Founded in 1984, locally owned and operated Texas Auto Carriers provides transport, towing, and hauling services for consumer and commercial clients. Our…
Route guide · IL → TX
Car shipping from Illinois to Texas
Car transport from Illinois to Texas runs 940 road miles between the biggest metros. Shipping a running sedan from Chicago to Dallas costs about $825–$1,225 on an open carrier and $1,250–$1,850 in an enclosed trailer, with 2–4 days in transit. It ranks #21 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,025
- Road miles
- 940
- Days in transit
- 2–4
- People moving a year
- 23.8K
- Companies at both ends
- 200
City to city
Cost to ship a car from Illinois to Texas, city to city
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Chicago, Rockford, Springfield and Peoria and Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin — 740 to 1,240 road miles apart.
| From | Dallas | Houston | San Antonio | Austin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $825–$1,225940 mi · 2–4 days | $900–$1,3001,110 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3501,240 mi · 3–5 days | $900–$1,3001,150 mi · 3–5 days |
| Rockford | $825–$1,225920 mi · 2–4 days | $900–$1,3001,100 mi · 3–5 days | $925–$1,3251,210 mi · 3–5 days | $900–$1,3001,130 mi · 3–5 days |
| Springfield | $750–$1,150740 mi · 2–4 days | $800–$1,200900 mi · 2–4 days | $850–$1,2501,030 mi · 3–5 days | $825–$1,225940 mi · 2–4 days |
| Peoria | $775–$1,175800 mi · 2–4 days | $850–$1,250970 mi · 2–4 days | $875–$1,2751,090 mi · 3–5 days | $850–$1,2501,010 mi · 3–5 days |
Estimate, not a quote
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
Chicago to Dallas, 940 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 | $825–$1,225 | $1,250–$1,850 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $925–$1,375 | $1,400–$2,050 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,025–$1,525 | $1,550–$2,300 |
| Pickup truck | $1,075–$1,600 | $1,600–$2,400 |
| Motorcycle | $500–$725 | $750–$1,100 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in December (snowbird season, when retirees ship cars south for the winter and the holidays), running about 20% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Illinois to Texas is February–May and September.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,025 Peak: about $1,225
About this route
Why so many cars go from Illinois to Texas
About 23,845 people moved from Illinois to Texas in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (24,181 in 2023, 23,509 in 2024). That is 8.2% of everyone who left Illinois for another state, making Texas its #4 destination.
Traffic is lopsided: only about 16,708 people a year go the other way, Texas to Illinois. Trucks heading into Texas fill up quickly, so pickups are usually fast — but carriers have less reason to discount in peak months.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,025, shipping from Illinois to Texas costs more than sending a car to New York ($1,000) and South Carolina ($1,000) but less than to Colorado ($1,075) and Florida ($1,200). That works out to about $1.09 a mile.
Distance and transit time
Expect about 940 road miles from Chicago to Dallas — 2–4 days on the truck after pickup. Carriers usually load several cars before heading out, so the pickup window matters as much as transit time. The car heads southwest and stays on Central time the whole way.
On the road
- Winter storms in Illinois can slow pickups and deliveries in December through February — leave slack in your schedule.
Companies
Car transport companies from Illinois to Texas
Companies headquartered at either end of the route usually run this lane often. Filter by services, company type and safety record — every listing is matched to its FMCSA record.
- Pickup end Illinois 82 companies · 66 carriers · 16 brokers · 1,476 trucks · 9 yrs avg.
- Delivery end Texas 118 companies · 89 carriers · 33 brokers · 1,247 trucks · 10 yrs avg.
