Florida to Illinois is a core Midwest snowbird route, heading north. Each spring, a steady stream of cars returns from the Gulf Coast and Florida's Atlantic side back to the Chicago area. Plenty of trucks run this corridor both ways, so prices stay fair. Here's what it costs, how long it takes, and how to get the best deal.
The quick answer: Shipping a car from Florida to Illinois costs about $900–$1,350 open, or $1,550–$2,150 enclosed, in 2026. The drive takes 4 to 6 days. Skip the spring return rush if you can, and you'll pay less.
| Vehicle Type | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan / Coupe | $900–$1,350 | $1,550–$2,150 |
| SUV / Pickup | $1,050–$1,550 | $1,750–$2,400 |
| Luxury / Classic | Enclosed advised | $1,900–$2,800 |
Current 2026 market ranges for this corridor — not a quote. Run the calculator for your exact ZIPs, dates, and vehicle.
For a regular car on an open truck, you'll usually pay $900 to $1,350. Illinois is a busy snowbird state, so plenty of trucks run this route, and that competition helps keep your price reasonable.
A larger vehicle like an SUV or pickup costs about $150 to $250 more. An enclosed trailer runs $1,550 to $2,150. For an everyday car, open is the better value and perfectly safe. Shipping the other way? See Illinois to Florida.
From Florida, trucks usually head north on I-75 through Georgia and Tennessee, then join I-65 up through Louisville and Indianapolis toward Chicago. It's a well-worn path with lots of truck traffic, so the route is easy to book even though it's a bit longer than the East Coast runs.
Diesel prices and route demand on your dates round it out. A live quote beats a rough guess.
Once your car is loaded, the drive takes 4 to 6 days. Pickup usually happens 1 to 3 days after your ready date. The only weather note is on the Illinois end — a late-winter storm around Chicago can delay the final delivery by a day. The Florida half of the trip stays warm.
If your dates can shift, fall is your friend. See our best time to ship guide and the snowbird guide for round-trip planning.
For a normal car, the open truck is the right call — standard, safe, and cheaper. Choose an enclosed trailer only for something special, like a classic or high-value car. Compare them in our open vs enclosed guide.
Many Florida snowbirds leave from gated or 55-and-older communities, where a big truck can't reach the door. Your driver sets up a quick meet at a nearby lot — fast and free. Around Chicago and downstate Illinois, most areas have open roads for door-to-door delivery; tight city blocks call for the usual nearby meet-up. Our Illinois auto transport hub breaks down delivery access city by city.
Most of this traffic is snowbirds heading home to the Chicago area and the suburbs for spring and summer, after a winter on the Gulf Coast or in central Florida. But it's not only snowbirds. We also see people permanently relocating back to Illinois for family or work, students moving home from Florida colleges, and out-of-state buyers who purchased a car in Florida and want it brought up to the Midwest. Whatever the reason, the route is the same well-traveled path up I-75 and I-65, so you get reliable service and fair pricing no matter why you're shipping. And because the corridor stays busy in both directions all year, you're rarely waiting long for a truck heading your way.
The drive is about 1,380 miles — two long days, plus gas, food, and a hotel, and the wear those miles add. Shipping removes the hassle. You travel home in comfort and your car arrives a few days later. For a spring move back to the Midwest, that ease is a big reason snowbirds ship instead of drive.
Heading out of Florida to another state? These routes share the same trucks and seasonal timing:
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About $900–$1,350 open and $1,550–$2,150 enclosed in 2026 for a normal car. The trip to the Chicago area is roughly 1,380 miles. Bigger vehicles add $150 to $250.
Usually 4 to 6 days on the road. Trucks head north on I-75 and then onto I-65 toward Chicago. In late winter, northern weather can occasionally slow the final delivery by a day.
Fall and early winter. The spring return (March and April) is the busy, pricey northbound window as Midwest snowbirds head home. Shipping outside that window costs less.
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