Missouri to Illinois Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 273 miles from Missouri to Illinois ranges from $470 to $580 and takes one–four days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • Price lock promise
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  • Established in 2007
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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Illinois to Missouri car shipping guide.

The best Missouri to Illinois car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
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  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
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  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046

Alternative ways to ship your car from Missouri to Illinois

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 273 miles on your car going from Missouri 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 need to ship your car from Missouri for a move to Illinois, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from Missouri 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!

MO to IL auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Missouri and Illinois. The average travel distance is about 273 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

Cost to ship a car from Kansas City, MO to Illinois

From Missouri to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL $631 – $868 510 miles 1 – 6 days
Kansas City, MO to Aurora, IL $667 – $872 490 miles 1 – 4 days
Kansas City, MO to Joliet, IL $648 – $838 472 miles 1 – 4 days
Kansas City, MO to Naperville, IL $654 – $854 486 miles 1 – 4 days
Kansas City, MO to Rockford, IL $641 – $881 481 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from St. Louis, MO to Illinois

From Missouri to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
St. Louis, MO to Chicago, IL $493 – $627 297 miles 1 – 4 days
St. Louis, MO to Aurora, IL $456 – $628 270 miles 1 – 4 days
St. Louis, MO to Joliet, IL $429 – $610 259 miles 1 – 4 days
St. Louis, MO to Naperville, IL $434 – $580 273 miles 1 – 4 days
St. Louis, MO to Rockford, IL $483 – $647 295 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Springfield, MO to Illinois

From Missouri to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Springfield, MO to Chicago, IL $683 – $859 511 miles 1 – 6 days
Springfield, MO to Aurora, IL $641 – $907 484 miles 1 – 4 days
Springfield, MO to Joliet, IL $604 – $898 473 miles 1 – 4 days
Springfield, MO to Naperville, IL $609 – $881 487 miles 1 – 4 days
Springfield, MO to Rockford, IL $631 – $931 509 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Columbia, MO to Illinois

From Missouri to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Columbia, MO to Chicago, IL $597 – $785 385 miles 1 – 4 days
Columbia, MO to Aurora, IL $569 – $801 358 miles 1 – 4 days
Columbia, MO to Joliet, IL $555 – $730 347 miles 1 – 4 days
Columbia, MO to Naperville, IL $580 – $748 362 miles 1 – 4 days
Columbia, MO to Rockford, IL $603 – $785 383 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Independence, MO to Illinois

From Missouri to Illinois Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Independence, MO to Chicago, IL $670 – $904 511 miles 1 – 6 days
Independence, MO to Aurora, IL $654 – $837 492 miles 1 – 4 days
Independence, MO to Joliet, IL $623 – $881 473 miles 1 – 4 days
Independence, MO to Naperville, IL $654 – $872 488 miles 1 – 4 days
Independence, MO to Rockford, IL $616 – $863 483 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Missouri to Illinois

Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Missouri to Illinois you should expect to pay between $588 and $725.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from MO to IL

When transporting your vehicle from the Show-Me 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 Missouri to Illinois spans approximately 273 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri 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 Missouri to Illinois should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Illinois vehicle regulations you need to know

  • 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 Missouri

More than 39 million people call Missouri home. Nicknamed the Show-Me State, Although temperature in Missouri doesn't get extreme, being in the heart of tornado alley means that storms in the area are common. Be sure to check the weather forecast before move day to prepare for any upcoming weather.

Transporting your vehicle to Illinois

About 22 million people are living in 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"

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Missouri and delivery in Illinois?

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Missouri and when dropping it off in Illinois.

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

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

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Missouri, drivers must have minimum liability coverage, including $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with $25,000 per accident for property damage. Adherence to these requirements is crucial for financial responsibility and contributes to a safer driving environment.

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 Missouri to Illinois?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Missouri to Illinois is about 273 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Missouri to Illinois.

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

Missouri's DMV requires that passenger vehicles undergo a biennial safety inspection to evaluate the condition of its suspension, seatbelts, headlights, and related components. Additionally, residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area are required to have vehicle emission 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri 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 Missouri and Illinois to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Missouri to Illinois?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Missouri to Illinois is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Missouri to Illinois?

Shipping a car from Missouri to Illinois costs $470 to $580.

Helpful Missouri resources