Route guide · CA → IL
Shipping a car from California to Illinois
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Chicago costs about $1,175–$1,675 on an open carrier and $1,750–$2,525 in an enclosed trailer, with 5–8 days in transit. It ranks #50 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,425
- Road miles
- 2,060
- Days in transit
- 5–8
- People moving a year
- 15.8K
- Companies at both ends
- 228
City to city
What it costs between California and Illinois cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Chicago, Rockford, Springfield and Peoria — 1,890 to 2,220 road miles apart.
| From | Chicago | Rockford | Springfield | Peoria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,175–$1,6752,060 mi · 5–8 days | $1,150–$1,6501,990 mi · 4–8 days | $1,125–$1,6251,920 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6251,930 mi · 4–7 days |
| San Francisco | $1,225–$1,7502,220 mi · 5–8 days | $1,200–$1,7002,140 mi · 5–8 days | $1,200–$1,7002,120 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,7002,110 mi · 5–8 days |
| San Diego | $1,150–$1,6752,030 mi · 5–8 days | $1,150–$1,6251,960 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6001,890 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6001,900 mi · 4–7 days |
| San Jose | $1,200–$1,7252,160 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,6752,080 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,6752,050 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,6752,050 mi · 5–8 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
Los Angeles to Chicago, 2,060 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 | $1,175–$1,675 | $1,750–$2,525 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,300–$1,875 | $1,975–$2,825 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,450–$2,100 | $2,200–$3,150 |
| Pickup truck | $1,525–$2,175 | $2,275–$3,275 |
| Motorcycle | $700–$1,000 | $1,050–$1,500 |
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 California to Illinois is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,425 Peak: about $1,525
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Illinois
About 15,794 people moved from California to Illinois in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (16,460 in 2023, 15,128 in 2024). That is 2.3% of everyone who left California for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 20,968 people a year move from Illinois back to California — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,425, shipping from California to Illinois costs more than sending a car to Minnesota ($1,325) and Missouri ($1,275) but less than to Tennessee ($1,450) and Indiana ($1,450). That works out to about 69¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Count on 5–8 days on the truck for the 2,060 road miles from Los Angeles to Chicago — federal rules cap drivers at 11 hours a day behind the wheel, and a full carrier makes several stops on the way. The car heads east-northeast and crosses 2 time zones — from Pacific 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 California and Illinois, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end California
122 companies based in California: 91 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,809 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc Los Alamitos · 965 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568253
- Professional Auto Transport Inc Jurupa Valley · 257 trucks · since 2003 · USDOT 1130314
- Central Valley Auto Transport Inc Strathmore · 76 trucks · since 2001 · USDOT 978079
- DBN Auto Transport Anaheim · 75 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2979175
- Safe Auto Transport Inc N Highlands · 44 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2411467
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 California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Illinois
To Illinois from states near California
FAQ
California 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 California to Illinois?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,175–$1,675 from Los Angeles to Chicago (2,060 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,125–$1,750. An SUV costs about $1,300–$1,875, a pickup $1,525–$2,175, and an enclosed trailer $1,750–$2,525 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Illinois?
Transit is usually 5–8 days after pickup for the 2,060-mile trip from Los Angeles 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 California 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 California to Illinois?
Driving 2,060 miles takes about 5 days: roughly $260 in gas and 4 nights of hotels and meals (about $560). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,175–$1,675. Add wear on the car and 5 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Illinois?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 106 based in Illinois, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.