Tennessee to Illinois Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 503 miles from Tennessee to Illinois ranges from $824 to $1,078 and takes 1–6 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 Tennessee car shipping guide.

Tennessee 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 Tennessee and Illinois. The average travel distance is about 503 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 6 days.

Cost to ship a car from Nashville, TN to Illinois

From Tennessee to Illinois Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL 471 miles $751–$1,041 1–4 days
Memphis, TN to Rockford, IL 555 miles $880–$1,107 1–6 days
Clarksville, TN to Springfield, IL 372 miles $659–$910 1–4 days
Knoxville, TN to Peoria, IL 444 miles $756–$1,006 1–4 days
Chattanooga, TN to Round Lake Beach, IL 526 miles $808–$1,105 1–6 days

Cost to ship a car from Memphis, TN to Illinois

From Tennessee to Illinois Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL 533 miles $848–$1,128 1–6 days
Memphis, TN to Rockford, IL 576 miles $859–$1,165 1–6 days
Clarksville, TN to Springfield, IL 378 miles $670–$946 1–4 days
Knoxville, TN to Peoria, IL 450 miles $758–$1,104 1–4 days
Chattanooga, TN to Round Lake Beach, IL 582 miles $851–$1,165 1–6 days

Cost to ship a car from Clarksville, TN to Illinois

From Tennessee to Illinois Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL 401 miles $692–$1,008 1–4 days
Memphis, TN to Rockford, IL 515 miles $800–$1,045 1–6 days
Clarksville, TN to Springfield, IL 332 miles $663–$888 1–4 days
Knoxville, TN to Peoria, IL 405 miles $707–$998 1–4 days
Chattanooga, TN to Round Lake Beach, IL 516 miles $752–$1,078 1–6 days

Cost to ship a car from Knoxville, TN to Illinois

From Tennessee to Illinois Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL 541 miles $857–$1,083 1–6 days
Memphis, TN to Rockford, IL 626 miles $942–$1,319 1–6 days
Clarksville, TN to Springfield, IL 549 miles $783–$1,083 1–6 days
Knoxville, TN to Peoria, IL 567 miles $796–$1,130 1–6 days
Chattanooga, TN to Round Lake Beach, IL 596 miles $859–$1,249 1–6 days

Cost to ship a car from Chattanooga, TN to Illinois

From Tennessee to Illinois Distance Cost Estimated transit time
Nashville, TN to Chicago, IL 601 miles $897–$1,272 1–6 days
Memphis, TN to Rockford, IL 685 miles $910–$1,356 1–6 days
Clarksville, TN to Springfield, IL 502 miles $831–$1,111 1–6 days
Knoxville, TN to Peoria, IL 574 miles $813–$1,118 1–6 days
Chattanooga, TN to Round Lake Beach, IL 656 miles $932–$1,339 1–6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Tennessee 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 Tennessee to Illinois you should expect to pay between $1,030 and $1,348.

Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Tennessee to Illinois

When transporting your vehicle from the Volunteer 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 Tennessee to Illinois spans approximately 503 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee to Illinois should take between 1 and 6 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

The best Tennessee to Illinois car shipping companies

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
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  • Transparent pricing
  • Fully insured
Check prices (864) 492-1221

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
Check prices (888) 259-6046

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.35 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable
Check prices (866) 563-0804

% of users select this mover

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Tennessee to Illinois:

Alternative ways to ship your car from Tennessee to Illinois

What else should you know about shipping a car from Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Over 39 million people call Tennessee home. Nicknamed the Volunteer State, Most of Tennessee has hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters, with the exception of some of the higher elevations in the Appalachians, which has mild summers and cool winters. The state averages about 15 tornadoes a year.

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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee and when dropping it off in Illinois.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Tennessee to Illinois?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Tennessee 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 Tennessee.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Tennessee drivers need to fulfill liability insurance criteria of 25/50/15 ($25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage per accident). Valid proof of insurance is crucial for registration and may be requested by law enforcement during traffic stops. Motorists have the flexibility to choose additional coverage for an added layer of vehicle protection.

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 Tennessee to Illinois?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Tennessee to Illinois is about 503 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 1-6 days to travel from Tennessee to Illinois.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

In Tennessee, vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspection. Cost is around $15 and more information can be found at Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's website.

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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee, 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.

Helpful Tennessee resources