AZIMUTHSHIP AUTO

Chicago ↔ Los Angeles Auto Transport

Car Shipping from Chicago to Los Angeles

Move a car from Chicago or the suburbs to Los Angeles and Southern California without putting 2,000 miles on the odometer. We match you with an open or enclosed carrier, coordinate pickup in Illinois and delivery in LA, and keep you posted along the way.

Phone

754-299-0407

Email

info@azimuthshipauto.com

St. Augustine

1144 Sandlake Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32092

Fort Lauderdale

2550 N Federal Hwy, Ste 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305

30-day booked price guarantee

Your booked Chicago to Los Angeles price is guaranteed for 30 days.*

*Applies to eligible booked orders for 30 calendar days from booking. Route, vehicle, condition and requested service details must remain unchanged. Additional services, customer-requested changes, inaccessible locations, incorrect information and other exceptions may affect pricing. Final terms are governed by the written order agreement.

Route overview

A true cross-country move from the Midwest to the West Coast

Most carriers leave Chicago heading southwest on I-55 and I-44, then pick up I-40 across Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona before dropping into Southern California. Some take I-80 west instead. Either way, it is one of the longest regular lanes out of the Midwest.

People ship on this route when they relocate for work, send a car to a student in California or buy a vehicle from a Chicago dealer. Since the drive takes several days, most of the planning is about getting a pickup window that works and knowing roughly when the car will arrive.

Porsche 718 Spyder RS with mountain views

About 2,000 mi

Chicago to LA by road

5 to 8 days

Transit after pickup

Open or enclosed

Door-to-door options

Both directions

Chicago to LA and LA to Chicago

Need a Chicago to Los Angeles quote?

Tell us both ZIP codes, the vehicle and when it will be ready. A coordinator will review carriers heading west and come back with options that fit your dates.

Seasonal timing

When to book car transport Chicago to Los Angeles, and the return trip

On this lane the weather at the Chicago end shapes the calendar more than anything else. Carriers heading to Southern California mostly run I-40 across the Southwest, and some take I-80 over the Rockies, so winter storms at higher elevations matter too. Summer is the main moving season, with job transfers and students starting school in California. Spring and fall are usually the easiest months to get a pickup date that fits your plans.

Dec to Feb

Fewer movers, slower roads

Fewer people relocate in winter, so westbound space is easier to find. Storms near Flagstaff on I-40 or in Wyoming on I-80 can still close the road for a day.

Mar to May

Spring return east

Winter residents leave Arizona and California, so trucks heading back to Chicago get busier. Westbound space is often easier to book.

Jun to Aug

Peak moving season

Most relocations happen between school years, so trucks heading west fill up fast. Book early if your start date in California is fixed.

Sep to Nov

Steady fall

Demand eases after the summer rush and the weather is mild at both ends. A good window if your move date can shift.

Open or enclosed

Which trailer makes sense from Chicago to LA

On a trip this long, the car is on the road for most of a week. Keep that in mind when you choose between open and enclosed transport.

Open carrier

Most common choice

Open trailers carry the majority of cars on this lane. They are easier to schedule and cost less, which suits daily drivers and family vehicles.

Enclosed trailer

Covered for the whole trip

Enclosed transport keeps the car out of rain, dust and desert sun across several states. Many owners of sports cars, classics and new luxury vehicles choose it for this distance.

Winter in Chicago

Plan around the weather

Snow and ice in Illinois can delay pickups from December to February. A flexible pickup window of a few days makes it easier to find a truck.

Summer heat

The desert stretch

Part of the route crosses the Southwest, where summer temperatures run high. Check tire pressure and fluids before pickup and leave the tank about a quarter full.

Transport Options

A service for every vehicle on the Chicago to LA lane

What Determines the Cost to Ship a Car?

Open auto transport

The most affordable and available way to move a car from Chicago to Los Angeles. Works well for sedans, SUVs and pickups.

Enclosed Auto Transport

Enclosed Transport

Covered transport for exotic, classic and high-value cars making the full trip west.

Red Corvette C8 facing an open enclosed trailer

Expedited Auto Shipping

Priority dispatch when you have a start date in California or a flight already booked.

Navy Rolls-Royce Dawn convertible in a residential driveway

Door-to-Door Car Shipping

Pickup at your Chicago address and delivery in LA as close to your door as the truck can safely get.

How it Works

Four clear steps from quote to delivery

Here is how a Chicago to Los Angeles shipment moves from quote to delivery. The full walkthrough is on our How It Works page.

Your Shipping Our Priority

Request a quote

Share your route, vehicle, condition and preferred pickup dates for the Chicago to Los Angeles move.

Review the plan

Confirm what is included, the price, and pickup expectations in writing before you book.

Meet the carrier

Inspect the vehicle and complete pickup paperwork with the licensed carrier we arrange.

Accept delivery

Inspect again and complete the delivery handoff.

Before pickup

What to plan for on a Chicago to Los Angeles shipment

Long routes reward a bit of preparation at both ends.

Check the carrier

Every carrier we book is licensed. You can look up the MC and USDOT numbers on the FMCSA website before pickup.

Confirm the timeline

Ask for the pickup window and the estimated delivery range in writing, so you can plan your own move around them.

Think about access

Downtown Chicago and many LA neighborhoods have tight streets and parking rules. A nearby lot or wide street often works better for a large truck.

Record the condition

Take clear photos of every side of the car before pickup and check it again carefully at delivery.

