Route guide · IL → VA
Shipping a car from Illinois to Virginia
Shipping a running sedan from Chicago to Virginia Beach costs about $775–$1,175 on an open carrier and $1,175–$1,775 in an enclosed trailer, with 2–4 days in transit. It ranks #231 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $975
- Road miles
- 840
- Days in transit
- 2–4
- People moving a year
- 7.2K
- Companies at both ends
- 134
City to city
What it costs between Illinois and Virginia cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Chicago, Rockford, Springfield and Peoria and Virginia Beach, Richmond, Alexandria and Roanoke — 610 to 930 road miles apart.
| From | Virginia Beach | Richmond | Alexandria | Roanoke |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $775–$1,175840 mi · 2–4 days | $750–$1,150730 mi · 2–4 days | $725–$1,125700 mi · 2–4 days | $675–$1,075610 mi · 2–3 days |
| Rockford | $825–$1,225930 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175820 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175790 mi · 2–4 days | $725–$1,125700 mi · 2–4 days |
| Springfield | $800–$1,200900 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175800 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175800 mi · 2–4 days | $700–$1,100650 mi · 2–3 days |
| Peoria | $825–$1,225920 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175810 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175800 mi · 2–4 days | $700–$1,100670 mi · 2–4 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
Chicago to Virginia Beach, 840 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 | $775–$1,175 | $1,175–$1,775 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $875–$1,325 | $1,325–$2,000 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $975–$1,475 | $1,475–$2,225 |
| Pickup truck | $1,025–$1,550 | $1,525–$2,325 |
| Motorcycle | $475–$700 | $700–$1,075 |
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 Illinois to Virginia is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $975 Peak: about $1,075
About this route
Why so many cars go from Illinois to Virginia
About 7,214 people moved from Illinois to Virginia in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (7,940 in 2023, 6,488 in 2024). That is 2.5% of everyone who left Illinois for another state.
Only about 4,925 people a year go back from Virginia to Illinois, so demand here is mostly one-way. With trucks toward Virginia in steady demand, expect quick pickups and little room to haggle.
How the price compares
At a typical $975, shipping from Illinois to Virginia costs more than sending a car to Georgia ($925) and Wisconsin ($525) but less than to New York ($1,000) and South Carolina ($1,000). That works out to about $1.16 a mile.
Distance and transit time
The 840-mile run from Chicago to Virginia Beach takes 2–4 days on a carrier — short enough that driving yourself is a real option. The car heads east-southeast and crosses one time zone — from Central to Eastern time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- 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 Illinois and Virginia, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup 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
Delivery end Virginia
28 companies based in Virginia: 26 carriers, 2 brokers, 107 trucks in total, 12 years in business on average.
- Prestige Auto Transport Mount Crawford · 28 trucks · since 2004 · USDOT 1306068
- Autova Auto Transport LLC Madison Hts · 7 trucks · since 2023 · USDOT 4122145
- Ata Centreville · 6 trucks · since 2012 · USDOT 2303078
- Cavalier Transport Inc Spotsylvania · 5 trucks · since 2018 · USDOT 3193540
- Helens Transportation LLC Frederickburg · 5 trucks · since 2008 · USDOT 1779934
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Virginia but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Illinois? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Illinois to states near Virginia
To Virginia from states near Illinois
FAQ
Illinois to Virginia car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Virginia's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Illinois to Virginia?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $775–$1,175 from Chicago to Virginia Beach (840 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $675–$1,225. An SUV costs about $875–$1,325, a pickup $1,025–$1,550, and an enclosed trailer $1,175–$1,775 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to Virginia?
Transit is usually 2–4 days after pickup for the 840-mile trip from Chicago to Virginia Beach. 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 Illinois to Virginia?
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 Virginia after moving?
Virginia requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. Title and register together; cars kept in Northern Virginia need an emissions inspection unless they have a valid certificate from the last 12 months.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Illinois to Virginia?
Driving 840 miles takes about 2 days: roughly $110 in gas and 1 night of hotels and meals (about $140). Shipping a sedan costs about $775–$1,175. Over this distance driving usually costs less, if you can spare the day.
Which car shipping companies go from Illinois to Virginia?
Our directory lists 106 companies based in Illinois and 28 based in Virginia, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.