Distance & lane
Chicago routes to California and Washington cover more road than routes to Texas, so distance and carrier availability can move quotes differently by destination.
Chicago, IL Car Shipping 2026 Costs & Routes
Typical cost to ship a car from Chicago$800–$1,050
Shipping to Chicago: $800–$1,175
At a glance
- Top outbound laneLos Angeles is Chicago’s top outbound destination on record: 547 shipments, with typical quotes of $925–$1,100 and transit of 3–7 days.
- Where arriving cars come fromCalifornia leads cars arriving in Chicago: 1,750 shipments on record; Florida follows with 1,154.
- Vehicle sizeOn open transport, an SUV/crossover typically costs $50 more than a sedan; a pickup truck is typically $225 more.
- Illinois registrationNew Illinois residents must apply for an Illinois title and registration within 30 days after moving. [IL SOS]
Prices by vehicle
What it costs to ship your vehicle from Chicago
The table makes sedans and coupes a useful lower-cost baseline; SUVs, pickups, and vans generally cost more to move. Enclosed transport adds protection for a valuable car, but comes at a premium.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $900 | $1,375 |
| SUV / crossover | $950 | $1,500 |
| Pickup truck | $1,125 | Quote on request |
| Van / minivan | $1,050 | Quote on request |
Median customer quote on record for running vehicles leaving Chicago, across all routes. Your route and dates set the final price.
Popular routes
Top destinations from Chicago
| Destination | Typical range | Quote · transit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA547 shipments on recordIL → CA guide | $925–$1,1003–7 days transit | |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ491 shipments on recordIL → AZ guide | $900–$1,0252–6 days transit | |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA284 shipments on recordIL → CA guide | $950–$1,1253–7 days transit | |
| 4 | Miami, FL260 shipments on recordIL → FL guide | $800–$9752–6 days transit | |
| 5 | Seattle, WA257 shipments on record | $1,025–$1,1753–7 days transit | |
| 6 | Dallas, TX233 shipments on recordIL → TX guide | $750–$9001–4 days transit | |
| 7 | San Diego, CA193 shipments on recordIL → CA guide | $975–$1,1503–7 days transit | |
| 8 | Houston, TX187 shipments on recordIL → TX guide | $800–$9501–4 days transit | |
| 9 | Tampa, FL178 shipments on recordIL → FL guide | $800–$9501–5 days transit | |
| 10 | San Jose, CA175 shipments on recordIL → CA guide | $950–$1,1003–7 days transit | |
$750$1,000$1,250 |
Transit is SAKAEM's standard estimate by distance, counted from pickup.
Where Chicago cars come from
Among cars arriving in Chicago, California, Florida, Arizona, Texas, Washington, and Nevada account for most on-record shipments. These long-distance lanes can leave the final approach exposed to Chicago-area snow, ice, and lake-effect storms, which can delay delivery from about December through March.
- California1750
- Florida1154
- Arizona559
- Texas543
- Washington304
- Nevada180
Shipments delivered to Chicago on record, by origin state.
Reviews
What customers say about shipping with SAKAEM
★★★★★
Great experience working with Sakaem, I hired them to transport my son's vehicle from Chicago to Air Force base in Mississippi, vehicle was delivered as expected, driver was flexible with drop off location since he was not able to access into military base. So he arranged with my son to deliver at an outside location. Would work again with Sakaem Logistic in future.
★★★★★
Fast and professional delivery. Reasonable prices. Excellent service overall. I recommended to others as well.
★★★★★
Very smooth process. Driver was very attentive. Due to the destination driveway being long and narrow for his truck, he unloaded the vehicle across the highway and personally drove it up to the house. Great service.
Cost factors
What moves the price of a Chicago shipment
Season
Snow, ice, and lake-effect storms in Chicago and northern Illinois can disrupt winter carrier schedules. Snowbird season can also shift capacity on routes to Florida and Arizona.
Vehicle size
A sedan takes less trailer room than an SUV, pickup, or van. Larger dimensions and weight can raise the carrier’s cost, especially for oversized configurations.
Pickup access
Tight Loop blocks, gated drives, and loading restrictions can limit where a carrier can safely stop. A workable truck route and meeting point affect dispatch effort.
Open vs enclosed
Open transport suits many standard daily drivers. Enclosed service adds protection from weather and road debris for collector or high-value cars, and costs more.
Want the full picture? Read our guide to the cost to ship a car.
Save money
5 ways to pay less (and wait less)
Allow a flexible pickup window
For a move to California, Arizona, or Florida, give dispatch a flexible pickup window rather than tying the handoff to one exact hour.
Share access details early
For a Loop, Lincoln Park, or Hyde Park pickup, share building rules and street access details before booking; suggest an alternate meeting spot if the block is tight.
Consider a suburban handoff
If a city street is difficult for a carrier to reach, offer a practical meeting point in Naperville, Joliet, or Schaumburg.
Prepare for winter pickup
During Chicago winter, clear snow and ice from the car and keep the pickup area accessible so the carrier can inspect and load it.
Keep your toll tag with you
Remove your I-PASS or E-ZPass from the car before transport and keep it with you.
Getting your car ready? See our vehicle shipping tips.
