Illinois to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,083 miles from Illinois to California ranges from $1,504 to $2,376 and takes 4–12 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 California to Illinois car shipping guide.
Illinois to California auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Illinois and California. The average travel distance is about 2,083 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 4 to 12 days.
Cost to ship a car from Chicago, IL to California
| From Illinois to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA | 2,014 miles | $1,504–$2,573 | 4–12 days |
| Rockford, IL to San Diego, CA | 2,077 miles | $1,568–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
| Springfield, IL to San Jose, CA | 2,159 miles | $1,633–$2,389 | 4–12 days |
| Peoria, IL to San Francisco, CA | 2,132 miles | $1,568–$2,565 | 4–12 days |
| Round Lake Beach, IL to Fresno, CA | 2,140 miles | $1,536–$2,565 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rockford, IL to California
| From Illinois to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA | 1,969 miles | $1,545–$2,393 | 3–11 days |
| Rockford, IL to San Diego, CA | 2,030 miles | $1,663–$2,598 | 4–12 days |
| Springfield, IL to San Jose, CA | 2,113 miles | $1,617–$2,540 | 4–12 days |
| Peoria, IL to San Francisco, CA | 2,081 miles | $1,584–$2,450 | 4–12 days |
| Round Lake Beach, IL to Fresno, CA | 2,092 miles | $1,647–$2,549 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Springfield, IL to California
| From Illinois to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA | 1,921 miles | $1,498–$2,393 | 3–11 days |
| Rockford, IL to San Diego, CA | 1,905 miles | $1,498–$2,393 | 3–11 days |
| Springfield, IL to San Jose, CA | 2,076 miles | $1,568–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
| Peoria, IL to San Francisco, CA | 2,044 miles | $1,552–$2,524 | 4–12 days |
| Round Lake Beach, IL to Fresno, CA | 2,044 miles | $1,536–$2,450 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Peoria, IL to California
| From Illinois to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA | 1,947 miles | $1,608–$2,441 | 3–11 days |
| Rockford, IL to San Diego, CA | 1,977 miles | $1,530–$2,275 | 3–11 days |
| Springfield, IL to San Jose, CA | 2,091 miles | $1,568–$2,425 | 4–12 days |
| Peoria, IL to San Francisco, CA | 2,059 miles | $1,647–$2,450 | 4–12 days |
| Round Lake Beach, IL to Fresno, CA | 2,070 miles | $1,504–$2,376 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Round Lake Beach, IL to California
| From Illinois to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA | 2,016 miles | $1,504–$2,425 | 4–12 days |
| Rockford, IL to San Diego, CA | 2,078 miles | $1,552–$2,573 | 4–12 days |
| Springfield, IL to San Jose, CA | 2,161 miles | $1,520–$2,515 | 4–12 days |
| Peoria, IL to San Francisco, CA | 2,129 miles | $1,681–$2,591 | 4–12 days |
| Round Lake Beach, IL to Fresno, CA | 2,139 miles | $1,665–$2,641 | 4–12 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Illinois to California
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 Illinois to California you should expect to pay between $1,880 and $2,970.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Illinois to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Land of Lincoln to the Golden State, 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 California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Illinois to California spans approximately 2,083 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 Illinois, 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 Illinois and California 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 Illinois to California should take between 4 and 12 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Illinois to California 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 Illinois to California:
- 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 Illinois to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,083 miles on your car going from Illinois to California. 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 Illinois to California 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 Illinois to California?
- Car insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Illinois
Over 39 million people call Illinois home. Nicknamed the Land of Lincoln, 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"
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State of California. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Illinois and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Illinois and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Illinois to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Illinois to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Illinois.
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.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Illinois to California is about 2083 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take 4-12 days to travel from Illinois to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
If I have a driver’s license in Illinois, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Illinois, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Illinois to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Illinois and California to avoid any hidden costs.
