Florida → Illinois · About 1,370 miles

Ship a Car from Miami to Chicago

Q: How much does it cost to ship a car from Miami to Chicago?

For a standard sedan in running condition, open transport typically runs $1,000–$1,400 and enclosed transport typically runs $1,600–$2,200 on this route of about 1,370 miles. The exact number depends on the specific cities and ZIPs on both ends — pickups or deliveries well outside the Miami and Chicago metros can price differently. Larger vehicles, non-running condition, and tight timelines can also move the price. Your price comes from the quote form — get your free quote with the quote tool above or by calling 800-507-2629.

Q: How long does it take to ship a car from Miami to Chicago?

Typical transit is 3–5 days door to door once your vehicle is picked up. Carriers average roughly 500 miles a day, and the wait for pickup after booking is usually short on this lane as well.

Q: Is open or enclosed transport better for this route?

For most everyday vehicles, open transport is the right call — it’s how the large majority of cars move between Miami and Chicago, and your vehicle is fully insured either way. Choose enclosed if you’re shipping a classic, luxury, exotic, or freshly restored vehicle: the fully covered trailer shields it from weather and road debris for the whole trip.

Q: When is the best time to book the spring trip back north?

For the spring return north, book 2–3 weeks ahead — when snowbird season winds down, trucks heading from Miami to Chicago fill fast, and northbound capacity is tightest from March through May. Booking early locks your price and your pickup window before the spring rush peaks.

Q: Can you pick up or deliver outside the main metro areas?

Yes. We pick up across the Miami area — Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Hollywood, Kendall — and deliver throughout the Chicago area. Service is door to door to your exact address wherever a full-size carrier can safely and legally reach it — and if a street is too tight, the driver will arrange the nearest accessible meeting spot with you. Keep in mind the figures on this page are based on the Miami and Chicago metro areas — pickups or deliveries well outside those metros can price differently, which is why the quote form asks for your specific cities.

South Florida to the Midwest, northbound for spring. Snowbird returns drive heavy volume on this lane from March onward.

Typical transit is 3–5 days door to door once your vehicle is loaded. Most cars move on open transport — the standard, fully insured way the majority of vehicles travel. Classic, luxury, and exotic owners often step up to enclosed transport for full protection from weather and road debris along the way.

Below you’ll find the typical price ranges for this route, how the process works, and the details that actually move the price. The ranges below are a guide — your exact price depends on your specific pickup and delivery cities, since a pickup well outside the Miami metro or a delivery in a smaller Illinois city prices differently than metro to metro. The quote form gives you a price for your specific cities.

Miami to Chicago car shipping cost

Typical ranges for a standard sedan

Open transport

typically $1,000–$1,400

Enclosed transport

typically $1,600–$2,200

DistanceAbout 1,370 miles (Miami metro to Chicago metro)

Typical transit3–5 days

ServiceDoor to door

Typical ranges for a standard sedan in running condition. Season is a factor too: prices run higher when demand peaks — snowbird season in the fall and spring, the summer moving season, and the year-end holidays — and lower in quieter months. Your exact price depends on your specific pickup and delivery cities — locations well outside the Miami or Chicago metros can price differently than metro to metro. Use the quote form for your free quote.

Get a shipping quote Call 800-507-2629

How it works

Three steps from quote to delivery — we handle the carrier, the scheduling, and the updates.

Get your quote & book

Get a shipping quote and book.

We assign your carrier

We match your vehicle with a vetted, insured carrier already running the Miami–Chicago lane, and confirm your pickup window with you.

Pickup, transit & delivery

The driver inspects and loads your vehicle at your door, transits 3–5 days, and delivers in Chicago with updates along the way.

What we ship on this route

Cars & SUVs

Daily drivers, family SUVs, and crossovers.

Pickup trucks

Half-ton through heavy-duty, priced by size and weight.

Classic & collector cars

Enclosed transport recommended for full protection.

Motorcycles

Enclosed only, for full weather and road protection.

Vans & heavy-duty trucks

Quoted by our team — call for a quote.

What affects the price on this route

The typical ranges above are for a standard sedan shipping metro to metro. Here’s what moves your quote within — or outside — those ranges.

Distance — about 1,370 miles

Mileage is the backbone of every quote. Your specific pickup and delivery cities set the exact distance — and metro-to-metro moves price better than remote or hard-to-reach endpoints, where a carrier has to travel out of its way to reach you.

Vehicle size & weight

A compact sedan takes one standard slot. Large SUVs, trucks, and heavy vehicles take more trailer space and weight capacity, so they price higher.

Running condition

A vehicle that runs, steers, and brakes loads in minutes. A non-running vehicle needs a winch and extra handling, which adds to the price.

