Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Ames, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois

Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, the cost difference shrinks, and shipping often becomes more cost-effective when factoring in gas, food, lodging, wear-and-tear, and time, making it worth paying a carrier to avoid the hassle and expense of a long solo trip, though driving saves on carrier fees but adds travel time and costs.

Shipping a car to another state costs roughly $400 to over $3,000, averaging $500-$1,000 for short trips and $1,800-$3,000+ for cross-country, depending heavily on distance, vehicle size, and transport type (open vs. enclosed), with longer distances reducing per-mile cost but increasing total price. Factors like seasonal demand and vehicle make/model also influence final quotes, so comparing multiple transport companies is key.

It's often cheaper to ship a car by train, especially for long distances on specific routes like Amtrak's Auto Train (DC to Florida), offering enclosed protection for potentially less than an open truck carrier; however, for general cross-country moves not on Amtrak routes, truck (open carrier) is usually the most economical, though trains offer better protection and environmental benefits if available.