Sacramento to Chicago Car Shipping
Sacramento to Chicago Car Shipping
Written by Richard Avery, President of Smart Auto Move · USDOT 2887232 · MC 969368
Shipping a car from Sacramento to Chicago costs $1,275 to $1,425 on an open trailer. The trip covers about 2,050 miles on Interstate 80 and takes five to seven days once your car is loaded. Both directions of this lane price close together, and our staffed Chicago office is on hand at the delivery end.
Sacramento to Chicago car shipping prices
Running mid-size vehicle on an open trailer, reviewed September 2026. The lower rows show the return trip and two nearby coast-to-Midwest lanes.
| Route | Distance | Days on the road | Open transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento to Chicago | 2,050 miles | 5 to 7 days | $1,275 to $1,425 |
| Springfield, IL to Sacramento THE OTHER DIRECTION | 1,990 miles | 5 to 7 days | $1,175 to $1,325 |
| Aurora, IL to San Francisco THE OTHER DIRECTION | 2,110 miles | 5 to 7 days | $1,325 to $1,475 |
| Chicago to Los Angeles FOR COMPARISON | 2,025 miles | 5 to 7 days | $1,225 to $1,375 |
| Sacramento to Austin FOR COMPARISON | 1,750 miles | 4 to 6 days | $1,225 to $1,375 |
These are estimates, not fixed prices. Diesel is the largest cost in hauling a car and fuel prices change, so we review these ranges as the market moves. Days shown are road days; your pickup window comes first. Enclosed transport runs about 80 percent more than open. A car that does not run needs a winch, so budget $200 or more on top. See how our national bands work.
A lane that prices well in both directions
Most Northern California routes cost more coming in than going out. Trucks that unload around Sacramento often leave with open spaces, and inbound prices carry part of that empty trip.
Illinois changes the math. Chicagoland ships a huge number of cars every week, so carriers leaving Illinois fill their trailers quickly and price those loads keenly. That balances out the usual Northern California pattern.
The result shows in the table. Springfield to Sacramento runs $1,175 to $1,325, and Aurora to San Francisco $1,325 to $1,475. Our eastbound price sits right between them. If you plan to bring a second car west later, you can budget both legs at about the same figure.
Sacramento to Chicago Car Shipping Questions
The questions we hear most from people moving a car from the Sacramento Valley to Chicagoland.
What does it cost to ship a car from Sacramento to Chicago?
Plan on $1,275 to $1,425 for a running mid-size car on an open trailer. That covers door-to-door service from anywhere around Sacramento to anywhere in Chicagoland.
How many days will it take?
Five to seven days once the car is loaded, for roughly 2,050 miles. Before that comes your pickup window, which is six days on Standard or three on Expedited.
Is Chicago to Sacramento cheaper?
Only a little. Illinois is one of the easiest states to ship a car out of, so Springfield, Illinois to Sacramento prices at $1,175 to $1,325. Both directions of this lane are good value.
What route do the trucks take?
Interstate 80 almost the whole way: over Donner Pass to Reno, across Nevada to Salt Lake City, then through Cheyenne, Omaha and Des Moines into Illinois.
Should I worry about winter on I-80?
Plan for it and it goes smoothly. Snow can close Donner Pass or stretches of I-80 in southern Wyoming for a few hours at a time. Drivers wait it out safely, so from December through March allow an extra day or two.
When is the best time to book this lane?
Spring and fall give you the easiest scheduling. Summer is the busy moving season, so book two to three weeks ahead from June through August.
Which Sacramento-area cities do you pick up from?
All of them, including Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, West Sacramento and Davis.
Where in the Chicago area do you deliver?
The city and suburbs alike: Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie, Schaumburg, Naperville, Aurora, Joliet and Orland Park, plus the rest of the metro.
Do you have an office in Chicago?
Yes. Our staffed Chicago office is at 742 E 87th Pl, and you can reach it on 312-300-7773. The main line, 888-709-9078, works for quotes too.
How soon do I need to register the car in Illinois?
The Illinois Secretary of State gives new residents 30 days. If you live inside Chicago city limits, you will also need a city vehicle sticker.
Will my car need an emissions test in Chicago?
Most gas cars registered in the Chicago metro area do. Illinois mails you a notice when your car is due, so you do not have to schedule it before you register.
What if my Chicago street is too tight for a truck?
Many Chicago blocks have parked cars on both sides and alleys too narrow for a 75-foot hauler. The driver arranges to meet you on a wider street or in a nearby lot, at no extra cost.
Is door-to-door included?
