Shipping a Car from Chicago, IL to Jacksonville, FL
A 1,028-mile trip southeastbound, across six states, from Illinois to Florida: that is Chicago to Jacksonville. That is around 21 hours of driving at car-hauler speeds; our transit estimate is 2–3 days after dispatch. This lane sees steady, moderate demand.
What Chicago to Jacksonville Costs
Over 1,028 miles, a standard sedan on open transport runs $615–$875 ($0.72 per mile). Enclosed shipping adds about 45% ($890–$1,270), while SUV and truck surcharges bring open pricing to $690–$980. The reverse haul, Jacksonville, FL to Chicago, IL, comes in at $615–$870. A comparable-length trip, Dallas, TX to Cincinnati, OH (967 mi), is priced at $580–$820. Ending in Savannah instead (119 mi from Jacksonville) is estimated at $545–$775.
| Trailer | Vehicle | Price Range | Why Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $615–$875 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $690–$980 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $690–$980 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $890–$1,270 | High-value or low cars |
Figures assume a standard sedan; actual quotes vary with exact addresses, condition and season.
Timing and Seasonality
Jacksonville has a large military community, so summer permanent-change-of-station season (about May to August) tightens carrier space. Snow in the northern tier of states can push dates back from December to February; spring and fall run smoothest. From June to November, tropical weather can force carriers to reroute near the coast, so leave a few spare days. Three weeks of lead time works well for 1,028 miles. Across Illinois expect harsh winters and strong winds off the lake; across Florida, afternoon thunderstorms and hurricane season from June to November.
The Route and Corridor
Along the way the route touches Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. Georgia: I-75, I-85 and I-20 converge on Atlanta, where traffic is heavy. In Tennessee, I-40, I-65, I-24 and I-75 meet around Nashville and Knoxville. Florida: I-95, I-75 and the tolled Florida's Turnpike carry most traffic. Indianapolis (IN), Louisville (KY) and Knoxville (TN) 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 Florida are built into carrier pricing.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Chicago. Trucks working Chicago lean on I-55, I-90 and I-94. O'Hare International Airport is the usual reference point for staging in the area. The nation's busiest rail and trucking crossroads, with I-55, I-90 and I-94 feeding most long hauls.
Delivery in Jacksonville. North Florida port and Navy hub on I-10/I-95 with a large auto-import terminal. Military moves are common in the Jacksonville area, which makes summer space tight. The main approaches to Jacksonville are I-10 and I-95.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Keep the tank low. About a quarter tank keeps weight down for the trip to Jacksonville.
- Compare nearby pickup points. Moving the handoff a short drive from Chicago can change the price on a 1,028-mile lane.
- Ask for a call-ahead. Request a heads-up the evening before the truck reaches Jacksonville.