Moving to Chicago
Your Illinois car checklist
A move to Chicago can involve more than unloading the car: plan your Illinois title, registration, insurance, and inspection steps as part of the move. Check the requirements below early, especially if your car still has out-of-state registration.
Apply for Illinois registration
New Illinois residents with a car registered in another state have 30 days after moving to apply for an Illinois title and registration. [IL SOS]
Gather title-transfer documents
At a Secretary of State facility, bring form VSD 190 and your out-of-state title. If a lender holds it, bring a title copy or out-of-state registration and your loan agreement. [IL SOS]
Check insurance coverage
Illinois requires 25/50/20 liability coverage, plus uninsured-motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash. [IL Dept. of Insurance]
Check emissions and inspection rules
Emissions testing depends on ZIP code in parts of the Chicago area; most 1996-and-newer gas cars need a test once 4 years old. Private passenger cars do not need a safety inspection. [Illinois EPA] [IDOT]
Review window-tint limits
Windshield tint is allowed only on the top 6 inches. Front-side limits depend on rear-window tint; a tinted back window requires mirrors on both sides. [625 ILCS 5/12-503]
Plan for toll roads
The Illinois Tollway uses I-PASS; E-ZPass also works, and I-PASS users pay 50% less than the cash rate. Without a transponder, set up Pay By Plate within 14 days of travel to avoid fines. [Illinois Tollway]
- County
- Cook County, Illinois
- Main roads
- I-55, I-90, I-94, I-290
- Neighborhoods
- The Loop, Pilsen, Lincoln Park, Hyde Park
- Nearby cities
- Naperville, Urbana, Joliet, Schaumburg, Bloomington
Chicago at a glance
Service area
Pickup and delivery in and around Chicago
SAKAEM can arrange pickup or delivery in The Loop, Pilsen, Lincoln Park, and Hyde Park, with routing near I-55, I-90, I-94, I-290, I-294, and I-80. Coverage also includes Naperville, Urbana, Joliet, Schaumburg, Bloomington, Downers Grove, Peoria, and Rockford.
Chicago ZIP codes
- 60601
- 60602
- 60603
- 60604
- 60605
- 60606
- 60607
- 60608
- 60609
- 60610
- 60611
- 60612
- 60613
- 60614
- 60615
- 60616
How it works
Shipping your car in four steps
Request a quote
Share pickup and delivery ZIP codes, vehicle details, running condition, and your preferred dates for a route-specific quote.
Choose transport
Compare open and enclosed options, then confirm a pickup plan that fits your vehicle and address access.
Prepare for pickup
Have the keys ready and review the car’s condition with the carrier at handoff.
Complete delivery
Meet the carrier at the agreed location, check the vehicle, and note any concerns before completing the delivery paperwork.
New to auto transport? Here's how to ship a car, step by step.
FAQ
Chicago car shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to or from Chicago?
For Chicago shipments on record, typical open-transport quotes for a running vehicle are $800–$1,050 leaving the city and $800–$1,175 coming in. Those figures cover the middle half of customer quotes. Your route, vehicle, pickup access, and choice of open or enclosed transport shape the final quote.
How long does car shipping to or from Chicago take?
From Chicago, Dallas and Houston are typically 1–4 days on the road after pickup; Miami is 2–6 days, while Los Angeles is 3–7 days. Transit starts after pickup, and these estimates aren’t guarantees. Chicago winter snow, ice, and lake-effect storms can delay deliveries from about December through March.
Is my car insured during transport?
SAKAEM uses FMCSA-licensed and insured carriers. Carriers carry at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage and $100,000 in cargo insurance. Ask for the carrier’s insurance details before pickup, and keep the condition report and shipping paperwork with your records for reference.
Can I pack personal items in the car?
SAKAEM allows up to 100 lbs of personal items, kept in the trunk or below the window line. Keep valuables, documents, and fragile items with you. Tell your coordinator what you plan to pack before pickup so the carrier knows what to expect and can confirm the load.
Can you ship a non-running car?
Yes. SAKAEM can ship a non-running car if it rolls, brakes, and steers, and you provide a key. Tell us what works before booking so the carrier can plan the loading approach and quote the move accurately. If the car cannot roll, brake, or steer, mention that before scheduling.
How do I pay for car shipping?
SAKAEM requires no upfront deposit, and cancellation is free. You can pay by card or pay the carrier with cash or certified check; Zelle and Venmo are also accepted. Confirm your chosen payment method before pickup so you and the carrier know what to expect at delivery.
Do I need to be present at pickup and delivery?
A designated adult must be at both pickup and delivery to inspect the car and sign the Bill of Lading. You can arrange for someone you trust if you cannot attend. Make sure they can access the car and keys and are ready to review the vehicle at handoff.
Have another question? Browse the full car shipping FAQ.
Get a Chicago car shipping quote
Share your route and vehicle details to get a quote for your Chicago pickup or delivery.
Sources: SAKAEM shipment records on file (October 2026); US Census Bureau (county); [625 ILCS 5/12-503], [IDOT], [IL Dept. of Insurance], [IL SOS], [Illinois EPA], [Illinois Tollway], official state sources, verified 2026-10-01.
Industry Resources: FMCSA Carrier Lookup · U.S. Department of Transportation · SAKAEM Logistics on BBB · NHTSA