Shipping a Car from Chicago, IL to Montgomery, AL
A 787-mile trip heading south, through Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama: that is Chicago to Montgomery. That is around 16 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 Montgomery Costs
Current estimates put open transport for a standard sedan at $470–$670, which is about $0.72 per mile over 787 miles. For a larger vehicle plan on $525–$750, and for enclosed carriage of a sedan plan on $680–$970 (about 45% above open). Delivery to Birmingham, 100 miles from Montgomery, would be $515–$760. A comparable-length trip, Rochester, NY to Springfield, IL (791 mi), is priced at $475–$670.
| Trailer | Vehicle | Estimated Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $470–$670 | Budget-friendly default |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $525–$750 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $525–$750 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $680–$970 | Luxury, classic and low-clearance cars |
Estimates are for a standard sedan; your quote depends on exact addresses, condition and season.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Chicago. Chicago is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through. Drivers often use the O'Hare International Airport area as a staging reference. The nation's busiest rail and trucking crossroads, with I-55, I-90 and I-94 feeding most long hauls.
Delivery in Montgomery. Trucks serving Montgomery lean on I-65 and I-85. Military moves are common in the Montgomery area, which makes summer space tight. Alabama's capital on I-65/I-85, home to Maxwell Air Force Base.
Timing and Seasonality
Montgomery has a large military community, so summer permanent-change-of-station season (about May to August) tightens carrier space. Lake-effect and winter storms in the northern states can delay pickups from December through February. From June to November, tropical weather can force carriers to reroute near the coast, so leave a few spare days. For a 787-mile trip, request quotes about three weeks before pickup. Across Illinois expect harsh winters and strong winds off the lake; across Alabama, humid summers and Gulf storm risk near the coast.
The Route and Corridor
The direct line between the two cities crosses Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. Expect lake-effect snow in the north in Indiana. In Kentucky, I-64, I-65 and I-75 meet around Louisville and Lexington. In Tennessee, I-40, I-65, I-24 and I-75 meet around Nashville and Knoxville. Nashville (TN) and Birmingham (AL) sit close to the corridor, which is why trucks often add or drop vehicles there. Toll roads in Illinois and Indiana are built into carrier pricing.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Inspect at both ends. Walk around the car with the driver in Chicago and again in Montgomery, and note anything on the bill of lading.
- Mention military orders. Service members should say so when quoting; some carriers hold space for orders-driven moves.
- Compare nearby pickup points. Moving the handoff a short drive from Chicago can change the price on a 787-mile lane.