Illinois to Alabama Car Shipping — IL to AL Auto Transport

The main carrier path between Illinois and Alabama follows I-57, I-24 and I-65. Trucks on this lane pick up across the origin metro areas, consolidate loads, and deliver city by city on the way in.

Typical city pairs on this route:

If your address is on a narrow street or in a gated community, the driver may suggest meeting at a nearby parking lot where a full-size car carrier can stop safely.

Wash your car a day or two before pickup so you and the driver can see its condition clearly, and take dated photos of every side.

• Leave about a quarter tank of fuel.
• Remove your I-PASS or E-ZPass transponder or store it in a shielded bag so it doesn't record tolls on the way.
• Take out valuables and loose items; most carriers allow only a small amount below the window line.
• Disable alarms and fold in mirrors.
• Have keys, registration and a photo ID ready.

Full checklist: how to prepare your car for shipping.

Alabama new residents title and register through their county license office, which works with the Alabama Department of Revenue. Bring your out-of-state title, proof of insurance and ID; a VIN check may be required for vehicles titled elsewhere.

Rules change, so check the official agency website before your move. For a step-by-step overview, read moving a car to a new state.

Illinois is a major Midwest hub, anchored by Chicago, where I-90, I-94, I-55, I-57 and I-80 converge. Carriers move constantly between Chicago and the Sun Belt, especially Florida, Texas and Arizona. Downstate cities like Springfield, Peoria and Champaign are well served. Lake-effect snow and winter storms can slow shipments from December through February.

For pickup cities, local tips and other routes, see our Illinois car shipping page.

Alabama's auto transport traffic centers on Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile. I-65 runs north–south through the heart of the state, I-20 and I-59 cross it diagonally, and I-10 skims the Gulf Coast at Mobile. Huntsville's aerospace and defense employers, Mobile's port and shipbuilding, and military installations such as Fort Rucker and Maxwell AFB keep relocations steady. Carriers reach Alabama's metros easily; rural areas in the Black Belt and the northeast hills can take a little longer to schedule.

Our Alabama car shipping page covers delivery areas, pricing and popular routes.

Chicago-area retirees and families heading for the Gulf Coast make this a steady southbound lane.

Typical customers on this lane include:

• Snowbirds heading to Alabama for the winter and back home in the spring
• Online and auction buyers who found the right car in Illinois and need it delivered
• Dealers moving inventory and completing dealer trades between markets

Typical open-carrier pricing on the Illinois to Alabama route, about 660 miles:

• Sedan or compact car: $740–$910
• Mid-size SUV or crossover: $600–$950
• Full-size SUV or half-ton pickup: $650–$1,100
• Heavy-duty or dually pickup: $800–$1,400
• Sedan, enclosed transport: $700–$1,100
• Non-running vehicle: add a winch charge, depending on whether it rolls, steers and brakes

Peak summer weeks and holidays can add $100–$300 on busy lanes. Get an exact number with the car shipping calculator.

• Exact addresses: Pickups in Chicago or Naperville near I-57 are usually quickest and least expensive; rural addresses farther from the interstate take more time and cost a little more.
• Season: Snowbird months shift demand on this lane — fall heading south and spring heading north.
• Pickup window: A five-day window often saves $50–$200 compared with a fixed date.
• Vehicle size and condition: Larger, heavier, modified or non-running vehicles cost more.
• Transport type: Enclosed transport costs about 30–40% more than open.
• Lead time: Booking two to three weeks ahead avoids rush pricing. See when to book car shipping.

For a daily driver, open transport is the practical choice from Illinois to Alabama. For collector cars, exotics and high-value vehicles, enclosed car transport protects the car from weather and debris the whole way.

• Pick a delivery spot in Birmingham, Huntsville or Mobile where a full-size car carrier can stop safely — a wide street or parking lot works best.
• Keep your phone on; the driver usually calls a day ahead and again a few hours before arrival.
• Inspect the car in good light before signing the Bill of Lading, and note any new issues.
• Have a backup contact who can receive the car if your plans change.
• Start your Alabama registration soon after arrival — see the section on arriving in Alabama above.

• Illinois to California: about 2,000 miles, $1,000–$1,700
• Illinois to Florida: about 1,250 miles, $900–$1,400
• Chicago to Miami: about 1,370 miles, $1,000–$1,450
• Chicago to Dallas: about 925 miles, $650–$1,000
• Illinois to Arizona: about 1,450 miles, $950–$1,400
• Chicago to Orlando: about 1,155 miles, $950–$1,400
• Chicago to Tampa: about 1,170 miles, $950–$1,450
• California to Alabama: about 2,100 miles, $1,100–$1,500