Shipping a Car from Austin, TX to Springfield, IL
Moving a car from Austin to Springfield means about 952 miles northeastbound, through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois. A carrier needs about two days on the road at the usual 500 miles a day, and we estimate 2–3 days in transit once the car is loaded. Fewer trucks run this lane, so give the dispatcher a few days of leeway.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Austin. The nearest major airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. Austin is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through. Carriers usually load around I-35.
Delivery in Springfield. Trucks serving Springfield lean on I-55 and I-72. Illinois' capital at I-55/I-72, a lighter-volume lane than nearby Chicago or St. Louis.
The Route and Corridor
A carrier on this lane works through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois. Expect hot humid summers and occasional ice storms in Arkansas. Oklahoma: I-35, I-40 and I-44 cross, and turnpikes are tolled. In Missouri, I-70, I-44 and I-55 run through St. Louis and Kansas City, with hilly Ozark sections. Metros near that straight-line path include St. Louis (MO), although the actual interstate routing may bend around them. Toll roads in Texas, Oklahoma and Illinois are built into carrier pricing.
What Austin to Springfield Costs
Expect open transport for a standard sedan at $570–$810, which is about $0.72 per mile over 952 miles. SUVs and pickups usually add about 12% ($640–$905); enclosed sedan transport is $825–$1,175, roughly 45% more than open. Loading in San Antonio, about 74 miles from Austin, is $55 more at $625–$885. For scale, New York City, NY to Madison, WI is a similar 960-mile move at $575–$815.
| Trailer | Vehicle | Price Range | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $570–$810 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $640–$905 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $640–$905 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $825–$1,175 | Luxury, classic and low-clearance cars |
Prices shown are for a typical sedan; actual quotes vary with exact addresses, condition and season.
Timing and Seasonality
High Plains winter storms and spring thunderstorms are the main weather risks, so late spring and early fall are calmest. For a 952-mile trip, request quotes about three weeks before pickup. Across Texas expect severe spring storms, Gulf hurricanes and desert heat in the west; across Illinois, harsh winters and strong winds off the lake.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Remove loose items. Personal belongings are usually not insured in transit; clear the cabin before pickup in Austin.
- Choose the trailer deliberately. Open at $570–$810 fits most cars; enclosed at $825–$1,175 suits luxury, classic or low cars.
- Compare nearby pickup points. Moving the handoff a short drive from Austin can change the price on a 952-mile lane.