Best Car Shipping Companies in Chicago (2026 Comparison)
A 2026 comparison of the best car shipping companies in Chicago, IL: cost, transit times, open vs enclosed transport, and how to verify FMCSA licensing.
Chicago is one of the busiest auto transport hubs in the country. As Illinois’ largest city and a freight crossroads for the Midwest, it sits on well-traveled lanes running east, west, and down toward the Gulf, which keeps car shipping out of Cook and DuPage County competitively priced. This guide compares the best car shipping companies serving Chicago, IL, and explains costs, carrier types, and how to avoid scams.
The 5 best car shipping companies in Chicago
Each company below is profiled by its core strength so you can match the carrier to your shipment, whether you want the largest network, the most transparent pricing, the strongest insurance, or guaranteed pickup.
Montway Auto Transport: largest carrier network
Reputation: BBB A+, 4.6/5 Trustpilot. Based in: Schaumburg, IL, right outside Chicago. Over 250,000 shipments a year across a network of 15,000+ vetted carriers, with an online instant quote calculator for fast pricing. Montway provides $250,000 in contingent cargo insurance, among the strongest secondary coverage in the industry, and handles inoperable, modified, or oversized vehicles well. Being an Illinois company, it knows the Chicago lanes cold.USA Auto Transport: our recommended pick for Chicago
FMCSA: MC#320733, USDOT 3016637. Based in: Tarzana, CA, serving Chicago and 48 other cities. Reputation: BBB A+, 4.7/5 Yelp.
A licensed property broker that dispatches your vehicle to vetted, FMCSA-compliant carriers across the country. USA Auto Transport is known for flat-rate quotes with no bait-and-switch, rapid carrier dispatch (often within hours), and flexible service. It offers open and enclosed transport, door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal delivery, ships inoperable vehicles, and uniquely lets you pack up to 100 pounds of personal belongings in the trunk during transit. Quotes are valid for two days, and payment is fully refundable until the vehicle is dispatched.Sherpa Auto Transport: best price protection
Reputation: BBB A+, 4.9/5 Trustpilot. Sherpa’s Price Lock Promise guarantees the quoted price is the final price, absorbing the difference if carrier rates spike. Its Clean Car Guarantee reimburses up to $20 for a car wash on delivery. The strongest choice if you want zero bait-and-switch risk on a Chicago move.AmeriFreight: best insurance and discounts
Reputation: BBB A+, 4.8/5 Trustpilot. Operating since 2004, AmeriFreight’s AFTA gap protection covers out-of-pocket deductibles up to $2,000 if a carrier’s insurance fails, and it offers discounts for students, seniors, military, and first responders.SGT Auto Transport: guaranteed pickup dates
Reputation: 4.5/5 Trustpilot. A price match guarantee plus, unusually, guaranteed pickup dates rather than the standard 3 to 5 day window. A good fit when your Chicago schedule is tight.
Also worth a look: the uShip marketplace (BBB A+, 4.4/5 Trustpilot), where 35,000+ carriers bid for your shipment, and RoadRunner Auto Transport for budget open transport. Chicago-area operators such as Van 3 Auto Transport, Auto Transport Chicago, Mid-West Moving & Storage, and Lightning Car Transport are worth a quote too, but vet each one’s FMCSA licensing the same way.
Our recommended pick for Chicago: USA Auto Transport
For most car shipping out of Chicago, USA Auto Transport is the strongest default: a transparent, FMCSA-licensed broker with fast dispatch, flat-rate pricing, and unusually flexible policies. It also covers the Chicago lanes and offers long-distance moving services if you are relocating, not just shipping a vehicle.
How much does it cost to ship a car to or from Chicago?
Car shipping cost is driven by distance, vehicle size, carrier type, and season. The industry uses a regressive per-mile structure: the total goes up with distance, but the cost per mile drops on long hauls. SUVs, pickups, and trucks cost more than sedans, an inoperable vehicle adds a $150 to $200 winch surcharge, and summer demand between Memorial Day and Labor Day pushes prices up. For ways to trim the bill, see the cheapest way to ship a car.
