Route guide · AZ → IL
Shipping a car from Arizona to Illinois
Shipping a running sedan from Phoenix to Chicago costs about $1,075–$1,525 on an open carrier and $1,600–$2,300 in an enclosed trailer, with 4–7 days in transit. It ranks #144 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,300
- Road miles
- 1,700
- Days in transit
- 4–7
- People moving a year
- 5.3K
- Companies at both ends
- 147
City to city
What it costs between Arizona and Illinois cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma and Flagstaff and Chicago, Rockford, Springfield and Peoria — 1,470 to 1,890 road miles apart.
| From | Chicago | Rockford | Springfield | Peoria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $1,075–$1,5251,700 mi · 4–7 days | $1,050–$1,5001,630 mi · 4–6 days | $1,025–$1,4751,550 mi · 4–6 days | $1,025–$1,4751,570 mi · 4–6 days |
| Tucson | $1,075–$1,5251,700 mi · 4–7 days | $1,050–$1,5001,630 mi · 4–6 days | $1,025–$1,4501,530 mi · 4–6 days | $1,025–$1,4751,550 mi · 4–6 days |
| Yuma | $1,125–$1,6001,890 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,5751,820 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5501,730 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5501,750 mi · 4–7 days |
| Flagstaff | $1,050–$1,5001,610 mi · 4–6 days | $1,025–$1,4751,540 mi · 4–6 days | $1,000–$1,4501,470 mi · 3–6 days | $1,000–$1,4501,480 mi · 3–6 days |
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Phoenix to Chicago, 1,700 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $1,075–$1,525 | $1,600–$2,300 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,200–$1,725 | $1,800–$2,575 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,350–$1,925 | $2,000–$2,875 |
| Pickup truck | $1,400–$2,000 | $2,075–$2,975 |
| Motorcycle | $650–$925 | $975–$1,375 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Arizona to Illinois is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,300 Peak: about $1,400
About this route
Why so many cars go from Arizona to Illinois
About 5,274 people moved from Arizona to Illinois in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (4,417 in 2023, 6,130 in 2024). That is 2.8% of everyone who left Arizona for another state.
This is the lighter direction: about 9,238 people a year move Illinois to Arizona. Carriers that bring cars into Arizona need loads back toward Illinois, so it's worth asking for a backhaul price on this leg.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,300, shipping from Arizona to Illinois costs more than sending a car to Minnesota ($1,225) and Washington ($1,175) but less than to Ohio ($1,375) and Michigan ($1,400). That works out to about 76¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Your car spends 4–7 days on the road for the roughly 1,700 miles from Phoenix to Chicago, after a pickup window of a few days while the carrier assembles a full load. The car heads east-northeast and crosses one time zone — from Mountain to Central time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- The route crosses mountain passes in the West; from November to March, snow and chain laws can hold trucks for a day or two.
- Winter storms in Illinois can slow pickups and deliveries in December through February — leave slack in your schedule.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Arizona and Illinois, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Arizona
41 companies based in Arizona: 30 carriers, 5 brokers, 154 trucks in total, 13 years in business on average.
- Motor Car Auto Carriers Inc Glendal · 45 trucks · since 2000 · USDOT 915692
- Auto-Matic Auto Carriers LLC Tucson · 23 trucks · since 2009 · USDOT 1965940
- J&S Transportation Tucson · 14 trucks · since 2000 · USDOT 911585
- Zemo Auto Transport LLC Peoria · 6 trucks · since 2015 · USDOT 2781497
- J & J Auto Transport LLC Litchfield Park · 5 trucks · since 2019 · USDOT 3244816
Delivery end Illinois
106 companies based in Illinois: 90 carriers, 14 brokers, 1,639 trucks in total, 8 years in business on average.
- Cassens Transport Company Edwardsville · 911 trucks · since 1974 · USDOT 124358
- Orgil Auto Transport Rosemont · 75 trucks · since 2010 · USDOT 2005112
- Americars Transportation Inc Aurora · 65 trucks · since 2016 · USDOT 2913704
- Windy City Auto Transportation LLC Hazel Crest · 61 trucks · since 2025 · USDOT 4367050
- American Auto Transport Inc Lombard · 57 trucks · since 2004 · USDOT 1291429
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Illinois but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Arizona? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Arizona to states near Illinois
To Illinois from states near Arizona
FAQ
Arizona to Illinois car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Illinois's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Arizona to Illinois?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,075–$1,525 from Phoenix to Chicago (1,700 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,000–$1,600. An SUV costs about $1,200–$1,725, a pickup $1,400–$2,000, and an enclosed trailer $1,600–$2,300 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Arizona to Illinois?
Transit is usually 4–7 days after pickup for the 1,700-mile trip from Phoenix to Chicago. The wait for pickup is separate: typically 1–5 days, or 1–2 days if you pay about 30% more for expedited service.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Arizona to Illinois?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in Illinois after moving?
Illinois requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. Apply for an Illinois title and registration at a Secretary of State facility or by mail.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Arizona to Illinois?
Driving 1,700 miles takes about 4 days: roughly $220 in gas and 3 nights of hotels and meals (about $420). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,075–$1,525. Add wear on the car and 4 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Arizona to Illinois?
Our directory lists 41 companies based in Arizona and 106 based in Illinois, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.