Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Chicago, Illinois to Wellington

It's usually cheaper to drive for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, shipping can become competitive or even cheaper when you factor in the "hidden" costs of driving (gas, hotels, food, wear-and-tear) versus the upfront shipping fee, especially if you're moving with others or have an unreliable car.

The cheapest way to ship a car to another state is usually open transport on a multi-car carrier, exposing your vehicle to the elements but costing significantly less than enclosed shipping. To save more, choose terminal-to-terminal service, be flexible with dates, book in advance, and compare quotes from multiple carriers like Montway Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, or Ship a Car Direct.

Shipping a car 3000 miles typically costs $1,200 to over $2,000, with open transport being cheaper ($0.33-$0.60/mile) and enclosed transport costing more (around $0.75-$1.00+/mile), with prices varying by season, demand, vehicle type, and transport availability. Expect lower per-mile rates for longer distances, but higher overall prices.