Distance & lane
Joliet's frequent Houston lane and longer coastbound trips cover different mileage and attract different carrier demand, so route length and lane activity shape the quote.
Joliet, IL Car Shipping 2026 Costs & Routes
Typical cost to ship a car from Joliet$800–$975
Shipping to Joliet: $725–$1,150
At a glance
- Common laneJoliet's top destination is Houston; across the Chicago metro, Houston quotes run $800–$950 with road time of 1–4 days, while Los Angeles leads overall.
- Inbound originsCalifornia leads Joliet inbound shipments on record with 12; Arizona and Florida each have 5.
- Vehicle choiceFor a running Joliet sedan, enclosed service typically costs about 1.4x open; an SUV/crossover runs about $75 more than a sedan on open transport.
- New resident ruleNew Illinois residents must apply for title and registration within 30 days after moving if the car is registered in another state. [IL SOS]
Prices by vehicle
What it costs to ship your vehicle from Joliet
For a running sedan, open transport is the budget-minded baseline; enclosed shipping costs more for added protection. SUVs and crossovers generally price above sedans because carriers use more trailer space.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / coupe | $850 | $1,225 |
| SUV / crossover | $925 | Quote on request |
Median customer quote on record for running vehicles leaving Joliet, across all routes. Your route and dates set the final price.
Joliet vs. the Chicago metro
How Joliet compares to the rest of the Chicago area
Typical quote from Joliet$800–$975Chicago metro: $800–$1,050
Compared with the metroAbout $50 lowermidpoint of the typical range
Shipments from Joliet on record76#5 of 6 SAKAEM city pages in the Chicago metro
Top destination from JolietHouston, TXmetro-wide: Los Angeles, CA
Based on shipments picked up in Joliet's own ZIP codes, compared with the whole Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro.
Popular routes
Top destinations from the Chicago metro
Joliet doesn't have enough shipments on record for its own route table yet, so these are the routes for the Chicago metro.
| 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–$9501–4 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 Joliet cars come from
California leads Joliet's inbound shipments on record, with Arizona and Florida also among the top origins. Long-haul arrivals from these states meet northern Illinois snow, ice, and lake-effect storms in winter, which can slow delivery.
- California12
- Arizona5
- Florida5
Shipments delivered to Joliet on record, by origin state.
Reviews
What customers say about shipping with SAKAEM
★★★★★
I had my BMW transferred from North Carolina to Nevada, and the entire process was handled very professionally. From the initial agreement to the final drop-off, everyone involved was courteous and kept me informed throughout the entire transfer.
★★★★★
Everything went smoothly, from set-up, to pick-up, to delivery. The men picking up the vehicle were friendly and professional. I would highly recommend them and would use them again!
★★★★★
SAKAEM Logistics is a leading vehicle transportation and freight broker that combines decades of industry expertise, cutting-edge digital technology, and a broad carrier network to deliver safe, affordable, and seamless logistics services across North America.
Cost factors
What moves the price of a Joliet shipment
Season
Northern Illinois snow, ice, and lake-effect storms can delay delivery from about December through March. Winter weather can also affect carrier availability and scheduling.
Vehicle size
SUVs and crossovers typically quote above sedans because they take more trailer space than smaller cars.
Pickup access
Near Downtown City Center or East Side Historic District, street access and turning room can affect whether a carrier reaches your address or needs an alternate handoff.
Open vs enclosed
Open trailers are a budget-minded choice; enclosed transport adds protection from weather and road debris, but specialized space and handling raise the price.
Save money
5 ways to pay less (and wait less)
Give carriers route flexibility
Share a flexible pickup window and note whether your address is near I-55, I-80, or I-355 so carriers can coordinate an efficient Joliet-area route.
Set an accessible meeting point
If your street near Downtown City Center is tight, choose a wide, accessible meeting point before dispatch so the truck can load safely.
Match service to the car
Choose open transport for an everyday running car; reserve enclosed service for a high-value vehicle that needs added protection.
Plan for winter conditions
If your delivery is during northern Illinois winter weather, keep your contact details current and stay reachable if snow, ice, or lake-effect storms affect the route.
Document the vehicle
Photograph your car in Joliet before loading and compare its condition at delivery; note existing marks on the Bill of Lading.
Getting your car ready? See our vehicle shipping tips.
Moving to Joliet
Your Illinois car checklist
A move to Joliet can mean several Illinois vehicle steps. Use the checklist below to review title, insurance, emissions, and toll needs for your situation.