Yes, it is part of every quote.
Should I pick open or enclosed transport?
Open works for nearly every daily driver. Choose enclosed for a classic, a low sports car or fresh paint, and expect about 80 percent more.
Can you ship a car that doesn't run?
Yes. It rides on a truck with a winch, which typically adds $200 or more.
What does Expedited get me?
A three-day pickup window instead of six. Time on the road stays the same.
Can I send two cars together?
Yes, and two cars headed to the same Chicago address can often ride on one truck.
Can I leave belongings in the car?
A few, yes. Keep it to about 100 pounds in the trunk. Carrier Cargo Insurance covers the car itself, not what is inside.
How do I get the car ready?
Clean it out, take photos of every side, leave about a quarter tank, turn off the alarm and remove your FasTrak.
Who is responsible for insurance?
The carrier. Its Carrier Cargo Insurance covers your car from loading in Sacramento to delivery in Chicago, and we send you the certificate once the truck is assigned.
How do you pick the carrier?
We choose from a vetted network of over 16,000 carriers. Every one has active FMCSA operating authority and insurance on file.
How can I look you up?
Search USDOT 2887232 or MC 969368 on SAFER, the free FMCSA lookup.
Will my car switch trucks along the way?
No. It stays on the same truck with the same driver until it reaches Chicago.
Is it worth driving it myself?
It is about 30 hours behind the wheel, so four days once you add sleep, hotels and fuel. Shipping keeps those days and those 2,050 miles off your car.
Can my price go up after booking?
No. With the Smart Price Promise, the price we quote is the price you pay, as long as the car, the route, its condition and the shipping details stay the same.
What information do you need for a quote?
Pickup and delivery zip codes, the year, make and model, whether it runs, and when you would like it picked up. Fill in the form above or call 888-709-9078.
The I-80 route and winter timing
Interstate 80 starts in the Bay Area, runs through Sacramento and carries your car almost all the way to Chicago. Trucks climb over Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada, drop into Reno, cross Nevada to Salt Lake City, then continue through Cheyenne, Omaha and Des Moines into Illinois.
From spring through fall this is one of the steadiest cross-country runs in the country. In winter, snow can close Donner Pass or parts of southern Wyoming for a few hours. Drivers pause until the road reopens, so from December through March we suggest allowing an extra day or two.
Your pickup window comes before the drive: six days on Standard, three on Expedited. Add the two for your full timeline. Our guide to how long car shipping takes breaks it down further.
Registering your California car in Illinois
The Illinois Secretary of State gives new residents 30 days to title and register a car. If your new home is inside Chicago city limits, the City Clerk also expects you to buy a city vehicle sticker.
Most gas cars registered in the Chicago metro area need an emissions test. You do not need to book one before registering. Illinois mails a notice when your car is due.
A car that arrives within a week of you leaves plenty of room for all of this. Our Chicago car shipping page covers the whole metro in more detail.
Pickup around Sacramento, delivery across Chicagoland
We collect from across the Sacramento region: Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, West Sacramento and Davis.
We deliver to the city and its suburbs: Chicago, Evanston, Oak Park, Skokie, Schaumburg, Naperville, Aurora, Joliet and Orland Park.
Plenty of Chicago blocks have cars parked on both sides and alleys too narrow for a 75-foot hauler. When that is the case, the driver meets you on a wider street or in a nearby lot, at no extra cost.
Our staffed Chicago office is at 742 E 87th Pl, on 312-300-7773, and our Los Angeles office supports the California side of your move.
Open, enclosed or expedited to Chicago
Open trailers move most cars on this lane and give you the best value. Enclosed makes sense for a classic, a low sports car or fresh paint, at about 80 percent more, and it keeps winter road salt off the finish.
Expedited shortens the pickup window to three days, useful when a lease or new job starts on a fixed date. Our open and enclosed guide compares the options side by side.
Who carries and insures your car to Chicago
Your car travels with a carrier from our vetted network of over 16,000. Every one holds active FMCSA authority with insurance on file, and we review equipment and service history before we assign your car.
Carrier Cargo Insurance, the carrier's own policy, covers the car from loading in Sacramento to delivery in Chicago. We send you the certificate once the carrier is booked. You can look up any carrier on SAFER, including us at USDOT 2887232, MC 969368.
What our customers report
Reviews from customers across our offices and service areas, including Chicago. You can also read customer reviews on our BBB profile, where we hold an A+ rating and have been accredited since 2016.
Crystal Evans was very helpful.
More Sacramento and Chicago car shipping pages
Related lanes and guides worth a look before you book.