Shipping a Car from Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA
Ship from Chicago and the car covers about 369 miles westbound to Des Moines, through Illinois and Iowa. That is around 7 hours of driving at car-hauler speeds; our transit estimate is 1–2 days after dispatch. Volume is middling, so most customers find a carrier without much waiting.
What Chicago to Des Moines Costs
A sedan on an open trailer is priced at roughly $350–$405 on this corridor, or $1.02 for each of the 369 miles. Because the trip is short, fixed costs dominate and the per-mile rate climbs. SUVs and pickups usually add about 12% ($390–$455); enclosed sedan transport is $510–$585, roughly 45% more than open. A comparable-length trip, New York City, NY to Norfolk, VA (350 mi), is priced at $350–$385. Ending in Omaha instead (134 mi from Des Moines) is estimated at $385–$565.
| Transport Type | Car Type | Price Range | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $350–$405 | Standard choice for everyday cars |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $390–$455 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $390–$455 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $510–$585 | Luxury, classic and low-clearance cars |
Prices shown are for a typical sedan; your quote depends on exact addresses, condition and season.
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. Drivers often use the O'Hare International Airport area as a staging reference. The main approaches to Chicago are I-55, I-90 and I-94.
Delivery in Des Moines. Trucks serving Des Moines lean on I-35 and I-80. Central Iowa crossroads of I-35 and I-80, handy for east-west and north-south hauls. Des Moines sits on busy trucking corridors, which helps with availability.
The Route and Corridor
The direct line between the two cities crosses Illinois and Iowa. In Iowa, I-80 and I-35 are the backbone, with long open stretches. Expect harsh winters and strong winds off the lake in Illinois.
Timing and Seasonality
Snow in the northern tier of states can push dates back from December to February; spring and fall run smoothest. For a 369-mile trip, request quotes about two weeks before pickup. Across Illinois expect harsh winters and strong winds off the lake; across Iowa, winter storms and strong crosswinds.
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.
- Remove loose items. Personal belongings are usually not insured in transit; clear the cabin before pickup in Chicago.
- Choose the trailer deliberately. Open at $350–$405 fits most cars; enclosed at $510–$585 suits luxury, classic or low cars.