Eagle Auto Transport is a leader in auto transport and vehicle shipping industry for its competitive prices and on time transportation! If you are looking for…
At Above Auto Transport, we are committed to guiding you through every step of your vehicle shipping journey with care and expertise. Trust us for…
At Thrifty Auto Shipping, we understand the importance of finding a reliable auto transport company that will handle your vehicle with the utmost care. Our…
Established in 2011, Acme Car Shipping has grown into a trusted partner in vehicle transportation. As the best car shipping company for moving and relocation…
AG Car Shipping stands out by demanding full cargo insurance coverage from every active carrier, eliminating hidden broker fees, and providing 24/7 dedicated…
Dedicated to providing quality and hassle-free experiences to all its clients, Autoplex has been surpassing the expectations of many. Started as a small…
We’re committed to revolutionizing automotive transport through industry-leading safety standards, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional customer service…
Reliable & Professional nationwide transport for vehicles,cars,trucks, machinery equipment,motorcycles, trailers, boats, RVs, Freight,Power only,Tow away…
Why choose Bold Auto Transport comes down to one thing most car shipping companies cannot offer: a licensed, federally authorized broker that coordinates your…
Compass Transport offers auto shipping services at reasonable pricing while never sacrificing your needs as a customer. While you may find companies that…
At Crestline Auto Transport, we’ve been moving vehicles across the country for decades. Whether you need to ship a car across the state or from coast to…
FAST AUTOSHIP LLC, based in Austin, Texas, is dedicated to providing exceptional auto shipping services throughout the entire country. While we have a single…
Founded in 2021 by two brothers with extensive experience in leading auto transport companies, Flix Auto Transport was built on a shared passion for…
Freedom Auto Transport is the leader in auto transport and car shipping. The reason we can say this is we have the most conscientious, courteous, and…
A family-run team with 15+ years of hands-on experience. Real support, clear pricing, no hidden fees — from booking to delivery.
What can we say, we're an awesome pack of car shipping experts. We value your trust and we make a habit of earning it time and time again with our…
Family-owned auto transport brokerage shipping vehicles coast-to-coast since 1991. Trusted by thousands of customers nationwide.
Never pay more than expected. Every customer is our VIP customer. Lightning Car Transport has over 14 years of industry experience. We offer reliable car…
From barn finds to pick of the lot, we’re here to deliver your prized possession. We back our first class automotive transport with expert logistics for a…
At NEST Auto Transport, we are dedicated to providing reliable, efficient, and hassle-free vehicle shipping services across the nation. With years of industry…
New World Auto Transport is a family owned and operated business, which values excellence. With over 50 years of experience in all aspects of the automotive…
At NexGen Auto Transport, our mission is to provide unparalleled auto transport solutions that consistently exceed customer expectations. We aim to deliver…
Nexus Auto Transport is a leading car shipping broker specializing in door-to-door transport service. Nexus vets all independent drivers via an extensive…
North Texas Auto Transport, USDOT 3519417, is your trusted partner for seamless door-to-door auto transport across the 48 contiguous United States. We set the…
We understand your vehicle is important, and we are committed to arranging its transport with professionalism and care. We provide trusted coordination…
Ship a Car Direct, the industry leader in stress-free and reliable car shipping services. Established in 2008 as 'Honesty First Auto Transport,' we…
We provide reliable nationwide car shipping with instant quotes, vetted carriers, and door-to-door delivery. Our team manages every detail to ensure your…
Ship That Car is a US-based auto transport company built on a simple idea — treat every shipment like it's our own car on that truck. Real dispatchers…
At Star Auto Shipping, we are dedicated to making vehicle transport simple, secure, and stress-free. With years of experience in the auto transport industry…
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Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Texas but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Illinois? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Illinois to states near Texas
To Texas from states near Illinois
FAQ
Illinois to Texas car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Texas's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Illinois to Texas?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $825–$1,225 from Chicago to Dallas (940 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $750–$1,350. An SUV costs about $925–$1,375, a pickup $1,075–$1,600, and an enclosed trailer $1,250–$1,850 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to Texas?
Transit is usually 2–4 days after pickup for the 940-mile trip from Chicago to Dallas. Getting the car picked up takes another 1–5 days on a standard booking; expedited pickup within 1–2 days costs about 30% more.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Illinois to Texas?
February–May and September is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 20% more. Whatever the month, a flexible pickup date booked 2–3 weeks out gets the best price.
How soon do I have to register my car in Texas after moving?
Texas requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. Get Texas insurance first. Cars in 17 emissions counties — including Harris (Houston), Dallas, Tarrant (Fort Worth) and Travis (Austin) — need an emissions test; then register at the county tax assessor-collector.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Illinois to Texas?
Driving 940 miles takes about 2 days: roughly $120 in gas and 1 night of hotels and meals (about $140). Shipping a sedan costs about $825–$1,225. Over this distance driving usually costs less, if you can spare the day.
Which car shipping companies go from Illinois to Texas?
Our directory lists 82 companies based in Illinois and 118 based in Texas, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 192 that ship nationwide.