Chicago to Los Angeles Auto Transport
We ship your vehicle 2,015 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles in 5-7 days via I-80 West through Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada. This cross-country corridor is one of our most popular routes, and we've been running it since 2015 with zero hassles.
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How Much Does Chicago to Los Angeles Car Shipping Cost?
Open carrier transport from Chicago to Los Angeles runs $950-$1,500 depending on your vehicle type and timing. Sedans start at $950, while pickup trucks can hit $1,500 during peak season. Enclosed auto transport adds $500-$700 to these prices but gives you complete weather protection for the 2,015-mile journey.
Seasonal pricing matters here. Summer months (June-August) see 20-30% higher rates due to increased demand from college students and corporate relocations. Winter actually works in your favor - rates drop because fewer people want to deal with potential weather delays, even though this I-80 corridor rarely sees major issues.
Here's something most brokers won't tell you: book 2-3 weeks ahead for the best rates. Last-minute bookings (under 5 days) can add $200-$400 to your total because we're scrambling to find available carrier space on an already busy route.
What's the Best Time to Ship from Chicago to LA?
Fall and early spring offer the sweet spot for Chicago to Los Angeles shipping. September through November gives you mild weather, lower rates, and plenty of carrier availability. March through May works great too - you'll avoid winter weather concerns and summer's peak pricing.
Avoid July and August if you can. College students flooding back to California schools, corporate relocations, and general summer moving season drive rates up significantly. We've seen quotes jump from $1,100 to $1,400 for the same sedan just because someone waited until July to book.
Winter shipping works fine on this route since I-80 through Wyoming gets priority snow removal, but carriers still charge winter surcharges from December through February. The thing is, if you're flexible with your dates and can wait for good weather windows, you'll actually save money during winter months.
Open vs Enclosed Transport: Chicago to Los Angeles
Open carrier transport handles 90% of Chicago to LA shipments because it's cost-effective and reliable for this route. Your vehicle rides on a standard car carrier (holds 8-10 cars) and gets the same transit time as enclosed options. Most sedans, SUVs, and trucks ship open without any issues.
Enclosed transport makes sense for luxury vehicles, classics, or anything worth over $50,000. The extra $500-$700 gets you a covered trailer that protects against road debris, weather, and prying eyes. We recommend enclosed for BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Tesla Model S, and any vehicle you'd be heartbroken to see with a rock chip.
Real talk: the I-80 corridor is pretty clean for open transport. You're not dealing with construction zones or excessive truck traffic like some eastern routes. But if you're shipping a $80,000 vehicle, spending the extra money for enclosed just makes sense.
Door-to-Door vs Terminal Shipping Options
Door-to-door delivery works great for most Chicago and LA locations, but there are exceptions. In Chicago, we can reach most residential areas and suburbs without issues. LA gets tricky with narrow streets, low-hanging wires, and restricted truck access in some neighborhoods like the Hollywood Hills or Venice Beach areas.
Terminal shipping saves $100-$200 but adds hassle. In Chicago, you'd drop off at a facility on the south or west side. In LA, terminals are usually in Carson, Compton, or other industrial areas that aren't convenient for most people. Factor in your time, gas, and potential Uber costs - door-to-door usually makes more financial sense.
Here's what happens with door-to-door: our driver calls 24 hours ahead to schedule pickup and delivery. They need clear truck access (no low branches, tight turns, or street parking restrictions). If your specific address doesn't work, we'll find the nearest safe location within a few blocks.
Transit Time and Delivery Schedule
The Chicago to Los Angeles route takes 5-7 days for standard transport, with most deliveries happening on day 6. Our drivers cover roughly 500 miles per day while following Department of Transportation hours-of-service regulations. They can't just drive straight through - federal law requires rest breaks and sleep periods.
Pickup typically happens within 1-3 days of your requested date. Once your vehicle's loaded in Chicago, it heads west on I-80 through Iowa (day 1), Nebraska and Wyoming (day 2), Utah and Nevada (day 3-4), arriving in Los Angeles by day 5 or 6. Weather delays are rare on this route except for occasional Wyoming snowstorms.
Expedited shipping cuts this to 3-4 days but costs $300-$500 extra. The carrier runs with fewer vehicles (maybe 4-6 instead of 8-10) and prioritizes your delivery over standard shipments. Most people don't need expedited service unless it's a business emergency or time-sensitive relocation.
How It Works
Get Your Free Quote
Call (310) 906-4841 or request a quote online. We'll give you exact pricing based on your vehicle type, pickup/delivery locations, and preferred dates.
Schedule Pickup
Choose your pickup date (1-3 day window works best). We'll assign a carrier and send you driver contact information 24 hours before pickup.
Vehicle Pickup in Chicago
Driver inspects your vehicle, documents existing condition, and loads it securely. You'll receive a bill of lading with pickup confirmation and tracking information.
Delivery in Los Angeles
Driver calls to schedule delivery within your requested timeframe. Final inspection, payment (if any balance due), and keys handed over. Done.
Pricing by Vehicle Type
| Vehicle | Open Carrier | Enclosed | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan / Compact | $950-$1,350 | $1,450-$1,950 | 5-7 days |
| SUV / Crossover | $1,050-$1,450 | $1,550-$2,050 | 5-7 days |
| Pickup Truck | $1,100-$1,500 | $1,600-$2,100 | 5-7 days |
| Luxury / Exotic | N/A | $1,800-$2,500 | 5-7 days |
| Motorcycle | $650-$950 | $850-$1,250 | 5-7 days |
| Inoperable Vehicle | $200+ surcharge | $1,650+ | Add 1-2 days |
Book pickup for Tuesday-Thursday if possible. Monday pickups get delayed by weekend backlog, and Friday pickups often push delivery into the following week due to weekend DOT restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Liberty Car Shipping services.