Shipping a Car from Chicago, IL to Atlanta, GA
Moving a car from Chicago to Atlanta means about 701 miles southbound, through Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. A carrier needs about two days on the road at the usual 500 miles a day, and we estimate 1–2 days in transit once the car is loaded. It is among the busier lanes we price, so carrier availability is usually good.
Timing and Seasonality
Lake-effect and winter storms in the northern states can delay pickups from December through February. Three weeks of lead time works well for 701 miles. Across Illinois expect harsh winters and strong winds off the lake; across Georgia, hot summers and the occasional ice event around Atlanta.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Chicago. The nation's busiest rail and trucking crossroads, with I-55, I-90 and I-94 feeding most long hauls. Carriers usually load around I-55, I-90 and I-94. The nearest major airport, O'Hare International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver.
Delivery in Atlanta. Atlanta sits on busy trucking corridors, which helps with availability. Drivers often use the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport area as a staging reference. Trucks serving Atlanta lean on I-20, I-75 and I-85.
The Route and Corridor
A carrier on this lane works through Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. Expect winter ice on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. Kentucky: I-64, I-65 and I-75 meet around Louisville and Lexington. In Illinois, I-80, I-90, I-94 and I-55 all pass through the Chicago area. Indianapolis (IN) and Louisville (KY) sit close to the corridor, which is why trucks often add or drop vehicles there. Pickup is on Central time and delivery on Eastern time, so a driver's call can come an hour off your clock. Toll roads in Illinois and Indiana are built into carrier pricing.
What Chicago to Atlanta Costs
A sedan on an open trailer is priced at roughly $525–$770 on this haul, or $0.92 for each of the 701 miles. SUVs and pickups usually add about 12% ($590–$860); enclosed sedan transport is $760–$1,115, roughly 45% more than open. The reverse haul, Atlanta, GA to Chicago, IL, comes in at $515–$755. A comparable-length trip, New York City, NY to Lansing, MI (668 mi), is priced at $500–$735.
| Service | Vehicle | Price Range | Why Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $525–$770 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $590–$860 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $590–$860 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $760–$1,115 | Maximum protection from weather and debris |
Figures assume a standard sedan; actual quotes vary with exact addresses, condition and season.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Choose the trailer deliberately. Open at $525–$770 fits most cars; enclosed at $760–$1,115 suits luxury, classic or low cars.
- Compare nearby pickup points. Moving the handoff a short drive from Chicago can change the price on a 701-mile lane.
- Ask for a call-ahead. Request a heads-up several hours before the truck reaches Atlanta.