New resident deadline
If your car is already registered in another state, apply for Illinois title and registration within 30 days of moving. [IL SOS]
Title transfer
At a Secretary of State facility, bring form VSD 190 and your out-of-state title. If a lender holds the title, bring a title copy or out-of-state registration and your loan agreement. [IL SOS]
Insurance
Illinois requires 25/50/20 liability coverage: $25,000 for one person hurt, $50,000 for everyone hurt in one crash, and $20,000 for property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash is also required. [IL Dept. of Insurance]
Emissions
Testing depends on your ZIP code in parts of the Chicago area and Metro-East St. Louis area. Most 1996 and newer gas cars need a test once they are 4 years old; Illinois mails a notice when it is due. [Illinois EPA]
Safety inspection
Illinois does not require safety inspections for private passenger cars; its safety inspection program covers trucks, school buses, and other commercial vehicles. [IDOT]
Illinois Tollway
I-PASS or E-ZPass works on the Illinois Tollway around Chicago; I-PASS users pay 50% less than the cash rate. Without a transponder, set up Pay By Plate within 14 days of your trip to avoid fines. [Illinois Tollway]
- County
- Will County, Illinois
- Main roads
- I-55, I-80, I-355, US-6
- Neighborhoods
- East Side Historic District, Downtown City Center, Cathedral neighborhood, Cunningham neighborhood
- Nearby cities
- Chicago, Naperville, Urbana, Schaumburg, Bloomington
Joliet at a glance
Service area
Pickup and delivery in and around Joliet
SAKAEM arranges pickup and delivery in East Side Historic District, Downtown City Center, Cathedral, Cunningham, Garnsey, and Reedwood, with access via I-55, I-80, I-355, US-6, US-30, and US-52. Service also extends to Chicago, Naperville, Urbana, Schaumburg, Bloomington, Downers Grove, Peoria, and Rockford.
Joliet ZIP codes
- 60431
- 60432
- 60433
- 60434
- 60435
- 60436
How it works
Shipping your car in four steps
Share your route
Provide pickup and delivery locations, vehicle details, and your preferred dates to get a quote.
Choose your service
Select open or enclosed transport and confirm an accessible pickup point near your Joliet neighborhood.
Prepare for pickup
Meet the carrier, review the vehicle's condition, and complete the Bill of Lading before loading.
Complete delivery
Coordinate delivery details with the carrier, then inspect the vehicle and complete the handoff.
New to auto transport? Here's how to ship a car, step by step.
FAQ
Joliet car shipping questions
How much does car shipping cost in Joliet?
For Joliet, typical open-transport quotes for a running vehicle are $800–$975 outbound and $725–$1,150 inbound. Those ranges describe the middle half of customer quotes on record, not a fixed offer. Your route, vehicle size, pickup access, season, and choice of open or enclosed service can change the final quote.
How long does car shipping take?
Joliet's most common outbound destination is Houston. Across the Chicago metro, Houston trips typically take 1–4 days on the road and Los Angeles trips take 3–7 days. Transit starts after pickup, and estimates aren't guarantees. Northern Illinois winter weather can delay delivery.
Is my car insured during transport?
The carriers SAKAEM books are FMCSA-licensed and insured, with at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage and $100,000 in cargo coverage. At pickup, review the vehicle condition with the driver and make sure existing marks are noted on the Bill of Lading; check the car again at delivery and report any new damage promptly.
Can I pack personal items in the car?
SAKAEM allows up to 100 lbs of personal items in the trunk or below the window line. Keep the load within that limit, secure loose belongings, and leave valuables, important documents, and anything you may need during the move with you. Personal items should not block the driver's view or interfere with the vehicle inspection.
Can you ship a non-running car?
SAKAEM can ship a non-running vehicle if it rolls, brakes, and steers, and a key is available. Tell us up front that it does not run and describe the issue so the carrier can bring the right equipment and plan loading. If it cannot roll, brake, or steer, confirm carrier options before booking.
How do I pay for car shipping?
You can pay by card, or pay the carrier by cash or certified check; Zelle and Venmo are accepted too. Confirm the agreed payment method before pickup so you know what is due to SAKAEM and what, if anything, is paid directly to the carrier.
Do I need to be present at pickup and delivery?
Yes. A designated adult must be at both pickup and delivery to inspect the vehicle and sign the Bill of Lading. If you cannot attend, arrange for another adult you trust and share their details with the carrier in advance so the handoff can proceed smoothly.
Have another question? Browse the full car shipping FAQ.
Get a Joliet car shipping quote
Share your route, vehicle, and preferred pickup window, and SAKAEM will help match your shipment to a carrier.
Sources: SAKAEM shipment records on file (October 2026); US Census Bureau (county); [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