Best Car Shipping Companies In Illinois
While the best Illinois car shipping company is Montway Auto Transport, we’d also recommend Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, and American Auto Shipping.
From our #1 rated provider, 
If you need to move temporarily or permanently, transporting your car to or from Illinois should be easy. In this article, we’ll provide a look at the five best car shipping companies in Illinois that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We will also explain the costs of shipping for both open and enclosed transport services, as well as provide guidance on how to easily ship your car.
The Gist:
- Our team found that Montway Auto Transport is the best Illinois car shipping company, though it’s best to compare rates with those from Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping and AmeriFreight.
- The average cost to ship a car to or from Illinois is $866 for open car shipping services and $1,213 for enclosed auto transport.
- Your car shipping cost in Illinois depends on factors like a city’s size, nearby traffic patterns, and weather conditions.
5 Best Car Shipping Companies In Illinois
We have dedicated more than 300 hours to studying the auto transport field in order to offer a truthful assessment of the top car shipping firms in the industry. If you’re moving a car to or from Chicago, Springfield, Bloomington, or beyond, check out our list of the best Illinois car shipping companies.
1. Montway Auto Transport: Best Reputation
Montway Auto Transport is our top choice among the best auto transport companies of 2024 due to their dependable service and affordable rates. While Montway may not have the lowest prices, their excellent customer service and diverse options make them stand out from the competition.
Montway Auto Transport is a big and well-liked auto transportation company in the country. They serve all 50 states and also do international shipping. Because they have a lot of carriers they work with, Montway can provide customers with prices that are lower than what is usually found in the market.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport review
2. Sherpa Auto Transport: Best For Locked-In Rates
According to our research team’s special rating system, Sherpa Auto Transport gets a score of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. They are praised for their affordable prices, high customer satisfaction, and wide range of services. As an added bonus, Sherpa also gives customers a $20 refund for car washes with their Clean Car Guarantee.
Sherpa Auto Transport makes it simple to ship your vehicle and guarantees transparent pricing with their Price Lock Promise. This means that the price you’re initially quoted is the amount you’ll pay in the end – they’ll even cover up to $300 if needed, so your rate won’t go up.
Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport review
3. SGT Auto Transport: Best Price-Match Guarantee
SGT Auto Transport received a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars because they provide different shipping choices at affordable prices. They received a high score for their services because they offer various options like open, enclosed, and door-to-door auto transportation. They also provide expedited delivery and guaranteed pickup dates.
At SGT Auto Transport, you won’t need to pay until the carrier comes to pick up your vehicle. If you find a cheaper price from another company, SGT Auto Transport will give you the same price. Our team discovered that most customers have a good experience with this provider.
Read more: SGT Auto Transport review
4. American Auto Shipping: Best Service Availability
American Auto Shipping provides various services for transporting vehicles to their destinations. They have an excellent rating of 5.0 for their services. This provider offers door-to-door shipping, both open and enclosed auto transport, shipping to Hawaii, transportation of motorcycles, shipping military vehicles, as well as heavy equipment transport, among other services.
American Auto Shipping strives to offer customers a pleasant experience with perks like a covered rental car if your shipment is delayed over 14 days past the delivery date. Another benefit is your choice of pickup times from three different options–standard, priority, or expedited.
Read more: American Auto Shipping review
5. AmeriFreight: Best For Discounts
AmeriFreight has prices that are normal for the industry, but customers can reduce their rates by taking advantage of AmeriFreight’s discounts and pricing tiers. These discounts include lower prices for customers who have used AmeriFreight before, customers who ship multiple vehicles, first responders and medical personnel, seniors, students, and more.
AmeriFreight is considered one of the best auto shippers because they offer various discounts, price-match services, and excellent customer service. They work with over 10,000 car carriers to make sure each one is licensed and insured.
Read more: AmeriFreight review
Other Illinois Car Shipping Companies
Although we mentioned five well-known car shipping providers at the national level earlier, there are also some excellent regional options for shipping cars in Illinois. Take a look below to consider one more provider.
