Alabama to Illinois Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 728 miles from Alabama to Illinois ranges from $907 to $1,399 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 Alabama car shipping guide.
Alabama 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 Alabama and Illinois. The average travel distance is about 728 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 6 days.
Cost to ship a car from Huntsville, AL to Illinois
| From Alabama to Illinois | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL to Chicago, IL | 586 miles | $868–$1,177 | 1–6 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Rockford, IL | 669 miles | $895–$1,313 | 1–6 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Springfield, IL | 482 miles | $780–$1,083 | 1–4 days |
| Mobile, AL to Peoria, IL | 559 miles | $822–$1,177 | 1–6 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Round Lake Beach, IL | 641 miles | $906–$1,319 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Birmingham, AL to Illinois
| From Alabama to Illinois | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL to Chicago, IL | 662 miles | $950–$1,352 | 1–6 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Rockford, IL | 749 miles | $964–$1,343 | 1–6 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Springfield, IL | 563 miles | $813–$1,118 | 1–6 days |
| Mobile, AL to Peoria, IL | 635 miles | $888–$1,332 | 1–6 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Round Lake Beach, IL | 718 miles | $971–$1,290 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Montgomery, AL to Illinois
| From Alabama to Illinois | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL to Chicago, IL | 750 miles | $946–$1,382 | 2–7 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Rockford, IL | 835 miles | $968–$1,419 | 2–7 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Springfield, IL | 652 miles | $932–$1,326 | 1–6 days |
| Mobile, AL to Peoria, IL | 724 miles | $971–$1,317 | 1–6 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Round Lake Beach, IL | 800 miles | $992–$1,457 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Mobile, AL to Illinois
| From Alabama to Illinois | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL to Chicago, IL | 917 miles | $958–$1,532 | 2–7 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Rockford, IL | 936 miles | $988–$1,516 | 2–7 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Springfield, IL | 739 miles | $993–$1,316 | 1–6 days |
| Mobile, AL to Peoria, IL | 812 miles | $952–$1,442 | 2–7 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Round Lake Beach, IL | 967 miles | $977–$1,561 | 2–7 days |
Cost to ship a car from Tuscaloosa, AL to Illinois
| From Alabama to Illinois | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL to Chicago, IL | 716 miles | $980–$1,290 | 1–6 days |
| Birmingham, AL to Rockford, IL | 805 miles | $972–$1,399 | 2–7 days |
| Montgomery, AL to Springfield, IL | 618 miles | $835–$1,285 | 1–6 days |
| Mobile, AL to Peoria, IL | 690 miles | $910–$1,303 | 1–6 days |
| Tuscaloosa, AL to Round Lake Beach, IL | 767 miles | $946–$1,340 | 2–7 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Alabama 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 Alabama to Illinois you should expect to pay between $1,134 and $1,749.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Alabama to Illinois
When transporting your vehicle from the Heart of Dixie 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 Alabama to Illinois spans approximately 728 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 Alabama, 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 Alabama 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 Alabama to Illinois should take between 1 and 6 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Alabama 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 Alabama 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 Alabama to Illinois
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 728 miles on your car going from Alabama 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 Alabama 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 Alabama 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 Alabama
Over 39 million people call Alabama home. Nicknamed the Heart of Dixie, Alabama has one of the hottest summers in the US and mild winters with copious amounts of precipitation throughout the year. Areas around the Gulf in Alabama are prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. Alabama also has tornado activity, which typically occurs in the spring It would be a good idea to check for tornado activity in the area you are looking to move to.
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 Alabama 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 Alabama and when dropping it off in Illinois.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Alabama to Illinois?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Alabama 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 Alabama.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Alabama state government requires motorists possess liability insurance, which must provide a minimum coverage of 25/50/25. This specification includes coverage for bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage per 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 Alabama to Illinois?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Alabama to Illinois is about 728 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take 1-6 days to travel from Alabama to Illinois.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Alabama, a safety inspection must be completed prior to selling a vehicle and a VIN inspection is mandatory when registering an out-of-state vehicle. Emissions inspections are not required by the state, though cities and municipalities may have their own laws mandating them.
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 Alabama, 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 Alabama, 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 Alabama 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 Alabama and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.
