Iowa to Illinois Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 260 miles from Iowa to Illinois ranges from $572 to $742 and takes 1–4 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Illinois to Iowa car shipping guide.
Iowa to Illinois auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Iowa and Illinois. The average travel distance is about 260 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 4 days.
Cost to ship a car from Des Moines, IA to Illinois
| From Iowa to Illinois | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL | 333 miles | $669–$923 | 1–4 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Rockford, IL | 287 miles | $559–$803 | 1–4 days |
| Davenport, IA to Springfield, IL | 339 miles | $630–$879 | 1–4 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Peoria, IL | 265 miles | $517–$772 | 1–4 days |
| Boone, IA to Round Lake Beach, IL | 332 miles | $676–$923 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Cedar Rapids, IA to Illinois
| From Iowa to Illinois | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL | 245 miles | $521–$773 | 1–4 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Rockford, IL | 164 miles | $453–$643 | 1–4 days |
| Davenport, IA to Springfield, IL | 250 miles | $561–$779 | 1–4 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Peoria, IL | 177 miles | $473–$673 | 1–4 days |
| Boone, IA to Round Lake Beach, IL | 244 miles | $527–$736 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Davenport, IA to Illinois
| From Iowa to Illinois | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL | 176 miles | $503–$633 | 1–4 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Rockford, IL | 130 miles | $420–$614 | 1–4 days |
| Davenport, IA to Springfield, IL | 171 miles | $503–$653 | 1–4 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Peoria, IL | 98 miles | $393–$575 | 1–4 days |
| Boone, IA to Round Lake Beach, IL | 174 miles | $498–$633 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norwalk, IA to Illinois
| From Iowa to Illinois | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL | 345 miles | $682–$879 | 1–4 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Rockford, IL | 299 miles | $582–$763 | 1–4 days |
| Davenport, IA to Springfield, IL | 331 miles | $676–$923 | 1–4 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Peoria, IL | 277 miles | $582–$755 | 1–4 days |
| Boone, IA to Round Lake Beach, IL | 344 miles | $624–$914 | 1–4 days |
Cost to ship a car from Boone, IA to Illinois
| From Iowa to Illinois | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL | 369 miles | $645–$882 | 1–4 days |
| Cedar Rapids, IA to Rockford, IL | 294 miles | $588–$803 | 1–4 days |
| Davenport, IA to Springfield, IL | 374 miles | $672–$956 | 1–4 days |
| Norwalk, IA to Peoria, IL | 301 miles | $624–$852 | 1–4 days |
| Boone, IA to Round Lake Beach, IL | 367 miles | $706–$919 | 1–4 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Iowa to Illinois
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Iowa to Illinois you should expect to pay between $715 and $928.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Iowa to Illinois
When transporting your vehicle from the Hawkeye State to the Land of Lincoln, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Illinois.
- Distance and route: The journey from Iowa to Illinois spans approximately 260 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Iowa, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Iowa and Illinois and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Iowa to Illinois should take between 1 and 4 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Iowa to Illinois car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Iowa to Illinois:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Iowa to Illinois
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 260 miles on your car going from Iowa to Illinois. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Iowa to Illinois for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Iowa to Illinois?
- Car insurance requirements: The liability insurance minimums for Illinois are $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $20,000 property damage liability per accident.
- Vehicle inspection: In Illinois, emissions inspections are mandatory on a yearly basis for eligible vehicles in the Chicago and East St. Louis metropolitan areas. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency conducts tests on automobiles before residents can renew their vehicle registration with the Secretary of State's office.
- Driver’s license: Even if your out-of-state driver's license is valid, you must still pass a vision test and written exam if you are moving to Illinois. Within 90 days of becoming a resident in the state, you must convert your license to an Illinois non-commercial license.
- Additional taxes: According to Illinois law, the recipient or buyer of any vehicle transferred within the state must complete a Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction form (form RUT-50) and pay the sales tax for the car within 30 days of the transfer of ownership.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Iowa
Over 39 million people call Iowa home. Nicknamed the Hawkeye State, Iowa has a humid continental climate throughout the state. Snowfall is common in Iowa. Spring brings in severe weather season. Iowa has about 50 thunderstorm days per year and has a tornado season. Iowa is known for hot and humid summers. Be sure to check the weather before your move, especially during the springtime.
Transporting your vehicle to Illinois
About 22 million people are living in the Land of Lincoln of Illinois. Illinois' climate is clearly different in the northern and southern halves of the state. The northern half experiences cold winters and mild summers whereas the southern half experiences mild winters and hot and humid summers. Illinois is a part of "tornado alley"
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Iowa and when dropping off my car in Illinois?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Iowa and when dropping it off in Illinois.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Iowa to Illinois?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Iowa to Illinois, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Illinois, which you should verify before loading your car in Iowa.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Iowa requires minimum liability insurance, covering $20,000 for individual injury or death, $40,000 for multiple individuals, and $15,000 for property damage in an accident.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The liability insurance minimums for Illinois are $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $20,000 property damage liability per accident.
How long does it take to ship a car from Iowa to Illinois?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Iowa to Illinois is about 260 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take 1-4 days to travel from Iowa to Illinois.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Iowa, car owners are not obligated to undergo emissions, VIN, or safety inspections.
In Illinois, emissions inspections are mandatory on a yearly basis for eligible vehicles in the Chicago and East St. Louis metropolitan areas. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency conducts tests on automobiles before residents can renew their vehicle registration with the Secretary of State's office.
If I have a driver’s license in Iowa, will I need one in Illinois?
Even if your out-of-state driver's license is valid, you must still pass a vision test and written exam if you are moving to Illinois. Within 90 days of becoming a resident in the state, you must convert your license to an Illinois non-commercial license.
If I bought a car in Iowa, will I be required to pay sales tax in Illinois after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Iowa to Illinois after purchasing it.
According to Illinois law, the recipient or buyer of any vehicle transferred within the state must complete a Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction form (form RUT-50) and pay the sales tax for the car within 30 days of the transfer of ownership.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Iowa and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.
