Route guide · IL → WI
Shipping a car from Illinois to Wisconsin
Shipping a running sedan from Chicago to Milwaukee costs about $400–$675 on an open carrier and $575–$1,000 in an enclosed trailer, with 1–2 days in transit. It ranks #221 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $550
- Road miles
- 100
- Days in transit
- 1–2
- People moving a year
- 25.5K
- Companies at both ends
- 121
City to city
What it costs between Illinois and Wisconsin cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Chicago, Rockford, Springfield and Peoria and Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and Eau Claire — 70 to 420 road miles apart.
| From | Milwaukee | Madison | Green Bay | Eau Claire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $400–$675100 mi · 1–2 days | $425–$725150 mi · 1–2 days | $475–$825220 mi · 1–2 days | $550–$900330 mi · 1–2 days |
| Rockford | $375–$65090 mi · 1–2 days | $375–$62570 mi · 1–2 days | $475–$800200 mi · 1–2 days | $500–$850250 mi · 1–2 days |
| Springfield | $525–$875290 mi · 1–2 days | $500–$850270 mi · 1–2 days | $575–$950400 mi · 1–3 days | $575–$950420 mi · 1–3 days |
| Peoria | $475–$800210 mi · 1–2 days | $450–$775190 mi · 1–2 days | $525–$900320 mi · 1–2 days | $550–$900350 mi · 1–3 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 Milwaukee, 100 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 | $400–$675 | $575–$1,000 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $425–$750 | $650–$1,125 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $475–$825 | $725–$1,250 |
| Pickup truck | $500–$850 | $750–$1,300 |
| Motorcycle | $225–$400 | $350–$600 |
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 Wisconsin is March–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $525 Peak: about $575
About this route
Why so many cars go from Illinois to Wisconsin
About 25,494 people moved from Illinois to Wisconsin in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (26,943 in 2023, 24,045 in 2024). That is 8.8% of everyone who left Illinois for another state, making Wisconsin its #3 destination.
Only about 14,133 people a year go back from Wisconsin to Illinois, so demand here is mostly one-way. With trucks toward Wisconsin in steady demand, expect quick pickups and little room to haggle.
How the price compares
At a typical $525, shipping from Illinois to Wisconsin is one of the cheaper long moves out of Illinois — Georgia ($925) and Virginia ($975) cost more. That works out to about $5.25 a mile — short runs cost more per mile because the fixed cost of loading and unloading weighs more.
Distance and transit time
The 100-mile run from Chicago to Milwaukee takes 1–2 days on a carrier — short enough that driving yourself is a real option. The car heads north and stays on Central time the whole way.
On the road
- Winter storms in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin
15 companies based in Wisconsin: 15 carriers, 4 brokers, 536 trucks in total, 18 years in business on average.
- Auto Truck Transport USA LLC Pleasant Priaire · 420 trucks · since 1988 · USDOT 317106
- Unimark Truck Transport LLC Pleasant Prairie · 66 trucks · since 2002 · USDOT 1065561
- Riverview Auto Transport Partners LLC Manitowoc · 8 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568605
- Unimark Transportation Services Inc Pleasant Priaire · 8 trucks · since 2004 · USDOT 1208224
- Roadside Auto & Truck Transport Inc Pleasant Prairie · 7 trucks · since 1996 · USDOT 664041
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Wisconsin but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Illinois? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Illinois to states near Wisconsin
To Wisconsin from states near Illinois
FAQ
Illinois to Wisconsin car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Wisconsin's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Illinois to Wisconsin?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $400–$675 from Chicago to Milwaukee (100 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $375–$950. An SUV costs about $425–$750, a pickup $500–$850, and an enclosed trailer $575–$1,000 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to Wisconsin?
Transit is usually 1–2 days after pickup for the 100-mile trip from Chicago to Milwaukee. 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 Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin after moving?
Wisconsin requires new residents to register right away — there is no grace period. Apply for a Wisconsin title and plates as soon as you become a resident — online if you have your out-of-state title.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Illinois to Wisconsin?
Driving 100 miles takes about 1 day: roughly $10 in gas. Shipping a sedan costs about $400–$675. Over this distance driving usually costs less, if you can spare the day.
Which car shipping companies go from Illinois to Wisconsin?
Our directory lists 106 companies based in Illinois and 15 based in Wisconsin, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.