Evolution Auto Shipping
Evolution Auto Shipping is headquartered in Vernon Hills, IL. Learn more about this provider on the Evolution Auto Shipping website.
Illinois Car Shipping Costs
The price of shipping a car in Illinois can be different based on a few things. Some things that can affect the price depend on what you want, like the type of transportation you choose. When you send your car, you’ll probably use a trailer, either open or enclosed. We’ve given the average costs for both types of shipping to and from Illinois below.
Open Car Shipping Costs In Illinois
Open car shipping is a way to transport many vehicles together on a trailer that doesn’t have walls or a roof. This method is cheaper, but it carries more risk compared to enclosed transport services.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Illinois using open auto transport is $866, which is 14 percent cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Illinois car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Chicago To Boston | $1,029 |
| Chicago To San Francisco | $1,099 |
| Springfield To Miami | $819 |
| Springfield To San Francisco | $1,199 |
| Bloomington To San Francisco | $1,099 |
| Bloomington To New York | $949 |
| Champaign To Los Angeles | $1,129 |
| Champaign To Miami | $699 |
| Miami To Bloomington | $1,099 |
| Los Angeles To Bloomington | $1,049 |
| San Francisco To Champaign | $1,199 |
| New York To Champaign | $719 |
| Las Vegas To Chicago | $999 |
| Portland To Chicago | $1,099 |
| Los Angeles To Springfield | $1,299 |
| New York To Springfield | $949 |
Enclosed Car Shipping Costs In Illinois
Enclosed auto transport services utilize an enclosed carrier that provides the ultimate level of protection from road hazards during transport. While it makes Illinois car shipping much pricier than open auto transport services, owners of classic or luxury cars should consider it.
The average cost to ship a car to and from Illinois using enclosed car shipping is $1,213, which is 40 percent more than the average cost of open car shipping in Illinois. The table below has average costs of popular Illinois car shipping routes using enclosed transport.
| Auto Shipping Route | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Chicago To Boston | $1,439 |
| Chicago To San Francisco | $1,539 |
| Springfield To Miami | $1,149 |
| Springfield To San Francisco | $1,679 |
| Bloomington To San Francisco | $1,539 |
| Bloomington To New York | $1,329 |
| Champaign To Los Angeles | $1,579 |
| Champaign To Miami | $979 |
| Miami To Bloomington | $1,539 |
| Los Angeles To Bloomington | $1,469 |
| San Francisco To Champaign | $1,679 |
| New York To Champaign | $1,009 |
| Las Vegas To Chicago | $1,399 |
| Portland To Chicago | $1,539 |
| Los Angeles To Springfield | $1,819 |
| New York To Springfield | $1,329 |
What Affects Car Shipping Costs In Illinois?
Your exact car shipping costs for Illinois will likely depend on various factors. When you ship a car, different factors can change how much you have to pay. These factors include things like the type of transportation, where it’s being delivered, the cost of fuel, the distance it’s being shipped, the type of vehicle, and the condition of the car.
How To Ship A Car To And From Illinois
Are you trying to figure out how to ship a car in Illinois but don’t know where to start? It might seem complicated at first, but we’ve made things easy for you by explaining the process of transporting your car below, so you don’t have to worry.
Choose Your Shipping Method
First, you have to choose how you want to transport your vehicle. As previously mentioned, enclosed and open carrier car shipping are the most common types used across the industry. Both have their pros and cons, so comparing enclosed vs. open auto transport will help you determine which best fits your needs.
Compare Illinois Car Shipping Quotes
Once you have decided on how you will transport your vehicle, it is time to compare the prices for transporting a car in Illinois. It’s easy to get online quotes for car shipping, and we recommend providing vehicle details to various car shipping companies to find the best price.