Customer reviews

What our customers say

Posted on Google Google
Roman profile picture
Roman
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Outstanding experience with this team once again! My family used their services a couple of months ago, and they were my first choice to transport my 1970 classic Land Rover from New Jersey to Florida. ​The enclosed trailer came with a winch, which made loading and unloading my vintage car smooth, safe, and completely stress-free. Special thanks to the driver, Denis. He is a true professional who kept me updated along the way and shared real-time tracking so I never had to worry. Exceptional care and communication from start to finish. Highly recommended!
Posted on Google Google
Kristina profile picture
Kristina
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I found Azimuth Ship Auto through a local dealership after purchasing my Mercedes, and the experience was excellent from beginning to end. The whole process was handled very professionally. Scheduling was quick, communication was clear, and the pickup was arranged without any complications. My vehicle was transported in an enclosed trailer and arrived safely and in perfect condition. Driver clearly knew how to handle high-end vehicles, and the office staff was always available, responsive, and helpful whenever I had a question. Everything was coordinated properly and exactly as promised. If you want your car transported by a company that is reliable, careful, and experienced, I would definitely recommend Azimuth Ship Auto. Thank you for making the delivery of my Mercedes so easy and for treating the car with the attention it deserved.
Posted on Google Google
Jessica profile picture
Jessica
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Azimuth Ship Auto did an excellent job overseeing the shipment of my new car from North Carolina to Florida. I worked specifically with Denis, and he was very caring, professional, and responsive. It was a pleasure to work with him. He kept me posted at every stage, from pre-pickup all the way through to an accurate ETA and delivery. Thank you, Denis & Azimuth Ship Auto!
Posted on Google Google
Nia Hut profile picture
Nia Hut
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had a great experience with Azimuth Ship Auto. My car was delivered safely and in perfect condition. I really appreciated their professionalism, excellent communication throughout the entire process, and how smoothly everything was handled from start to finish. I would definitely use their services again and highly recommend them to anyone looking for reliable vehicle transfer.
Posted on Google Google
Igor Devyatovskiy profile picture
Igor Devyatovskiy
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I’d like to thank Azimuth Ship Auto for delivering my BMW X5. The car was delivered right on time, despite the long distance of nearly 2,000 miles. I kind of expected it to be all dusty after such a long trip, so I was really surprised when it arrived completely clean. Excellent and careful service!
Posted on Google Google
Angelina Akimova profile picture
Angelina Akimova
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
At the beginning of June, our family moved from Colorado to Florida, and we needed a dependable company to transport our vehicle. A friend of mine recommended Azimuth Ship Auto, and I’m so glad they did that. From the very first call, Patricia was professional, friendly, and always available to answer my questions. She explained the entire process, helped schedule everything, and kept me updated from pickup to delivery.Our vehicle was picked up exactly on the agreed date and delivered on time, just as promised. The car arrived in perfect condition, without any issues. It’s hard to find an honest and reliable auto transport company these days who will promise honest and fair price, but Azimuth Ship Auto exceeded all of our expectations. If you’re looking for car shipping I highly recommend them. I will definitely use their services again and recommend them to my friends and family.
Posted on Google Google
Anastasiia Savina profile picture
Anastasiia Savina
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
​Absolute professionals! High-end car owners, look no further. I needed to transport my sports Porsche from Arizona to Florida, and I was incredibly nervous about the loading process due to the very low ground clearance. I contacted Azimuthshipauto, and they immediately put my mind at ease. They ensured that race ramps were provided specifically for my car to guarantee a flawless, scrap-free loading and unloading experience. The communication was excellent throughout the entire cross-country trip, the driver was extremely careful, and my Porsche arrived in Florida in pristine condition. Outstanding service, true attention to detail, and absolute peace of mind. Highly recommend Azimuthshipauto for any luxury or exotic vehicle transport!
Posted on Google Google
Max Kaminski profile picture
Max Kaminski
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I recently shipped my Porsche 911 Carrera GTS from Florida to New Jersey and had an outstanding experience with Azimuth Ship Auto. As the broker coordinating the transportation, their team handled everything professionally from start to finish. Communication was excellent throughout the entire process, and I always knew exactly where my vehicle was. The carrier they selected was punctual, experienced, and clearly understood how to transport my vehicle. My Porsche arrived on schedule and in perfect condition, exactly as it was picked up with cover on it to avoid any dust. I highly recommend Azimuth Ship Auto to anyone looking for reliable, professional vehicle transportation. I will definitely use them again in the future.

    AUTO TRANSPORT QUOTE

    Get Your Free
    Auto Transport Quote

    Fast. Reliable. Nationwide Vehicle Shipping.











    Common questions

    Chicago ↔ Los Angeles shipping FAQs

    How long does it take to ship a car from Chicago to Los Angeles?

    Most cars arrive about 5 to 8 days after pickup. The truck covers roughly 2,000 miles and usually makes other stops on the way, and winter weather in the Midwest can add a day or two.

    Driving means gas, at least three nights in hotels, meals and several days off work, plus about 2,000 miles of wear on the car. Shipping often comes out closer than people expect. Ask us for a quote and compare it with your own numbers.

    Open transport is the standard choice for most cars. Enclosed is worth considering for classic, exotic or newly purchased luxury vehicles, since the car spends close to a week on the road.

    Carriers generally ask that the car be empty apart from standard items like the spare tire and jack. Loose belongings are not covered and add weight. Your coordinator will confirm the rules before pickup.

    Yes. We arrange transport in both directions on this lane. Just give us the pickup and delivery ZIP codes when you request a quote.