Shipping Your Car from Chicago to Phoenix

Arizona's #1 snowbird destination. Chicago to Phoenix — door-to-door, fully insured, $0 upfront. Specialists in the Midwest-to-Arizona winter corridor.

~1,750 Miles 4–7 Days Transit $1,050–$1,400 Book Early Nov–Mar

"We've shipped from Naperville to Scottsdale every November for four years straight. Lepke is the only company we trust with this — always on time, never a surprise."

H. Bergmann
VerifiedGoogle

"Relocated permanently from Schaumburg to Chandler. Lepke made the whole move simpler — car arrived in 6 days looking exactly as I left it."

S. Fitzpatrick
VerifiedGoogle

"Retired to Mesa from Evanston. Lepke gave me a fair price and a smooth experience. Highly recommend for anyone making the Arizona move."

L. Mancini
VerifiedGoogle

Chicago to Phoenix — The Arizona Snowbird Route

Arizona is the second most popular snowbird destination in the country after Florida, and Phoenix — along with Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert — draws enormous numbers of Illinois residents every winter. The Chicago–Phoenix auto transport corridor is one of Lepke's busiest western routes, with consistent demand from November through March as Chicagoans trade lake-effect snow for desert sunshine. We've been managing this corridor for over 30 years and have deep carrier relationships that keep this route running smoothly.

The route covers approximately 1,750 miles, typically running southwest via I-55 through St. Louis, then I-44 or I-40 across Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and into Arizona. Transit time is 4–7 days from pickup in the Chicago metro area. Delivery covers the full Phoenix metro — from downtown Phoenix and Tempe to Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, and Surprise — as well as Tucson, Sedona, and Flagstaff.

⚠️ Book Arizona shipments early: November through February is the absolute peak season on the Chicago–Phoenix corridor. Arizona's dry warmth draws a steady wave of Illinois snowbirds, and carrier demand surges sharply in October and November. Book your winter shipment in September or early October to lock in availability and competitive pricing. Last-minute November or December bookings frequently face 1–2 week wait times and higher rates.

Sun Belt retirement and relocation: Beyond seasonal snowbirds, this route handles a high volume of permanent retirement relocations. Sun Belt cities like Scottsdale, Chandler, and Gilbert rank among the top retirement destinations in the country. If you're making a one-way move to Arizona, we handle that too — same door-to-door service, same fully insured transit, same $0 upfront commitment.

We pick up throughout the Chicago metro and all Chicagoland suburbs — from the city to Naperville, Schaumburg, Evanston, and everywhere in between. Before your vehicle ships, take a few minutes to prepare it properly. The I-40 stretch through New Mexico and Arizona can expose vehicles to dust and wind, so a thorough pre-ship inspection and documentation is always worthwhile.

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


Phoenix Area Delivery Locations

Door-to-door delivery throughout the Valley of the Sun, Southern Arizona, and Northern Arizona.

Phoenix (all areas)
Scottsdale
Tempe
Mesa
Chandler
Gilbert
Glendale, AZ
Peoria, AZ
Surprise, AZ
Tucson
Sedona
Flagstaff

Chicago to Phoenix — Shipping Cost Guide

Typical open-transport pricing for the Midwest-to-Arizona corridor. Peak snowbird season (Nov–Feb) can add $100–$200 to base rates — book early.

Route Distance Transit Time Estimated Cost
Chicago → Phoenix~1,750 mi4–7 days$1,050–$1,400
Chicago → Scottsdale~1,760 mi4–7 days$1,075–$1,400
Naperville → Tempe~1,755 mi4–7 days$1,075–$1,400
Chicago → Mesa~1,765 mi4–7 days$1,075–$1,400
Chicago → Chandler~1,770 mi4–7 days$1,075–$1,400
Chicago → Tucson~1,795 mi5–7 days$1,100–$1,420
Chicago → Glendale, AZ~1,740 mi4–7 days$1,050–$1,390

*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?

Arizona Snowbird Specialists

We've managed the Chicago–Phoenix corridor for over 30 years. Seasonal demand patterns, carrier availability, and optimal booking windows — we know this route cold.

Locked-In Pricing

Your quote is your final price — no surprise fees in November when demand peaks. Book early and your rate is guaranteed.

One Point of Contact

A dedicated rep manages your shipment from Chicago to Phoenix. No hand-offs, no call centers — just reliable communication.

$0 Upfront

Nothing due until a verified carrier is dispatched. Zero financial risk — you only pay when your vehicle is on its way.

Fully Insured

All carriers carry comprehensive cargo insurance covering your vehicle from Chicago through the Southwest desert and into Arizona.

10,000+ Carrier Network

Our massive network ensures we can dispatch even during peak Arizona snowbird season when this lane gets extremely competitive.

3 Easy Steps to Escape to Arizona

1. Get Your Quote

Enter your Chicago pickup and Phoenix-area delivery address — locked-in price in seconds.

2. We Pick Up in Chicago

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

3. Delivered in Phoenix

Your car arrives at your Scottsdale, Mesa, or Phoenix address in 4–7 days — ready for desert sunshine.

Chicago to Phoenix — Frequently Asked Questions

Book in September or early October for November through February departures. Arizona is the number-two snowbird destination in the country, and the Chicago–Phoenix corridor gets extremely competitive in October and November. Booking early locks in better rates and guaranteed carrier availability. Waiting until November often means 1–2 weeks of delay and higher pricing as demand peaks.

Typically 4–7 days from pickup in the Chicago metro area. Chicago to Phoenix or Scottsdale usually takes 5–6 days. Chicago to Tucson or more distant parts of Arizona can take 6–7 days. During peak snowbird season, build in extra time at both ends — book early and confirm your delivery window so you can plan your own travel accordingly.

Yes — door-to-door delivery throughout the entire Valley of the Sun. Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, and Surprise are all standard delivery areas. We also serve Tucson, Sedona, and Flagstaff. If you have a specific gated community or address with access restrictions, we'll coordinate a convenient nearby delivery point.

Absolutely — and many of our Arizona regulars do exactly this every year. We handle the southbound November run and the northbound April or May return. Once you're a Lepke customer, rebooking takes a few minutes and your preferences are on file. Many seasonal customers book both legs at the same time for maximum planning efficiency and rate consistency.

Yes — all carriers in our network carry mandatory cargo insurance covering your vehicle throughout the 1,750-mile journey. Your personal auto insurance remains active throughout transit as well. The Bill of Lading completed at pickup documents your vehicle's pre-transport condition. See our damage claims guide for everything you need to know about coverage and the claims process.