Lanes & Local
Chicago Auto Transport: How to Ship a Car To or From Chicago
Shipping a car to or from Chicago or the suburbs: pickup on tight city streets, winter timing, routes we run, transit times, and how to book.
Chicagoland is one of the busiest car shipping markets in the country. People move in and out all year, buy cars from dealers across the Midwest, and head south every winter. It's also home turf for us: Velocity Logistics is based in Indianapolis, three hours down I-65, and our own trucks run Illinois and Indiana to Texas and back, plus Chicago to Indianapolis.
Here's what to know about shipping a car to or from Chicago.
Where we pick up and deliver
In the city: Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, the Loop, Hyde Park, Bridgeport and every neighborhood between.
In the suburbs: north to Evanston, Skokie and the North Shore; west to Oak Park, Schaumburg, Naperville and Aurora; south to Orland Park, Joliet and Tinley Park; and over the line into Northwest Indiana.
We also pick up at dealerships, auctions, storage garages and body shops.
Tight streets and city pickups
A loaded car carrier is long. Many Chicago blocks have parked cars on both sides, low trees, or no room to turn around. That's normal, and it's easy to plan for:
- The driver calls ahead and agrees on a spot with you: a wider street nearby, a store parking lot, or the end of your block.
- Alley garage? Drive the car out to the meeting spot. Carriers can't fit down most alleys.
- High-rise building? Tell us if the car is in a garage with a height limit or attendant, so we can plan the handoff.
Routes our own trucks run
Velocity is a licensed motor carrier with its own trucks and drivers. From Chicago, they run:
- Chicago to Texas and back: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. Our Chicago to Texas guide covers that route in detail.
- Chicago to Indianapolis and back: see Indianapolis to Chicago.
We ship door to door anywhere in the lower 48 too. When a vetted partner carrier hauls your car through our licensed broker partner, we tell you before pickup.
How long it takes
Once your car is loaded, typical time on the road from Chicago:
- Indianapolis: same or next day
- Dallas-Fort Worth: about one to three days
- Houston, Austin, San Antonio: about two to four days
- Florida: about two to four days
- Arizona: about four to six days
- California and the Pacific Northwest: about five to eight days
Pickup timing depends on the route. On our own routes, we can usually give you a pickup window when we quote. More on timing in how long it takes to ship a car.
Winter in Chicago
Cars ship all winter. A few tips for December through February:
- Book a bit earlier. Snow and holiday weeks can push schedules by a day.
- Clear the car. Brush off snow and ice so the driver can inspect and photograph it.
- Check the battery. Cold kills weak batteries, and a car that won't start loads like a non-runner.
- Snowbird season runs from October to December going south and March to May coming back. See our snowbird guide.
What it costs
Price depends on distance, the vehicle, open or enclosed transport, and the week. We don't post a fixed price list, because rates move with fuel and season. Our Indianapolis to Chicago page shows live prices on that route. Your written, all-in quote is the number that counts.
The bottom line
Chicago car shipping is door to door, city or suburbs, with a meeting spot when the street is too tight. Our own trucks run Chicago to Texas and Chicago to Indianapolis, and we ship anywhere in the lower 48. Request a quote with your ZIP codes and dates.
Frequently asked questions
Do you pick up in the city of Chicago, or only the suburbs?
Both. We pick up door to door in the city and across the suburbs. When a street is too narrow or has no room for a car carrier, the driver sets a nearby meeting spot with you before pickup day.
Which Chicago routes do your own trucks run?
Our own trucks and drivers run Chicago to Texas and back and Chicago to Indianapolis. Other routes go door to door too; when a vetted partner carrier hauls your car, we tell you before pickup.
How long does it take to ship a car from Chicago?
Once the car is loaded, Indianapolis is usually the same or next day, Dallas about one to three days, Florida about two to four days, and the West Coast about five to eight days.
Can you ship a car to or from Chicago in the winter?
Yes. Cars move all winter. Weather can stretch a schedule by a day, so book a little earlier and keep your phone on for the driver's call.
How do I get a quote for Chicago car shipping?
Send the pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the vehicle, and your dates through our quote form. Your written quote arrives within minutes during business hours.
