Shipping a Car from Chicago, IL to Newark, NJ
Chicago, IL to Newark, NJ is a 835-mile heading east route that runs across six states, from Illinois to New Jersey. Allow 1–2 days after pickup, in line with roughly 17 hours of highway time. Demand is moderate, so pickup windows are usually easy to fill.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Chicago. The nearest major airport, O'Hare International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. Chicago is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through. The nation's busiest rail and trucking crossroads, with I-55, I-90 and I-94 feeding most long hauls.
Delivery in Newark. Port and airport city with the largest auto-import terminal on the East Coast, in the heart of the New York metro. Drivers often use the Newark Liberty International Airport area as a staging reference. Trucks serving Newark lean on I-78 and I-95. Tight streets mean a meet-up at a nearby wide lot is common.
What Chicago to Newark Costs
Over 835 miles, a standard sedan on open transport runs $500–$710 ($0.72 per mile). SUVs and pickups usually add about 12% ($560–$795); enclosed sedan transport is $725–$1,030, roughly 45% more than open. Ending in Jersey City instead (10 mi from Newark) is estimated at $505–$715. A comparable-length trip, Seattle, WA to Provo, UT (875 mi), is priced at $525–$745.
| Trailer | Car Type | Price Range | Why Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $500–$710 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $560–$795 | Taller, heavier vehicles |
| Open | Minivan | $560–$795 | Taller, heavier vehicles |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $725–$1,030 | High-value or low cars |
Estimates are for a standard sedan; actual quotes vary with pickup and drop-off points, condition and season.
The Route and Corridor
A carrier on this lane works through Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Illinois: I-80, I-90, I-94 and I-55 all pass through the Chicago area. In New Jersey, the tolled New Jersey Turnpike and the Newark port area create heavy truck traffic. Michigan: I-75, I-94 and I-96 converge on Detroit. Metros near that straight-line path include Toledo (OH), Cleveland (OH) and Allentown (PA), although the actual interstate routing may bend around them. 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.
Timing and Seasonality
Lake-effect and winter storms in the northern states can delay pickups from December through February. Three weeks of lead time works well for 835 miles. Across Illinois expect harsh winters and strong winds off the lake; across New Jersey, snow and coastal storms.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Remove loose items. Personal belongings are usually not insured in transit; clear the cabin before pickup in Chicago.
- Choose the trailer deliberately. Open at $500–$710 fits most cars; enclosed at $725–$1,030 suits luxury, classic or low cars.
- Inspect at both ends. Walk around the car with the driver in Chicago and again in Newark, and note anything on the bill of lading.