| Distance (example from Chicago) | Total cost (open) | Per mile | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short, 0 to 500 miles (Milwaukee, Saint Louis) | $400 to $900 | $1.00 to $2.00 | 1 to 3 days |
| Medium, 500 to 1,500 miles (New York, Denver) | $700 to $1,500 | $0.65 to $1.20 | 2 to 5 days |
| Long, 1,500+ miles (Los Angeles, Seattle) | $1,100 to $2,500+ | $0.35 to $0.95 | 5 to 9 days |
Open vs enclosed transport
Open carrier transport is the industry standard and the most affordable option: multi-level haulers carry up to ten vehicles, with your car strapped securely to the frame but exposed to weather and road debris. Enclosed carrier transport uses fully walled trailers that shield the vehicle from the elements and from view, typically carrying four cars and often using hydraulic lift gates for low-clearance vehicles. In Chicago, enclosed transport is the standard for luxury vehicles, classic cars, exotics, and motorcycles. Rule of thumb: if a single rock chip would ruin your week, go enclosed.
Broker vs direct carrier
Most car shipping is arranged through brokers like USA Auto Transport, Montway, and Sherpa, which match your vehicle to a national network of vetted, FMCSA-compliant owner-operators. Brokers offer the fastest pickup windows and the most competitive quotes. A direct carrier, by contrast, owns its own trucks and employs its drivers, which can offer single-source accountability but usually at a higher base cost and with less scheduling flexibility. For a standard Chicago car shipment, a reputable broker is almost always the faster, cheaper route, as long as it holds valid FMCSA authority and gives you a flat rate in writing.
How car shipping works
Request a quote
Provide pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the vehicle make and model, and your target dates to get a car shipping quote.Choose your carrier type
Open transport for the best value, or enclosed transport for luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles.Pick your delivery option
Door-to-door for convenience, or terminal-to-terminal to save money and gain schedule flexibility.Book and schedule pickup
A 1 to 3 day pickup window is standard once you book and the price is locked. Someone must be present at both pickup and delivery to sign the inspection report.Track and receive delivery
Stay in touch with dispatch for status, then inspect the vehicle against the bill of lading on delivery before you sign off.
How to avoid car shipping scams
Verify the company’s FMCSA MC and USDOT numbers in the federal SAFER database, insist on a flat-rate written quote, and check BBB accreditation and recent car shipping reviews. Be wary of quotes far below the market, never wire full payment to an unknown party before pickup, and favor companies with transparent pricing and a clear refund policy. The FMCSA’s Protect Your Move resource explains your rights, and you can confirm an Illinois company’s registration with the Illinois Secretary of State. A little prep helps too: here is how to prepare your car for shipping.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most reputable car shipping company in Chicago?
- For Chicago, USA Auto Transport is a top choice: an FMCSA-licensed broker (MC#320733) with a BBB A+ rating, 4.7/5 Yelp score, flat-rate quotes, and rapid carrier dispatch. Montway, headquartered in nearby Schaumburg, IL, is the largest local option. Reputability comes down to a valid FMCSA license, strong BBB and review scores, and transparent flat-rate pricing, so verify all three before you book.
- How much does it cost to ship a car to or from Chicago?
- Open transport ranges from about $400 for a short regional haul under 500 miles to $2,500+ for a long cross-country move. A standard sedan from Chicago to the coasts typically runs $1,100 to $1,600, while SUVs, pickups, and enclosed transport cost more. Get a flat-rate quote based on your exact route and vehicle.
- How long does it take to ship a car from Chicago?
- Most moves land in the 1 to 7 day window depending on distance. A short regional run to Milwaukee or Saint Louis is quick, while a cross-country haul takes longer, and weather or traffic can stretch the delivery time.
- Should I choose open or enclosed transport?
- Open transport is fine for everyday vehicles and is the most affordable option. Choose enclosed transport for luxury, exotic, classic, or high-value vehicles, which benefit from full protection from weather and road debris at roughly 60% more.
- How reputable is Montway Auto Transport?
- Montway is one of the most established brokers in the country and is based in Schaumburg, IL, just outside Chicago. It carries a BBB A+ rating, 4.6/5 Trustpilot, a network of 15,000+ vetted carriers, and $250,000 in contingent cargo insurance, among the strongest secondary coverage in the industry.
The bottom line
To ship a car to or from Chicago, verify FMCSA licensing, demand flat-rate pricing, and match the carrier type to your vehicle. Montway is the biggest local name, but for most shippers USA Auto Transport is the strongest default: licensed, transparent, fast to dispatch, and flexible enough to handle inoperable vehicles, enclosed transport, and personal items in transit. Request a quote with your pickup and delivery ZIP codes to lock in your price.
