Shipping Your Car from Chicago to Miami

The ultimate Midwest snowbird route. Chicago to Miami — door-to-door, fully insured, $0 upfront. Snowbird season specialists since 1991.

~1,375 Miles 3–5 Days Transit $1,000–$1,350 Book Early Nov–Mar

"Ship from Naperville to Brickell every November. Lepke is our family's go-to — never had a single issue in three years running."

D. Wiśniewski
VerifiedGoogle

"Shipped my Mercedes from Chicago to Miami Beach in 4 days flat. Price matched the quote exactly. Will use Lepke every season."

M. Okonkwo
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"Retired to Coral Gables from Schaumburg last year. Lepke made the whole relocation stress-free. Car arrived in perfect condition."

P. Gutierrez
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Chicago to Miami — A Premier Snowbird Corridor

Chicago and Miami are linked by one of the most well-traveled auto transport lanes in the country. Every year, thousands of Illinois residents — from the city's lakefront condos to the leafy suburbs of Naperville, Schaumburg, and Evanston — ship their cars south to Miami for the winter season. At Lepke Auto Transport, we've been running this corridor since 1991 and know every nuance of this route, from peak-season carrier availability to the best timing strategies for a smooth, on-budget shipment.

The Chicago–Miami route runs approximately 1,375 miles, typically traveling south via I-65 through Indiana and Kentucky, then cutting east on I-24 toward Atlanta, and finally south on I-75 into Miami-Dade County. Transit time is 3–5 days from pickup in the Chicago metro area. Delivery covers the full Miami metro — Brickell, Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, Doral, Hialeah, Aventura, and all surrounding areas including Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.

⚠️ Snowbird season demand is real: November through March is peak season on the Chicago–Miami corridor. Chicagoans time their departures to escape the first major cold fronts, typically late October through November. Book your winter shipment in September or early October to guarantee availability and the best rates. Last-minute November bookings often face a 1–2 week wait and higher pricing.

Beyond snowbirds: This corridor also handles year-round relocation traffic. Miami's booming tech and finance sectors have drawn significant corporate moves from Chicago. Retirees making permanent moves to Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and Aventura are also a constant stream throughout the year. Whether you're relocating permanently or just spending the season, we've got the carrier capacity and experience to handle it.

Before your vehicle ships, take a few minutes to prepare it properly. Remove all personal belongings, keep the fuel tank under a quarter full, and photograph the car from all angles. Our damage claims guide explains the full process if anything goes wrong — though with our vetted carrier network, the vast majority of shipments arrive without a scratch.

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


Miami Area Delivery Locations

Door-to-door delivery throughout Greater Miami — South Beach, Brickell, suburbs, and South Florida.

Miami Beach
Coral Gables
Brickell
Coconut Grove
Doral
Hialeah
Aventura
Hollywood, FL
Sunny Isles Beach
Fort Lauderdale
Boca Raton
West Palm Beach

Chicago to Miami — Shipping Cost Guide

Typical open-transport pricing. Peak snowbird season (Nov–Mar) can add $100–$200 to base rates — book early for best pricing.

Route Distance Transit Time Estimated Cost
Chicago → Miami~1,375 mi3–5 days$1,000–$1,350
Chicago → Miami Beach~1,380 mi3–5 days$1,050–$1,350
Naperville → Doral~1,385 mi3–5 days$1,050–$1,350
Schaumburg → Aventura~1,395 mi4–5 days$1,050–$1,350
Chicago → Boca Raton~1,350 mi3–5 days$1,000–$1,300
Chicago → Hollywood, FL~1,365 mi3–5 days$1,000–$1,300
Chicago → West Palm Beach~1,325 mi3–5 days$980–$1,280

*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?

Snowbird Season Experts

We've managed the Chicago–Miami corridor for over 30 years. We know exactly when demand peaks and how to keep your shipment on schedule every season.

Locked-In Pricing

Your quote is your final price — no hidden fees, no bait-and-switch, especially important during busy November and December peak windows.

One Point of Contact

A dedicated rep manages your shipment from booking to delivery. Real people, not call centers.

$0 Upfront

Nothing due until a verified carrier is dispatched. Zero financial risk for you.

Fully Insured

All carriers in our 10,000+ network carry comprehensive cargo insurance. Your vehicle is protected every mile from Chicago to Miami.

10,000+ Carrier Network

Our massive network gives us options even during the most competitive snowbird season windows in November and March.

3 Easy Steps to Get Your Car to Miami

1. Get Your Quote

Enter your Chicago-area pickup address and Miami delivery address — get a guaranteed price in seconds.

2. We Pick Up in Chicago

A vetted carrier comes directly to your Chicagoland door or condo. Full inspection at pickup, then headed south.

3. Delivered in Miami

Your car arrives at your Miami, Brickell, or Aventura address in 3–5 days — just in time to enjoy the sun.

Chicago to Miami — Frequently Asked Questions

Book in September or October for November, December, and January departures. The Chicago-to-Miami corridor is one of the busiest snowbird routes in North America, and carrier demand surges sharply in late October. Booking early locks in better rates and guaranteed availability. Waiting until November means limited slots, higher prices, and possible 1–2 week delays before a carrier can be dispatched.

Typically 3–5 days from pickup in the Chicago metro area. Chicago to Miami Beach or Brickell is usually 4–5 days; Chicago to Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale can sometimes reach 3 days. We provide a confirmed delivery window at the time of booking. If you need guaranteed faster delivery, ask about our expedited transport option.

Absolutely. We provide door-to-door pickup throughout all of Chicagoland — Naperville, Schaumburg, Aurora, Joliet, Evanston, Downers Grove, Bolingbrook, and all surrounding suburbs. Our carriers come directly to your home or building. No need to drive to a terminal or staging lot.

Yes — we deliver throughout Greater Miami and South Florida. Aventura, Doral, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Hialeah, Hollywood, Sunny Isles Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Boca Raton are all standard delivery areas. If you're not sure about your specific address, just contact us and we'll confirm coverage before you book.

Yes. All carriers in our network carry mandatory cargo insurance covering your vehicle throughout transit. Your personal auto insurance also remains active during transport, providing double coverage. The Bill of Lading completed at pickup documents the vehicle's pre-transport condition so any damage during shipping is clearly attributable to the carrier. See our damage claims guide for full details.