Shipping a Car from Chicago, IL to Houston, TX
A 1,111-mile trip heading southwest, through Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas: that is Chicago to Houston. That is around 22 hours of driving at car-hauler speeds; our transit estimate is 2–3 days after dispatch. This is a high-volume lane for us, so quotes tend to arrive quickly.
What Chicago to Houston Costs
A sedan on an open trailer is priced at roughly $665–$945 on this lane, or $0.72 for each of the 1,111 miles. Enclosed shipping adds about 45% ($965–$1,370), while SUV and truck surcharges bring open pricing to $745–$1,060. For scale, San Francisco, CA to Colorado Springs, CO is a similar 1,136-mile move at $680–$965. Going the other way, Houston, TX to Chicago, IL is estimated at $675–$955.
| Trailer | Car Type | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $665–$945 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $745–$1,060 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $745–$1,060 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $965–$1,370 | Maximum protection from weather and debris |
Figures assume a standard sedan; actual quotes vary with pickup and drop-off points, condition and season.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Chicago. Drivers often use the O'Hare International Airport area as a staging reference. Trucks working Chicago lean on I-55, I-90 and I-94. Chicago sits on busy trucking corridors, which helps with availability.
Delivery in Houston. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the usual reference point for staging in the area. Houston is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through. Trucks serving Houston lean on I-10, I-45 and I-69.
The Route and Corridor
The direct line between the two cities crosses Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Missouri: I-70, I-44 and I-55 run through St. Louis and Kansas City, with hilly Ozark sections. In Arkansas, I-40 and I-30 cross at Little Rock. In Louisiana, I-10 crosses the long Atchafalaya Basin bridge and I-20 runs across the north. Springfield (IL), St. Louis (MO) and Little Rock (AR) sit close to the corridor, which is why trucks often add or drop vehicles there. Toll roads in Illinois and Texas are built into carrier pricing.
Timing and Seasonality
High Plains winter storms and spring thunderstorms are the main weather risks, so late spring and early fall are calmest. From June to November, tropical weather can force carriers to reroute near the coast, so leave a few spare days. For a 1,111-mile trip, request quotes about three weeks before pickup. Across Illinois expect harsh winters and strong winds off the lake; across Texas, severe spring storms, Gulf hurricanes and desert heat in the west.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Vet the carrier. Check the MC number on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and get insurance terms in writing before paying a deposit.
- Compare nearby pickup points. Moving the handoff a short drive from Chicago can change the price on a 1,111-mile lane.
- Be flexible on the date. A three-day pickup window lets dispatchers slot your car into a load heading southwest.