Open vs. enclosed

Open transport (typically $1,000–$1,400) is the standard for everyday vehicles. Enclosed (typically $1,600–$2,200) puts your car inside a fully covered trailer.

Season & timing

Demand on this lane climbs in spring, when snowbirds head back north and carriers fill up fast — and again in summer. If your dates are flexible — even by a day or two — you’ll usually price better than a fixed, must-move date.

Ways to save on this route

Stay flexible on pickup dates. Carriers fill trucks around their own schedules and reward flexibility — even a day or two of give usually prices better than a fixed, must-move date.
Book 1–2 weeks ahead in peak season. Spring return and summer months fill trucks on this lane fast — booking early locks a better price and a wider choice of pickup days.
Ship metro to metro when you can. Pickup and delivery in metro areas price better than remote or hard-to-reach locations, where a carrier has to deadhead to reach you.
Choose open unless the car calls for enclosed. Open transport (typically $1,000–$1,400) is the best value for everyday vehicles — save enclosed for a classic, exotic, or high-value car.

Good to know for this route

Pickup windows on this lane are usually short — strong carrier volume between Miami and Chicago means most vehicles are picked up within a few days of booking.
A little flexibility pays. Being open on the exact pickup day anywhere in the Miami area lets us match you to the best-positioned truck — and the better price that comes with it.
Door to door, both ends. The carrier comes to your address in Miami and delivers to your address in Chicago, wherever a full-size hauler can safely and legally reach.
Book 1–2 weeks ahead in peak season. Spring return and summer months fill trucks on this lane quickly; early booking locks your price and your pickup day.

Preparing your car for pickup

A few quick steps before the driver arrives make pickup smooth — and protect you if anything comes up in transit.

Keep the fuel tank about a quarter full. That’s plenty for loading and unloading, without the extra weight of a full tank.
Remove personal items and loose accessories. Carriers aren’t insured for belongings left inside the vehicle, so clear out anything you can’t replace.
Wash the car before pickup. A clean car makes the pre-shipment inspection photos accurate, so any existing marks are documented clearly.
Note any existing damage with the driver. Walk the car together at pickup and make sure it’s recorded on the bill of lading before you sign.
Disable alarms and remove toll tags. It prevents surprise alarms in transit and toll charges piling up along the way.
Have a spare key ready if possible. The driver needs a working key for loading and unloading at both ends.

Miami to Chicago car shipping FAQs

The questions we hear most on this lane, answered with this route’s typical ranges.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Miami to Chicago?

For a standard sedan in running condition, open transport typically runs $1,000–$1,400 and enclosed transport typically runs $1,600–$2,200 on this route of about 1,370 miles. The exact number depends on the specific cities and ZIPs on both ends — pickups or deliveries well outside the Miami and Chicago metros can price differently. Larger vehicles, non-running condition, and tight timelines can also move the price. Your price comes from the quote form — get your free quote with the quote tool above or by calling 800-507-2629.

How long does it take to ship a car from Miami to Chicago?

Typical transit is 3–5 days door to door once your vehicle is picked up. Carriers average roughly 500 miles a day, and the wait for pickup after booking is usually short on this lane as well.

Is open or enclosed transport better for this route?

For most everyday vehicles, open transport is the right call — it’s how the large majority of cars move between Miami and Chicago, and your vehicle is fully insured either way. Choose enclosed if you’re shipping a classic, luxury, exotic, or freshly restored vehicle: the fully covered trailer shields it from weather and road debris for the whole trip.

When is the best time to book the spring trip back north?

For the spring return north, book 2–3 weeks ahead — when snowbird season winds down, trucks heading from Miami to Chicago fill fast, and northbound capacity is tightest from March through May. Booking early locks your price and your pickup window before the spring rush peaks.

Can you pick up or deliver outside the main metro areas?

Yes. We pick up across the Miami area — Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Hollywood, Kendall — and deliver throughout the Chicago area. Service is door to door to your exact address wherever a full-size carrier can safely and legally reach it — and if a street is too tight, the driver will arrange the nearest accessible meeting spot with you. Keep in mind the figures on this page are based on the Miami and Chicago metro areas — pickups or deliveries well outside those metros can price differently, which is why the quote form asks for your specific cities.

Areas served on this lane

Miami area pickups

Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Hollywood, Kendall — and the surrounding metro.

Chicago area deliveries

Chicago, Naperville, Schaumburg, Evanston, Aurora, Oak Park, Joliet, Skokie — and the surrounding metro.

Service is door to door — the truck comes to your address wherever it can safely and legally park. If a street is too tight for a full-size hauler, the driver will arrange the nearest accessible meeting spot with you.

Ready to ship from Miami to Chicago?Open transport typically $1,000–$1,400 · Enclosed typically $1,600–$2,200 · 3–5 day transit