Illinois to Florida is a core Midwest snowbird route. Every winter, a steady stream of Chicago-area cars heads south. That keeps trucks moving and prices fair. The route is a clean run down two main highways, and timing your move is where the real savings hide. Here's the full picture.
The quick answer: Shipping a car from Illinois to Florida costs about $900–$1,350 open, or $1,550–$2,150 enclosed, in 2026. The drive takes 4 to 6 days. Skip the October-to-December 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, which covers your car, runs $1,550 to $2,150. For an everyday car, open is the better value, and it's perfectly safe.
Quotes are for door-to-door service. A driver gets your car near home in Illinois and delivers it close to your Florida address. For statewide pricing, every route, and city-by-city pickup notes, start at our Illinois auto transport hub.
From the Chicago area, trucks usually head south on I-65 through Indianapolis and Louisville. Then they join I-75, which carries them through Tennessee and Georgia and into Florida.
This is 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. Once in Florida, drivers fan out to the Gulf Coast, Orlando, or the Atlantic side, depending on where you're headed.
These are the main things that move your number:
Diesel prices and route demand on your dates round it out. That's why a live quote, built from real numbers, 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.
There's one winter wrinkle: a big snowstorm around Chicago can delay the pickup by a day or two, mostly from December to February. It rarely affects the Florida end — that's the warm part of the trip. If you're shipping in deep winter, just leave a buffer day and you'll be fine.
Timing saves the most money on Illinois to Florida. Here's the simple rule:
If your dates can shift, summer is your friend. See our best time to ship to Florida guide for the month-by-month view, and the snowbird guide for round-trip planning.
For a normal car, the open truck is the right call. It's the standard, it's safe, and it costs less. Nearly everyone picks it.
Choose an enclosed trailer only for something special, like a classic car or a high-value vehicle. The cover protects the paint from weather and road grit. Compare them in our open vs enclosed guide.
Most of the Chicago suburbs and downstate Illinois have open roads, so a full-size truck can usually reach you. In tight city blocks, the driver may ask to meet at a nearby parking lot — quick and free.
In Florida, lots of snowbirds settle in gated or 55-and-older communities. Big trucks often can't fit through the gate, so you'll meet the driver at a store or wide lot close by. It's normal, and your driver sets it up before delivery.
The drive is about 1,380 miles — two long days, plus gas, food, and a hotel. In winter, it can also mean driving through snow and ice for the first stretch.
Shipping removes the risk and the wear. You fly down warm and safe, and your car arrives a few days later. For a winter move especially, that peace of mind is a big part of why so many Illinois drivers ship instead of drive.
Shipping from a neighboring state? These corridors share the same trailers and seasonal pricing:
The ranges above are market averages. Get a live, vehicle-specific number in under a minute — no spam, no obligation.
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About $900–$1,350 on an open truck and $1,550–$2,150 enclosed in 2026, for a normal car. The trip from the Chicago area is roughly 1,380 miles. Bigger vehicles add $150 to $250.
Usually 4 to 6 days on the road. Trucks head south on I-65 and then onto I-75 into Florida. In deep winter, a Chicago snowstorm can push pickup back a day, so leave a little extra time from December to February.
Yes, a big one. Chicago and the wider Midwest send a large number of seasonal residents to Florida each winter. That means the route gets busy and pricey from October to December, and cheaper in late spring and summer.
Many head to the Gulf Coast — Tampa, Sarasota, Naples, and Fort Myers — which is a favorite area for Midwest snowbirds. The Atlantic side and Orlando are common too. Your driver delivers close to your exact address.
Tell us where you're shipping — we'll handle the rest. No obligation, no hidden fees.