,100 mi · 2–4 days$800–$1,025 - Chicago → Atlanta, GA
710 mi · 1–3 days$650–$825 - Chicago → New York, NY
850 mi · 2–4 days$700–$900 - Chicago → Seattle, WA
2,080 mi · 4–7 days$1,150–$1,450
Shipping to Chicago
- Los Angeles, CA → Chicago
2,090 mi · 4–7 days$1,150–$1,450 - Miami, FL → Chicago
1,430 mi · 3–5 days$925–$1,175 - Phoenix, AZ → Chicago
1,740 mi · 4–7 days$1,025–$1,325 - Dallas, TX → Chicago
970 mi · 2–4 days$750–$950 - New York, NY → Chicago
850 mi · 2–4 days$700–$900 - Atlanta, GA → Chicago
710 mi · 1–3 days$650–$825
Enclosed transport adds about 40–60%. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.
Book with confidence
Three ways to ship your car in Chicago
Compare independent companies, let our own licensed team handle it, or check a quote you already have.
Full Service
Let Transportvibe handle it
Full Service is our own licensed brokerage. Our team books a vetted carrier for your Chicago move, including a truck-friendly meeting point, and handles the details. Shown separately from TrustScore rankings.
Explore Full ServiceCompare
Compare independent companies
See FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers serving Chicago, ranked by TrustScore with verified reviews. Companies can't pay to change their score.
Compare companiesRed Flag Checker
Check a company before you pay
Paste a USDOT or MC number to see FMCSA authority, insurance status, complaint history and warning signs, including quotes far below the $650–$1,450 market range.
Run Red Flag CheckerLocal know-how
What makes Chicago car shipping different
The Midwest's biggest hub
Interstates leave Chicago in every direction, so carriers pass through daily. Pickups are usually scheduled within a few days.
Winter storms and road salt
Snow and ice can delay pickups between December and March, and road salt is hard on paint. Enclosed transport is worth it for classic or luxury cars in winter.
Snowbirds to Florida and Arizona
Chicago sends a lot of snowbird traffic south in fall and gets it back in spring. Southbound prices peak October to December.
Emissions testing in the metro area
Emissions testing applies in the Chicago metro area, with exemptions for newer and older vehicles. Illinois has no annual safety inspection.
Tollways everywhere
The Illinois Tollway covers most suburban routes. Carriers include tolls in their price, but remove your I-PASS so it doesn't register charges on the truck.
Military moves
Naval Station Great Lakes, home to the Navy's boot camp, and Scott Air Force Base downstate bring regular PCS moves.
Timing
Best time to ship a car in Chicago
Snowbird traffic and winter weather drive Chicago prices more than anything else.
Mar–May
Spring
Snowbirds head north
March to May brings cars back from Florida and Arizona, so northbound trucks fill up.
Jun–Aug
Summer
Moving season
Summer relocations and student moves keep demand steady. Book two to three weeks ahead.
Sep–Nov
Fall
Snowbird rush south
October to December is the busiest time to ship from Chicago to Florida and Arizona.
Moving checklist
Moving to or from Chicago with a car
Moving to Chicago
Confirm current rules with the Illinois Secretary of State.
- Register within 30 days of becoming a Illinois resident, through the Illinois Secretary of State.
- Inspection: Emissions testing applies in the Chicago metro area and the Metro East, with exemptions for newer and older vehicles. Illinois has no annual safety inspection for passenger cars.
- Check city sticker and parking rules. Chicago requires a city vehicle sticker for residents, and many neighborhoods have permit parking.
Leaving Chicago
Things Chicagoans forget before the truck arrives.
- Remove your I-PASS or E-ZPass. It can register tollway charges while the car is on the truck.
- Pick an expressway meeting point if you live downtown or on a narrow North Side street.
- Leave extra time in winter. Snowstorms can push pickups back a day or two.
- Leave about a quarter tank and remove personal items before pickup.
Ready to ship your car in Chicago?
Let our Full Service team find a carrier and a meeting point that works, or check any company with the Red Flag Checker before you pay a deposit.
Questions
Chicago car shipping FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Chicago?
Shipping a standard sedan from Chicago costs about $650–$1,450 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. Chicago to Florida runs about $925–$1,175 (3–5 days), and Chicago to Los Angeles about $1,150–$1,450 (4–7 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
Can a car carrier pick up my car in downtown Chicago?
Rarely at your door. Downtown streets are busy and garages don't fit a carrier, and trucks can't use Lake Shore Drive. Most downtown customers meet the truck near the Kennedy, Dan Ryan or Eisenhower.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Chicago to Florida?
About $925–$1,175 to Miami on an open carrier, taking 3–5 days after pickup. Prices peak from October to December, when snowbirds head south.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Chicago to California?
About $1,150–$1,450 to Los Angeles, taking 4–7 days after pickup. Carriers use I-80 or the southern I-44 and I-40, especially in winter.
Do I need an emissions test after moving to Chicago?
Emissions testing applies in the Chicago metro area for many vehicles, with exemptions for newer and older cars. New residents should register with the Illinois Secretary of State within 30 days.
Is it OK to ship a car from Chicago in winter?
Yes. Winter is often the cheapest time, but snowstorms can delay pickups for a day or two. Consider enclosed transport for classic or luxury cars to keep road salt off the paint.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Chicago?
Book an open carrier two weeks ahead, keep your dates flexible, and meet the truck near O'Hare, the western suburbs or Northwest Indiana. Avoid shipping south from October to December.
How long does it take to ship a car from Chicago?
About 2–4 days to the East Coast and Southeast, 2–4 days to Dallas and 4–7 days to Los Angeles. Add 1–3 days for scheduling.
Related routes and guides
- Car shipping in Illinois
- Car shipping in New York City
- Car shipping in Los Angeles
- Car shipping in San Diego
- Car shipping in Houston
- Car shipping in Miami
- Car shipping in Seattle
- Car shipping in Dallas
- Car shipping in San Jose
- Car shipping in Atlanta
- Get a car shipping quote
How we estimate prices. Prices and transit times on this page are estimates for a standard sedan, based on route distance, typical carrier rates, seasonal demand and the extra cost of enclosed transport. Quotes from individual companies can be higher or lower. Registration details come from the Illinois Secretary of State; truck route rules from Chicago Department of Transportation truck route rules.