Route guide · IL → WA
Shipping a car from Illinois to Washington
Shipping a running sedan from Chicago to Seattle costs about $1,175–$1,675 on an open carrier and $1,750–$2,500 in an enclosed trailer, with 5–8 days in transit. It ranks #186 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,425
- Road miles
- 2,040
- Days in transit
- 5–8
- People moving a year
- 5.3K
- Companies at both ends
- 142
City to city
What it costs between Illinois and Washington cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Chicago, Rockford, Springfield and Peoria and Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver and Yakima — 1,680 to 2,060 road miles apart.
| From | Seattle | Spokane | Vancouver | Yakima |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $1,175–$1,6752,040 mi · 5–8 days | $1,100–$1,5501,770 mi · 4–7 days | $1,175–$1,6752,060 mi · 5–8 days | $1,125–$1,6251,940 mi · 4–7 days |
| Rockford | $1,125–$1,6251,950 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5251,680 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6501,970 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,6001,850 mi · 4–7 days |
| Springfield | $1,150–$1,6502,010 mi · 5–8 days | $1,075–$1,5501,750 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6502,020 mi · 5–8 days | $1,125–$1,6001,900 mi · 4–7 days |
| Peoria | $1,150–$1,6501,980 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5251,710 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6501,990 mi · 4–8 days | $1,125–$1,6001,870 mi · 4–7 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 Seattle, 2,040 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–$2,500 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,300–$1,875 | $1,950–$2,800 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,450–$2,075 | $2,175–$3,125 |
| Pickup truck | $1,500–$2,175 | $2,275–$3,250 |
| Motorcycle | $700–$1,000 | $1,050–$1,500 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in December (the holidays and winter weather up north), running about 10% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Illinois to Washington is March–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,425 Peak: about $1,550
About this route
Why so many cars go from Illinois to Washington
About 5,335 people moved from Illinois to Washington in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (4,950 in 2023, 5,719 in 2024). That is 1.8% of everyone who left Illinois for another state.
Only about 3,701 people a year go back from Washington to Illinois, so demand here is mostly one-way. With trucks toward Washington in steady demand, expect quick pickups and little room to haggle.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,425, shipping from Illinois to Washington is among the most expensive routes out of Illinois; Arizona ($1,300) and Florida ($1,200) cost less. That works out to about 70¢ 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 2,040 road miles from Chicago to Seattle — 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 west-northwest and crosses 2 time zones — from Central to Pacific 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 Washington 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 Washington, 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 Washington
36 companies based in Washington: 36 carriers, 0 brokers, 237 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Diesel Auto Express Vancouver · 97 trucks · since 2009 · USDOT 1885300
- DC Trucking Enumclaw · 30 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 3001374
- U Save Auto Transport LLC Moxee · 8 trucks · since 2007 · USDOT 1625792
- DC Auto Carrier LLC Bonney Lake · 7 trucks · since 2022 · USDOT 3871099
- Advanced Auto Transport LLC Kelso · 6 trucks · since 2016 · USDOT 2943372
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Washington but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Illinois? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Illinois to states near Washington
To Washington from states near Illinois
FAQ
Illinois to Washington car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Washington's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Illinois to Washington?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,175–$1,675 from Chicago to Seattle (2,040 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,075–$1,675. An SUV costs about $1,300–$1,875, a pickup $1,500–$2,175, and an enclosed trailer $1,750–$2,500 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to Washington?
Transit is usually 5–8 days after pickup for the 2,040-mile trip from Chicago to Seattle. 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 Washington?
March–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 10% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in Washington after moving?
Washington requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. You need a Washington driver license before you can register the car.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Illinois to Washington?
Driving 2,040 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 Illinois to Washington?
Our directory lists 106 companies based in Illinois and 36 based in Washington, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.