Shipping a Car from Chicago, IL to Jersey City, NJ
Moving a car from Chicago to Jersey City means about 844 miles eastbound, across six states, from Illinois to New Jersey. Allow 1–2 days after pickup, in line with roughly 17 hours of highway time. This lane sees steady, moderate demand.
What Chicago to Jersey City Costs
Over 844 miles, an open-trailer sedan runs $505–$715 ($0.72 per mile). For a larger vehicle plan on $565–$800, and for enclosed carriage of a sedan plan on $730–$1,035 (about 45% above open). Ending in New York City instead (6 mi from Jersey City) is estimated at $510–$720. A comparable-length trip, Philadelphia, PA to Chicago, IL (794 mi), is priced at $475–$675.
| Transport Type | Vehicle | Typical Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $505–$715 | Standard choice for everyday cars |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $565–$800 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $565–$800 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $730–$1,035 | High-value or low cars |
Estimates are for a standard sedan; your quote depends on pickup and drop-off points, condition and season.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Chicago. The nearest major airport, O'Hare International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. 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.
Delivery in Jersey City. Hudson waterfront city across from Manhattan, in one of the tightest, most toll-heavy zones in the country. Trucks serving Jersey City lean on I-78. The nearest major airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. Large rigs often cannot reach residential blocks here, so a parking-lot handoff is typical.
Timing and Seasonality
Snow in the northern tier of states can push dates back from December to February; spring and fall run smoothest. Three weeks of lead time works well for 844 miles. Across Illinois expect harsh winters and strong winds off the lake; across New Jersey, snow and coastal storms.
The Route and Corridor
Along the way the route touches Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. New Jersey: the tolled New Jersey Turnpike and the Newark port area create heavy truck traffic. In Indiana, I-65, I-70, I-69 and the I-80/I-90 toll road make it a true crossroads. In Illinois, I-80, I-90, I-94 and I-55 all pass through the Chicago area. Toledo (OH), Cleveland (OH) and Allentown (PA) 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, Indiana and Ohio are built into carrier pricing.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Remove loose items. Personal belongings are usually not insured in transit; clear the cabin before pickup in Chicago.
- Inspect at both ends. Walk around the car with the driver in Chicago and again in Jersey City, and note anything on the bill of lading.
- Compare nearby pickup points. Moving the handoff a short drive from Chicago can change the price on a 844-mile lane.