Remember that while some companies promise to honor the price they quote you for shipping your car in Illinois, others may raise the rate due to changes in the market. If having a fixed price for your Illinois car shipping service is important to you, then select a provider that offers this guarantee.
Select A Transport Provider
After looking at different quotes for transporting cars, you will probably have fewer options to choose from for shipping services in Illinois. Now, you have to decide if you prefer working with a car shipping broker or an online shipping marketplace. Brokers will help you find a car carrier, while shipping marketplaces leave it up to you to communicate directly with carriers.
Make sure to do your research using online review platforms and discussion boards, no matter what you decide. Hearing about other customers’ experiences with shipping providers is really helpful when deciding who to use for car transport in Illinois.
Prepare Your Car And Meet The Carrier
After you have arranged for a vehicle transport service, it is important to prepare your car for shipping. Make sure to remove any personal belongings from your vehicle, as some transporters in Illinois take into account the weight of the vehicle when determining the cost. It’s also wise to leave your gas tank no more than a quarter full.
It’s now time to meet your carrier at a predetermined time and location. Whether you opted for door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping, you’ll inspect your vehicle for prior damages such as dents, scratches, and dings. Make sure you take pictures of your car before it is put on the trailer so you have proof of its condition. All you need to do now is sign the bill of lading, which is a receipt that follows your vehicle as it travels to or from Illinois.
Pick Your Car Up
If the company you choose to transport your vehicle has GPS tracking, you can watch your car travel to or from Illinois live. However, even if they don’t have GPS, the carrier will still notify you about when they will pick up your vehicle.
When you arrive at the scheduled place and time to meet your carrier, make sure to check your vehicle for any damages. This is especially important for people who choose open auto transport. If you find any damages, report them on the bill of lading and take photos for potential claims. However, if everything looks good, you’ll just sign the bill of lading one last time and drive the car away.
What To Expect With Illinois Car Shipping
When you ship a car to or from Illinois, there are things about the state that could affect your car shipping experience. The size of the city, how many people live there, traffic, and bad weather may all impact how long it takes to ship your car in Illinois. It’s a good idea to know about these things in advance so you won’t be surprised during the shipping process.
Population density can also have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. Illinois is less densely populated than other states in the U.S., which may make door-to-delivery less of a hassle. However, availability may differ in major cities such as Chicago and Springfield.
In addition, many cities in Illinois have higher-than-average rainfall and greater chances of extreme weather. Bad weather like storms or flooding might cause shipping delays for Illinois auto transport. To avoid any problems, make sure to plan ahead and be open to the possibility of delivery time frames changing during the shipping process.
Illinois Car Shipping: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions customers have about Illinois car shipping.
Why would a person want to ship their car?
If you’re moving more than a few hundred miles away, a long-distance road trip might not be worth it. Cross-country car shipping can provide peace of mind while offering protection from risks associated with long drives, such as mechanical breakdowns and car accidents. Getting your car to Illinois from far away states is much easier with auto transport.
What are the benefits of car shipping?
Car shipping is a safe way to get your car to and from Illinois without wasting the time and expenses associated with a long road trip. Choosing to ship your car rather than drive it will also protect your car from the wear and tear that comes along with extended driving periods.
How do I ship a car to Illinois?
You’ll start the shipping process by researching various car shipping companies and getting free quotes online. Next, you’ll choose a provider, book your shipment, and prepare the car for transport. Once your car has made it to or from Illinois, you’ll meet the car carrier for pickup.
How We Rate Illinois Auto Shippers
Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car shipping companies. While there are multiple qualities that make an auto transport provider successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:
- Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact auto shipping rates. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and routes.
- Services: Our team of experts looks at the types of services available, as well as insurance coverage and the ability to guarantee pickup and dropoff dates. Ratings also take into account whether the transport company is a broker or a carrier.
- Reputation: It’s important that a car shipping provider is able to deliver your vehicle in a safe and timely manner. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
- Customer Experience: We comb through consumer reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Car transport companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
*Read more about our methodology.
