Shipping Your Car from Chicago to Los Angeles

America's great cross-country auto transport corridor. Chicago to LA — door-to-door, fully insured, $0 upfront. 30+ years of coast-to-coast experience.

~2,020 Miles 5–8 Days Transit $1,100–$1,500 Door-to-Door

"Relocated from Chicago to Santa Monica for a tech job. Lepke shipped my car in 7 days — arrived in perfect condition. Saved me the cross-country drive."

J. Nakamura
VerifiedGoogle

"Naperville to Pasadena. Pickup was smooth, carrier was professional, car arrived on day 6 as promised. Lepke made a stressful move much easier."

A. Petrov
VerifiedGoogle

"Moving to Burbank to work in film. Lepke was the most competitive quote I found for Chicago to LA and the service matched the price perfectly."

T. Okafor
VerifiedGoogle

Chicago to Los Angeles — The Ultimate Cross-Country Corridor

At over 2,000 miles, the Chicago–Los Angeles route is one of the longest and most heavily traveled auto transport corridors in the United States. It's a major relocation lane driven by the entertainment industry, tech sector expansion, and a constant stream of Midwesterners seeking California's climate and opportunities. Lepke Auto Transport has been managing this cross-country corridor for over 30 years and maintains strong carrier coverage year-round in both directions.

The route typically follows I-80 west across Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming, then cuts south via I-15 through Nevada and into the LA basin — or takes the I-40 southern route through Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona depending on conditions and carrier preferences. Transit time is 5–8 days from pickup in the Chicago metro area. Delivery covers all of Greater Los Angeles — downtown, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Burbank, Pasadena, Long Beach, Glendale, Torrance, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and beyond.

Tech and entertainment drives this lane: Chicago to LA is one of the most consistent relocation corridors in the country. Whether you're heading to Silicon Beach, the entertainment districts of Hollywood and Burbank, or simply following a corporate transfer, this is a well-served route with daily carrier availability. Demand is relatively even year-round, which means competitive pricing and reliable transit windows throughout the year.

⚠️ Plan for a longer transit window: At 2,020+ miles, this is a multi-state journey that takes 5–8 days. Build this into your moving timeline — don't expect your car to arrive the same week you fly out. Book at least 1–2 weeks in advance to ensure a carrier is ready when you need them. Summer months see higher demand, especially June and July, when corporate relocations peak.

We pick up throughout the Chicago metro — from the Loop and Lincoln Park to Naperville, Schaumburg, Joliet, and all surrounding suburbs. Delivery covers the full Los Angeles metro, the South Bay, the San Fernando Valley, the Inland Empire, Orange County, and surrounding areas. Before your vehicle ships, prepare it properly — a cross-country trip of 2,000+ miles deserves extra care in the pre-ship inspection.

Chicago Area Pickup Locations

We serve all of Chicagoland — city neighborhoods, North Shore, western suburbs, and beyond.

Chicago (all neighborhoods)
Naperville
Schaumburg
Aurora / Elgin
Joliet
Evanston / Skokie
Oak Park / Cicero
Downers Grove / Lisle
Waukegan / Kenosha
Oak Brook / Elmhurst
Bolingbrook / Romeoville
Libertyville / Gurnee


Los Angeles Area Delivery Locations

Door-to-door delivery throughout Greater LA — Westside, Valleys, South Bay, and Orange County.

Los Angeles (all areas)
Santa Monica
Hollywood
Burbank
Pasadena
Long Beach
Glendale
Torrance
Beverly Hills / West Hollywood
Culver City / El Segundo
Inglewood / Compton
Anaheim / Orange County

Chicago to Los Angeles — Shipping Cost Guide

Typical open-transport pricing for the cross-country corridor. Summer corporate relocation season (June–July) can add $100–$150 to base rates.

Route Distance Transit Time Estimated Cost
Chicago → Los Angeles~2,020 mi5–8 days$1,100–$1,500
Chicago → Santa Monica~2,025 mi5–8 days$1,150–$1,500
Naperville → Pasadena~2,030 mi5–8 days$1,150–$1,500
Chicago → Long Beach~2,010 mi5–7 days$1,100–$1,480
Chicago → Burbank~2,030 mi5–8 days$1,150–$1,500
Chicago → Anaheim~1,995 mi5–7 days$1,100–$1,480
Chicago → San Fernando Valley~2,040 mi5–8 days$1,150–$1,500

*Estimates for standard open-car transport. Enclosed transport, oversized vehicles, and inoperable cars are priced separately. See our full cost guide for more detail.

Why Ship with Lepke?

Cross-Country Specialists

Chicago to LA is one of our highest-volume corridors. 30+ years of managing 2,000-mile shipments means we know how to keep your vehicle on schedule coast to coast.

Locked-In Pricing

Your quote is your final price — no hidden fees, no fuel surcharges added after booking. What we quote is what you pay.

One Point of Contact

A dedicated rep manages your shipment from Chicago pickup to LA delivery. Real people, not rotating call-center scripts.

$0 Upfront

Nothing due until a verified carrier is dispatched. Zero financial risk on a cross-country move that's already expensive enough.

Fully Insured

All carriers in our 10,000+ network carry comprehensive cargo insurance covering your vehicle for every one of those 2,020 miles.

10,000+ Carrier Network

Coast-to-coast coverage means we always have carriers on the Chicago–LA lane, even during summer peak relocation season.

3 Easy Steps to Ship Your Car to LA

1. Get Your Quote

Enter your Chicago-area pickup and LA delivery address — get a locked-in cross-country price instantly.

2. We Pick Up in Chicago

A vetted carrier comes to your Chicagoland door. Thorough inspection at pickup, then pointed west.

3. Delivered in LA

Your car arrives at your Los Angeles address in 5–8 days — ready for California roads.

Chicago to Los Angeles — Frequently Asked Questions

Typically 5–8 days from the time your vehicle is picked up in the Chicago metro area. The exact duration depends on pickup and delivery locations, carrier route specifics, and time of year. June and July tend to be busier, which can add a day at the margins. We provide a confirmed delivery window at booking so you can plan your move accordingly.

For standard open-car transport, the typical range is $1,100–$1,500. The price varies based on the specific pickup and delivery addresses, vehicle type and size, time of year, and current fuel costs. Enclosed transport for luxury, classic, or exotic vehicles costs more. Get a precise quote using our quote tool — the price you receive is the price you pay, with no hidden fees.

For most people, yes. A 2,020-mile drive takes 3–4 days minimum, adds real mileage and wear to your vehicle, requires hotels and meals on the road, and is exhausting. The cost difference between driving and shipping is often less than people expect once you factor in fuel, lodging, food, and time off work. For a relocation where you're flying out anyway, shipping almost always makes more sense.

Yes — we provide door-to-door delivery throughout Greater Los Angeles. Santa Monica, Hollywood, Burbank, Pasadena, Long Beach, Glendale, Torrance, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Culver City, and all surrounding areas are standard delivery zones. If you have a specific address in an area with restricted street access (narrow streets in some Canyon neighborhoods, for example), we'll coordinate with you to find the best nearby delivery point.

For standard vehicles, open transport is the right choice — it's cost-effective, reliable, and the vast majority of cars ship this way without issue. If you're shipping a luxury vehicle, a classic or collectible, a brand-new car, or a high-end sports car, enclosed transport provides additional protection from road debris and weather. We offer both options. On a 2,000-mile run, enclosed is a worthy investment for high-value vehicles.