Illinois to Florida Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,192 miles from Illinois to Florida ranges from $1,089 to $1,721 and takes 2–8 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 Florida to Illinois car shipping guide.
Illinois to Florida 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 Florida. The average travel distance is about 1,192 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 2 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Chicago, IL to Florida
| From Illinois to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL | 1,062 miles | $990–$1,520 | 2–8 days |
| Rockford, IL to Miami, FL | 1,379 miles | $1,297–$1,791 | 3–8 days |
| Springfield, IL to Tampa, FL | 1,173 miles | $1,035–$1,654 | 2–8 days |
| Peoria, IL to Orlando, FL | 1,155 miles | $1,056–$1,704 | 2–8 days |
| Round Lake Beach, IL to St. Petersburg, FL | 1,195 miles | $1,121–$1,738 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Rockford, IL to Florida
| From Illinois to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL | 1,146 miles | $1,035–$1,772 | 2–8 days |
| Rockford, IL to Miami, FL | 1,463 miles | $1,316–$1,921 | 3–8 days |
| Springfield, IL to Tampa, FL | 1,256 miles | $1,164–$1,710 | 3–8 days |
| Peoria, IL to Orlando, FL | 1,240 miles | $1,211–$1,782 | 2–8 days |
| Round Lake Beach, IL to St. Petersburg, FL | 1,279 miles | $1,129–$1,764 | 3–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Springfield, IL to Florida
| From Illinois to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL | 963 miles | $947–$1,608 | 2–7 days |
| Rockford, IL to Miami, FL | 1,280 miles | $1,211–$1,835 | 3–8 days |
| Springfield, IL to Tampa, FL | 1,074 miles | $960–$1,536 | 2–8 days |
| Peoria, IL to Orlando, FL | 1,056 miles | $960–$1,615 | 2–8 days |
| Round Lake Beach, IL to St. Petersburg, FL | 1,096 miles | $950–$1,631 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Peoria, IL to Florida
| From Illinois to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL | 1,035 miles | $1,029–$1,663 | 2–8 days |
| Rockford, IL to Miami, FL | 1,352 miles | $1,211–$1,866 | 3–8 days |
| Springfield, IL to Tampa, FL | 1,146 miles | $1,056–$1,671 | 2–8 days |
| Peoria, IL to Orlando, FL | 1,128 miles | $1,132–$1,755 | 2–8 days |
| Round Lake Beach, IL to St. Petersburg, FL | 1,168 miles | $1,121–$1,772 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Round Lake Beach, IL to Florida
| From Illinois to Florida | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL | 1,118 miles | $1,024–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
| Rockford, IL to Miami, FL | 1,435 miles | $1,382–$1,843 | 3–8 days |
| Springfield, IL to Tampa, FL | 1,228 miles | $1,176–$1,782 | 2–8 days |
| Peoria, IL to Orlando, FL | 1,210 miles | $1,106–$1,835 | 2–8 days |
| Round Lake Beach, IL to St. Petersburg, FL | 1,251 miles | $1,117–$1,710 | 3–8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Illinois to Florida
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 Florida you should expect to pay between $1,361 and $2,151.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Illinois to Florida
When transporting your vehicle from the Land of Lincoln to the Sunshine 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 Florida.
- Distance and route: The journey from Illinois to Florida spans approximately 1,192 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 Florida 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 Florida should take between 2 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Illinois to Florida 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 Florida:
- 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 Florida
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,192 miles on your car going from Illinois to Florida. 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 Florida 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 Florida?
- Car insurance requirements: All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
- Vehicle inspection: Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
- Driver’s license: If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
- Additional taxes: If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
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 Florida
About 22 million people are living in the Sunshine State of Florida. Severe weather is a common occurrence in Florida, as Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the US. June 1st and November 30 is the time when most hurricanes in Florida occur, the most severe dates lie between August - October. Be sure to check your local weather station before your move as Florida is known for its thunderstorms and high levels of precipitation. Perhaps plan for a Winter or Springtime move to ensure the safety of your belongings.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Illinois and when dropping off my car in Florida?
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 Florida.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Illinois to Florida?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Illinois to Florida, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Florida, 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. All vehicles registered in Florida must have PIP and PDL insurance coverage at the time of registration with a minimum of $10,000 for PIP and $10,000 for PDL.
How long does it take to ship a car from Illinois to Florida?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Illinois to Florida is about 1192 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 2-8 days to travel from Illinois to Florida.
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.
Unlike many states, Florida does not mandate vehicle owners to undergo regular emission or safety inspections for their vehicles.
If I have a driver’s license in Illinois, will I need one in Florida?
If you possess a valid driver's license from another state, you are legally permitted to drive in Florida without obtaining a Florida driver's license. However, if you choose to obtain one, you only need to pass a vision and hearing test, no written or road test is necessary.
If I bought a car in Illinois, will I be required to pay sales tax in Florida after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Illinois to Florida after purchasing it.
If the taxes paid in another state are lower than the taxes owed in Florida, you only need to pay the difference. Furthermore, if you can provide evidence that the vehicle was used for at least 6 months outside of Florida prior to registering it in the state, you will be exempt from paying Florida use tax.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Illinois and Florida to avoid any hidden costs.
